3 natural remedies for motion sickness

 3 natural remedies for motion sickness

Train, boat, plane or even car ... your trips often turn into a nightmare because of your motion sickness. If you don't want to take medication, know that there are natural tips. Amélie Michel, certified aromatherapist, gives you her advice.

Having the evil of transport can really ruin a trip. Nearly 20% of French people suffer from nausea when traveling by car, train, plane or boat. Motion sickness is usually linked to a mismatch between visual perception and balance, leading to disruption of the inner ear. In medicine, we talk about motion sickness . Some suffer from this disease throughout their lives, from an early age. Some suffer from it occasionally. 

Symptoms are often the same i.e. malaise, nausea, headache, cold sweats, hypersalivation or even accelerated breathing. And sometimes this motion sickness can lead to vomiting. Apart from a risk of dehydration in the event of persistent vomiting, motion sickness is not serious. It is however extremely unpleasant for those who suffer from it. The treatments offered are unfortunately not always effective or require medication. Yet, there are natural ways to combat motion sickness. Discover them:

Ginger

The ginger is undoubtedly the most effective remedy to naturally fight against sickness. Several scientific studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of ginger, which is also often used by the pharmaceutical industry. The WHO recognizes it as justified in the context of motion sickness.

 You should know that ginger has gingerol up to 15%. It is a component which is effective in the context of motion sickness as it contributes to the functioning of the stomach. To avoid nausea, I often recommend chewing on fresh ginger when possible. I know the taste is special and not everyone likes it, but it really works.

For those who fear the slightly spicy taste of pure ginger, it is possible to prepare an infusion with a fresh slice that must be soaked in boiling water for ten minutes. To lighten the taste, it is recommended to add lemon or possibly honey. However, chewing it remains the best solution for an optimal result.

Lemon and peppermint

This is a synergy of essential oils particularly effective in the fight against motion sickness. Indeed, the virtues of these essential oils are ideal for quickly relieving nausea. This melance composed of essential oil of lemon and peppermint is perfect for those who have a heartache or a headache which frequently occurs in the car or boat in particular. You have to bring them together so that they are really effective, and get into the habit of taking this synergy half an hour before taking transport .  

How to do? 

Add on a teaspoon of honey or possibly on a sugar, a drop of essential oil of lemon and a drop of essential oil of peppermint. The effect is immediate. However, peppermint essential oil is very strong, and it should never be used on a child under the age of 7 or on a pregnant woman. This recipe should therefore only be used by healthy adults. Do not hesitate to seek professional advice before trying it. 

Also note that it is possible to inhale the essential oil of peppermint directly from the bottle in case of nausea during transport if you have no contraindication. It is then enough to inhale deeply and gently to immediately feel the benefits. Be careful not to do it too often!

The banana

Very often, those who have motion sickness think that they should not eat before taking the car or the boat for example. Big mistake ! If the stomach is empty, it may contract and promote the onset of nausea. It is therefore strongly recommended to have a meal before leaving. But you should obviously not take just anything. I generally recommend eating a banana before hitting the road.

It is a perfect food for easy digestion. Indeed, this fruit lines the esophagus and calms heartburn. You should also know that it is the only food that tastes the same when you eat it as when you make it ... And above all, you should avoid liquids other than water. Milk especially is difficult to digest, so it is best not to consume it before a long trip!

You now know all about motion sickness and can try the natural tips now. Most of them are very effective. You just have to find the one that's right for you. Have a good trip !

Amélie Michel, Certified Aromatherapist