Key Points at a Glance
- We've all felt sick at some point—nausea can strike in all kinds of situations.
- Some people get an upset stomach when they're nervous, others when they're traveling, and sometimes you just eat something that's gone bad or doesn't agree with you.
- Last but not least, pregnant women also often suffer from nausea.
- But what really helps? We've put together a list of the most effective home remedies and methods for treating nausea.
For some people, excitement upsets their stomachs. They feel nauseous before major life events, whether it’s an important exam at college, an adventure (sometimes even before a flight or a trip to a vacation destination), or a wedding or birthday. Others tend to get nervous even before routine appointments. Nausea is the result. Sometimes, however, you’ve simply eaten something that didn’t agree with you, or you’re suffering from a gastrointestinal infection. And pregnant women also experience nausea from time to time. On this page, we’ll introduce you to some methods and home remedies that can help.
Tips for dealing with nausea without having to eat or drink anything
When we feel nauseous, some of us just don’t feel like eating anything. In that case, you can try acupressure. Stimulating the acupressure point just above the wrist on the inside of the forearm can help. Sometimes, however, you simply don’t realize that your queasy stomach is caused by stuffy, foul-smelling air; in that case, getting some fresh air can help.
You can do this by an open window or while taking a walk. The second option is even more highly recommended because it gets you moving, and exercise is always good for the body. Often, a hot bath (perhaps with gentle bath additives) also helps relieve nausea.
Food and Drink to Neutralize the Stomach
Problems with the gastrointestinal tract can often be resolved by eating or drinking something that neutralizes the stomach. Ginger—for example, as tea—is a good example here; chicken broth or vegetable soup also help in many cases. White bread and rusks also fall into this category, though you should chew both thoroughly before swallowing so that your stomach doesn’t have to work as hard. A lightly browned, grated apple often has a soothing effect, as does a soup or porridge made from carrots.
Mashed bananas are also good for the stomach, as are oatmeal porridge or plain mashed potatoes. A tablespoon of fruit vinegar in a glass of water, drunk slowly, often helps, as do lemon balm tea, anise tea, cinnamon tea, caraway tea, fennel tea, and peppermint tea.
Sometimes it's the simple things that help with nausea
In many cases, however, you don’t even need to make tea with essential oils to relieve nausea. If you’re only feeling slightly nauseous, a glass of cold water—still, of course—will do the trick. You should also take only small sips. The same goes for a glass of lemon water. It’s also a good idea to suck on a slice of lemon to help settle an upset stomach.
Sometimes, increased saliva production can also help relieve nausea. You can stimulate saliva production by chewing gum. Depending on your preference, the gum may contain peppermint. Speaking of peppermint: If you feel nauseous, you can try chewing a few peppermint leaves; the essential oils are quite effective at relieving nausea.
