Everyone experiences nausea at some point in time.
It is a very disturbing feeling in the stomach that causes discomfort and uneasiness.
However, using natural remedies or OTC medicines can easily reduce the intensity quickly.
Essential oils for nausea are an adequate remedy worth trying.
EOs also manage motion sickness, vomiting, and morning sickness seen in pregnant women.
Besides the EOs, other natural remedies like chamomile tea, cannabis oil, vitamin B6, and ginger are also popularly used for getting rid of nausea.
Over-the-counter antihistamines like dimenhydrinate are the most commonly used mainstream medicines to eliminate motion sickness, throwing, and dizziness.
Nausea: An Overview
Nausea is the uncomfortable sensation in the stomach that makes you feel like throwing up or puking.
When you have it, you might experience a queasy feeling that ranges from slightly uncomfortable to agonizing.
Along with nauseous feelings, you might also experience clammy skin and a grumbling or lurching stomach.
It is not necessary that a nauseous feeling will make you puke every time. Most of the time, it subsides after an hour or two without making you puke.
The number one reason for this condition is a viral infection, also known as stomach flu.
Other common causes for it are motion sickness, morning sickness, indigestion, allergic reactions, microbial infections, ill health, overeating, food poisoning, and pregnancy. Some also experience post-operative nausea.
Do Essential Oils Help Nausea
In a 2013 study published in Anesthesia & Analgesia, surgical patients were given three different aromatherapy relief treatments for nauseous.
They were cardamom essential oils, isopropyl alcohol, or a blend of ginger, spearmint, and peppermint.
The study’s results indicated that patients who smelled either ginger oil or a blend of EOs significantly reduced post-surgery bouts of nausea.
EOs contain natural medicinal properties that help your body in several ways to calm an upset stomach and reduce nausea.
They not only remove sickness but also help to relax the mind and body. EOs promote sound sleep and refresh and energize your body.
They can help eliminate microbial infections that may cause nausea.
Unlike prescription medicines, mostly synthetic chemicals, they do not have serious side effects.
If you often feel sick because of stomach irritation, vertigo, pregnancy, GI reflux, or other common problems, essential oils might help.
10 Best Essential Oils For Nausea
EOs are highly concentrated versions of natural oils taken from different plants.
You can choose from a wide range of plant oils, and many of them have healing properties built right in.
Here are 10 essential oils that can help with nausea:
1. Ginger Oil
Ginger root and ginger essential oil are traditional remedies for diarrhea and nausea relief.
There is no scientific explanation for how ginger works to ease it. It is believed that gingerol directly affects the digestive and central nervous systems.
Ginger ale is beneficial for treating common stomach problems like indigestion, acid reflux, and stomach flu.
Ginger oil is one of the best essential oils for getting fast relief from stomach aches and diarrhea.
Inhaling the aroma of raw ginger or ginger oil effectively manages pregnancy nausea and vomiting.
Lauren Richter, DO, assistant professor at the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, says, “It’s an excellent treatment for squeamishness, especially in pregnancy.”
Study reports suggest that aromatherapy with ginger oil is effective for surgical patients who suffer from frequent upset stomachs.
Smelling ginger oil can calm motion sickness.
2. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil and leaves are fantastic for fighting common stomach ailments.
According to an NCCIH report, it helps deal with indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome.
Another study published in 2014 in the Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing states that inhaling the aroma of peppermint essential oil can ease nausea.
Peppermint herbal tea is excellent for solving common digestive issues.
Its antispasmodic and antiemetic properties can effectively reduce motion sickness and morning sickness.
However, some studies negate the effectiveness of this oil in dealing with sickness during pregnancy.
A 2012 study report published by the Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal showed that inhaling peppermint oil hasn’t got any effect on calming down nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
3. Lavender Oil
Lavender essential oil possesses natural sedative and soothing qualities, which can relieve the spasms and discomfort associated with nausea.
This oil can also calm down dizziness if that is the cause of your sickness.
Going by the therapeutic potency of lavender oil, it is encouraging to use it to treat vomiting, nausea, a sour stomach, and motion sickness.
Inhaling the aroma of lavender oil calms both body and mind; removes anxiety and depression.
This oil is particularly beneficial for dealing with nausea caused by anxiety and physical exhaustion.
4. Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil, leaves, and roots are extensively used in traditional medicines to treat digestive disorders and upset stomachs.
Chamomile herbal tea is popular for dealing with health issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, cramps, gastroenteritis, and stomach flu.
Chamomile oil and extracts treat gastrointestinal disturbances.
5. Lemon Oil
Lemon is one of the finest natural remedies for preventing motion sickness.
A study published in 2014 by the Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal indicated lemon scent could effectively reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
Aromatherapy with lemon oil can be a big advantage in the first trimester when morning sickness is most common.
6. Fennel Oil
Using fennel oil is a powerful natural remedy for gastrointestinal issues.
Fennel seeds and oil, like mint, contain certain anesthetic substances that help to reduce queasiness.
You can make a cup of herbal tea with a tablespoon of fennel seeds or drink a glass of warm water with 2 drops of diluted fennel oil to overcome morning sickness.
Fennel oil and extracts are excellent natural laxatives and stimulants that can make your digestive system healthy and ward off common stomach ailments.
