From motion and morning sickness to dehydration, depression, dizziness and many more, there are plenty of causes for nausea. Regardless of the reason, it is a very unpleasant sensation that most of us have experienced at some point in our lives.
As terrible as it is to suffer from nausea, it is not a condition that requires a trip to the doctor unless it is very severe. Although there is medication available for the treatment of nausea, many of it comes with side effects that can be just as bad as or even worse than the nausea. However, there are also plenty of natural remedies that can be used for the effective treatment of nausea.
This is especially useful if the nausea is caused by pregnancy and you don’t want to fill your body with medication.
1. Ginger
One of the most well-known natural remedies for the effective treatment of nausea is ginger. In fact, the Chinese have been using it for this purpose for more than 2,000 years already, and it is also a popular nausea remedy in other cultures.
There are a variety of ways to ingest the ginger, but popular methods include ginger ale or fresh ginger tea. The ginger can also be grated into a soup if preferred, and chewing on a ginger root will also work in a pinch. Take care, however, not to give ginger to children under the age of two years.
Although scientific research into the effectiveness of ginger for the treatment of nausea is still ongoing, there have been plenty of positive findings. One study determined that ginger reduces nausea symptoms during pregnancy while another found ginger to be a promising treatment for nausea in a variety of clinical settings. There is also evidence that the severity of acute nausea due to chemotherapy can also be reduced by ginger.
2. Fresh Lemon
A quick fix for banishing nausea is to grab a fresh lemon, cut it up into wedges and take a bite. Even if you don’t like the taste of lemon, you can still reap the benefits by simply smelling the freshly cut lemon.
The citric acid in a glass of fresh lemon juice can also help to neutralize stomach acids. Since the refreshing smell and taste of lemons quickly eases nausea, they are a healthy, natural and inexpensive choice. Studies have shown that lemon scent can be particularly effective in reducing nausea during pregnancy.
3. Peppermint
Lemon isn’t the only aroma that can bring nausea under control, as peppermint is also very effective. Studies performed to exam the effect of peppermint spirits on women who experienced nausea after undergoing a C-section found that it produced significantly lower nausea levels.
Since peppermint has a calming and numbing effect it can help relax tight stomach muscles which can be one of the causes of nausea.
4. Fresh Air
Fresh air can also help alleviate the horrible feeling of nausea, and some people experience relief simply by stepping outside. If it is not possible to step outside you can also use the gentle breeze of a fan to experience a similar effect. Stuffiness is one of the causes of nausea, so leaving the room for some fresh air or using a fan to generate a breeze is very effective.
5. Cloves
Cloves are also an age-old cure for the effects of nausea and are known to be both antiseptic and anesthetic. It is the natural anesthetic effects of cloves that calms the stomach and soothes nausea. If the nausea is due to a stomach infection the antiseptic properties of cloves also helps. Use one teaspoon of clove powder brewed in a teacup of boiling water to make clove tea.
6. Cold Compress
Nausea, especially the kind that is brought on by some form of anxiety, can be treated naturally with a cool compress. The cold compress should be cool, but not freezing, so a cloth that has been soaked in cold water will suffice.
Drape the cold compress around your neck while sitting down or apply it to the back of the neck if lying down. Take deep breaths and focus on relaxing until the nausea has faded away.
7. Aniseed
Tea made from aniseed can help to restore the natural balance of your stomach juices and calm down your digestive system when feeling nauseous. The tea can be brewed by adding ¼ teaspoon of aniseed to a cup of boiled water and then allowing it to steep for five minutes. A
fter straining the seeds out of the water the tea can be consumed for relief. Adding a teaspoon of fresh honey to the mix can make it sweeter.
8. Rice Water
Prepare rice water by boiling half a cup of dry rice in water and then pouring the water into a glass. After allowing the water to cool, drink it to get rid of the nausea.
9. Milk Toast
Because excess stomach acid can be a cause of nausea, it often helps to eat food, such as toast, to absorb the acid. Eating it in conjunction with milk is also very effective as the milk coats the stomach. However, take care not to eat milk toast if you have gastroenteritis, as doing so will only make matters worse.
Prepare milk toast by toasting bread, spreading some unsalted butter on it and then crumbling the toast into a bowl of warm milk before consuming.
10. Rest & Hydration
It is easy to become dehydrated when sick and not replacing the fluids you lose can cause further nausea. Drinking plenty of water will help you to stay hydrated and can also be revitalizing if the nausea is caused by being tired or hot. A good rest will also help you to feel better, so get comfortable and take a nap if possible.
11. Stretching
Although over-exerting yourself during exercising can cause nausea, mild stretching is known to provide relief from nausea symptoms. This is because nausea can cause discomfort, and stretching will ease the tension.
By moving around and stretching you also increase your blood circulation, which can get rid of that queasy feeling. When stretching, make sure that you don’t hold your breath, but continue to breathe normally. Anxiety can make nausea worse and cause hyperventilating, so is important to focus on your breathing to restore oxygen to your body.
12. Acupressure
Acupressure can be used for the relief of a variety of symptoms, including nausea. It is a safe method for dealing with nausea but requires knowledge of how to perform the process. The P6 or Neiguan point is preferred for treating nausea and is located about three finger widths below the crease of your wrist.
Place your middle and index fingers on the groove that is located between the two large tendons and then gently start to apply pressure when you feel nauseous. Apply the pressure in a circular motion to the area, but do not press down hard enough to cause discomfort.
Alternatively, acupressure bracelets are also available for over the counter purchase and fulfill the same purpose by automatically applying pressure to the Neiguan point.
