Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Zedoary

Also known as 'Indian Saffron', Zedoary essential oil is renowned for its digestive properties. Zedoary essential oil has a fresh, woody and spiced scent that is very pleasant to diffuse.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Appropriate

  • Food grade

    Food grade

    Appropriate

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

Features

Properties and uses

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Complete steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Root (rhizome)

Botanical name

Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Properties and uses

Health

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Properties

Zedoary essential oil is renowned for the following health benefits:

  • Supports and stimulates digestion

  • Helps relieve gas

  • Helps eliminate gas

  • Cholagogue

  • Choleretic

Uses

It is traditionally used to improve the following conditions:

  • Digestive insufficiency, digestive difficulties

  • Dysphagia

In practice

Poor digestion: Mix into your oil blend. Massage or rub your blend into the abdomen.

Precautions

  • Should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, or on children under 6.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • Avoid contact with the eyes.

  • Some natural compounds in this essential oil may present an allergy risk for sensitive individuals when the oil is incorporated into a cosmetic composition (in accordance with the 7th Amendment to the European Cosmetics Directive (2003/15/EC)): limonene, linalool.

  • As a general rule, always perform a patch test of your preparation in the crease of your elbow at least 48 hours before use.

Find out more

Of the same family as Ginger, Zedoary, or 'Indian Saffron' , is a rhizomatous botanical plant native to India and Indonesia. In these countries, it is used either as a spice in curries or fresh and marinated.

It is rarely used in the West, where it has been replaced by ginger. The plant is found in certain Eastern pharmacopoeias, where it is reputed to stimulate digestion.

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.

Bibliography

1

'L'ABC des huiles essentielles'

Dr Telphon

2

L'aromathérapie exactement

P. Franchomme, R. Jollois, D. Penoël