It not a looker, that’s for sure but inside that knobbly dull exterior lurks a powerful healer. As an Aromatherapist one of my favorite essential oils has always been ginger, it’s properties are far reaching on a physical level and on an emotional level I think ginger is the oil I love the most. If ever an oil could make you feel wrapped up in warm cotton wool and held safe, then ginger is the one to do that. As I’m writing this it’s January and the usual cough’s and cold, aches and pains avail – try using fresh ginger to make things easier for your body to negotiate this challenging time of year. Physically, ginger has a positive effect on the respiratory system, it helps break down mucus and is calming and anti-inflammatory. It helps the digestive system, again calming, cleansing and relieving nausea and indigestion. In the circulatory system, it cleans the blood, arguably more powerfully than onions and garlic. Its inflammatory properties affect the joints and muscles, helping with arthritis and aches and pains. It cleanses, gently stimulates, detoxifies, warms and calms the bodily systems and it’s effects ‘cuddle’ the emotional body. Obviously, you can add it grated into lots of different meals, stir fries, soups, curries, just use a small amount at first so you can gauge how you like. In a cup, put a couple of slices of fresh ginger, pour boiling water over it, add about equal amounts of honey (good quality, not the budget stuff, that’s just sugar in a jar) and fresh lemon juice…and drink….a therapeutic ‘cuppa’!