Ginger- not just for Gilligan anymore

   
Okay, one is definitely PRETTIER than the other........

I'm a big fan of essential oils, and ginger has so many beneficial properties that I always keep it on hand.

Properties: Analgesic, antibacterial, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aperitive, aphrodisiac, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative, rubefacient, stimulant, stomachic, tonic, vasodilator

Benefits: Arthritis, bronchitis, bruises, chills, colds, colic, congestion, constipation, coughs, cramps, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, flatulence, flu, hangover, headaches, indigestion, loss of appetite, muscular aches and pains, nausea, nervous exhaustion, poor circulation, rheumatism, sinusitis, sore throat, sprains, toothache, travel sickness, varicose veins, vomiting. The stimulant action of this oil makes it useful for fatigue and exhaustion. It may be added to a blend to be diffused into the air, or to a carrier oil and rubbed on the earlobes, temples, or base of the neck.

Blends Well With: Bergamot, cedarwood, clove, coriander, eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, jasmine, juniper, lemon, lime, mandarin, neroli, orange, palmarosa, patchouli, rose, sandalwood, vetiver, ylang ylang

So I'm really happy that Fall is coming, because that's when companies start putting out products with their cooler weather scents- spicy scents, warm scents. Pumpkin, cinnamon, and my favorite- ginger. Most people think of Bath & Body Works White Tea & Ginger in association with ginger scents

but I much prefer their Aromatherapy Orange Ginger Energy- it's true aromatherapy-- essential oils as opposed to synthetic fragrance. Once you've had the real thing and experienced it's properties, it's hard to go back. The aromatherapy line by B&BW is the best thing they have- I wish they'd expand it. I have the whole Orange Ginger set and nothing gets my butt in gear half as well as this. In the winter it's also quite warming as well as energizing. And that body mist? Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, gurgle gurgle........And it may seem like a little thing, but I like that these are in glass bottles- they look lovely in the bathroom and seem a little more classy. I actually like to reuse these bottles for my handmade stuff, they're really well made as well as being quite lovely.

Another ginger line that I am bonkers for is Origins Ginger products- my favorite being the Ginger Up shampoo and conditioners. The cleansers in the shampoo are coconut oil based, so they leave your hair bouncy and shiny with no heavy residue or buildup. I have very fine hair and this does not weigh it down and it gives me tons of body. There's a light bergamot note to balance out the ginger, but the ginger is still the star of the show. Ginger is reputed to be an aphrodisiac and with this in your hair, you can believe it. Having this lightly scenting your hair gives an air of sensuality and warmth but is much more subtle than a heavy perfume. I have been using this stuff for YEARS.

And then there's Spa Ritual Instinctual Ginger Body Lotion. Mama Mia! I got a travel size of this from Beauty Fix a few years ago and have kept a bottle of this around at all times ever since. It's made with pure essential oil, paraben free and the ingredients are vegan and 83% organic. Why is it a good thing to avoid parabens, you may ask? Parabens are a synthetic preservative that mimic estrogen and have been linked to breast cancer. in the July 2002 issue of the Archives of Toxicology, Dr. S. Oishi of the Department of Toxicology, Tokyo Metropolitan Research Laboratory of Public Health reported that exposure of newborn male mammals to butylparaben “adversely affects the secretion of testosterone and the function of the male reproductive system.” 
YIKES.

So this lotion- that's what I was talking about, right? It energizes your root chakra, which, you guessed it, means aphrodisiac, baby! The lotion itself is so rich and decadent but it absorbs like butter into the skin leaving you soft for miles. Not greasy and deeply moisturizing. And the smell? Well, it's that burst of ginger I love so much! Excellent for the mid day slump, as it is the absolute embodiment of the energizing benefits of ginger.