Sea sickness is a common problem among experienced sailors as well as those taking a short boat ride or longer cruise vacation. While there are plenty of medications available to help combat seasickness, many of these drugs come with undesirable side effects. Ginger is one potential natural remedy that might be helpful for easing the nausea and vomiting caused by a sea journey, but the jury is still out as to how effective this spice truly is for treating sea sickness.
Seasickness
Seasickness is a form of motion sickness that occurs when you are on a moving boat or ship. If you develop seasickness, you might experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, fatigue and cold sweats. Seasickness develops when the fluid in the inner ear senses motion that does not match what the eye sees.
Ginger
Ginger grows underground and the cultivated stem can be used in cooking or as a medicinal remedy for a wide range of stomach complaints. The evidence for ginger as an effective treatment for seasickness remains controversial, with some studies showing a promising effect and others finding it no better than a placebo. The actual effectiveness of ginger might depend heavily upon the individual physiology of the person taking it. However, because ginger is all-natural and has no known side effects, it might be worth trying if you regularly experience seasickness.
Dosage
When using ginger for motion sickness, including seasickness, you can take 250 mg of fresh or powdered ginger up to four times daily. Some people also try consuming products containing ginger, such as ginger cookies or ginger ale, to relieve motion sickness. You might also simply chew on a piece of raw ginger in an attempt to relieve symptoms. Do not take more than 4 g total of ginger in the course of a day, including the ginger present in foods and snacks.
Alternatives
If you prefer not to take ginger, there are some other tips and natural remedies that might help alleviate seasickness. Staying near the front of the ship, including having a cabin towards this end, can help prevent seasickness for some people. You might also be able to ease seasickness by focusing your eyes on the horizon or staring at any visible land nearby. Cognitive therapy and biofeedback can be used to try and prevent future incidents of seasickness.
Member Comments