Natural Remedies for Nausea
Nausea can happen to anyone and it can occur at any time. It can sometimes happen without any prior warning signs, or it can be the result of things such as food poisoning, taking certain types of medications, travel (such as in a car, boat or plane), pregnancy, and, of course, having the flu. Feeling nauseated is not a pleasant experience, and while there are different medications (both prescription and non-prescription) that can provide you with relief, there are also some natural remedies you can try depending on the cause.
For first-time travellers, motion sickness can be a terrible way to ruin a vacation. You may develop sea sickness, or you can even get motion sickness as a result of reading in a moving vehicle. When this occurs, it is because you lose your external point of reference. If, at any time, you happen to develop motion sickness, you should focus on something in the distance rather than closer objects, which can help you feeling better as quickly as just a few minutes. For those who plan on being avid travellers, it’s also generally recommended that you ask your doctor to prescribe an anti-emetic medication as a precautionary measure – especially if you are already aware that motion sickness may be something that might impact you.
Another great reliever of nausea is ginger – ginger root, in particular. Ginger too helps to hinder serotonin which is a major nausea-inducing chemical in the body. Ginger root can be found at almost every grocery store, and you can also powder it down and stir at least half a teaspoon into a cup of warm water (or with tea.) Some health food stores and pharmacies may also sell capsules of powdered ginger, and you can take two of those with water. If you don’t have ginger root on hand or aren’t a fan of it, some alternatives include crystalized ginger, hard ginger candy or ginger chews – just keep in mind that these products also typically contain sugar, so if you’re someone who is diabetic, wanting to watch your weight, or have dental-related problems such as cavities, then just remember that they should be consumed in moderation.
If you are pregnant, experiencing nausea is common. While there are anti-nausea medications that you can take for relief, some pregnant women might want to avoid these and other medications all together. As an alternative, vitamin B6 has become an increasingly common alternative treatment for nausea in women who are pregnant. If you are pregnant you can take up to 200 mg of vitamin B6 per day and should not notice any side effects. The aroma of citrus fruits, such as lemon, has also been found to relieve nausea in some women. You can either buy a lemon and slice it or purchase lemon essential oil.
Acupuncture and acupressure are also two alternative techniques, both of which are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat things like nausea and vomiting as well as other health ailments. With acupuncture, thin needles are carefully inserted into certain points of the body, while acupressure aims to also stimulate those same points but is done by applying pressure rather than the insertion of needles. If you’re someone who is scared of needles, then acupressure may be the better method for you. It’s also not uncommon to experience mild side effects following acupuncture, such as minor soreness, bleeding or bruising in the areas where the needles were inserted.
It’s also not uncommon to feel nauseous if you’re feeling stressed or anxious – because when you’re anxious or having a panic attack, your breathing changes. While things like stress and anxiety often need to be managed with a combination of treatment methods (such as cognitive behavioural therapy and medication), you can also try to control your breathing by taking slower, deep breaths (inhaling through the nose, exhaling through the mouth.) You can find some helpful breathing techniques for stress/anxiety by clicking here.
