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6 Essential Oils For Nausea - Dr. Axe
6 Essential Oils For Nausea - Dr. Axe
6 Essential Oils For Nausea - Dr. Axe
Nausea is such an unpleasant and inescapable feeling that can feel never ending at times. What is nausea?
Nausea can be de ned as a feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit. The moment you get that icky
sensation in your body, I’m sure you’re immediately wondering about the best ways of how to get rid of
nausea fast.
Nausea can be protective at times; for example, when you become nauseous and throw up as the result of
eating food tainted with bacteria such as E. coli. Other times, nausea occurs due to pregnancy and is
commonly referred to as “morning sickness,” even though it can occur any time of day or all day and night.
Nausea is also a common symptom of motion sickness, which many people unfortunately experience on a
regular basis.
There are thankfully a lot of great forms of natural nausea relief, and one of the best by far is de nitely
essential oils. What essential oils are good for nausea? There are actually several essential oils known to be
awesome natural remedies for nausea.
Ginger oil is also one of the best essential oils for nausea and dizziness. A study published in 2013 evaluated
the effects of aromatherapy abdominal massage using ginger and peppermint oils on female subjects with
dysmenorrhea. Both oils had impressive effects, but ginger oil was speci cally linked to relief of nausea,
vomiting, dizziness, fatigue and headache. (2)
A study published in 2013 investigated the ef cacy of peppermint oil in preventing nausea and vomiting
caused by chemotherapy treatment. Researchers found that there was a signi cant reduction in the
intensity and number of times patients vomited in the rst 24 hours of treatment when compared to the
control groups with no adverse side effects reported. Treatment cost was also decreased through the use of
peppermint essential oil. (4)
Peppermint is one of the best essential oils for nausea and diarrhea too. Research has shown that
peppermint oil can help improve some symptoms of diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome, one
of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders today. One double blind, randomized, placebo-
controlled study of 74 patients (65 completed the trial) with IBS found that after six weeks of using
peppermint oil three times daily, the oil’s most notable effect was an improvement in abdominal pain in
diarrhea predominant IBS. (5)
Research shows that lavender oil has a calming effect on both the body and mind. In several human
studies, lavender oil has been employed via oral administration, aromatherapy or massage with great
results. In addition to positive psychological effects, aromatherapy using lavender essential oil is believed to
be therapeutically effective due to physiological effects of the inhaled volatile compounds.
When lavender oil is inhaled, it directly effects the limbic system, particularly the brain’s amygdala and
hippocampus. When lavender oil is used topically, two of its active components, linalool and linalyl acetate,
are very quickly absorbed through the skin and calm the central nervous system. (7)
Thanks to its calming and antispasmodic effects, some people choose lavender as one of their go-to
essential oils for stomach bug relief.
Just diffusing one or two drops of lemon essential oil has been shown to help soothe and relieve nausea and
vomiting due to pregnancy. According to one study, 40 percent of women have used a lemon scent to
relieve nausea and vomiting, and 26.5 percent have reported it as an effective way to control their
symptoms.
A study published in 2014 investigated whether inhaling lemon could help nausea and vomiting during
pregnancy. This randomized clinical trial involved 100 pregnant women with nausea and vomiting inhaling
either lemon essential oil or a placebo as soon as they felt nausea come on. Researchers then recorded
nausea, vomiting and retch intensity 24 hours before and during the four days of treatment and found that
scores decreased during the four days of using inhalation lemon aromatherapy with a statistically
signi cant reduction occurring the second and forth days.
Overall, the researchers conclude that the scent of lemon can effectively decrease nausea and vomiting
due to pregnancy. Overall, the researchers conclude that the scent of lemon can effectively decrease
nausea and vomiting due to pregnancy. (8)
You can use an essential oil for nausea in a few different ways including aromatherapy, ingestion or topical
application.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a type of alternative medicine practice that utilizes aromatic essential oils derived from a
wide variety of healing plants. When the scent of an essential oil is inhaled, molecules enter the nasal
cavities and stimulates a response in the limbic system of the brain which leads to physiological and/or
psychological effects.
Inhaling oils through the nostrils directly off of a cloth or from the bottle
/
Diffusing a single oil or combination of essential oils into the air
Rubbing oils directly onto the skin
Receiving massage therapy that includes the use of essentials oils
Soaking in an oil-infused bath
Oral Application
Read labels carefully to make sure an oil is appropriate for internal use. There are many essential oils that
can be ingested by the mouth; however, it is critical to make sure that the oils you use 100 percent pure,
therapeutic grade and certi ed USDA organic. Many oils on the market today are diluted or blended with
synthetics that are unsafe for ingesting.
In general, you should only use very small amounts of essentials oils internally, about one to two drops at a
time and a maximum of up to two to three times daily. If you experience mouth or throat irritation, dilute the
oil in liquid or food such as unsweetened raw applesauce before swallowing. It’s also best to take essential
oils with food rather than on an empty stomach.
Other oral application options include capsules, adding a drop or two to your favorite beverage, making a
tea, and cooking with essential oils. In all these scenarios, only a drop or two should be used.
Topical Application
You can use essential oils topically for nausea by applying them on your stomach area, back of the neck or
bottoms of the feet. All it takes is a drop or two of oil and when the oils touch the skin, they penetrate rapidly.
Since essential oils are so potent, it’s a good idea to dilute them by blending them with a carrier oil, such as
sweet almond, olive, jojoba, avocado or coconut oil. You can also add a couple of drops of pure essential
oils like lavender or peppermint to a cool compress and place it over your head or on the back of your neck
to help ease nausea.
Always check with your doctor being using essential oils if you have any ongoing health condition or are
taking medication. Many medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can interact with essential
oils. Never use an essential oil externally or internally that you are allergic to.
Before using any essential oils internally, it’s vital to make sure that it is safe for internal use and that is is
also 100 percent pure, therapeutic grade and certi ed organic, both for reasons of safety and effectiveness.
Sometimes, essential oils cause nausea when overused or misused so it’s important to use them correctly.
Call 911 or seek emergency medical assistance if nausea and vomiting are accompanied by other
symptoms including chest pain, blurred vision, severe abdominal pain or cramping, confusion, high fever
and stiff neck, fecal material or fecal odor in vomit, or rectal bleeding. You should also see your doctor if
you’ve experienced bouts of nausea and vomiting for more than a month or if you’ve noticed any
unexplained weight loss along with nausea and vomiting.