The opportunities for becoming nauseous are many—and not something anyone is fond of experiencing. In some cases we have control, as we avoid foods, drinks, or situations we know will cause upset stomach. Anxiety, tension, and fear, along with flu or illness, are not always avoidable. When the nausea shows up, there are some good natural remedies to help resolve it.
Alone or combined, some suggested essential oils for nausea are:
• Cardamom
• Fennel
• Ginger
• Peppermint
• Roman chamomile
Safety First
If your nausea is persistent and unexplained, seek medical treatment. If your nausea is due to pregnancy, see Morning Sickness for pregnancy-safe suggestions.
These aromatherapy applications may help you through those queasy stomach-churning moments.
• Abdominal massage. Dilute a few drops of stomach-settling essential oils in your favorite carrier oil and massage the mixture onto your upper abdomen while taking slow, deep breaths to ease the nausea.
• Warm compress. Sometimes the soothing warmth of a heat pack helps ease nausea, so adding the right essential oils to a warm compress can compound those benefits.
• In the air. Simply diffusing or inhaling essential oils will be enough to relax an upset stomach. Inhaling essential oils is the most effective way to relieve any digestive issues.
Natural Partners for Aromatherapy
For maximum results, combine your essential oils with these other natural remedies:
• Sip some tea. Ginger and peppermint teas may help settle an upset stomach.
• Stand or sit up. Lying down after eating increases the likelihood of experiencing nausea.
• Breathe. Taking slow, deep breaths may help alleviate nausea, especially if it’s a result of anxiety.
Here are three of the easiest ways to treat nausea using aromatherapy.
The combination of heat and three digestive oils should bring fast relief for nausea. For some, a cold compress actually feels better.
2 drops cardamom oil
2 drops ginger oil
2 drops Roman chamomile oil
1 tablespoon carrier oil
1 cup warm water
1 clean washcloth
Combine the oils in a large glass bowl, then stir in the water. Soak the washcloth in the water, wring it out, and apply it to your stomach. Hold it there until the washcloth comes to room temperature. Repeat the process with a fresh cloth, as needed.
This supersimple blend uses two powerful anti-nausea oils to help settle your stomach quickly. Be sure to breathe in deeply and slowly as you massage for a stomach-easing experience.
3 drops ginger oil
2 drops peppermint oil
1 teaspoon carrier oil
Combine the oils in a small bow. Massage the mixture onto your stomach, as needed.
Inhaling essential oils is the most effective way to get their full benefits, and it also encourages you to take slow, deep healing breaths. As an alternative for a quick sniff without a diffuser, drop the oils on a tissue and breathe.
5 or 6 drops peppermint oil
Every diffuser is different. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for diffusing this oil.