By: Tessa Finney-Brown

Ugh, there is nothing like the nausea that comes with travel on a boat, airplane or in a car. People can get motion sickness from any sort of moving vehicle (including rollercoasters!), and some may even experience it in anticipation of travel.

The most common symptoms are:

• nausea,
• pale skin,
• clammy hands and feet,
• dizziness; and
• in some cases vomiting and headaches.

There are lots of ways to avoid experiencing this yukky condition, including the natural remedies Ginger and Peppermint. Ginger has been thoroughly researched for many types of nausea, including that of morning sickness and chemotherapy, and is a key ingredient in both Blackmores Travel Calm Ginger and Herbs of Gold Morning Sickness Relief - no, not just for Morning Sickness, but great for any type of nausea! You could also try sipping a lovely warm  Planet Organics Ginger Tea, or making it into an iced drink.

Sniffing Sunspirit Peppermint Essential Oil can clear the head and temporarily relieve feelings of motion sickness. If a person is anxious before the journey Planet Organics Chamomile Tea is a lovely ritual that both soothes the tummy and calms the nerves.

Research Updates - June 6 2011

Golding, J et al (2011), ‘The effect of smoking nicotine tobacco versus smoking deprivation on motion sickness’,   Autonomic Neuroscience, Volume 160, Issues 1-2, pp. 53-58

This research showed that temporary nicotine withdrawal helped reduce motion sickness in smokers. Whilst we all know it’s not healthy to smoke, this study suggests that smokers may help increase their tolerance to nausea during travel by avoiding smoking overnight prior to the trip (and during the trip too).

Vive Health Naturopaths recommend the following products for Motion Sickness:

NOTE: Consideration should always be given to individual requirements.  Please consider seeing a qualified practitioner before commencing a new treatment protocol or when combining supplements with pharmaceutical medication.

For more information on Nausea, Travel Sickness or Morning Sickness or to ask a Qualified Naturopath a question Click Here.