Most of the people enjoy their journey up on the winding roads of the mountains, but some unlucky ones are not destined for fun while travelling. Sea voyages could be particularly excruciating. Motion puts the systems of the body in a confused state, the balancing mechanism goes haywire.
There is a feeling of nausea, headache, queasy feeling and giddiness which mainly puts us off even if we are lured with the journey to exotic destinations. This article gives you some information about the popular herbs used for motion sickness.
9 Best Herbal Remedies For Motion Sickness
Ginger
Ginger acts as an agent to calm and soothe the stomach. It contains organic compounds called ginegrols which are extremely effective to aid the gastro intestinal system. You can suck on a small piece of ginger on which some salt has been smeared. Ginger candies are also available, you can stock up a few and suck on them before you embark upon a journey. The sailors across many ports have used ginger to reduce the symptoms of motion sickness.
Valerian
Valerian root acts a sedative, the chemical named valepotriates is sedating agent because of which valerian is well known. When we are not so alert our body does not register the motion sickness. If we can sleep and continue the journey we may not feel any symptom. Valerian root is a common herb along the rivers and canals of England. For best effect use the fresh root if you can manage to get them.
Peppermint
This herb may be growing in your very own garden. The strong smell that emanates from its leaves may help you to alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness. You can carry a few leaves of mint with you to sniff on them or chew a few of them.
Its volatile oils enter your olfactory senses, make you feel comfortable and you do not feel nauseated. You may also take its essential oil and put a drop or two on your handkerchief to sniff through your journey. You can suck on peppermint candies as well.
Chamomile
Chamomile is known by us as a herb that aids digestion and looks after colic & cramps. Well, the direct effect of motion sickness is borne by digestive system.
Chamomile contains some active organic compounds like sesquiterpene, flavonoids and lactones. You need to take chamomile tea and will find that the symptoms of motion sickness have reduced.
Catnip
Catnip is a relative of mint, a mild herb with gentle effect on the digestive system. Its pleasant taste is particularly liked by the children. Catnip contains certain chemicals which make it a distinctive herb, these are: tannins, iridoids and volatile oils.
These are soothing to the stomach and additionally they sedate the nerves. This makes the symptoms of motion sickness less severe. You can prepare catnip tea before the journey and have some of it at the beginning and some later as and when required.
Olives
Take a bottle filled with olives with you the next time you need to face the ordeal of travel sickness. Take out a couple of olives and pop them in your mouth, chew them slowly and see the effect. Olives contain organic compounds called tannins which make the mouth dry by reducing saliva. This results in decreased nausea and queasy feeling.
Lemons
Those who have used lemons for motion sickness say that it works very well. Ask a doctor and the reply you will get is that the lemon has citric acid which gets alkaline in the mouth and when this alkalizing effect works on the acid of the stomach it reduces the effect of nausea.
Cut a small slice of lemon and apply some salt on it. Keep sucking on it a bit at a time to get rid of the irritating symptoms of nausea. Another reason why lemon works is because of such a strong smell, it virtually nullifies the motion sickness to a large extent.
Black Horehound
This is another herb from the family of mint, and in action it is soothing the same way as mint is. It helps in getting relief from nausea and is known to contain active chemical compounds such as diterpenoids and saponins.
It contains volatile oils as well. These volatile oils help in calming the nerves and reducing the effect of motion sickness.
Licorice
This sweet herb had a soothing effect on the mucus membranes of the stomach. Root is the edible part of this useful herb. One can use its infusion, decoction or tincture to alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.