7. Orange oil
The sweet aroma of the orange oil and peels uplifts your mood and relieves stress and anxiety. You can also use lemon essential oil in place of it.
According to research published in 2013 by Advanced Biomedical Research, when 30 children were administered aromatherapy with orange oil, the researchers found that the children had reduced cortisol levels. It also reduced pulse rates, which led to decreased anxiety in children.
This oil is especially beneficial for calming down squeamishness caused by anxiety, stress, and physical exhaustion.
Orange oil can very well be blended with ginger, lemon, or lavender oils.
8. Nutmeg Oil
Nutmeg and mace are commonly used in folklore remedies for diarrhea, nausea, stomach spasms and pain, and intestinal gas.
Nutmeg oil is also beneficial for boosting immunity and strengthening the nervous system.
This oil is beneficial for easing common digestive problems.
Add 5 to 6 drops of this oil to warm bath water to relieve nausea.
Make a blend of 3 drops of nutmeg oil with a carrier oil and use this oil blend as a massage oil to help address appetite loss, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and gallstones.
9. Spearmint Oil
Spearmint oil has been shown to help prevent or alleviate nausea caused by chemotherapy.
A medical study found that spearmint oil was better than standard medical treatments at reducing sickness caused by chemotherapy.
The quality and effectiveness of spearmint oil for treating nausea and vomiting are very much akin to those of peppermint oil.
Spearmint calms the body and helps you relax. It also serves as an antiseptic and disinfectant.
Simply adding a drop of spearmint oil to water or rubbing 1-2 drops behind your ears helps calm nausea.
Inhaling a few drops of spearmint oil diffused in the air can make you feel better immediately.
10. Bergamot Oil
Sweet-smelling bergamot oil is excellent for aromatherapy to reduce sickness. Its aroma is similar to orange oil.
This oil can be mixed with other EOs to treat feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or sick.
When you smell bergamot oil, it can help relieve anxiety and stress, which can make you feel sick.
Inhaling the scent of this oil can help prevent motion sickness.
How to Use Essential Oils
Essential oils can be used in different ways to quickly stop motion sickness, and morning sickness during pregnancy.
Here are some of the best ways to make use of essential oils for squeamishness:
Ingestion
Ingesting 2 drops of your favorite EO diluted in a glass of warm water can relieve indigestion and gas in the stomach that may induce sickness.
Ginger and peppermint oils are suitable for ingestion.
Only a few EOs are fit for ingesting.
Consult your aromatherapist to get professional advice on consuming essential oils.
Inhalation
Aromatherapy use helps relieve postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Use a diffuser to diffuse a few drops of aromatic essential oils in your bedroom, and then inhale the oil’s aroma for several minutes.
Alternatively, you can try the steam inhalation method. Use a steam vaporizer pot for steam inhalation treatments with EOs.
As for a simple method, you can add five drops of essential oil to hot water in a bowl and then inhale the steam emanating from the hot water.
Spritzers
Utilizing essential oils for inhalation from a spritzer bottle is very convenient, especially while traveling.
Carry around in your purse a few small spritzer bottles filled with five to ten drops of the essential oils of your choice.
Massage
Applying essential oils topically helps fight nausea.
Rubbing a few drops of oil diluted in a carrier oil on your tummy and chest effectively reduces nausea.
Massage with essential oils on the tummy can heal other health issues like indigestion, acid reflux, heartburn, and a sour stomach.
You can also massage your feet, behind the ears, and the back of the neck with EOs to manage the condition.
Oil Soaked Cotton Ball
Apply little oil to a cotton ball or handkerchief and keep it in your pocket. This can be used to inhale the essential oil’s aroma whenever you require it.
You can also keep cotton balls soaked in EOs under your pillow to inhale the scent of the oil while you rest on the bed.
Oil Bath
Add a teaspoon of oil to a warm water bath.
The oil’s aroma in the water can relax your body and calm your mind. This is effective for eliminating nausea caused by anxiety and physical exhaustion.
Cold or Hot Compress
Add one or two ml of oils to 3 cups of hot or cold water.
Soak a soft hand towel in the water and use it for a stomach compress. The hot or cold compress on the stomach is to be done for a minimum of 10 minutes.
Make sure to squeeze out the excess water from the towel before you do the compress.
Carrier Oils
Always dilute the essential oils in carrier oils before applying them to your skin.
Some of the best carrier oils you can use are coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, and olive oil.
The Final Thought
Ginger oil and peppermint oil are the best essential oils to help relieve nausea and they are our best recommendations.
You can also use the other essential oil for vomiting, depending on the cause of your condition.
It is important to choose pure and therapeutic-grade essential oils to achieve the best relief from nausea and anxiety.
Finally, do not use essential oils for ingesting or applying to your skin without diluting them in carrier oils or warm water.
As with any medications and natural remedies, always use care and caution when using essential oils for nausea, motion sickness, vomiting, and indigestion.
There are some people that shouldn’t use this treatment, especially those with allergies or skin conditions like dermatitis. Some oils may not be safe for pregnant women.
If you do not get relief from the symptoms of nausea and indigestion within 24 hours of using essential oils, then you must make an appointment with your doctor.
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