15 Motion Sickness Remedies
The Ultimate Guide to Motion Sickness: 15 Natural Remedies and DIY Recipes for Every Traveler
Motion sickness—often referred to as kinetosis—is more than just a minor inconvenience. For many, it is a debilitating barrier to exploring the world, visiting family, or even commuting to work. Whether it’s the rolling waves of the ocean, the winding turns of a mountain road, or the artificial movement of a virtual reality headset, the symptoms are universally dreaded: cold sweats, dizziness, fatigue, and the inevitable nausea.
The root cause of motion sickness lies in a sensory conflict. Your brain receives conflicting signals from your inner ears (the vestibular system), your eyes, and your body’s sensory receptors. When your eyes see a stationary car interior but your inner ear feels the vibrations and turns of the road, the brain becomes confused, triggering a stress response that results in sickness.
While over-the-counter medications like scopolamine or dimenhydrinate are effective, they often come with side effects like extreme drowsiness or dry mouth. Fortunately, nature and traditional wisdom provide a powerhouse of remedies that can soothe the stomach and calm the nervous system.
In this comprehensive guide, we explore 15 science-backed and time-tested motion sickness remedies, complete with detailed recipes and step-by-step instructions.
1. Ginger: The Gold Standard of Anti-Nausea
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used for thousands of years as a digestive aid. Modern science confirms its efficacy; studies show that gingerol, the active compound in ginger, can interrupt the signals that lead to nausea by stimulating digestive juices and neutralizing stomach acids.
How it Works
Ginger acts locally on the digestive tract rather than on the central nervous system, making it non-drowsy and safe for most people.
DIY Recipe: Homemade Ginger Anti-Nausea Chews
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh ginger root (peeled and sliced)
- 2 cups water
- 1 ½ cups organic cane sugar (or honey for a softer texture)
- Powdered sugar or cornstarch for coating
Instructions:
- Place the ginger slices and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes until the ginger is tender.
- Strain the ginger, reserving ½ cup of the liquid.
- In a clean pan, combine the ginger slices, the reserved liquid, and the sugar.
- Boil over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the temperature reaches 240°F (soft ball stage) on a candy thermometer.
- Remove the ginger pieces with a slotted spoon and place them on a parchment-lined cooling rack.
- Once cooled slightly but still tacky, roll each piece in powdered sugar or cornstarch.
- Usage: Chew one piece 30 minutes before travel and every hour during the trip.
2. Peppermint Aromatherapy and Tea
Peppermint contains menthol, which acts as a natural antispasmodic, relaxing the muscles of the stomach and improving the flow of bile, which aids digestion.
How it Works
The scent of peppermint can provide immediate relief by distracting the brain and calming the vagus nerve, which connects the gut and the brain.
DIY Recipe: Travel-Ready Peppermint Roll-On
Ingredients:
- 10ml Jojoba or Sweet Almond oil (carrier oil)
- 10 drops pure Peppermint Essential Oil
- 5 drops Lemon Essential Oil
Instructions:
- Pour the carrier oil into a small glass roller bottle.
- Add the peppermint and lemon essential oils.
- Snap the roller ball into place and shake well.
- Usage: Apply to the insides of your wrists, your temples, and behind your ears at the first sign of queasiness. Inhale deeply.
3. Acupressure: The P6 (Neiguan) Point
Acupressure is a pillar of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The most famous point for motion sickness is the Pericardium 6 (P6) point, located on the inner forearm.
How to Find the P6 Point
- Hold your hand out, palm up.
- Place the three middle fingers of your other hand across your wrist, starting at the crease of the hand.
- The P6 point is located just below your index finger, between the two large tendons that run down the center of your forearm.
How to Apply
- Use your thumb to apply firm, steady pressure to this point for 2-3 minutes on both wrists.
- Alternatively, you can purchase “Sea-Bands,” which are elasticated wristbands with a plastic stud that maintains pressure on this point.
4. Lemon Inhalation and Tonic
Citrus scents, particularly lemon, have a powerful ability to “reset” the olfactory system and reduce feelings of nausea.
How it Works
The acidity of lemon juice helps balance the body’s pH levels, which can become disrupted during the stress of travel.
