Natural remedies for nausea

At some point in our lives, we will all be affected by bouts of nausea. Whether yours is related to acid reflux, medication or pregnancy, there are some natural remedies hiding in your kitchen cupboard that may provide relief.

Ginger

While research continues to look at the effectiveness of ginger as a natural remedy, it does have a long history of treating nausea, diarrhoea and stomachache. Ginger has been used to treat a variety of digestive issues for thousands of years. It is unclear how and why ginger can be effective in relieving nausea, but the active component, gingerol, is thought to have a direct effect on the digestive system.

There are many ways you can add ginger to your diet – add it to hot water and lemon for a soothing tea or add it into your recipes for a warming kick.

Peppermint

Peppermint has also been used for many years as a natural remedy. Both peppermint leaves and oil are helpful in managing indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome.

It is also effective in treating nausea. Due to its calming and numbing effect on the body, peppermint works to relax the stomach muscles. Peppermint is available in a variety of forms, such as oils and ointments. Peppermint tea is a common remedy for nausea, however it is also available as an essential oil, where the aromas are believed to soothe and calm the body.

Acupuncture and acupressure

Many scientists believe the needles involved in acupuncture stimulate the nerves of the body, alerting the brain to release hormones to reduce the feelings of nausea, pain and discomfort.

Acupressure involves a similar approach, instead of needles; pressure is applied to certain points of the body physically. One study published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine reported that acupressure applied to the wrist was significant in reducing nausea and vomiting.

Both acupuncture and acupressure are believed to help ease pregnancy-related nausea – however, do make sure you speak to your GP first.