Up to 80 percent of pregnant women go through “morning sickness”. It is a condition described as nausea and vomiting during the first three months of pregnancy [1].
Morning sickness is not only experienced in the morning but also at different times during the day [2].
We have a long list of remedies that will help you get rid of morning sickness fast at home.
What Causes Morning Sickness?
The exact cause of this condition is not clear. Most people think it’s due to an imbalance in hormones [3].
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that stays at high levels during the first trimester. It happens among women who are prone to nausea and vomiting [4]. This has led researchers to believe that it is associated with morning sickness.
Besides, certain factors seem to aggravate nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. These include stress, fatigue, certain smells, certain foods, and motion sickness [5].
The good news about this is that morning sickness goes away on its own after three months. It also doesn’t affect the health of the mother or the baby.
Home Remedies for Morning Sickness
1. Ginger
Ginger is the most well-documented home remedy for morning sickness.
Many studies have confirmed its efficacy and safety of it in the treatment of pregnancy-related nausea [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8].
One study noted that the use of one gram of ginger daily for four days improved nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy [7].
Meanwhile, There was a trial that involved 1,278 pregnant women. Those who received ginger experienced significant improvement in their condition [8].
Ginger eases morning sickness without increasing the risk of abortion or other side effects such as drowsiness and heartburn [8].
How you may use ginger:
To prepare the concoction, you will need 1 piece of ginger root and 1 teaspoon of honey.
Chop ginger root into smaller pieces. Blend in a food processor. Get a teaspoon of processed ginger, and mix with honey. Consume a mixture every morning before eating your breakfast.
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2. Lemon
Citrus fruits like lemon were first introduced in Europe during ancient times. The Muslims introduce it, using the Sicily and Iberian Peninsula routes [9].
Since then, lemon has demonstrated many practical uses.
Studies have shown that lemon has the ability to combat nausea and vomiting. Lemon is a safe and cost-effective way to relieve unpleasant pregnancy symptoms [9].
In a clinical trial, 100 women were exposed to lemon oil aroma and to a placebo [10].
Those who inhaled lemon aroma were less affected by morning sickness compared to the other group [10].
Learn how you may use lemon:
You will need 1 tsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp of mint juice, 1/2 tsp of ginger juice, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 glass of cold water, 2 drops of lemon oil, and 1 tsp of olive oil.
Add juices and honey to water. Stir well. Drink solution in the morning. Combine olive oil and lemon oil. Massage your head with the oil mixture when feeling nauseous.
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3. Peppermint
Cultivated as a hybrid of water mint and spearmint, peppermint is an aromatic herb. It is native to the Mediterranean region [11].
It’s used to add flavor to food and fragrance, as well as cure many illnesses [11].
Peppermint oil can lower the intensity of vomiting among pregnant women within seven days of use.
In one experiment, half of the 60 women with morning sickness received a bowl of water with four drops of peppermint oil. They placed it near their beds [12].
The other half took a bowl of water with saline [12].
After 7 days, it was found that those in the mint group had less intense vomiting compared to the other group [12].
Although the difference between the two groups was “not statistically significant”, this data still shows that peppermint has promising positive effects on women who suffer from morning sickness.
The antiemetic properties of peppermint oil also work in those caused by chemotherapy treatment [13].
Here is a simple method of using peppermint leaves:
To prepare the tea, take 1 tablespoon of peppermint leaves, 1 cup of boiling water, and 1 teaspoon of honey.
Steep peppermint leaves in boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the tea and add honey.
Drink it. Do this once or twice a day until symptoms subside.
4. Bael
Feeling nauseous not only in the morning but also at other times during the day? Bael juice can help you in this matter.
This fruit juice can help you with nausea, as proved in Vedic literature [14].
Indian researchers state that you can use any part of the plant to relieve nausea [15]. The fact that it’s rich in protein, B vitamins, vitamin C, and carotene means that it’s good for you and your baby’s health.
How to use bael:
To prepare the juice, take 1 bael fruit and 1 cup of cooked rice. Squeeze juice from bael fruit. Add two tablespoons of it to a cup of cooked rice. Eat this three times daily.
5. Fennel Seeds
During the Middle Ages, people chewed on the seeds of fennel to get rid of that rumbling noise inside the tummy [16].
In the early years in England, people used it to promote digestion and relieve bloating [16]. Since then, it has been a popular choice for many digestion-related problems [17].
Many pregnant women also use fennel to get rid of that nauseous feeling in the morning.
Chewing on fennel seeds can help you get rid of the strange sensation in the stomach that makes you want to vomit.
It is one of the herbs deemed safe during pregnancy. For instance, you can consume candied fennel after dinner [18].
A simple way of using fennel seeds:
Chew 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds after each meal.
6. Food Rich In Vitamin B6
Pregnant women who keep on rushing to the bathroom to throw up can find relief with vitamin B6.
This nutrient can curb morning sickness, according to several studies [19, 20, 21, 22].
A clinical trial evaluated the effects of ginger and vitamin B6 in 123 pregnant women [21]. Both were effective in reducing nausea and vomiting. But, both also caused a few minor side effects such as heartburn and sedation [21].
