Nausea can be extremely uncomfortable. It can cause a person to lose focus and want to stay in bed all day. The problem results from several factors, like traveling, pregnancy, eating too much, or an underlying health issue. Regardless of the cause, nausea can be controlled with the help of several natural and home remedies. A great thing about these remedies is they are easily accessible. Anyone can try them after consulting a healthcare professional.

Ginger
Ginger is one of the most useful natural remedies for several health conditions. Studies have shown that it has antiemetic properties, which means it is good for treating nausea and preventing vomiting. While anyone with the symptom can use ginger, it especially helps reduce nausea caused by pregnancy and chemotherapy. The best way to use ginger to treat nausea is to either eat a raw slice or drink ginger tea. Those wanting to ease nausea in the long term can consider eating about 1.5 grams of ginger daily or as a healthcare expert recommends. Individuals should eat ginger in small amounts, as too much can cause heartburn and bloating.

Lemon
Lemon also works well to relieve nausea, especially in pregnant women. Patients can use it in several ways. For example, one can drink lemon water if looking to stop nausea instantly. To make lemon water, individuals must squeeze some fresh lemon juice into a glass of water. One can mix honey into this drink if it is too sour. Sucking on a lemon slice is another way to control nausea. Those who do not like the taste of lemon water can breathe the citrusy smell of lemon.

Peppermint
Peppermint helps control nausea by relaxing the stomach muscles and reducing their contractions. One way to use peppermint for nausea relief is to extract its essential oils and inhale its smell (aromatherapy). If extracting oil from the peppermint leaves is too overwhelming, individuals can get readymade peppermint oil. To create an aromatic vapor, one can use a diffuser that works by combining the oil with water. While sipping peppermint tea can also help, one should drink this tea in moderation, as peppermint can cause acid reflux.

Acupressure
Acupressure is one of the simplest yet most useful remedies for nausea. Unlike acupuncture, it does not require skin pricking to stimulate nerve fibers. Rather, it involves applying pressure using the fingers and thumbs. For nausea, one would need to stimulate the P6 or the Nei Guan acupuncture point. This point is located on the inner arm, about two finger widths below the wrist. To stimulate this point, individuals must hold their hand up with their palm facing them and press down on the point with their thumb for about 30 seconds. One can follow the same procedure for the other hand and keep repeating it until the sensation disappears.

Breathing exercises
Another simple remedy is to practice deep breathing exercises. Studies have shown that slow and deep breaths can help reduce nausea. Experts say those who feel nauseous due to health issues should practice deep breathing exercises daily for at least six consecutive days to find relief from the symptom. There are several easy deep breathing exercises that anyone can perform. A particular exercise involves slowly breathing in through the nose for five counts, holding the breath for five counts, and then exhaling slowly for five counts.

Progressive muscle relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce the severity of nausea. In this technique, individuals must first tense and then relax their muscles. One can start by lying down and tensing the muscles of their feet and relaxing them while paying attention to the changes in sensations. Individuals must then progress upwards, doing the same with the muscles of their calves, knees, thighs, etc.

Fresh air
Although it may seem strange, getting fresh air has been known to relieve nausea for many people. It could be because the natural airflow helps the nervous system calm down. So, all one needs to do is step out into fresh air or open a window. To increase the effectiveness of this remedy, one can practice deep breathing upon stepping out into fresh air.

Other tips to prevent and control nausea
Besides these remedies, a few other tips can help control and prevent nausea:

• Avoid eating spicy foods, red meat, dairy products, and oily foods, which can worsen the problem.
• Try to see whether certain smells trigger nausea and avoid inhaling them.
• Since dehydration has also been known to cause nausea, drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Water-rich fruits like watermelon and cantaloupe may also help.

One must follow these remedies and tips correctly for the best outcome. If nausea persists even after using home and natural remedies, individuals should contact a healthcare expert. The doctor can diagnose the cause and recommend a treatment plan based on one’s situation.