Nausea strikes quickly, and it can hit hard. From motion sickness to morning sickness, there is almost nothing worse than the feeling of nausea—the sensation you get right before you vomit. Luckily, there are many natural remedies you can use at home to settle these symptoms without using medication.
9 home remedies to get rid of nausea
Quick-relief nausea treatment
These natural remedies can help you soothe an upset stomach as it’s happening.
1) Ginger
Ginger has been used for health and wellness for thousands of years. It is a natural antiemetic (a substance that prevents nausea) and one of the most commonly prescribed natural remedies for an upset stomach and other symptoms of nausea. Studies show it is particularly effective at treating nausea in pregnant women and chemotherapy-induced nausea.
You can consume ginger by:
- Eating it raw
- Cooking it
- Drinking ginger tea
- Drinking ginger ale (look for a brand with low sugar and real ginger)
- Grating fresh ginger into lemon water or other drinks
- Taking ginger lozenges or ginger candy
Researchers aren’t totally sure how ginger works on the gastrointestinal tract. Some tests show that ginger speeds up gastric emptying (the time it takes for food to leave the stomach). It also may block specific receptors in the digestive system, preventing nauseous feelings.
Note that large amounts of ginger may cause some side effects like:
- Heartburn
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Gas
2) Peppermint
Peppermint eases nausea by relaxing stomach muscles and reducing spasms in the digestive tract. It is particularly effective in people with irritable bowel syndrome and cancer patients. Peppermint tea can also comfort an upset stomach after overeating.
You can consume peppermint by:
- Sipping peppermint tea
- Using peppermint essential oils
- Taking peppermint oil capsules
Note that peppermint can cause acid reflux. Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should be warned that using peppermint products may cause symptoms to get worse.
3) Lemon
Lemon can be used to ease nausea, especially in pregnant women. A 2014 clinical trial showed that pregnant women exposed to lemon essential oils experienced a significant reduction in their nausea symptoms compared to placebo treatment.
Lemons are a great source of citric acid, which aids in digestion. To fight indigestion and other nausea symptoms, squeeze some fresh-squeezed lemon juice into a glass of water.
You can consume lemon by:
- Drinking lemon water
- Inhaling lemon essential oils (aromatherapy)
- Sucking on lemon slices
4) Deep breathing
A randomized clinical trial showed that practicing deep breathing exercises for six days helped curb nausea symptoms in breast cancer patients. Deep breathing has also been shown to help patients who experience nausea after getting an operation (postoperative nausea).
You can practice deep breathing by:
- Breathing in through your nose on a count of five
- Holding your breath for five counts
- Releasing your breath gently through your nose for five counts
5) Acupressure
Acupressure is a traditional Chinese remedy for nausea. It is like acupuncture without the needles.
A 2020 study found that ninety pregnant women experienced a reduction in their nausea when they applied acupressure four times a day for ten minutes each time. Another review found acupressure helpful in soothing nausea in patients with chemotherapy-induced nausea.
You can perform the most common acupressure technique for nausea at home without any extra equipment though there are bracelets available for this purpose as well.
Here’s how:
- Hold your hand up with your palm facing you (think Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” dance)
- Find the two large tendons that run down your forearm
- Place your thumb in between these tendons, about 2-3 finger widths down from the bottom of your palm (a pressure point known as P6 or Nei Guan
- Press down on this point firmly for 10-30 seconds
- Release, then repeat until symptoms start to go away
6) Fresh air
Many people find that getting fresh air helps relieve nausea. However, researchers don’t fully understand how this works. It’s thought that airflow helps cool an overheated central nervous system down.
You can get some fresh air by:
- Stepping outside and practicing deep breathing
- Opening up a window near you
- Sitting in front of a fan
These tricks can help you keep nausea symptoms from happening. They will also help keep symptoms from getting worse.
7) Hydrate
Dehydration is one of the most common causes of nausea, migraines, and vomiting. It is prevalent when people sweat more than usual in the hot summer months. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to fight dehydration. Pregnant women are especially susceptible to dehydration.
Other ways to prevent dehydration include:
- Drinking sports drinks to replace lost electrolytes
- Sipping lemon water
- Sip clear broth
Avoid carbonated beverages, alcohol, and beverages with sugar added. Carbonation, in particular, can cause bloating and gas, which may worsen your symptoms.
The National Academy of Medicine recommends:
- 13 cups of fluid per day for men
- 9 cups of fluid per day for women
These are general recommendations. Individual needs may vary. If you regularly experience dehydration, talk to a healthcare professional to determine the best guidelines for you.
8) Bland foods
Eating bland foods is gentle on the stomach. A bland diet is particularly soothing for people with food poisoning, ulcers, or nausea from an infection.
Some good foods to eat when you’re nauseous include:
- Fruits: Bananas, apples, applesauce, avocados, melons
- Veggies: Carrots, green beans, squash, potatoes
- Low-fiber starches: White bread, white rice, Saltine crackers, instant oatmeal
- Proteins: Skinless baked chicken or turkey, scrambled eggs
Foods you should avoid include:
- Spicy foods
- Fatty or greasy foods
- Milk or dairy products
- Red meat
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Highly fibrous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage
- Certain citrus fruits like pineapple, oranges, and grapefruit
9) Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 supplements have been shown to reduce nausea in women experiencing morning sickness in their first trimester of pregnancy. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recommends that women take 10-25 mg of vitamin B6 three to four times daily to prevent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
Seek medical advice from a healthcare professional before taking any sort of vitamin supplement, especially if you are pregnant. Vitamin B6 is usually well-tolerated and is not known to cause side effects. However, not all supplements are safe for everyone. Talk to a healthcare provider to ensure supplements are safe for you and your pregnancy.
When to see a doctor
Nauseous feelings often go away within a few minutes or hours.
You should speak to a healthcare provider if:
- You experience nausea and vomiting for more than 2-3 days
- You experience nausea with severe symptoms like a high fever, abdominal pain, chest pain, or difficulty breathing
- You have nausea and vomiting accompanied by unexplained weight loss
- You experience nausea accompanied by diarrhea, constipation, or bloody stools
- Your vomit has blood in it
- Your child has been vomiting off and on for over 24 hours
- You are pregnant, and your nausea continues into your second trimester (weeks 13-26)
Severe or persistent nausea may require more advanced treatment like prescription anti-nausea medication or other therapies. If you are worried about your nausea symptoms or have any questions about nausea treatment, talk to a healthcare provider.
