Few feelings are worse than nausea. An upset stomach and the feeling of wanting to vomit are common symptoms for a number of ailments. Whether caused by a stomach flu or motion sickness, migraines or food poisoning, a queasy stomach is anything but comfortable. Yet, it is a feeling everyone has experienced at one time or another, whether from pregnancy, dehydration, or as a side effect to medication.
Both nausea and vomiting are controlled by the part of the brain that handles involuntary bodily functions, explains e medicine health. These symptoms can be triggered by almost anything, including smells and emotions. If nausea and vomiting are severe or accompanied by fever, it is important and necessary to seek medical help. However, most nausea and vomiting can be treated using the following home remedies.
Both nausea and vomiting are controlled by the part of the brain that handles involuntary bodily functions, explains e medicine health. These symptoms can be triggered by almost anything, including smells and emotions. If nausea and vomiting are severe or accompanied by fever, it is important and necessary to seek medical help. However, most nausea and vomiting can be treated using the following home remedies.
1. Acupressure. Your body is full of pressure points that when pushed, are known to release neurotransmitters like serotonin and endorphins that send signals to the brain with instructions to relieve feelings of discomfort, like nausea. Everyday Roots recommends using 2 fingers to put pressure on the groove between the two large tendons on the top and bottom of your wrist. Hold the pressure point for up to 5 minutes while breathing deeply.
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2. Ginger. This tasty, spicy root is a well-known treatment for a host of digestive and stomach issues. This is because, according to Everyday Roots, ginger promotes the secretion of digestive enzymes that help neutralize stomach acid. Ginger also contains phenols that relax stomach muscles and sedate irritated stomach tissue. To treat nausea, make homemade ginger tea by grating or peeling 2 inches of ginger root and adding it to 2- 3 cups of boiling water for 3- 5 minutes. If the ginger alone is too strong for your taste, you can sweeten the tea using honey.
3. Peppermint. Like ginger, peppermint is a popular treatment for stomach problems. This is because peppermint contains menthol, a natural analgesic or pain reliever. Healthline recommends brewing peppermint tea, sniffing peppermint extract, sucking on mint candy, or chewing peppermint leaves to relieve nausea.
4. Stretch. If you find yourself experiencing nausea along with symptoms of upper back and neck pain, it may be most helpful to relieve tension by stretching, reports Everyday Roots. Stretch your back by lying face-down on the floor with your hands by your ears. Lift your upper body, allowing your back to arch and stretch, tilting your head to face the ceiling. To stretch your neck, tilt your head forward to touch your chin to your chest. Hold the stretch for 10- 15 seconds. Then, tilt your head to the right, touching your ear to your shoulder and hold. Repeat on the left side.
5. Bitters and soda. Cocktail bitters like Peychaud's and Angostura are made with a blend of herbs. Some include soothing ingredients like cinnamon, fennel, mint, and ginger. Interestingly, bitters were originally made to be sold in apothecaries as cures for illnesses. To benefit from this centuries old remedy, add five or six drops of cocktail bitters to a cold glass of soda water. You can also use tonic water or ginger ale, says Healthline.
6. Milk toast. Sometimes, nausea occurs when the pH levels in your stomach are out of balance. To neutralize the acid in your stomach, Everyday Roots recommends eating a slice of "milk toast." The bread will absorb excess acid as the milk coats and soothes your stomach, making this recipe a double whammy against an upset stomach. To make milk toast, heat 1 cup of milk until it is hot, but not boiling. Toast a piece of bread and spread it with just a bit of unsalted butter. Crumble the buttered toast into the milk and eat the mixture slowly as you would cereal.
7. Garlic. The cooking staple is a potent antibiotic, anti-fungal, and antibacterial. Though the thought of raw garlic will likely make you sick all over again, Wellness Mama promises the taste is negligible to the wondrous effects. One of the most effective methods is to mince 1-2 cloves of garlic and add them to a small glass of water. Drink the solution quickly.
8. Frozen fruit. According to Everyday Roots, lemon can have miraculous effects against nausea. By sucking on frozen lemon or lime slices, you not only send cool, calming signals to your stomach, but you also increase saliva production, which helps quell an upset stomach. If you are often plagued by nausea, it may be helpful to keep slices or wedges of lemon or lime in the freezer. At the first sign of nausea, lie down in a relaxed position and suck on a slice.
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Nausea is as common as it is distressing. Next time you have an upset stomach, try one of these home remedies.
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