Natural Remedies for Nausea: 6 Simple Ways to Settle Your Stomach

Nausea is one of those symptoms that can come from almost anywhere. Motion sickness, a stomach bug, pregnancy, stress, or even a strong smell can trigger that queasy, unsettled feeling. While nausea usually passes on its own, a number of natural remedies for nausea have been studied for their ability to ease discomfort and help you feel more like yourself again.

None of these approaches are a cure for whatever is causing the nausea in the first place, and if symptoms are severe, persistent, or paired with other warning signs like fever, dehydration, or abdominal pain, it is worth checking in with a healthcare provider. But for everyday queasiness, these traditional and evidence-informed remedies are simple, low-risk, and worth trying.

Why These Remedies Work

Most natural nausea remedies work in one of a few ways. Some, like ginger, appear to affect the digestive system and the signals sent to the brain's nausea centers. Others, like peppermint, relax the muscles of the stomach or work through scent and the nervous system. And some are simply about giving your body less to react to, whether that means smaller meals, more stillness, or better hydration.

1. Ginger

Ginger is one of the most researched natural remedies for nausea, with studies looking at its effects on morning sickness, chemotherapy-related nausea, and motion sickness. Compounds in ginger called gingerols and shogaols are thought to interact with the digestive tract and possibly the brain's nausea pathways, helping to calm that queasy signal. Fresh ginger tea, ginger chews, or ginger capsules are common ways to use it. Most research uses doses in the range of 250 milligrams to 1 gram per day, but it is a good idea to start with a small amount and see how your body responds.

2. Peppermint

Peppermint has a long history of use for digestive complaints, and some research suggests that inhaling peppermint essential oil or sipping peppermint tea may reduce nausea, particularly after surgery or during pregnancy. Peppermint is thought to relax the smooth muscle of the digestive tract, which may ease the spasms and discomfort that come with an upset stomach. If you are using essential oil, a few drops on a tissue or in a diffuser is usually enough, since concentrated oils should never be swallowed.

3. Acupressure at the P6 Point

The P6 point, located on the inner wrist a few finger-widths below the base of the hand, is a well-studied acupressure site for nausea. Pressing this point, either with your fingers or with an acupressure wristband, has shown promising results in clinical studies for motion sickness, pregnancy-related nausea, and post-surgical nausea. The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it may involve nerve stimulation that influences how the brain processes nausea signals. This remedy is drug-free and easy to try anywhere.

4. Small, Bland Meals and Slow Sipping

Sometimes the simplest changes make the biggest difference. Eating small amounts of bland food, like crackers, toast, or plain rice, instead of large or greasy meals can reduce the digestive workload and ease nausea. Sipping cold water or clear fluids slowly, rather than gulping, also helps avoid overwhelming a sensitive stomach. This approach is especially useful for nausea related to an empty stomach or mild stomach upset.

5. Fresh Air and Deep Breathing

Stepping outside for fresh air, or simply opening a window, can help with nausea triggered by strong odors, heat, or motion. Slow, deep breathing has also been shown to help calm the nervous system, which plays a role in how the body processes nausea, especially when stress or anxiety is a contributing factor. This is a low-effort remedy that costs nothing and can be combined with any of the others on this list.

6. Rest in a Stable Position

Lying down with your head slightly elevated, or simply sitting still and avoiding sudden movements, can help reduce nausea caused by motion sickness or inner ear disturbances. Keeping your eyes fixed on a stable point on the horizon, rather than moving objects, is another traditional trick used for travel-related queasiness. Giving your body a chance to settle, rather than pushing through activity, often shortens how long the nausea lasts.

When Nausea Might Signal Something Else

Occasional nausea is common and usually harmless, but it can sometimes be linked to other conditions. For example, some people experience nausea alongside migraines, and understanding natural ways to prevent migraines may help reduce that overlap. Hormonal shifts can also play a role, and those going through changes like menopause may find it helpful to look at natural remedies for menopause symptoms, since nausea can sometimes accompany hormonal fluctuations as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ginger safe to use every day for nausea? For most people, moderate amounts of ginger, such as a cup of tea or a small piece of fresh root, are considered safe for regular use. However, people taking blood thinners or who have gallstones should talk to a doctor before using ginger regularly, since it can interact with certain medications.

How long does it take for acupressure to relieve nausea? Some people notice relief within a few minutes of applying pressure to the P6 point, while others may need to hold steady pressure for 10 to 15 minutes. Results vary from person to person, and it may take some practice to find the exact spot and pressure that works for you.

Can peppermint make nausea worse for some people? Yes, in some cases peppermint can worsen symptoms for people with acid reflux, since it may relax the muscle that keeps stomach acid from rising into the esophagus. If you have reflux-related nausea, ginger or acupressure may be a better first choice.

Are these remedies safe during pregnancy? Ginger and acupressure at the P6 point are commonly used and studied for pregnancy-related nausea, but it is still best to check with your doctor or midwife before starting any remedy, especially regarding dosage and any personal health conditions.

When should nausea be checked out by a doctor? If nausea lasts more than a couple of days, is accompanied by severe pain, high fever, signs of dehydration, or vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down, it is important to seek medical care. These natural remedies are meant for mild, everyday nausea, not as a substitute for medical treatment when something more serious is going on.

Can drinking water help with nausea, or does it make it worse? Sipping small amounts of cold, clear water slowly can actually help ease nausea by keeping you hydrated without overwhelming your stomach. Drinking too much too quickly, however, can sometimes trigger vomiting, so slow and steady sips are the better approach.

Sources

• Effectivity of oral ginger supplementation for chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in children: A systematic review of clinical trials - PMC
• Ginger in gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review of clinical trials
• Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials - Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-assessed Reviews - NCBI Bookshelf
• Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials - PubMed