Zingiber officinale

extract Ginger has been used in India and China for centuries. The root has traditionally had a firm place in Ayurvedic teachings and is also an indispensable part of Asian cuisine. No wonder, since ginger, and thus Zingiber Officinale, contains more than 160 valuable ingredients! The plant originates from Southeast Asia, and today the most important growing areas include Indonesia, Sri Lanka, China, Vietnam, but also South America and Australia.

The plant has an underground rootstock and can reach a height of between 50 and 150 centimetres. However, it is mainly the tuberous root that is used, as this is where the largest proportion of the valuable ingredients are found. The root contains 1.5 to 3.0 per cent essential oils, as well as the pungent substances that give ginger its typical flavour.

These pungent substances include gingerols and shoagols in particular. But that’s not all, because ginger is a veritable treasure trove of valuable ingredients.

Zingiber officinale and its ingredients

Ginger is the medicinal plant of the year 2018: no wonder, as it is rich in minerals. The proportion of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and iron is immensely high, accounting for around 1.2 per cent of the root alone. The tuber is also a real powerhouse when it comes to vitamin C, as 100 grams of ginger contains up to 6000 milligrams of vitamin C. It also has a very high vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B3 (niacin) content. Ginger also provides significant amounts of copper and manganese, as well as slightly lower amounts of iron and zinc. Finally, the flavonoid kaempferol is also found in Zingiber officinale.

Why Zingiber officinale is so healthy

The ingredients listed above have a variety of beneficial properties. Take, for example, the essential oils borneol and cineol: while borneol improves the bioavailability of other substances, cineol has expectorant and antibacterial effects. The flavonoid kaempferol is said to have valuable anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. And the two ‘spicy’ compounds also perform valuable services. Several studies have already shown that gingerols have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-cancer effects. Shogaols are considered to be neuro-enhancers, meaning they can improve memory and thinking skills.

The trace elements contained in Zingiber officinale also have numerous beneficial properties. Zinc, for example, plays an important role in cell division, growth, immune defence and hormone production, while manganese is involved in the formation of glucose and bone metabolism, among other things, and copper is responsible for pigment metabolism. The many minerals are involved in regulating water and electrolyte balance and overall cell metabolism. They are also important for the function of numerous enzymes and signal transmission in nerve, muscle and heart muscle cells. Then there are the vitamins contained in Zingiber Officinale: The high vitamin C content serves as a valuable antioxidant and is involved in collagen metabolism, while the various B vitamins support energy and amino acid metabolism as well as the nervous system.

Zingiber officinale in cosmetics

Zingiber officinale is also playing an increasingly important role in cosmetics, as this wonderful root is good for our skin. Ginger extract combats possible inflammation in the human body and contributes to an improvement in microcirculation. This is very important for healthy and beautiful skin. At the same time, ginger is also an antiseptic wonder weapon that simply destroys any pathogenic microorganisms. Zingiber officinale is therefore ideal for combating acne and other skin conditions.

Those who apply ginger in the form of a mask will quickly notice an improvement in blood circulation. This improves the oxygen supply to the cells, making the skin look younger and fresher. In addition, Zingiber Officinale promotes the natural production of collagen and elastin when applied. The result is also a more youthful appearance. Overall, ginger improves the complexion in the long term. Those who suffer from an uneven complexion or overly pale skin can also achieve good results with Zingiber Officinale.

The extract from ginger root is even suitable for preparing the skin for thorough cleansing. The reason: the ingredients contribute to a significant enlargement of the pores, allowing subsequent cleansing products to be much more effective.

There is a minor disadvantage

However, there is one small disadvantage to the cosmetic use of ginger: as it is a fairly strong remedy, it is not necessarily recommended for use on very sensitive or irritated skin. The same applies to rosacea, wounds and other skin injuries.

However, there are no concerns for all other skin types. If you are unsure whether you can tolerate Zingiber Officinale, you can test the product on a small, inconspicuous area of your body before using it.

100 millilitres of Zingiber Officinale contains up to 1.5 kilograms of fresh ginger.

Zingiber Officinale profile

INCI: Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Water/Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract

Functions: skin care, skin strengthening, protection of human body cells against oxidation by free radicals

Key ingredients: pungent substances (gingerols and shoagols), vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus, sodium, copper, manganese

We enjoy working with these ginger ingredients:

Cosmetics with Zingiber Officinale

Zingiber Officinale is a real treat for our skin and can be easily integrated into high-quality cosmetic products. Whether used to combat acne, as a circulation-boosting face mask or as a cream, this spice plant is not only healthy, but also ensures an attractive, fresh complexion when the appropriate extract is applied.

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