4 Natural Remedies for Nausea Relief

Everyone experiences nausea at one point or another. Whether yours is related to pregnancy, acid reflux, or cancer treatment, some natural remedies such as ginger-infused tea, aromatherapy, and acupuncture may provide relief. But just as with over-the-counter medications, it’s important to check with your doctor to make sure any supplements or at-home remedies are safe and don’t interact with other medications you may be taking.

Nausea arises in a variety of situations, and understanding the cause is important for determining the most appropriate treatment. For example, nausea is frequently experienced in pregnancy, so some of these natural remedies may be particularly helpful, especially since you need to be very careful about the medications you take at this time. But whether or not pregnancy is the cause of your nausea, be sure to talk with your doctor about how to best treat it.

1. Ginger

Ginger has a long history of being used to treat nausea, stomachaches, and diarrhea. In China, for instance, it’s been used to treat a variety of digestive and pain issues for more than 2,000 years. It’s unclear exactly how ginger works to ease nausea, but it’s thought that active components such as gingerol directly affect the digestive and central nervous systems.

“It’s an excellent treatment for nausea, especially in pregnancy,” says Lauren Richter, DO, assistant professor of family and community medicine at the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) indicates that ginger may be a safe way to relieve nausea symptoms during pregnancy.

More research is needed to gain a clear understanding of what ginger can and cannot do, but studies suggest it is an effective treatment for post-operative and chemotherapy-related nausea as well. A study published in February 2012 in Integrative Cancer Therapies found that out of a group of 100 women with advanced breast cancer, those who took ginger following chemotherapy experienced significantly less nausea in the first 6 to 24 hours post-treatment than those in the control group.

There are many ways to get your ginger. Dr. Richter recommends using raw ginger in cooking, drinking it in tea, or eating the candied form, which you can eat as you would mints.

2. Peppermint

Peppermint is another traditional remedy that’s been around for many years. Both its leaves and its oil are helpful in dealing with indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome, according to the NCCIH, and a small study published in February 2014 in the Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing suggests that the scent of peppermint oil can ease nausea.

“Peppermint is wonderful for nausea,” says Richter. Its calming and numbing effect relaxes your stomach muscles so that bile can break down fats, and food can move through the stomach quickly.

Peppermint tea is probably the most common way to take this remedy, but it is also available in capsule form for oral intake. You can use essential oil of peppermint for aromatherapy, but you should mix it with a carrier oil, which is a vegetable oil that helps dilute the essential oil, for safe application. A word of caution: If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you should avoid the mint.

3. Acupuncture and Acupressure

Eastern practitioners have been stimulating pressure points throughout the body to alleviate pain and illness for thousands of years. Acupuncture, which is one version of this approach, involves inserting long, thin needles into the skin. Although there are numerous hypotheses about the way acupuncture works, many scientists believe the needles stimulate certain nerves in the body, and those nerves then send signals to the brain to release hormones that reduce feelings of pain and nausea.

In a study that looked at controlling nausea in cancer patients, researchers found that acupuncture was at least as effective as medications. And a study published in January 2015 in Gynecologic Oncology found that acupuncture reduced the need for anti-vomiting medications after chemotherapy.

In acupressure, which can be performed at home or by a massage therapist, physical pressure is applied to certain points of the body. Some research suggests that it may be helpful for pregnant women and those undergoing chemotherapy. A small study, for instance, published in June 2015 in Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that acupressure to the wrist significantly reduced nausea and vomiting in cardiac surgery patients.

Both acupuncture and acupressure can help ease the nausea caused by cancer, acid reflux, and other conditions. “Again, these therapies are particularly useful in pregnancy, where most drugs are to be avoided,” Richter notes. If you do decide to pursue acupuncture, make sure your acupuncturist is a licensed professional, she advises.

4. Aromatherapy

Managing the scents in your environment is another way to ease nausea. Aromatherapy, which involves using scents like peppermint or lemon therapeutically for stress and anxiety, can help you do that. In a September 2013 study published in Anesthesia & Analgesia, surgical patients were asked to smell one of three aromatherapy treatments: essential oil of ginger; a blend of ginger, spearmint, peppermint, and cardamom essential oils; or isopropyl alcohol. The researchers found that patients who smelled either the ginger oil or the blend of oils had significantly reduced nausea compared with the patients who smelled isopropyl alcohol.

