October 24, 2022 • 6 min read
Want to Try Ginger Oil for Weight Loss? Let’s Look at The Evidence
Published on October 24, 2022 |
Update on September 13, 2023
MS, Registered Dietitian, Former President of CT Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
Table of Contents
Many praise ginger oil for belly fat loss and overall weight loss. However, does ginger oil really work? Is it safe? We will dive into the evidence supporting ginger oil for weight loss. Read on to learn more!
The product in question is Belly Drainage Ginger Essential Oil, which is basically ginger oil diluted in jojoba oil. The oil is intended to be massaged into the belly button, put in a humidifier, or rubbed into the skin during massage.
The product is glamorized as a ‘Slimming Essential Oil’ that can help you lose weight while lying down without dieting. But is it even possible? We’ll dive into this later.
This oil also claims to do the following:
It also claims that it will eliminate gas, reduce swelling, improve digestion, increase blood circulation, and more through lymphatic drainage.
These statements sound miraculous, don’t they? Is it too good to be true? Unfortunately, yes. Let’s talk more about this!
The oil we’re referring to is promoted as lymphatic drainage oil.
So what is lymphatic drainage? Lymphatic drainage (also manual lymphatic drainage or lymphatic drainage) is a type of massage to reduce painful swelling in the limbs caused by a condition called lymphedema. Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic venous insufficiency, or other conditions can benefit from this type of massage to remove the lymph from their bodies and reduce discomfort and pain. [1]
While losing lymph will technically cause a reduction in your weight because you are draining accumulated fluid, you are not losing fat in this process.
Additionally, an individual without a condition that creates lymphedema (which is typically the population that wants to use this product for weight loss) does not have accumulated lymph in their body anyway. Therefore, lymphatic drainage is not necessary or effective for most people.
There are no evidence-based research studies that support the use of ginger essential oil to aid in weight loss, whether the oil is rubbed into the belly button, added to water in a humidifier, or massaged into the skin.
In particular, ginger oil cannot target and help reduce belly fat.
Even if you are someone who would benefit from lymphatic drainage, there is no evidence that ginger essential oil itself would aid in lymphatic drainage. Additionally, only trained individuals and professionals should perform manual lymphatic drainage massages.
This ginger oil product claims that you will lose weight or belly fat ‘without dieting’ and ‘lying down.’ This claim is fundamentally flawed because in order to achieve successful and sustainable weight loss, you must focus on eating healthy and increasing your physical activity. [2]
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While ginger essential oil does not have any proven benefit for weight or body fat loss, evidence-based research does support some uses.
Some proven effects of ginger essential oil are as follows:
It is important to clarify that no essential oil should be ingested by humans, and you should only use them topically. [7]
Consuming even a very small amount of essential oil can be very dangerous and toxic.
While we have established that ginger essential oil does not work for weight loss, it makes sense that you would wonder if any essential oil could be used effectively for weight loss.
It is difficult to answer this question because essential oils by themselves do not necessarily cause weight loss.
However, certain essential oils may have beneficial indirect effects that may influence weight loss and overall health and well-being.
For instance, a study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine concluded that extracts from juniper leaves could exhibit antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are natural compounds that protect cells from the harmful effects of free radicals, which are naturally produced in the body and present in our environment. [8]
Free radicals can cause inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which may worsen obesity, heart disease, and many more chronic disease states.
Similarly, according to the Global Journal of Medical Research, sage oil also has antioxidant properties and can help reduce and prevent oxidative stress in the body. [9]
Before considering adding any type of essential oil or supplement to your lifestyle, make sure you first speak with your physician.
‘Magic’ weight-loss solutions, like snaps for weight loss, ballerina tea, or ginger oil, are so popular because they promise fast results without effort. However, weight loss doesn’t work like that.
The healthiest way to lose weight is to follow a sustainable approach and focus on long-term lifestyle changes that will gradually change your physique and health for the better. Here are the key principles of a sustainable and holistic approach to weight loss:
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!