Ginger Oil: Benefits, Uses, And Side Effects - Healthline

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Nutrition

Everything You Should Know About Health Benefits of Ginger Oil

Medically reviewed by Avi Varma, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FAAFP — Written by The Healthline Editorial Team — Updated on October 2, 2024

Uses
Potential health benefits
Side effects
Different forms
Takeaway

Essential oils like ginger oil may offer health benefits. These might include inflammatory and pain relief, along with possible nausea relief for children and those who have had abdominal surgery.

Ginger has long been used in traditional medicine. The part of the plant used for these purposes is called the rhizome. While it may look like a root, the rhizome is actually an underground stem from which roots branch.

Continue reading to discover more about ginger oil, its potential health benefits, and how to use it safely.

What do people use ginger oil for?

Ginger is a member of the same plant family as turmeric and cardamom. It can be found throughout the world, especially in Asia and Africa. The scientific name of the plant is Zingiber officinale.

Ginger oil is extracted from the ginger rhizome after a distillation process. Like other essential oils, it’s very concentrated.

Ginger oil has a distinct aroma that can be described as strong, warm, or spicy. As such, it’s often used for aromatherapy. People also sometimes use ginger oil in different products for the hair and skin.

Potential health benefits of ginger oil

Some of the potential benefits of ginger essential oil are anecdotal. This means they’re based on personal reports or testimony rather than scientific studies.

In one 2020 analysis of 109 clinical trials exploring the health effects of ginger, researchers noted that only 43 of those studies — 39.4% — could be determined to have a “high quality of evidence.” Many had controversial findings, small study samples, and less ideal ways to evaluate results.

Those studies looked at nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, anti-inflammation, digestive health, metabolic conditions, and colorectal cancer.

With those findings, researchers noted that more studies are needed to validate earlier results to determine the actual clinical effects of ginger and ginger oil.

Anti-inflammatory

Studies have begun to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of ginger oil. Although many studies have focused on mice and other animals, some specific human clinical trials suggest that ginger oil may have anti-inflammatory benefits for people.

In a 2024 study, researchers found that ginger oil can significantly reduce inflammation by suppressing the body’s inflammatory response because of its richness in bioactive compounds. However, this study was done using lab experiments and data analysis, not in human participants.

Other research using rat, mouse, and test-tube models suggests ginger oil has anti-inflammatory benefits for kidney function, rheumatoid arthritis, and weight management. However, these specific studies were also not done in humans, so they may also not translate to clinical significance for people.

Consult a healthcare professional about any health concerns or questions you have about ginger oil and whether it’s worth trying.

Nausea

Inhaling the aroma of ginger oil has historically been used as a way to relieve nausea, but research exploring this topic has been mixed.

One 2017 study with 30 participants assessed the effectiveness of inhaling ginger oil to relieve postoperative nausea following abdominal surgery. Investigators found that participants who had inhaled ginger oil rated their levels of nausea and vomiting lower than those in the control group.

A 2017 research review looked at nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Researchers found that ginger could be a complementary medicinal treatment to help people who experience this symptom during pregnancy.

However, other research has found conflicting results.

In a 2016 study on aromatherapy, researchers compared levels of postoperative nausea in children inhaling a blend of essential oils, including ginger, or placebo. They found no difference in nausea between children inhaling the essential oil blend and children inhaling a placebo.

Risks and side effects

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that ginger oil is generally recognized as safe and has few adverse effects.

As with any essential oil, you will want to discuss specifics with your healthcare team to decide what is best for you and whether they may present risks or side effects.

Different forms of ginger oil

Ginger and ginger oil products include:

diffusers
steam inhalation
sprays
topical ointments

Essential oils should never be consumed or ingested.

In addition to ginger oil, ginger comes in other forms that are edible and often used in cooking and flavoring, like:

fresh
dried
ground or powdered
pickled
candied

Your healthcare team can discuss with you what essential oils and different products offer and what might work best for you.

While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

The takeaway

Ginger oil is an essential oil extracted from the rhizome of the ginger plant. Research into the benefits of ginger oil indicates that it has anti-inflammatory properties and that it could be helpful in easing feelings of nausea.

Your healthcare team is a great resource to discuss how ginger oil and any other forms of ginger may help with any health conditions or concerns.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Afzaal H, et al. (2024). Exploring the therapeutic potential of ginger (Zingiber officniale) oil against inflammatory process.https://www.jptcp.com/index.php/jptcp/article/view/5878
Akinyemi AJ, et al. (2018). Nephroprotective effect of essential oils from ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizomes against cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jos/67/10/67_ess18115/_pdf
Anh NH, et al. (2020). Ginger on human health: A comprehensive systematic review of 109 randomized controlled trials.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7019938/
CFR – Code of federal regulations title 21. (2024).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=182.20
Fifi AC, et al. (2018). Herbs and spices in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders: A review of clinical trials.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/11/1715
Funk JL, et al. (2016). Anti-inflammatory effects of the essential oils of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) in experimental rheumatoid arthritis.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2213434416300056?via%3Dihub
Kiberd MB, et al. (2016). Aromatherapy for the treatment of PONV in children: A pilot RCT.https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-016-1441-1
Lee YR, et al. (2017). Effectiveness of ginger essential oil on postoperative nausea and vomiting in abdominal surgery patients.https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/acm.2015.0328
Ozgoli G, et al. (2018). Effects of complementary medicine on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: A systematic review.https://journals.lww.com/ijom/fulltext/2018/09000/effects_of_complementary_medicine_on_nausea_and.71.aspx

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Medically reviewed by Avi Varma, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FAAFP — Written by The Healthline Editorial Team — Updated on October 2, 2024

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