“You can place a drop or two of essential oil on a tissue and inhale the scent when you feel nauseated, or put it in an essential oil diffuser,” Richter says. These oils can also be used in massage therapy — but, as mentioned above, you should always use a neutral oil, such as mineral oil, to dilute essential oils before putting them on your skin, because they can cause irritation or an allergic reaction.

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What Works and How to Use Them

Overview

Essential oils are the active compounds found in plants, distilled into potent oils. These oils harness the powerful properties of some botanical herbs and spices. Some of these properties can work to kill bacteria, relax muscles, relieve pain, improve digestion, and cure nausea. Because they carry few side effects and little risk, essential oils are becoming popular home remedies for all sorts of medical conditions.

Essential oils are not meant to be ingested and some can be toxic. Essential oils are meant to be infused into the air in an inhaler or mixed with a carrier oil and applied to the skin.

If you experience frequent nausea due to pregnancy, stomach irritation, vertigo, gastro-intestinal reflux, or other common conditions, essential oils might be a helpful treatment.

Lavender essential oil is perhaps best known for its relaxing properties. Using lavender oil topically or in a diffuser can help your mind decompress as you get ready for bed. This same property can also make lavender effective in fighting nausea.

If your nausea is caused by anxiety or physical pain, lavender’s power to relax might be just what you’re looking for. This remedy works best when you put a few drops of lavender in an essential oil diffuser and breathe in slowly as the scent fills the air.

For nausea caused by pregnancy, a virus, or post-operative pain, you might want to try some of the other oils on this list.

Ginger essential oil has been studied as a remedy for nausea and motion sickness. People swear by it, and the research agrees that it works. Ginger oil can be diffused into the air with an oil diffuser, rubbed onto pressure points at your forehead and wrists, or even rubbed directly on your stomach to improve nausea.

One clinical trial revealed that this remedy is particularly effective for people that experience nausea while recovering from surgical anesthesia. Ginger is also generally considered safe for pregnant women experiencing nausea.

Peppermint tea is often suggested as a remedy for nausea, but the essential oil can have the same soothing effect. Peppermint oil, some researchers believe, relaxes the gastric muscles and keeps them from cramping up or over-contracting.

One scientific review concluded that inhaling peppermint oil when you feel nauseous will improve your symptoms and have you feeling better quickly. Though more research is needed into peppermint oil’s effects on different kinds of nausea, try peppermint oil in a diffuser the next time you’re feeling sick.

Though not as well-known as a nausea treatment, peppermint’s purer-bred relative spearmint is also effective. Like peppermint and ginger oils, spearmint essential oil can be applied to pressure points, rubbed gently over the stomach and intestinal area, or diffused through the air to bring relief for nausea. The refreshing scent of spearmint, mixed with the menthol component of its oil, can make you feel more alert and able to breathe despite your nausea.

Cardamom is a spice in the same family as ginger, with its own unique properties and scent. The essential oil of cardamom was used in a blend of other essential oils in a clinical trial for post-operative nausea. The study found cardamom to be a promising anti-nausea agent when mixed with other essential oils.

To use cardamom in a mix, or try it on its own, put a few drops into an essential oil diffuser. The rich, spicy scent of the cardamom may also help you to relax, which could decrease nausea and anxiety due to illness.

Fennel is frequently used as a digestive aid and a constipation reliever. Fennel is able to relax the digestive tract, which prevents and aids nausea. Using fennel essential oil could have the same effect. Fennel oil can be diluted in a carrier oil and applied to pressure points on your body or diffused. There’s little risk to using fennel oil several times per day.

Using essential oils for nausea is a generally low-risk home remedy. But there are some people that shouldn’t use this treatment as a way to get rid of nausea. In very rare cases, over-exposure from the menthol contained in peppermint and spearmint can hurt your skin. A more commonly reported side effect is dermatitis from lavender oil.

Use a gentle carrier oil, like jojoba oil or coconut oil, to mix with more potent oils before applying to your skin. This will help you avoid burning or irritating your skin’s surface when you use essential oils topically. Three to five drops of essential oil in an ounce of carrier oil is the usual recipe.

Never directly inhale the vapor from an oil diffuser or steam dispenser, as it can irritate your mucous membrane. If your nausea persists over 48 hours, or if you begin to show signs of dehydration, stop using essential oils and contact your health provider.

