Preventing Motion Sickness: Natural Remedies for Motion Sickness


A simplest trip can turn into a nightmare with motion sickness. Not only the person who has the problem of motion sickness suffers but all the other inmates with whom he is traveling also suffer. Motion sickness, which is also known as travel sickness, is caused by repeated unusual movements, particularly when traveling by car, boat, plane or train. It starts with a feeling of nausea. The symptoms are all the same in motion sickness: nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, headaches, and vomiting. There are many medicines available in medical shops that can prevent vomiting or nausea and give temporary relief. But you can also try some home made remedies that have proved to very effective in relieving a person from motion sickness.

Natural Remedies for Motion Sickness
Fresh Ginger: Fresh Ginger is one of the simplest ways of relieving motion sickness. Cut off small small pieces of fresh ginger and chew them regularly during your journey. If you find the raw ginger too hot try crystallized ginger or drink ginger tea.
Peppermint Tea: Peppermint tea can also help relieve nausea. If you are not able to make tea, buy peppermint capsules that have oil of peppermint in them, which you can suck during a flight or in a car. Some herbalists suggest a strong tea made of lemon balm can also help.
Acupressure Wrist Bands: This is a very old technique of preventing motion sickness, originated in the East where the acupressure bands were said to alleviate sea-sickness in sailors. Acupressure wrist bands are available in medical shops. These are bracelets made from a stretch material, each fitted with a button which presses on the acupressure point in the wrist. This affects the nervous and the digestive systems. The bracelets are worn on each wrist and can be used before and after the onset of nausea.

Tips to Avoid Motion Sickness
  • An empty stomach is more likely to suffer from motion sickness, so try nibbling on something light like crackers. Don't over eat. A full stomach is as likely as an empty one to make you sick.
  • Once you start traveling, look at the horizon and focus on a distant point. Depending on your mode of travel, try focusing your gaze on a stationary, distant object. If traveling by car, sit in a front seat. Back-seat passengers get the worst cases of motion sickness. Keep your eyes in tune with the motion of the car.
  • Don't read while travelling.
  • If in a car, roll down the window - fresh air helps.
  • Stop often, stretch your legs, get out and walk around.
  • Carry or have access to lots of liquids - club soda is a great stomach settler.
  • If you know that you get motion sickness, keep your head still. Rest your head against your seat.
  • Avoid spicy foods, alcohol, or overeating.
  • The first step in controlling motion sickness is not to think about it. Juts take the idea out of your head. By keeping your mind off the feelings of sickness, you can actually improve how you feel.

Motion Sickness in Children: Tips to Avoid

Motion sickness is common to children in the age group of 3 to 6. Extra precaution is required in case of children having motion sickness problems. Many kids outgrow motion sickness by adolescence. In the meantime, try these steps to help minimize your travel troubles.
  • Provide toys for your child to keep him occupied. But don't let him read, color, or play video games.
  • Just ask him to focus on a distant point while travelling.
  • Distract the child from nausea symptom by listening to a song on the radio, singing or talking.
  • Sitting in the middle of the back seat in car is helpful for the child because in this way he can look in the direction he is traveling and also prevents him from looking out the side windows.
  • Strap your child so that he does not move around.
  • Make sure to give the child a light snack rather than a heavy meal before the journey.
  • Avoid loading up on liquids as the liquids will make the child uneasy and may lead to throwing up.
  • Before getting into the vehicle, mix a spoon of honey with powdered ginger and and let him eat it in one gulp. This will help to get rid of any uneasiness.
  • Always keep plastic bags in the car and close to your child so that he can use it when required.
  • As far as possible keep the windows open for fresh air.
  • Do plan frequent stops for fresh air.