6 effective home remedies for nausea

Have you ever felt sick to your stomach which makes you throw up? If yes, you might have been feeling nauseous. Nausea is an unpleasant sensation that is often accompanied by vomiting. Nausea is not an illness, but a symptom. It can be a symptom of various medical conditions and is usually not risky. It can also be managed at home with simple home remedies. While seeking professional help is the best option, you can also try some home remedies for nausea that can help avoid puking. Plus, they are affordable and provide numerous benefits.

What is nausea?

Nausea is a vomiting sensation that causes discomfort and unease, accompanied by vomiting and even stomach cramps, as found in Medicine Plus Journal. Some people experience it when travelling long distances on the road and some even experience it due to allergic reactions to certain food groups. Also, when you are pregnant the nausea feeling can happen during your first trimester.

Causes of nausea

“When the downward moving wind principle called peristalsis or Vata is disturbed, it causes the food to move upwards causing nausea,” says Ayurveda coach Dimple Jangda. It is also triggered due to gastrointestinal health issues like gastritis, ulcers, food poisoning, and infections, as found in a study published in the Medicine Plus Journal. Also, some people experience it when travelling long distances in the car which causes imbalance and disturbances in the ear, thus inducing motion sickness.

Pregnant women may experience nausea during the first trimester, and some people also experience nausea from certain medications. Viral or bacterial infections, migraines, food intolerances, stress, anxiety, and dehydration can also trigger nausea. Ensure you are not overeating or having unhealthy rich fatty foods, as these can also trigger nausea.

Symptoms of nausea

Nausea symptoms include:

• An uneasy feeling in the stomach
• Loss of appetite
• Dizziness
• Increased saliva in mouth

“It eventually leads to vomiting for many. Ensure to improve your digestive health and vata imbalance, as these two can trigger nausea quite often, explains the expert.

6 best home remedies for nausea

Here are some simple home remedies that you can incorporate from your kitchen to recover from nausea.

1. Ginger

People have used ginger for ages to help with gut problems. The special parts of the ginger plant called gingerols and shogaols are what make it work. A study published in Integrative Medicine Insights has shown that ginger can help calm nausea, especially for pregnant women and people getting chemo treatment. Plus, it has anti-nausea properties and helps reduce Vata imbalance. It promotes the downward movement of food and improves digestion.

How to consume: You can chew on a few pieces of ginger rolled in rock salt before meals or you can have ginger tea after your meals.

2. Peppermint

Peppermint oil is an effective essential oil that helps people to get relief from nausea, found a study published in the Journal of Holistic Nursing. The odour helps to relax the stomach so that you do not feel nauseous. Another study published in the Complementary Therapies Medicine found that peppermint oil significantly reduced the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting.

How to consume: You can drink peppermint tea twice a day or you can consume peppermint candy or pills to avoid nausea.

3. Cumin and fennel seeds

“Cumin seeds and fennel seeds are carminative (relieves flatulence) and help reduce Vata imbalance, ” explains the expert. A study published in the Middle East Journal of Digestive Disease found that cumin seeds may help improve symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, constipation, and diarrhoea in people with irritable bowel syndrome.

How to consume: You can boil cumin and fennel seeds in water and sip warm post meals to improve peristalsis and digestion.

4. Lemon

Lemon is a citrus fruit popular for its tangy flavour and versatility in a variety of dishes. A 2023 study published in the BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies found that lemon inhalation aromatherapy may assist in alleviating nausea and vomiting.

How to consume: To prepare lemon juice for nausea prevention, squeeze fresh lemon juice into a glass of water and sprinkle it with salt. To effectively prevent motion sickness, consume around 250 to 300 ml of lemon juice mixed with water throughout your trip.

5. Triphala

“Triphala is a formulation of three fruits (amlakai, bibhitaki and haritaki) which helps improve digestion, elimination of waste and thus reduce symptoms of nausea,” explains the expert.

How to consume: Triphala should be taken between meals on an empty stomach to maximise absorption. Typical daily doses range from 500 mg to one gram. Powdered versions can be combined with warm water and honey and taken before meals.

6. Chamomile

Chamomile is a popular medical herb to treat various stomach-related problems. It has been used to treat a variety of gastrointestinal issues, including flatulence, indigestion, diarrhoea, anorexia, motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting. Chamomile was also used to treat colic, croup, and fevers in youngsters, as found in a study published in the .

How to consume: To make chamomile tea, boil some tea leaves in water. Strain the tea into a cup after it has been brewed for some time. You can also add honey to taste. Drinking this tea may help ease nausea.

Things to remember!

“Avoid strong odours, perfumes, and deodorants as these can also impact your nausea symptoms. Have small meals to ensure you chew your food well, and digest it fully before having the next meal after a gap of 3-6 hours,” suggests the expert.

While these home remedies are safe to consume. However, it is crucial to consult with your healthcare professional before incorporating these home remedies into your lifestyle to get rid of nausea.