This home remedy is meant to help mild nausea. It won’t cure the source of your nausea if you have a bacterial or viral infection. And if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and looking for help with morning sickness, you should consult with your midwife or doctor before using alternative treatments.

It’s important to remember that essential oils are not a miracle cure. They are still being researched, and their limits as remedies aren’t yet fully understood. Keeping that in mind, there’s not much to lose by grabbing your favorite essential oil to treat your next bout of nausea. By taking a deep breath and calming your body, you might be able to ward off the nausea and keep it from becoming worse.

The FDA does not monitor the use or manufacture of essential oils. To ensure a pure, safe product, research company quality before purchasing a specific brand. A certified aromatherapist can make recommendations.

Keep an eye out for emergency symptoms regardless of whether you’re feeling better, and never try to treat dehydration, severe headaches, or severe bleeding that come along with nausea yourself. Remember that your healthcare provider is the best person to ask about the causes and potential cures for any nausea that you experience.

Chew mint, brew chamomile. Foods to help with nausea | Nutrition and diet | kitchen

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Nausea can be a sign of serious health problems. It can both indicate diseases, and arise due to improper eating habits (for example, overeating), from motion sickness, as an aggravating circumstance for headaches. You can cope with nausea with the help of folk remedies and adjusting your diet.

Here are some foods and drinks that can relieve you of the unpleasant feeling of nausea.

Water

Water will relieve the dehydration that always accompanies poisoning. But even with less acute problems with the stomach, water will help to balance them. One secret: when nauseated, water should not be drunk in one gulp, in large sips, this can provoke vomiting. You need to drink water at room temperature, in small sips and very slowly. Then the liquid will be absorbed and alleviate the condition.

Ginger

This root is an excellent remedy for stomach and digestion problems. A slice of ginger can also relieve nausea. To do this, you can either suck on a slice of fresh peeled ginger or make yourself ginger tea. Such tea is even recommended to patients after surgical interventions, it relieves discomfort in the stomach.

Important! Ginger should not be abused. Pregnant women should be especially careful about it. They are not recommended to drink more than 1-2 cups of ginger tea per day.

Ginger tea

1 serving

• 200 ml water
• 1 cm ginger root
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 lemon slice

Step 1. Peel the ginger.

Step 2. Finely chop and lightly crush with a knife (can be grated on a coarse grater).

Step 3. Boil water, add ginger and leave for 5-7 minutes.

Step 4. Add honey and lemon to taste, but not too much. Excess acid can spoil the taste of tea.

Lemon

Tea with lemon is a purely Russian invention. It became popular thanks to our long and not too smooth roads. Travelers were seasick on them, and tea was served at post stations. At the station they offered a choice: tea with lemon or with a towel. If they chose the first, they brought a glass with a slice of lemon, and if with a towel, then many glasses of tea with raspberry leaves and other herbs were waiting for the traveler. After 5-7 glasses, a towel became especially necessary, as sweat broke through. Many chose this option: after all, lemons were expensive.

Mint

If you have fresh mint, add a few sprigs to your black tea pot. If mint is only dry, then you need to add a teaspoon of herbs to a glass of boiling water and leave for 15 minutes. And then – strain. You can drink with honey (if there is no heartburn and stomach problems), you can add a slice of lemon.

To relieve sudden nausea, you can simply chew a fresh mint leaf. Or knead it in your fingers and smell it. The fresh aroma helps a lot with problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Fennel

Fennel seeds are pleasantly spicy and have a slight cooling effect. They have a lot of vitamins, there are also magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc. Seeds have anti-inflammatory, healing, soothing effect. They help with colitis and flatulence. With nausea, it is recommended to drink tea with the addition of these seeds.

To brew such a healing tea, you need 1 tsp. add fennel seeds to a saucepan with cold water, bring to a boil, boil, and then strain the tea into a cup.

Important! During pregnancy and lactation, fennel should be used with caution and only after consulting a doctor.

Chamomile tea

This tea is a versatile remedy for stomach problems, nausea and digestion. In pharmacies, chamomile is sold in filter bags, it is convenient to brew them.

Important! Chamomile is contraindicated in pregnant women. Also, chamomile tea can change the effect of anticoagulants (drugs that regulate blood clotting). You can not combine the intake of these drugs and chamomile.

