Essential Oils for Nausea Relief - Proven Blends & Uses

What Causes Nausea?

Nausea is that uncomfortable sensation of feeling like you need to vomit. It can come on due to migraines, food poisoning, motion sickness, pregnancy, and infections among other medical conditions. Nausea can also be triggered by smells, anxiety, pain, fatigue, low blood sugar, and medication side effects.

While nausea is very common and usually resolves on its own, it can be quite bothersome and interfere with daily activities. When severe or persistent, nausea may require medical treatment. However, there are also many natural ways to get relief from mild or temporary nausea episodes.

Using Essential Oils for Nausea Relief

Essential oils have been used to settle upset stomachs and reduce nausea symptoms for centuries. The potent aromatic compounds in essential oils can positively impact the brain and body to help relieve nausea quickly and safely.

Here are some of the best essential oils to use for quelling nausea along with the evidence behind them.

Ginger

Ginger has a very long history of being used to alleviate nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness. Studies show ginger is very effective at reducing nausea related to surgery, chemotherapy, pregnancy, and motion illness.

Ginger essential oil contains potent gingerol, shogaol, and zingiberene compounds that exert anti-nausea effects when inhaled. Using ginger oil can relax the stomach and decrease the neurological signals that trigger nausea and vomiting.

Peppermint

Peppermint is another go-to essential oil for calming the stomach. The potent menthol contained in peppermint oil helps to reduce nausea by relaxing stomach muscles. One study found using peppermint aromatherapy lowered nausea in chemotherapy patients.

Additional research notes smelling peppermint oil can reduce nausea related to post-surgery anesthesia, pregnancy, and motion sickness more effectively than anti-nausea medications in some cases.

Lavender

Lavender essential oil is renowned for easing tension and anxiety just by inhaling its floral-clean aroma. Since psychological stress can trigger or worsen nausea, lavender oil can suppress nausea by reducing stress levels.

Some very early research also indicates lavender aromatherapy may decrease nausea and vomiting after surgery. More studies are still needed, but many people already use lavender oil to relieve nausea safely at home.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass contains high levels of geranial, neral, and limonene - compounds that combat nausea due to their ability to reduce inflammation and spasms in the stomach. One study noted that patients inhaling lemongrass essential oil before chemotherapy experienced less nausea.

Additional research finds taking lemongrass tea reduces vomiting in early pregnancy. The pleasant lemony aroma of lemongrass oil is also thought to alleviate nausea by promoting relaxation.

How to Use Essential Oils for Nausea

There are several safe and effective ways to leverage essential oils to curb nausea fast. These application methods make it easy to use essential oils for nausea relief no matter where nausea strikes.

Aromatherapy Inhalation

Perhaps the fastest way to use essential oils for nausea is direct inhalation. Add a few drops of your chosen nausea-fighting essential oil to a tissue, cotton ball, your shirt collar, or palms of your hands. Then simply breathe in the aroma deeply.

Inhaling essential oil molecules allows them to enter your nostrils and stimulate the olfactory nerves in the brain connected to nausea relief, emotions, hormonal regulation, breathing, and heart rate.

Personal Inhaler

For longer lasting aroma exposure, put essential oils into a personal aromatherapy inhaler tube. Inhalers protect the oil from air oxidation and contain an absorbent material to wick the oil as you inhale for easy on-the-go use.

Fill your inhaler with a relaxing essential oil like lavender or one that fights nausea directly like peppermint or ginger. Inhale from the tube as needed to relieve nausea.

Massage Oil

Applying diluted essential oils in a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil allows you to massage oils into acupressure points that relieve nausea. This also lets you inhale the aroma at the same time.

Try massaging peppermint or ginger oil over the insides of your wrists, over the bladder area on your lower abdomen, behind your ears or under your nose.

Diffuser

Using an essential oil diffuser disperses micro droplets of aroma into the air so you naturally inhale them. Set your diffuser nearby and add several drops of an anti-nausea essential oil or oil blend.

Diffusing lavender and lemon balm is ideal for reducing feelings of anxiety and tension that can worsen nausea. Ginger and peppermint work better for quelling stomach-related nausea.

Compress

Applying hot or cold essential oil compresses directly on the abdomen or neck area can relieve nausea fast. Soak a towel in cold or warm (not hot) water, wring it out, then add 2-4 drops essential oil.

Place the compress on areas of your body related to nausea relief like across the abdomen, behind the neck, under the nose or on the forehead. Reheat/recool compress as needed for continued relief.

Essential Oil Recipes for Nausea

You can blend multiple essential oils together into synergetic recipes specifically designed to best combat certain types of nausea.

Motion Sickness Blend

8 drops ginger oil

4 drops peppermint oil

4 drops lavender oil

Morning Sickness Blend

8 drops lemon oil

4 drops ginger oil

4 drops spearmint oil

Post-Surgery Nausea Blend

5 drops lavender oil

5 drops roman chamomile oil

3 drops orange oil

Safety Precautions

Essential oils are very concentrated, so they should always be diluted properly before applying topically, especially on sensitive skin. Do an arm patch test first.

Start with lower dilutions like 1% (6 drops per 1 ounce) and slowly work up to a 3% dilution at most. Avoid direct sunlight after applying oils on skin.

Certain essential oils may cause reactions or interfere with medications, so check with your doctor first if you have health conditions or concerns.

When inhaled or used externally at recommended dosages, anti-nausea essential oils are very safe for adults. But be cautious using essential oils for nausea relief while pregnant or breastfeeding and consult your physician first.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.