Have you ever experienced a hangover-like feeling while traveling on a cruise or boat? If your answer is yes, then you likely suffer from motion sickness.
Recent studies have demonstrated that acupuncture and over-the-counter medications can be effective in managing motion sickness. However, these treatments are often neither cheap nor convenient. Therefore, it’s worth trying some natural home remedies to prevent motion sickness before it starts.
Unfortunately, motion sickness is a condition that cannot be completely “cured.” People often believe that closing their eyes will help, but this is not an effective solution. In this article on AllRemedies.com, we will introduce some powerful and natural tips to alleviate motion sickness on a cruise or boat, helping you enjoy a more pleasant journey. Let’s explore these remedies:
II. What Is Motion Sickness?
Have you heard of motion sickness? If you’ve felt uncomfortable in your stomach while riding in a car, airplane, boat, or train, you likely understand what motion sickness is.
Motion sickness is a sensation of dizziness that occurs when traveling by boat, car, train, or plane. Your sensory organs send mixed messages to your brain, causing wooziness, nausea, and lightheadedness. Many people recognize early on that they are prone to this condition.
Motion sickness commonly results in vomiting, but don’t worry—there are many effective natural remedies to alleviate it.
III. What Are The Symptoms?
Motion sickness is a common issue and can be a major problem for frequent travelers, making it difficult to enjoy vacations. Common symptoms include sweating, nausea, vomiting, pale skin, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and increased salivation. These symptoms typically disappear when the motion stops.
IV. What Causes Motion Sickness?
To better understand motion sickness, it’s helpful to know how certain organs function and influence movement perception:
- Inner Ears: Fluids in the inner ear’s semicircular canals help detect movement in various directions.
- Eyes: Visual input helps determine movement direction.
- Skin Receptors: These inform the brain about body parts touching the ground.
- Joint and Muscle Receptors: These sensors report body movement and positioning to the brain.
Balance is achieved through the coordination of these signals. Contradictory signals can lead to motion sickness. For example, a plane passenger may not see turbulent air but can feel it, causing mixed messages to the brain.
V. How To Cure Motion Sickness – 16 Natural Remedies
1. Ginger
Ginger is a well-known remedy for motion sickness due to its antiemetic properties. It aids digestion and can be used in various forms:
- Ginger Tea: Mix fresh ginger slices with warm water, boil for ten minutes, strain, and optionally add honey. Drink half an hour before traveling.
- Ginger and Lemon Juice: Mix one teaspoon each of ginger and lemon juice, drink before traveling.
- Fresh Ginger: Chew a half teaspoon of chopped fresh ginger with or without honey, half an hour before traveling.
2. Peppermint
Peppermint’s menthol can calm stomach muscles and reduce nausea:
- Peppermint Tea: Steep dried peppermint leaves in boiling water, strain, and add honey if desired. Drink before traveling.
- Peppermint Candy: Suck on peppermint candy during travel.
- Peppermint Oil: Inhale peppermint oil from a handkerchief.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar balances pH and alkalinity, aiding in motion sickness relief:
- Drink Mix: Combine two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of honey in warm water, drink slowly before traveling.
- Mouthwash: Gargle with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water to prevent vomiting.
4. Green Apple
Green apples contain pectin, which neutralizes stomach acid and prevents motion sickness:
- Juice Mix: Mix green apple juice with lemon juice and black salt, sip slowly before traveling.
5. Lemon
Lemon’s citric acid can alleviate nausea and vomiting:
- Lemon Water: Mix lemon juice with warm water and honey, drink slowly.
- Lemon Slice: Suck on a lemon wedge during travel.
- Lemon Juice and Rice Water: Mix lemon juice with rice water and a pinch of salt, sip before traveling.
6. Crackers
Salty crackers help absorb stomach acid and prevent nausea:
- Crackers and Soda: Eat dry crackers and drink carbonated clear soda like ginger ale every two hours on an empty stomach.
7. Olives
Olives contain tannins that reduce saliva production and nausea:
- Olive Snack: Eat olives before and during travel to alleviate symptoms.
8. Mugwort
Mugwort soothes stomach issues and prevents motion sickness:
- Mugwort Tea: Steep mugwort leaves in boiling water, drink daily before a trip.
- Mugwort Oil: Place a drop of mugwort oil on your tongue before traveling.
9. Licorice
Licorice has anti-inflammatory properties that calm the stomach:
- Licorice Tea: Boil water, add dried licorice root, steep for five minutes, and sip before traveling.
- Licorice Candy: Chew licorice candy during travel.
10. Black Horehound
Black horehound’s essential oil calms nerves and prevents motion sickness:
- Herbal Tea: Combine black horehound, chamomile, and grated ginger in boiling water, strain, and drink warm.
11. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea provides relief from motion sickness symptoms:
- Chamomile Tea: Steep chamomile tea in boiling water, strain, and drink slowly.
12. Ice Chips
Ice chips can provide instant relief:
- Ice Chips: Hold ice chips on your face and hands, or sip cold water with ice.
13. Tomato Juice
Tomato juice can help alleviate dizziness:
- Tomato Juice Mix: Mix tomato juice with black pepper and lemon juice, sip slowly.
14. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper helps with motion sickness symptoms:
- Cayenne Tea: Boil water, add crushed ginger and cayenne pepper, steep, strain, and drink.
15. Valerian Root
Valerian root calms the nervous system and reduces travel anxiety:
- Valerian Root: Use fresh valerian root for best results.
VI. Additional Tips
- Face Forward: Sit facing forward to align sensory signals.
- Look Outside: Focus on distant objects or the horizon to reduce symptoms.
- Take Control: If possible, drive or sit in the front seat to lessen symptoms.
- Avoid Standing: Sit to keep your stomach calm.
- Limit Consumption: Avoid excessive alcohol, spicy foods, and heavy meals before traveling.
- Choose a Comfortable Seat: Sit in areas with less motion, such as over the wings of a plane or in lower boat cabins.
- Balance Sensory Signals: Lie down or sit in a front-facing position to align sensory input.
- Positive Self-Talk: Reassure yourself that you won’t get motion sickness.
- Use Acupressure: Try acupressure bracelets to alleviate symptoms.
- Ride It Out: Symptoms usually disappear after a few days.
- Deep Breathing: Inhale fresh air slowly and deeply to calm nerves.
- Carbonated Drinks: Drink carbonated cola before and during travel to reduce nausea.
- Medicate if Needed: Use over-the-counter medications like Meclizine or Dramamine if natural remedies don’t work.
Conclusion
For more health and beauty tips, visit our website. We hope these natural remedies for motion sickness will help you enjoy your travels. If you have any questions or experiences to share, please leave a comment below.