7 Essential Oils To Get Rid Of Nausea And How To Use Them

There’s nothing worse than feeling woozy. It’s enough to make anyone crawl into bed! But since it isn’t always possible, essential oils for nausea and headache can be helpful.

These oils work through the power of aromatherapy. You can also make a topical application that can be blended into your skin. This way, you can avoid costly anti-nausea medications and their side effects. Use these seven anti-nausea essential oils instead.

1. Ginger

Ginger has a long history of being the anti-nausea cure. There’s a reason why ginger ale can make an upset tummy feel better. So it only makes sense that ginger essential oil can treat nausea! This magical oil is also great for soothing diarrhea and stomach aches.¹

If you’re an expecting mother, smelling ginger oil may be useful for early pregnancy nausea and vomiting.² Patients who have just had abdominal surgery can also benefit from ginger essential oil. In this case, both vomiting and nausea are reduced.³

2. Peppermint

Thanks to the calming effect of peppermint, it’s one of the best essential oils for nausea and vomiting. You can also use it to relax headaches and menstrual cramps, which might be the cause of your nausea. Even anxiety-induced sickness can be kicked to the curb.⁴

Nausea from a C-section is also common, but peppermint can reduce it. Inhaling peppermint oil has proven to lower nausea, making recovery a little easier. So when you pack for the hospital, bring peppermint essential oil if you’re nervous about nausea after pregnancy.⁵

3. Spearmint

As a relative of peppermint, spearmint oil is another natural remedy. This essential oil is even safe enough to be used for nausea from chemotherapy. And compared to prescribed anti-nausea medications, spearmint oil won’t have annoying side effects. It’s cheaper, too.⁶

4. Lavender

If you get so anxious that it makes you sick, consider lavender essential oil for nausea. It has the strongest impact when it comes to stress relief.⁷ For example, you can benefit from lavender inhalation before a big meeting or presentation.

5. Lemon

Sucking on a lemon is one of the oldest remedies for nausea. But the refreshing scent is just as lovely – especially if you’re feeling unsteady. Studies have even found that lemon essential oil can ease nausea during pregnancy. This can be a game changer in the first trimester when morning sickness is the most common.⁸

6. Orange

The sweet scent of orange makes it an amazing anti-nausea essential oil. It’s been known to reduce stress, which is great if you suffer from anxiety-induced stomach aches. This is very versatile and pairs well with lavender, lemon, and ginger.⁹

7. Bergamot

If you like orange, you’ll adore the scent of bergamot essential oil. It can be used in an essential old blend for nausea, dizziness, and light-headedness. Bergamot’s uplifting aroma will relax your senses, instantly making you feel better.¹⁰

Ways To Use Essential Oils

• To use essential oils for nausea and headache, add them to a diffuser or warmer. You can even just sniff them straight out of the bottle.
• Another option is to mix a blend that can be applied to the skin. However, keep in mind that essential oils are extremely concentrated. Always dilute the essential oils with a carrier to avoid skin irritation.
• For every 2 tablespoons of carrier oil, add 10 to 15 drops of essential oils. Ideal carrier options include coconut, jojoba, almond, avocado, and olive oil. When you’re feeling sick, rub a few drops onto your temple or stomach.

Safety Notes

If you have a lot of allergies, always do a patch test first. Keep an eye on your skin to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction. You should also be careful with aromatherapy if you have asthma, since some scents might trigger an asthma attack.

Many of the oils on this list were tested with pregnant mothers. However, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor.

Aromatherapy is typically safer than direct skin contact, especially when you’re expecting.