Ginger is a flowering plant in the family Zingiberaceae; its root is widely used as a spice, and it has been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. Due to its digestive properties, ginger is an integral part of Asian cuisines. Most commonly, it’s added to meals, including meat, because of its ability to aid digestion. Ginger root and ginger essential oil are gaining popularity for their preservation and flavoring capabilities.

The health benefits of ginger essential oil are nearly identical to the medicinal fresh ginger; in fact, the most potent form of ginger is the essential oil because it contains the highest levels of gingerol. The essential oil is the best way to use ginger as medicine. It can be taken internally to treat health conditions or rubbed topically with a carrier oil on an area of pain.