Ginger

Origin: China

Family: Zingiberaceae
Scientific Name: Zingiber officinalis

Magical

Element: Fire
Day: Tuesday
Planet: Mars
Zodiac: Sagittarius
Associated Celebrations: WinSol
Deities: Aries and Mars

Parts used: Root (rhizome)

Magical Properties: Love, lust, protection, passion, health, courage, energy, strength, prosperity

Substitutions: Garlic

Aromatherapy

Part Used: Root
Extraction Method: Steam distillation
Flash Point: 54°C

Scent Type: Spicy
Perfume Note: Middle/base
Scent Description: Spicy and warm

Aromatherapeutic Uses

Blends well with: Citrus, frankincense, sandalwood, ylang-ylang

Warnings:

• Phototoxic: Do not expose skin to sunlight after topical use.
• Unsafe for use if taking blood-thinning medication.
• May cause skin irritation and sensitisation, dilute double for topical application.

Botanical

Type: Herbaceous plant
Plant size: up to 1m
Leaves: Narrow, grass-like blades
Flowers: Inflorescences if pale yellow flowers with purple edges, which grow on separate shoots directly from the rhizome

Etymology: The English word “ginger” has been traced through Latin (gingiber), Greek (zingiberis), and Prakit (singabera) to the Sanskrit srngaveram. The popular theory is that this is from the Sanskrit words srngam (horn) and vera (body), in reference to the shape of the root.

In the Garden

Type: Perennial
Sow: Spring
Light: Mostly shade
Soil: Deep, enriched, sandy loam

Companion Planting: Beans, chilli, crimson clover, coriander, lemongrass

Tips:

• Start harvesting rhizomes as soon as you see new shoots coming from the sides of the main plant.
• Harvest the entire plant in autumn, saving a few rhizomes for re-planting.