Essential oils are commonly used for nausea, especially for motion sickness and stress or anxiety-related nausea. Some of the most popular essential oil choices for this purpose are peppermint, chamomile, and lavender are all proven to help reduce nausea and other symptoms that come with it.
However, you can’t just use an essential oil with a reed stick to help with nausea. You must know how to use essential oils for nausea to get their benefits. Our article will guide you on this, covering the most effective methods for using essential oils for nausea. Read on to find out how you should use your favorite essential oils for treating nausea.
Do Essential Oils Really Work for Nausea?
Before we dive deep into our recommended ways for using essential oils for nausea, here’s more on the effects of essential oils for this purpose.
Firstly, yes, essential oils work with nausea, especially when used through inhalation or topical application. Through these methods, essential oils typically work by stimulating the olfactory system, which calms the stomach and reduces the brain’s nausea signals. There are essential oils that also reduce what causes nausea, such as lavender, which helps immensely with anxiety.
Although the exact effect varies by the specific essential oil you’re using, they are proven to help with nausea. Just note that when using essential oils for nausea, never ingest any and dilute them with a carrier oil if applying to the skin. Additionally, not all essential oils are safe for children and pets.
Now that you know more about the effects of essential oils for nausea, here’s how to begin using them.
How to Use Essential Oils for Nausea: Simply Inhale
Perhaps the easiest and fastest-acting way to use an essential oil for nausea is to inhale it directly. Put one or two drops on a tissue or a cotton ball and breathe deeply holding it near your nose.
You can also make it a relaxing experience through steam inhalation – for this, add two to three drops of your essential oil of choice to a bowl of hot water and cover your head with a towel and inhale.
While inhalation is typically the fastest method for nausea relief using essential oils, it isn’t the only one. We discuss alternative methods below.
How to Use Essential Oils for Nausea: Other Ways
If inhaling the scent is too powerful for you or you want a steady dose of your favorite essential oils, there are also other ways to get their benefits for nausea. Here are additional ways of using essential oils for nausea.
Topical Application
Dilute the essential oil of your choice with a carrier oil, like coconut oil or almond oil, and rub it on pressure points like behind the ears, neck, and over the abdomen to ease nausea. However, before using essential oils topically, always do a patch test to check for allergies and sensitivity.
Aromatherapy Jewelry
If you’re experiencing sudden nausea or going by car somewhere, get an aromatherapy jewelry to enjoy essential oils on the go. Aromatherapy jewelry, like bracelets and necklaces, are made from porous stones or pads that hold essential oils, allowing you to inhale as needed throughout the day. Just like using a cotton ball, applying one to two drops is typically enough.
DIY Essential Oil Spray
Lastly, make your own essential oil spray to use whenever and wherever you need. All it takes is water, rubbing alcohol, and your essential oil. Add a quarter cup of rubbing alcohol to a cup of water and 25 to 30 drops of essential oil. Mix everything well by shaking the bottle and you will have a spray that you can use on pretty much anything – your pillow, room, and clothes.
Which Essential Oil to Buy for Nausea?
There are many essential oils that can help with nausea. Peppermint, ginger, lemon, lavender, chamomile, sweet orange, and basil essential oils are all great for treating nausea. It ultimately comes down to what aromas you enjoy and exactly what causes your nausea.
For instance, ginger is great for nausea related to digestion; chamomile works amazingly when you’re stressed; lavender reduces nausea related to anxiety; and so on. As long as you know which one to use for your individual needs and buy organic essential oils, like these oils here, you will have multiple ways of getting the benefits of essential oils for nausea.