From the Guidelines
Ginger, in a dose of 250mg four times daily, is the most recommended home remedy for alleviating nausea, as suggested by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 1.
Home Remedies for Nausea
Several effective home remedies can help alleviate nausea.
- Ginger is one of the most reliable options, available as tea, candies, or capsules.
- Peppermint tea or aromatherapy can also provide relief by relaxing stomach muscles.
- Deep breathing exercises and acupressure, particularly pressing the P6 point located three finger-widths above your wrist between the two tendons, can reduce nausea sensations.
- Stay hydrated with small sips of clear fluids like water, broth, or electrolyte solutions rather than gulping large amounts.
- Plain foods like crackers, toast, or rice can help settle your stomach, especially when eaten in small portions.
- Avoid strong odors, greasy foods, and dairy products which can worsen symptoms.
- Cold compresses applied to the forehead or back of the neck may provide comfort. These remedies work by either calming the digestive system, reducing inflammation, or interrupting the nausea signals to the brain.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If nausea persists beyond 24-48 hours, is accompanied by severe vomiting, fever, or abdominal pain, or if you're pregnant, seek medical attention promptly. In pregnancy, nausea and vomiting can be quantified using the Motherisk Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis score, which assesses the severity of nausea and vomiting 1. Diet and lifestyle modification are the initial steps in managing these symptoms in pregnancy, including reducing spicy, fatty, acidic, and fried foods, and eating small, frequent, and bland meals 1.
Additional Considerations
While some studies suggest that ginger may be beneficial in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea, the evidence remains insufficient for a recommendation for or against the use of ginger, acupuncture/acupressure, and other complementary or alternative therapies for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer 1. However, in the context of pregnancy, ginger is considered a safe and effective option for alleviating nausea, as recommended by ACOG 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Home Remedies for Nausea
- Nausea and vomiting affect up to 85% of pregnant women, and various home remedies can be used to alleviate these symptoms 2, 3, 4.
- Ginger is a potential remedy for nausea and vomiting, and studies have shown that it can reduce the severity of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women 2, 3, 5.
- Ginger supplementation has been found to be more effective than placebo in relieving nausea and vomiting, and it is comparable to vitamin B6 in terms of efficacy 2, 3.
- Other home remedies that may be effective in alleviating nausea and vomiting include:
- Vitamin B6: has been shown to be effective in reducing the severity of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women 3, 4.
- Antihistamines: may be effective in alleviating mild symptoms of nausea and vomiting 4.
- Pyridoxine-doxylamine: may be effective in reducing the risk of recurrence of moderate-severe symptoms of nausea and vomiting 4.
- Ondansetron: may be effective in alleviating moderate-severe symptoms of nausea and vomiting 4.
- It is essential to note that the quality of evidence for these home remedies is generally low, and more research is needed to confirm their efficacy 4, 5.