Nausea, or feeling sick in the stomach, is quite a common occurrence and can be triggered by a number of things. Thankfully, there are also a large number of ways you can tackle nausea and help yourself feel better with natural home remedies.
If your nausea doesn’t ease or wear off in a few days or if the feeling keeps coming back, you should make an appointment to visit your doctor. They’ll check all your symptoms and will be able to determine a cause of your nausea. If your nausea is severe they may provide you with medication to help ease the feeling.
However, there are things you can do at home to help relieve nausea and reduce the likelihood of needing to see a doctor.
# Plenty of Fresh AirProviding you’re not experiencing an infection and are feeling too weak or tired, getting out for a short stroll can be a great way to tackle nausea. Sometimes the feeling can be brought on by a stale environment or overheating, so getting out into some cooler, fresher air can really help to perk you up.
# GingerGinger is great for tackling feelings of nausea and can be used in many forms. Some people opt to nibble on ginger biscuits to help settle their stomachs whilst others like to sip on a warm, comforting ginger tea. You can even try putting fresh ginger in your meals or eating candied ginger in between meals.
Ginger has been used to treat nausea for centuries. In fact, in places like China, it is thought to have been used to treat nausea and its associated symptoms and conditions for over 2,000 years!
# PeppermintThe numbing, calming effect of peppermint helps to ease your feelings of nausea by helping your stomach muscles to relax so that bile and food can be broken down much easier and pass through your digestive system quicker and smoother causing little or no upset.
As with ginger, peppermint is a great way to tackle nausea and can be taken in a number of forms. You could try drinking a refreshing peppermint tea or simply sucking on a mint between meals could help to ease your nausea. It can be taken in so many forms and still be effective because both peppermint leaves and the oils released are helpful which means that however you get your peppermint you should notice some effect on your nausea.
Also, like ginger, peppermint has a long and timely history of being used to treat the feeling of feeling sick. As an added form of getting your peppermint, you could try using the oil as a form of aromatherapy. Peppermint is so versatile, which is potentially why it’s such a well-used home remedy for nausea.
# LemonLemons and other citrus fruits are a great home remedy for nausea— especially when it comes to treating nausea associated with pregnancy. You could try adding slices of lemon to fresh water as a refreshing drink but really, it’s the citrusy smells that really work their magic.
In fact, the act of simply slicing a lemon or shredding the zest can release its citrus aroma into the air and when breathed in you should see a drop in your nausea. You can also try lemon-scented oils as part of your aromatherapy if that’s your preferred method.
# Controlled BreathsControlling your breath is another great way to ease nausea. It’s also a great way to ease many other symptoms of anxiety such as the increased heart rate and as nausea can be a side effect of anxiety it’s a great way to tackle both issues at once.
Try breathing in very slowly through your nose, taking in a long, deep breath. Then breathe out slowly through your mouth. You can even try counting as you breath to count how long your breaths are and take your focus away from your nausea. you can also combine this breathing technique with the use of your aromatherapy oils for a really effective home remedy for nausea.
# Fennel PowderFennel powder is just one of the many different spices that can be used to combat nausea. It’s especially good at reducing nausea associated with the menstrual cycle. If you’re finding you feel nauseous during your monthly period, try incorporating fennel powder into your meals— it can also help reduce other menstrual symptoms such as cramping and the length of your bleed.
# CinnamonLike with fennel powder, cinnamon is a great home remedy for nausea during the menstrual cycle. This particular spice can be included in both baking and curry recipes so it’s a good one to try and incorporate into your meals if you’re struggling with menstruation related nausea.
# CuminThe third spice on our list of home remedies for nausea is cumin. Typically thought to help with the many symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) it’s a good option to help reduce the severity of stomach cramps, diarrhea and, you guessed it, nausea.
# Muscle Relaxation TechniquesRelaxing your muscles through techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) can be a great way to ease the tension out of your stomach muscles, easing digestion and reducing the effects of an upset stomach— including nausea.
Try setting aside ten to fifteen minutes and find a place where you feel comfortable and are less likely to be disturbed. Start by tensing your muscles focusing on one group of muscles at a time (but do so gently so as not to injure yourself). Take a deep breath as you tense too. After about five seconds, slowly release the tension from your muscles, making sure you exhale deeply as you do so. You’ll feel the tension drain from your body, leaving you feeling far more relaxed and your nausea eased.