Nausea is not fun for anyone. (There is a reason it’s called an upset stomach!) Nausea, or stomach uneasiness, is a common affliction that typically precedes vomiting, though either can exist without the other. Nausea can result from a variety of conditions, both internal and external. Food, medication, stress, migraines, and motion are only a handful of possible causes. Pregnancy, certain illnesses, and cancers can also trigger the symptom. Even strong odors have been known to initiate abdominal unrest! Nausea is all too easy to find, and there is no denying that it is the pits. For thousands of years, humans have fell victim to this discomfort.
Luckily, our long and harrowed history with the symptom means that we have figured out plenty of ways to treat it. Whether your nausea is triggered by a nasty case of the flu or a jarring case of nerves, there are a number of tried-and-true means by which to alleviate it. Forget the pills and prescriptions — turn instead toward peppermint aromatherapy, muscle relaxation, ginger, and vitamin B6. Natural nausea relief is within reach, and it might only take a trip to your local supermarket in order to find it.
1. Eat Ginger
Ginger is a medicinal powerhouse. This flavorful flowering plant has been used in folk medicines for centuries. When seeking relief from an upset stomach, any form of the plant can be used. Do you recall that glass of ginger ale your mom set out to calm uneasy tummies? Whether it’s soda or candied, ginger will help. Powdered, grated, boiled, and pickled ginger all maintain stomach-calming properties. The power of ginger lies in the human body’s reaction to the plant. Ginger stimulates salivation, which in turn aids digestion and allows for the neutralization of stomach acids. Certain active compounds within the plant relax uneasy intestinal muscles, and block receptors responsible for the urge to vomit. Try thinly slicing a one-inch piece of ginger root. Stick the slices into a pot of boiling water, brew for ten minutes, and remove for a healing cup of ginger root tea.
2. Peppermint Aromatherapy
Peppermint oil has many uses in modern aromatherapy — chief among them is the easing of nausea symptoms. The oil loosens gastric muscles, therefore relaxing the system and preventing cramping. Post-surgery and pregnancy nausea in particular can receive great relief from peppermint aromatherapy. Most oil diffusers are compact and easy to set up within the confines of a hospital room. Moreover, expectant moms need only toss a bottle of peppermint oil into their bags and sniff it every now and again. Diffusers are not a necessary part of the remedy — a cotton ball will just as easily suffice. Peppermint aromatherapy is both a convenient and effective treatment for an upset stomach.
3. Acupuncture or Acupressure
The ancient Chinese healing art of acupuncture has been used to treat nausea symptoms spanning millennia. Acupuncturists insert very fine needles into special areas on the body, called acupoints, in order to stimulate blood flow and release tension. Alternatively, and especially useful for anyone with an opposition to needles, is the closely-related healing practice of acupressure. Acupressure evolved from acupuncture: rather than using needles as a treatment, firm pressure is applied to points along the body that correspond to the afflicted area. Acupuncture and acupressure can both provide easy natural relief from stomach upset. For chemotherapy-related nausea, try focusing on the Neiguan pressure point, which lies along the inner arm by the wrist. Place your thumb on the inside of the wrist, between the two tendons that run toward the palm. Rub firmly, in a circular motion, for two to three minutes, and feel the discomfort dissipate.
4. Slice of Lemon
Clearing out stomach discomfort may be as simple as adding a slice of lemon to your water. Lemons contain citric acid, a compound known to soothe unruly stomachs and aid in digestion. Sucking on lemon candy, adding a measure to water or hot tea, or sucking on a slice of lemon itself can all serve to control a disgruntled stomach, and inhibit the urge to vomit. The next time you experience an upset stomach, try squeezing several drops of lemon juice into cold water. (A spoonful of honey can be added to sweeten the mixture.) Stir, and sip throughout the day, or until the discomfort disappears.
5. Control Your Breathing
Controlled breathing is a highly effective nausea treatment for several reasons. Firstly, it distracts the mind from uneasiness in the stomach, and focuses it on something else. Secondly, controlled breathing helps to immediately lessen the cramping and over-tensing of gastric muscles that are so often the cause of nausea. Controlled breathing, with or without the addition of essential oils or aromas, has a clear, consistent benefit for individuals with nausea symptoms. The next time you are experiencing an upset stomach, try this controlled breathing exercise: inhale deeply for three counts, hold the breath for three counts, and exhale for three counts.
6. Try Relaxing Your Muscles
Relaxing your muscles brings the sensation of nausea to a minimum. Just like a forehead tensed in annoyance can bring on headaches, a tense stomach can bring on nausea. Applying a hot water bottle or warm rice pack to the length of the stomach will allow gastric muscles to lengthen into a state of relaxation. The heat also helps initially to distract from the unease. Additionally, massages to the lower arm or leg have been shown to diminish nausea for chemotherapy patients by loosening tense regions. If capable, even light stretching can be enough to knock out any sign of an upset stomach.
