Ginger is derived from the rhizome or underground stem of the Zingiber officinale plant. Originating in ancient China, this pale gold plant is now available worldwide. A key ingredient in Asian and Indian cuisine, ginger is well known in holistic medicine for its healing properties.
Ginger’s medicinal effects, which are heralded in Ayurvedic as well as American integrationist medicine, include the treatment of nausea, indigestion, arthritis, colic, diarrhea, and heart conditions and for the reduction of inflammation.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Its ability to reduce inflammation make ginger an ideal ingredient for softening and smoothing the skin in exfoliating products and an essential ingredient for hydrotherapies aimed at reducing joint pain and inducing relaxation. Ginger is a widely used medicinal therapy in conditions of arthritis and ulcerative colitis. Added to balms and creams, ginger reduces both pain and inflammation.
Ginger Therapies
Added to lime and other pure plant ingredients, ginger is used in facials and body wraps to soften the skin and aid in detoxification. As a seeped hot tea or a chilled ale, ginger is served to spa clients as a refreshing, purifying beverage.
- Ginger is also a mainstay in many luxurious spa therapies. Traditional Bali skin therapies can be found at the Banyan Tree Spa, which combines ginger, lemongrass, bergamot, and pandanus in several of their signature spa therapies.
- At the CC Dionne spa in Pacifica, California, following a dry skin brushing, a combination of brown sugar and ginger is lathered and sealed over the skin in an invigorating, smoothing therapy that causes the skin to glow.
- At Thailand’s Echo Valley Ranch, ginger and clove are diffused through the spa’s mineral mist steam therapies to prepare the skin for facials and body wraps while evoking a feeling of Zen harmony.
- The Toscana Day Spa in Boston blends ginger with tangerine in an aromatic signature facial designed to awaken and re-energize the senses while softening and smoothing the skin.
- In Richmond, British Columbia, guests at the River Rock Casino and Resort can enjoy a relaxing Muscle Melter massage enhanced by an invigorating blend of ginger, rosemary, and black pepper massage oils.
Ginger Products
Elemis makes a ginger and lime product called Elemis Lime and Ginger Salt Glow that’s reported to purify, invigorate, and soften the skin. Masada’s dead sea salts are also rich in ginger to aid in detoxification. Origins has a complete line of ginger spa products including a whipped bubble bath cream, shampoo, body scrubs and moisturizing body creams.
Bathecary home spa products, which hail from London, are based in ginger and lemon, while Kneipp makes an arnica warming massage oil blended with ginger to relax and heal sore muscles.
The Ginger Attraction
Whether sipping ginger tea in your home or at your favorite holistic spa, soaking in a warm ginger bath, or enjoying an invigorating ginger massage, you’re certain to appreciate ginger’s undeniable appeal.
Elaine Moore - I'm a retired medical technologist and medical writer with more than 30 years experience working in hospital laboratories. Currently, I ...
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