In another study, most pregnant women who were given vitamin B6 supplementation reported a significant reduction in nausea and vomiting after 72 hours [22]. Researchers report that this remedy worked even for those with severe nausea [22].
Learn how you may use food rich in vitamin B6:
Consume food that is rich in vitamin B6. Eat food sources rich in vitamin B6. For instance: organ meat, potatoes, fish, beef liver, chicken, and fortified cereals.
7. Lemon Balm Oil
Another practical solution for pregnancy-induced nausea is the lemon balm.
In a study, 98 healthy volunteers received a combination of lemon balm and valerian [23].
The combination was well-tolerated by 93 percent of the participants. It improved sleep quality by up to 33 percent [23].
It means lemon balm can help pregnant women who have nausea and vomiting at night get better sleep.
The use of this herb does not pose any risk to the baby or to the expectant mother [24].
Here is a simple method of using lemon balm oil:
Keep a bottle of lemon balm oil with yourself. Inhale lemon balm oil whenever feeling nauseous.
8. Chamomile
Chamomile belongs to the daisy family. It comes in two main types: German chamomile and Roman chamomile.
It is one of the world’s most potent herbal remedies that are safe to use even on children [25].
Among the many issues that chamomile can help resolve is nausea [26, 27].
It doesn’t disrupt the development of the fetus or abort the pregnancy [27].
This means that you can use chamomile for morning sickness without any tension.
An easy way of using chamomile:
To prepare chamomile tea, take 1 teaspoon of chamomile leaves and 1 cup of water.
Boil water in a pot. Add chamomile leaves. Remove from heat and steep for 15 minutes. Strain leaves. Drink tea in the morning for one week.
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9. Lavender Oil
Aromatherapy can be very useful during pregnancy and even after.
Lavender oil has various applications related to pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum [28].
During pregnancy, you can use lavender to relieve morning sickness. A study shows that inhalation of lavender oil can ease nausea and vomiting [29].
The antiemetic properties of oils can come to the rescue of any pregnant woman who wants to feel better.
Learn how you may use lavender oil:
To prepare the lavender oil steam, you will need 3 drops of lavender oil and 1 bowl of hot water.
Pour oil into a bowl of hot water. Lean in to inhale the steam. Repeat several times a day.
10. Curry Leaves
The leaves of curry are bitter and cooling. It can help ease itching, inflammation, and fever [30].
An infusion made with toasted curry leaves is an efficient way to remove vomiting [30].
These leaves are “your best bet against morning sickness” according to Indian researchers. [30]
Curry leaves are one of the herbs with potent antiemetic properties [31]. Although many say that curry leaves are safe to use during pregnancy, it’s still better to stay on the safe side. Consult your doctor first before using this remedy.
Learn to make a remedy with curry leaves:
To prepare the concoction, take 15 curry leaves, 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of honey.
Extract juice from curry leaves. Press 15 to 20 curry leaves on a sieve to extract the juice. Add lemon juice and honey. Drink the mixture twice daily.
11. Anise
People in Egypt, China, and Greece have been using anise as a digestive and carminative agent since ancient times [32].
It can also be helpful in cases of insomnia. [32]
Anise may be beneficial for pregnant women suffering from morning sickness.
A study revealed that anise can smooth the muscles in the digestive tract. Thus it can prevent indigestion and vomiting [33].
This herb is also used as an aromatherapy treatment in the hospital. It reduces nausea and vomiting among patients [34].
It can also help induce sleep if your morning sickness occurs right before bedtime.
How you may use anise:
To prepare this remedy, you will need 1 drop of anise seed oil, 1 teaspoon of anise seeds, and 1 cup of water.
Boil water in a pot. Remove from heat. Pour water into a cup. Crush seeds and add anise oil. Mix it well. Cover and steep for 30 minutes. Drink the tea once a day or when feeling nauseous.
12. Spearmint Oil
Like other mint species, spearmint is also known for its array of benefits for health.
It works as an antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic [35, 36].
If you’re pregnant and you wish to get relief from daily episodes of vomiting, you can make use of this oil.
A 2013 study validates the antiemetic properties of spearmint [37].
Some patients undergoing chemotherapy participated in that trial. Those who received spearmint reported a significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of vomiting [37].
Here is a simple method of using spearmint oil:
Take 3 drops of spearmint oil and 1 bowl of water. Pour water into a pot, and bring to a boil. Remove from the stove. Transfer hot water to a bowl. Add oil and mix. Inhale the steam from the bowl. Do this three to four times a day.
When Should You Contact a Doctor?
Contact the doctor, if you believe that you are vomiting & feeling nauseous poisoning. If you are then you will see blood or any dark-colored substance in your vomit.
Also, please contact a medical professional if you have the following symptoms:
- If vomiting has continued for more than twenty-four hours
- If you are unable to keep fluids down for twelve hours or more
- You have not urinated for eight hours or more
- You have a headache and a stiff neck
- You have vomited more than three times in a single day.
Bottom Line
Morning sickness can prevent you from enjoying your pregnancy.
Use these safe and effective home remedies to get relief from morning sickness.
Hope this article was helpful to you. To ask any questions, comment in our comment section below. Also, don’t forget to share your experience of using these remedies with us!
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