There are many reasons for being nauseous, ranging from morning sickness to the flu or food poisoning. One of the most soothing ways to treat nausea is by drinking herbal teas, whose properties not only prevent nausea, but may also help speed your recovery. Many herbs can cause side effects, so before taking unfamiliar herbal products, check with a health practitioner.
Ginger
Ginger is an herb used for centuries to treat stomach upsets and especially to calm nausea. You can drink ginger tea hot or cold, whichever makes you feel better. Ginger not only helps reduce nausea, it soothes a sore stomach, helps lower fevers and breaks up congestion and coughing due to flu or the common cold. Ginger can thin the blood. If you take blood thinning medicines, consult your health practitioner before using ginger in medicinal doses.
Lemon
Hot lemonade or lemon tea may help relax your stomach and reduce nausea. Lemon juice creates an alkaline-forming state in your stomach, reducing the roiling of excess acid and calms esophageal spasms, according to the book, "Concise Encyclopedia of Foods and Nutrition." Squeeze half a lemon in an 8 to 10 oz. glass of hot water, add some honey and sip for relief.
Peppermint
Peppermint is an old folk remedy for the treatment of nausea and other stomach upsets, and is used in many medications to relieve stomach problems. Peppermint helps reduce the motility of the stomach and relieve spasms which may contribute to nausea, according to Jethro Kloss in his book, "Back to Eden." You can use fresh or dried herb to make peppermint tea; or for convenience, keep a box of prepared peppermint tea bags in your pantry. Peppermint can aggravate acid reflux in some sensitive people. If your symptoms worsen or you experience heartburn after drinking peppermint tea, stop and consult your herbalist for other suggestions.
Licorice Root
Licorice root protects the lining of your esophagus and stomach by creating a thin mucous film that prevents stomach acids from damaging the tissue. The tea is sweet and soothing to the throat and helps relieve nausea, especially when it is related to heartburn and acid reflux. Although you can make tea from the dried root or the extract, there are some excellent prepared teabags available, which makes it easy to keep on hand. Licorice root can raise the blood pressure, so consult your health practitioner before using it if you have hypertension.
References
- Life Extension: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- "Back to Eden", Jethro Kloss, 2006
- "Concise Encyclopedia of Foods and Nutrition"; Audrey H. Ensminger; 1995
- "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook: Your Everyday Reference to the Best Herbs for Healing"; James Duke; 2002
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