Ginger oil for lymphodaema

[HazieC]

Hi all

I’ve been seeing a lot of advertising for ginger oil to help reduce lymphatic fluid, just wondering if anyone has tried this & what the results have been like?

[Lynora]

It probably would have no effect on lymphoedema, but might help with puffy ankles etc - although the most benefit is the massage to apply the oil ! It smells nice though!

[CCT67]

Hi HazieC The advert you’ve seen has circulated through the Lymphie and other on-line patient groups for several years. It’s a scam pushed by an opportunist preying on patients trying to make money. There are numerous accounts of patients being taken for a ride by the scam eg no money refunded when money back guarantee is claimed due to product not living up to the advert.

Ginger essential oil can be purchased for much cheaper at places like H&B and on-line, and another option is simmering ginger root and drink as a tea - this is a great general anti-inflammatory. Adding turmeric powder and a touch of black pepper to ginger root tea makes an even better anti-inflammatory.

Sadly, there is no cure for Lymphoedema. The most effective way to slow disease progression and manage swelling is through daily compression therapy, daily SLD with MLD treatments by a qualified lymphoedema therapist as often as you can afford, and meticulous skin care to reduce risk of Cellulitis (a risky bacterial infection).

MLDUK.org.uk

[Hidden]

Hi Hazel, there is no scientific evidence that ginger oil reduces lymphoedema. It is the effect of massage which will disperse and soften swelling. In some people ginger oil, and some other essential oils can cause skin irritation which may cause other issues where there is swelling so best avoided.

[Perido]

I think a nice aroma can encourage one to do some massage which is a good thing. I would be cautious about applying ginger oil to lymphoedema skin because of, as Lavender60 says, the risk of irritation. Maybe a drop or two in a bland carrier oil might be OK but personally I wouldn't. A nice aroma could be achieved by making an anti-inflammatory herbal tea to accompany a massage - a win win combination.

[Anne16]

Hi HazieC,My husband read this article last year I think and kindly sent away for a bottle for me to try. I have Primary bilateral lower limb lymphoedema. Sadly it made no difference whatsoever. As others state, any massage is good, but is not specific to a particular oil I don't think. Take care.

🌺

[HazieC]

Thank you all, I did think it sounded a bit too good to be true 😘