7. Take A Vitamin B6 Supplement
Vitamin B6, or pyroxidine, is an often-recommended supplement used to treat nausea. B6 is naturally occurring and found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains. The compound helps our bodies break down amino acids, and therefore aids in smooth digestion. Research suggests that morning sickness is more frequently endured by women with lower levels of B6 in their blood, marking it as a standout tool for expectant mothers. To combat pregnancy-related nausea, as well as any other form, try adding up to 200mg of B6 to your daily diet. Consumption is recommended in 25mg doses, several times daily, until the symptoms disappear.
8. Avoid Spicy or Fatty Foods
As tempting as both spicy and fatty foods can be, a simple way to reduce post-meal upset is by avoiding these types of foods altogether. Everyone has had an unfortunate run-in with some dish just a touch too spicy. It doesn’t make for much fun, does it? Spicy and fatty foods have a common characteristic: the ability to disrupt digestion and trigger stomach upset. Bland foods, like crackers, bananas, or oatmeal, are actually significantly easier on the stomach. These foods contain little fiber and are easily digestible. That’s not to say that you should cut out all the deep-fried chimichangas…just remember: moderation, moderation!
9. Avoid Large Meals
If you needed another reason to rethink dinner, here it is: avoiding large meals can actually help to avoid nausea. Small, more frequent meals are a highly recommended preventative measure for upset stomachs. When the stomach is bombarded with lots of food at one time, it either goes into overdrive or struggles to keep up at all. This means big time gastrointestinal distress, and a painful post-meal slump. Smaller meals are far more manageable in terms of digestibility and expended energy. Try skipping that buffet and opting for light fare instead.
10. Stay Upright After You Eat
Think back. How many times did your mom tell you to get off the couch after dinner? A lot, for sure. Whether her main reason for doing so was impending chores or a proactive approach to health, she was onto something. Lying down after eating can actually allow super strong, super irritating stomach acids to travel upward toward higher regions of the stomach (and potentially the esophagus). These happen to be the very acids that break down every piece of food you put into your mouth. Anyone who experiences acid reflux (and for whom these symptoms can be worse) knows that stomach acid is most agreeable when it stays in the stomach. Stay upright after eating, and keep the acids where they belong.
11. Avoid Drinking With Meals
When it comes to an uneasy stomach, staying hydrated is key. However, avoid drinking any liquids while eating, because this can actually worsen the upset. Drinking with a meal heightens the feeling of fullness. Unfortunately, this is exactly what anyone with an upset stomach wants to avoid. As the stomach fills, gastrointestinal distress increases, leading to more discomfort. Many drinks, such as lemon water and ginger tea, are useful treatments for nausea between meals and to sip throughout the day. But when hunger finally rolls around, the easiest way to beat pain before it occurs is to avoid drinking with meals.
12. Use Peppermint Essential Oil
The use of peppermint for treating nausea and digestive discomfort dates back centuries. While the use of peppermint tea or candies made with peppermint oil are helpful, many find that peppermint essential oils are the most beneficial.
Peppermint essential oil can be used in a nebulizing diffuser, or you can place a few drops of oil into a bowl of warm water, dip a clean cloth in the water and wring out the excess. Then hold the wet cloth over your nose and mouth.
You also have the option of adding a few drops of essential oil to a carrier oil and massaging the mixture on your temples and the back of your neck to help settle your stomach. Do not use undiluted peppermint oil on your skin, as this can cause chemical burns or irritation.
13. Lemon
This citrus fruit is known for its natural ability to cleanse toxins from the body and is also an effective treatment for nausea. Many women find that smelling, licking or biting a lemon can ease that queasy feeling.
Some people may prefer sipping hot lemon water to soothe their stomachs. Fruit slices can also be added to ginger or peppermint tea for additional anti-nausea benefits. For aromatherapy, you can rely on a fresh cut lemon or an essential oil.
14. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is well-known for its ability to calm anxiety. You may not know that chamomile is also an effective natural treatment for stomach upset, nausea and diarrhea.
The most common form of chamomile is chamomile tea, you can use a commercially prepared tea bag, or steep chamomile flowers in hot water for 5- 10 minutes in a covered mug. For nausea, it is recommended to drink one to four cups daily. If you prefer a chamomile supplement, studies suggest between 400 – 1600 milligrams per day.
There are many nausea natural remedies, such as peppermint oil, chamomile and lemon to alleviate your symptoms. Keep in mind that even the most natural remedies can interfere or react with some prescription medications. If you are pregnant or have a medical condition, it is best to discuss the cause and treatment of your nausea with your health care provider.
