Nausea results from numerous sources, including viral infections, motion sickness, drug-related, pregnancy-related, or flu. Experiencing nausea is not pleasant. It is that awful queasy feeling that makes you feel as if you are vomiting, and many people are familiar with the situations.
While there are numerous anti-nausea medications to relieve such symptoms, such drugs come with undesirable side effects such as drowsiness. So using alternative means to alleviate nausea can be more beneficial. Below are home remedies you can use to deal with nausea.
Home Remedies for Nausea
1. Take Ginger
Ginger is perhaps one of the most common remedies for treating nausea.
Research shows that ginger has strong antiemetic abilities though research is not conclusive. If you are feeling nauseous, you can eat either fresh or candied ginger for quick relief.(1) (2)
Similarly, you can take ginger tea. To make ginger tea, pour a cup of boiling water on a piece of peeled ginger fresh ginger and steep for 5 minutes.
Ginger powder is also useful in treating nausea. The good news is, you can get ginger powder in capsules in different concentrations. A 500 mg capsule of dried ginger four times a day is very effective in treating nausea. Pregnant women, however, should use half the amount above.(4)
Ginger is very effective and safe, considering it is a natural remedy.
2. Essential oils
Some essential oils are efficient in reducing nausea, thanks to their strong scent.
What good is that it is easy to use the oil; just place a drop of the essential oil (e.g., peppermint, spearmint or grapefruit) on a tissue and hold it close it to your nose and inhale it through your nose and exhale through the mouth till the nausea is gone.
3. Try Acupuncture or Acupressure
These are traditional Chinese medicine techniques commonly used in treating nausea and vomiting.
Acupressure aims at stimulating specific points on the body by applying pressure. By contrast, acupuncture uses thin needles, which are inserted into similar points where acupressure is done.
Typically, these techniques stimulate nerve fibers that usually transmit signals to the brain and spinal cord. Such messages are believed to have the ability to decrease nausea.(5)
4. Wrist-pressure bands
A wrist band is also an effective means to relieve nausea. They work similarly to some acupressure techniques usually applied at the wrist.
The commonly used wristband is the Sea-Band or ReliefBand, which is available in most drug stores. These bands put pressures on the acupuncture point P6.
Studies indicate that this method works similar to prescription medications that relieve nausea after surgery.
5. Slice a Lemon
Lemon is a citrus fruit. The smells of such fruits, especially freshly sliced lemon, is effective in relieving nausea in pregnant women. (6)
To tap the smell, slice a fresh lemon, and inhale it deeply will relieve nausea. You can also scratch the peel of lemon fruit, which stimulates it to release essential oil in the air.
6. Stay hydrated
In some cases, nausea can occur due to dehydration, but keep in mind if you take too much fluid may worsen nausea as it may make your stomach feel uncomfortably full.
Nevertheless, it is advisable to sip fluids throughout the day to prevent dehydration. You can take clear water or fresh fruit juice or slice.
7. Some Certain Spices
Spices, too, can alleviate nausea, but only specific ones. Scientific evidence points to 3 spices being effective in treating nausea. They include:
- Fennel powder: this spice reduces nausea and menstrual symptoms
- Cinnamon: treats nausea that women experience during menstruation.
- Cumin extract: this spice has a wide range of uses apart from relieving nausea. It can treat abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea, especially people suffering from IBS.
8. Eat bland meal
Bland diets are great at reducing nausea to prevent vomiting.
You can take a BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast). You can also take small amounts of saltines, plain pasta, baked or mashed potatoes, scrambled or hard-boiled eggs.
9. Control Your Breathing
A slow deep breath can reduce nausea.
Studies shows that controlled breathing reduced nausea in 62% of cases. (7)
If you feel nauseated, you should try breathing through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. This will reduce nausea.
10. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
These medicines are called antiemetics, and you can buy them easily to help calm your stomach.
Examples are Emetro, Nauzene, Dramamine, Pepto-Bismol, and Gravol, but if you are pregnant, do not take this medication.
You can also take vitamin B6 to calm nausea.