Cinnamon

Another spice that has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract and normalizes its work. To get rid of nausea with cinnamon, you need to add a stick of spice to tea or another drink (except alcohol).

BRYAS

Bananas, rice, applesauce and crackers – this is how this strange abbreviation stands for. It is these products that are recommended if you feel nausea, there are minor problems with the stomach. They are easy to digest, contain vitamins and minerals that you could lose due to dehydration from poisoning, for example. Do not add sauces and a lot of salt to rice. This diet cannot be observed for more than 1-2 days, since it is not balanced and is only of a fasting nature.

Limit

Salt. Sodium increases the feeling of nausea, so it is better not to eat salty foods with soybeans. It is advisable not to salt food at all for a while.

Fat. Fatty foods, especially foods high in animal saturated fats, are difficult for the body to process and absorb. Therefore, it can cause feelings of rejection and nausea if you have stomach and intestinal problems.

Alcohol, especially strong alcohol, can only increase the feeling of nausea and cause severe vomiting. In addition, it will aggravate already existing problems with the stomach.

Spicy food. A large amount of spices only irritates the esophagus and stomach, they can cause nausea or make it worse. Even those spices that fight this unpleasant feeling should be taken in small quantities.

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Baby sick? Mint to the rescue!

All health problems in our precious babies cause fear in mothers. Of course, we manifest it in different ways: someone endlessly pulls doctors and panics a lot, while someone stoically worries inside.

Nausea and vomiting are one of the most unpleasant symptoms that frighten mothers. There can be many reasons, ranging from overeating and motion sickness to diseases that require immediate medical attention. Often nausea occurs when overfeeding a baby or as a manifestation of viral infections or harmful bacterial flora that has entered the body along with low-quality products. Definitely, with nausea, except for motion sickness or overeating, calling a doctor and following all his recommendations is one of the mandatory procedures. But you can help the child and herbs. Of course, medicinal and with proven effectiveness.

Mint is one of the wonderful plants so beloved by medicine of all ages and included in many medicines. Yes, yes, it is this mint that we add to tea. There are many varieties of mint: peppermint, mountain, field, forest, wild and many other subspecies. Peppermint is recognized as official medicine and included in the Pharmacopoeia of various countries. The rest of the species are different. In Crete, for example, mountain mint is also used.

One way or another, any kind of mint contains essential oil, the main component of which – menthol – has a lot of medicinal properties. According to research, menthol suppresses the gag reflex and prevents the reproduction of harmful microbes. Menthol esters and other components of peppermint essential oil relieve spasm of the stomach, gallbladder and intestines. Peppermint essential oil also contains isovaleric acid, which calms the nervous system and relieves spasm.

Other essential oil substances – beta-pinene, limonene, cineole, tannins and ursolic acid – suppress harmful microflora, reduce inflammation and reduce pain.

In general, mint can reduce nausea and vomiting, help to cope with pathogenic microflora, reduce gas formation and soothe a suffering child.

Again, after a visit to the doctor and the appointment of the main treatment – except for cases of motion sickness and overeating.

How to use mint for nausea and vomiting?

Peppermint or mountain mint can be used, but since peppermint contains more menthol, less can be used.

• For babies from one to three years old, take 1 teaspoon without a top of mountain mint grass (pepper can be an incomplete teaspoon), pour a glass of boiling water for 40 minutes, filter and give one tablespoon every 2 hours. For children from 3 to 7 years old, we make the same infusion, but you can take a teaspoon of mountain mint with a top (peppermint – without a top). And at the age of 7 to 14 years – a tablespoon without a top (peppermint, respectively, – an incomplete tablespoon).

Of course, with severe vomiting, more serious medications are needed under the supervision of a doctor, but when the condition is better, mint (along with medications) will help the child cope with nausea and tummy pain much faster.

In addition, you can take mint during illness and at least two weeks after. Half a cup twice a day. This will help to cope with such unpleasant consequences of viral infections as a decrease in appetite, because mint helps food to be better absorbed and awakens appetite.

Peppermint KURTES. Company picture

It’s also good for worried moms to drink mint with their babies. This will calm their nervous system and normalize sleep.

And if you are avid travelers or often have to travel by car with a baby, then mint infusion can be made before the trip, poured into a bottle, taken with you and given to the child as needed.

Peppermint and mountain mint have been growing in Crete since time immemorial.