DIY Recipe: Lemon-Ginger Travel Elixir
Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm (not boiling) water
- Juice of ½ fresh lemon
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- A pinch of sea salt
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a travel mug.
- Let it steep for 5 minutes.
- Sip slowly throughout the first hour of your journey.
- Pro Tip: Keep a fresh lemon slice in a small zip-lock bag. If you feel a wave of nausea, scratch the peel and inhale the scent deeply.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
While it might seem counterintuitive to ingest something acidic when your stomach is upset, ACV has an alkalizing effect once metabolized.
How it Works
ACV helps stabilize the stomach’s environment and prevents the overproduction of saliva (a common precursor to vomiting).
DIY Recipe: The ACV Stomach Settler
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (with “The Mother”)
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
Instructions:
- Mix the vinegar and honey into the water.
- Drink this 30 minutes before boarding a plane or boat.
- This helps prime the digestive system and prevent the “sour stomach” feeling associated with motion.
6. The “Horizon Trick” and Visual Fixation
This is a behavioral remedy rather than a consumable one, but it is perhaps the most effective for car and sea sickness.
How it Works
Since motion sickness is caused by a sensory mismatch, looking at the horizon provides your eyes with a stable reference point that matches what your inner ear is feeling.
How to Execute:
- In a car: Sit in the front passenger seat. Keep your eyes fixed on the distant horizon line.
- On a boat: Go to the deck and look at the horizon. Do not look at the waves close to the boat.
- What to avoid: Do not read books or look at your phone. These activities force your eyes to focus on a stationary object relative to your body, while your inner ear feels the movement of the vehicle, maximizing the sensory conflict.
7. Dietary Adjustments: The Power of Bland Foods
The “BRAT” diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) isn’t just for stomach flu; it’s excellent for preventing motion sickness.
Why it Works
Bland, starchy foods absorb excess stomach acid and are easy to digest. High-protein meals or greasy, spicy foods can delay gastric emptying, making nausea more likely.
Pre-Travel Meal Plan:
- 2 Hours Before: A small bowl of plain oatmeal or a piece of dry whole-wheat toast.
- During Travel: Keep saltine crackers or pretzels nearby. Nibbling on these keeps the stomach slightly full, which prevents the stomach muscles from contracting erratically.
8. Deep Breathing and the 4-7-8 Method
When nausea strikes, many people begin to take shallow, rapid breaths. This triggers the “fight or flight” response, which worsens the nausea.
The 4-7-8 Technique
- Exhale completely through your mouth.
- Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a count of 4.
- Hold your breath for a count of 7.
- Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whooshing sound to a count of 8.
- Repeat: Do this 4 times. This technique stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering your heart rate and calming the stomach.
9. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B6 is frequently prescribed for morning sickness in pregnant women, and it works similarly for motion sickness.
How it Works
B6 plays a crucial role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters that regulate nausea and dizziness.
How to Use
- Supplementation: Consult with a doctor about taking 25mg of Vitamin B6 three times a day for 24 hours leading up to a trip.
- Food Sources: Incorporate B6-rich foods like chickpeas, bananas, and poultry into your meals the day before travel.
10. Chamomile Tea: The Nervous System Soother
Chamomile is known for its sedative properties, but it is also a carminative, meaning it helps expel gas and soothe the lining of the stomach.
How it Works
It relaxes the smooth muscles of the digestive tract and reduces the anxiety that often accompanies the fear of getting sick.
DIY Recipe: Calm-Sea Chamomile Brew
Ingredients:
- 2 Chamomile tea bags
- 1 tsp dried peppermint leaves
- Hot water
Instructions:
- Steep the tea bags and peppermint in hot water for 7 minutes.
- Remove the bags and let the tea cool to room temperature.
- Drink it slowly. For motion sickness, lukewarm or cold tea is often better tolerated than hot tea.
11. Fresh Air and Ventilation
A stuffy environment with strong odors (perfume, diesel fumes, food smells) is a major trigger for kinetosis.
How it Works
Cool air on the face helps regulate body temperature and provides a sensory distraction.
Action Plan:
- In a car: Open the window slightly to get a steady stream of outside air.
- On a plane: Turn the overhead air vent to the maximum setting and point it directly at your face.
