Pharmacy Clinic
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Nausea and Vomiting
Natural remedies for motion sickness
They may not work for all and may not work every time, but folk remedies for motion
sickness have probably been around since man first decided to seriously check out the
scenery beyond his own backyard. Some of these remedies are still popular today and are
certainly worth a try.
Gingerroot. The first settlers to the New World might have taken it to ease their
transatlantic voyage. Although the tradition dates back hundreds of years, eating a bit of
ginger recently passed scientific scrutiny when an experiment showed that two powdered
gingerroot capsules were more effective than a dose of Dramamine in preventing motion
sickness. Ginger works, researchers theorize, by absorbing acids and blocking nausea in
your gastointestinal tract.
Olives and lemons. The early stages of motion sickness cause you to produce excess
saliva, which dribbles down to your stomach and makes you nauseous, some doctors say.
Olives, on the other hand, produce chemicals called tannins, which make your mouth dry.
Hence, the theory goes, eating a couple of olives at the first hint of nausea can help
diminish it, as may sucking on a mouth-puckering lemon.
Soda crackers. They won't stop salivation, but dry soda crackers might help absorb the
excess fluid when it reaches your stomach. Their "secret ingredients" are bicarbonate of
soda and cream of tartar.
Coke syrup. Prescribed as an antinauseant for children, Coke syrup added to seltzer water
may help. The same may be true for any carbonated cola beverage. See for yourself.
Acupressure wristbands. Sold in many marine and travel shops, these lightweight
wristbands have a plastic button that is supposed to be worn over what the doctors in
the Orient call the Nei-Kuan acupressure point inside each wrist. The wearer is protected
against nausea, the theory goes, by exerting pressure on the button for a few minutes.
They may not work for all and may not work every time, but folk remedies for motion
sickness have probably been around since man first decided to seriously check out the
scenery beyond his own backyard. Some of these remedies are still popular today and are
certainly worth a try.
Gingerroot. The first settlers to the New World might have taken it to ease their
transatlantic voyage. Although the tradition dates back hundreds of years, eating a bit of
ginger recently passed scientific scrutiny when an experiment showed that two powdered
gingerroot capsules were more effective than a dose of Dramamine in preventing motion
sickness. Ginger works, researchers theorize, by absorbing acids and blocking nausea in
your gastointestinal tract.
Olives and lemons. The early stages of motion sickness cause you to produce excess
saliva, which dribbles down to your stomach and makes you nauseous, some doctors say.
Olives, on the other hand, produce chemicals called tannins, which make your mouth dry.
Hence, the theory goes, eating a couple of olives at the first hint of nausea can help
diminish it, as may sucking on a mouth-puckering lemon.
Soda crackers. They won't stop salivation, but dry soda crackers might help absorb the
excess fluid when it reaches your stomach. Their "secret ingredients" are bicarbonate of
soda and cream of tartar.
Coke syrup. Prescribed as an antinauseant for children, Coke syrup added to seltzer water
may help. The same may be true for any carbonated cola beverage. See for yourself.
Acupressure wristbands. Sold in many marine and travel shops, these lightweight
wristbands have a plastic button that is supposed to be worn over what the doctors in
the Orient call the Nei-Kuan acupressure point inside each wrist. The wearer is protected
against nausea, the theory goes, by exerting pressure on the button for a few minutes.