Just about everyone experiences nausea now and then. It’s a common stomach discomfort that is often associated with dizziness and vomiting.
The causes of nausea are numerous and include motion sickness, diet, odors, medications, pain, ulcers, heartburn, infections/virus and pregnancy.
When nausea accompanies a medical condition such as heart attack symptoms, severe headache, difficulty breathing, confusion or ingestion of a poisonous substance, seek immediate medical help.
Common nausea is often treated with over-the-counter medications. However, it’s usually advised to see your physician if OTC interventions aren’t effective in making your nausea subside within 24 hours.
Medicinal Plants Can Help
In some situations, certain medicinal plants may provide relief from common nausea.
Ginger – Heading the list is ginger, an ancient herb used widely in history for its many natural medicinal properties and particularly as an antiemetic (something effective against vomiting and nausea).
Ginger has also received empirical recognition in modern times. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) “the best available evidence demonstrates that ginger is an effective and inexpensive treatment for nausea and vomiting and is safe.”
In fact studies have found that ginger may be as effective as some anti-nausea medications with fewer side effects.
For example, people who suffer from motion sickness have turned to ginger to avoid nausea and vomiting while traveling. There is also evidence that when taken with standard anti-nausea medications, ginger may be helpful in further reducing or eliminating nausea and vomiting during and after chemotherapy treatments, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Studies have also found that taking ginger may ease nausea and vomiting in some pregnant women. However, there’s also concern that ginger (especially in high doses) could raise the risk of miscarriage.
The problem with ginger (and medicinal plants in general) is that there isn’t a consensus on the most effective dose of ginger for nausea. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that consuming up to 4 grams of ginger per day is safe. Studies tend to use 2 grams or less daily.
You can find ginger in many forms including raw ginger. People who take raw ginger usually peal and slice the ginger into thin pieces and store them in the refrigerator. Then a small slice (ginger has a very strong flavor) is eaten throughout the day on visits to the refrigerator.
Ground ginger is often sold encapsulated in supplement form. It’s important to buy brands that contain 100% ginger.
Ginger tea is also popular to reduce nausea. Recommended amount is 4 cups (around 950 ml).
Some pregnant women report good results by using crystallized ginger, a sweet, chewy, and spicy treat made from fresh ginger. But keep in mind crystallized ginger is loaded with sugar.
You can also find ginger as an essential oil, which may be effective in reducing postoperative nausea when inhaled.
While ginger is generally considered safe for most people, it may cause mild side effects in others. These side effects include diarrhea and heartburn. And, again, the safety of ginger for pregnant women is also unclear.
It’s also important to take caution when using ginger in combination with other medications. For instance, combining ginger supplements with blood-thinning drugs may increase the risk of bleeding.
See our story on ginger here.
3 Other Medicinal Plants to Consider
Cinnamon – With its chemical called catechins, cinnamon has long been associated with antibacterial and antiviral properties. According to Ayurveda, cinnamon reduces the chances of feeling nauseated by stimulating the cells lining the stomach. It also improves digestion and calms the lining of the stomach.
Cinnamon tea is commonly used to help with nausea. But you can also just use plain water. Add a cinnamon stick to a glass of water, keep it overnight and drink if you feel nauseated. Carry this water if you are prone to motion sickness when traveling as it may help to prevent vomiting.
If you need cinnamon water immediately, use 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder mixed in a cup of warm water, and drink up for potential maximum benefits.
See our story on cinnamon here.
Peppermint – Peppermint is a natural hybrid of garden spearmint (Mentha spicata) and water mint (Mentha aquatica). Its calming and numbing effect is believed to relax 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. The general recommendation for nausea is two to three cups of tea daily.
Women who are pregnant sometimes find peppermint candies or gum to be effective in squelching nausea.
Avoid peppermint if you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Chamomile – This is a wildflower-looking annual with fragrant flowers that are daisy-like with white petals surrounding a yellow center. Chamomile may relax your digestive muscles to help relieve nausea and vomiting. In traditional medicine, chamomile has long been used to treat many digestive conditions from motion sickness to indigestion.
Chamomile is also backed by extensive research when it comes to health benefits. This includes helping to reduce feelings of nausea. For example, a study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention investigated the effects of chamomile tea on nausea.
The randomized, double-blind trial consisted of 65 women with breast cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy. Participants received 500 milligrams of chamomile two times daily for five days before and after chemotherapy treatment. Researchers found that chamomile significantly reduced the frequency of vomiting.
Chamomile is most popular as a tea. However it’s also available as a tincture or in capsule/tablet form. Just be sure to follow labels for recommended dosage.
See our story on chamomile here.
Note: As with all medicinal plants, it’s best to first discuss their possible use with your health professional. Allergies and other conditions (especially if pregnant or breastfeeding) could result in side effects.