- On a boat: Stay on the deck where the air is moving. The combination of fresh air and the horizon is the most powerful natural defense against seasickness.
12. Licorice Root
Licorice root (not the candy, but the herbal root) contains compounds that soothe the stomach lining and reduce acid.
How it Works
It acts as a natural antacid and can help prevent the “heaving” sensation.
DIY Recipe: Licorice Infusion
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp dried licorice root (or a licorice tea bag)
- 1 cup boiling water
Instructions:
- Steep the root in boiling water for 10 minutes.
- Strain and sip.
- Note: If you have high blood pressure, consult a doctor before using licorice root, as it can occasionally raise sodium levels.
13. Hydration with Electrolytes
Dehydration makes the brain more susceptible to dizziness and makes recovery from nausea much slower.
Why it Matters
When you are nauseous, you tend to stop drinking. This leads to a drop in blood volume, which increases feelings of lightheadedness.
DIY Recipe: Natural Electrolyte Replacement
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Coconut water (high in potassium)
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp maple syrup
Instructions:
- Whisk all ingredients together.
- Sip this throughout your trip. The minerals will keep your nervous system firing correctly, reducing the severity of dizziness.
14. Fennel Seeds
Fennel has been used for centuries in India as a post-meal digestive. Its volatile oils help relax the intestinal tract.
How it Works
Fennel helps move gas through the digestive system and reduces the bloating that can contribute to that “heavy” stomach feeling.
How to Use
- Chewing: Keep a small tin of toasted fennel seeds. At the first sign of discomfort, chew on half a teaspoon of seeds and swallow the juices.
- Infusion: You can also steep crushed fennel seeds in hot water for a soothing tea.
15. CBD and Hemp-Derived Options
For those in regions where it is legal, CBD (cannabidiol) is gaining traction as a powerful anti-emetic (anti-nausea) remedy.
How it Works
CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, specifically the receptors that regulate nausea and vomiting in the brainstem.
How to Use
- Sublingual Drops: Taking a low-dose CBD tincture under the tongue 45 minutes before travel can help calm the nervous system and prevent the onset of sickness.
- Note: Always ensure your CBD is Broad-Spectrum (THC-free) if you are traveling across borders, and check local regulations.
The Ultimate Prevention Strategy: Putting it All Together
Using these remedies in isolation is helpful, but combining them into a strategy is the key to a nausea-free journey.
24 Hours Before Travel
- Hydrate: Drink at least 2-3 liters of water.
- B6: Begin your Vitamin B6 regimen if recommended by your doctor.
- Sleep: Fatigue is a major contributor to motion sickness. Ensure you get 7-9 hours of rest.
The Morning of Travel
- Eat Light: Avoid coffee, orange juice (too acidic), and greasy eggs. Opt for a banana and toast.
- ACV Shot: Take your apple cider vinegar tonic to balance your stomach pH.
During the Journey
- Strategic Seating:
- Car: Front seat.
- Plane: Over the wing (this is the most stable part of the aircraft).
- Ship: Mid-ship, close to the waterline.
- Train: A forward-facing seat near a window.
- The “Remedy Rotation”: Sip your Ginger-Lemon Elixir every 20 minutes. Use your Peppermint Roller on your wrists whenever you smell something unpleasant.
- Eyes on the Prize: Keep your gaze on the horizon. If you must talk, keep your head still and look forward.
When Natural Remedies Aren’t Enough: Knowing the Signs
While the 15 remedies above are incredibly effective for the majority of people, motion sickness can sometimes be a sign of an underlying vestibular disorder or an inner ear infection.
Seek medical advice if:
- You experience dizziness that persists for days after your trip (Mal de Debarquement Syndrome).
- You have sudden hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
- Your nausea is accompanied by a severe headache or blurred vision.
Conclusion
Motion sickness doesn’t have to define your travel experience. By understanding the sensory conflict at play and preparing your body with natural, stomach-soothing compounds like ginger, peppermint, and lemon, you can retrain your system to handle movement more gracefully.
Whether you are preparing for a cross-Atlantic cruise or a short commute through winding hills, keep these 15 remedies in your “travel toolkit.” With a little preparation and these DIY recipes, you can reclaim the joy of the journey and focus on the destination rather than the distress. Safe travels!