Nausea (natural remedies)
- Why it happens
- Which therapies can help?
- Self-help suggestions
- Breakfast for morning sickness
Why it happens
Nausea, also known as 'morning sickness', and mild vomiting are common symptoms in early pregnancy. You may experience feelings of nausea accompanied by tiredness and lethargy at different times of the day, but usually the symptoms will clear up by the end of the first three months. Occasionally, symptoms can continue throughout pregnancy, and may be more likely to do so if you are expecting twins. Severe vomiting that does not stop (hyperemesis) requires urgent medical attention.
Although the causes of nausea in pregnancy are not yet known, the following have been suggested as contributing factors: low blood sugar, low blood pressure, hormonal changes, emotional ambivalence about the pregnancy, food deficiency (in particular of vitamin B6 and iron), an excess of refined, spicy, or greasy foods, and pressure on the stomach from the growing uterus in the last few weeks of pregnancy.
Although the causes of nausea in pregnancy are not yet known, the following have been suggested as contributing factors: low blood sugar, low blood pressure, hormonal changes, emotional ambivalence about the pregnancy, food deficiency (in particular of vitamin B6 and iron), an excess of refined, spicy, or greasy foods, and pressure on the stomach from the growing uterus in the last few weeks of pregnancy.
Which therapies can help?
• Homeopathy. There are several remedies that can be effective, so consultation with a homeopath is recommended. (To find a registered practitioner, visit our complementary therapies A-Z.)
• Acupuncture, psychotherapy, and cranial osteopathy. These therapies may all be effective in relieving nausea.
• Herbalism. Consultation with a herbalist is recommended since there is such a wide range of herbs that may be useful. Chamomile and wild yam root, for example, aid digestion and have a sedative effect, while balm and meadowsweet are soothing.
• Shiatsu. Applying pressure to the stomach meridian may alleviate symptoms.
• Aromatherapy. Use essential oils of lavender, chamomile, and rose (either singly or combined) mixed with a base oil, as a massage oil. You can also put a drop or two of one of these on a tissue and carry it with you.
• Acupuncture, psychotherapy, and cranial osteopathy. These therapies may all be effective in relieving nausea.
• Herbalism. Consultation with a herbalist is recommended since there is such a wide range of herbs that may be useful. Chamomile and wild yam root, for example, aid digestion and have a sedative effect, while balm and meadowsweet are soothing.
• Shiatsu. Applying pressure to the stomach meridian may alleviate symptoms.
• Aromatherapy. Use essential oils of lavender, chamomile, and rose (either singly or combined) mixed with a base oil, as a massage oil. You can also put a drop or two of one of these on a tissue and carry it with you.
Self-help suggestions
Listed below are some useful tips and natural remedies that may be helpful for nausea. If one remedy doesn't work, experiment with another:
• Practice deep breathing, meditation, and yoga and try to take an hour's walk in the fresh air every day.
• Consider possible emotional causes and seek professional help if need be, or discuss your feelings with someone understanding.
• A protein-rich snack eaten half an hour before you go to bed in the evening will help to ensure that your blood sugar level doesn't fall too low during the night.
• Try to remember to get up slowly out of bed and take your time in the morning. You may find a teaspoon of cider vinegar in a cup of warm water helpful first thing.
• An infusion of grated ginger root may bring relief if drunk while you are feeling nauseous.
• Increase the iron-rich foods in your diet, such as beef, sardines, eggs, dried fruit and green leafy vegetables.
• If you have no appetite, take 10-20g of vitamin B6 as a daily supplement.
• Try an audio-therapy CD. Similar to those developed for travel-sickness, CDs are now available to ease the symptoms of morning sickness. Frequencies and pulses, disguised by music, interrupt signals from your brain to your gut telling your body to be sick.
• Practice deep breathing, meditation, and yoga and try to take an hour's walk in the fresh air every day.
• Consider possible emotional causes and seek professional help if need be, or discuss your feelings with someone understanding.
• A protein-rich snack eaten half an hour before you go to bed in the evening will help to ensure that your blood sugar level doesn't fall too low during the night.
• Try to remember to get up slowly out of bed and take your time in the morning. You may find a teaspoon of cider vinegar in a cup of warm water helpful first thing.
• An infusion of grated ginger root may bring relief if drunk while you are feeling nauseous.
• Increase the iron-rich foods in your diet, such as beef, sardines, eggs, dried fruit and green leafy vegetables.
• If you have no appetite, take 10-20g of vitamin B6 as a daily supplement.
• Try an audio-therapy CD. Similar to those developed for travel-sickness, CDs are now available to ease the symptoms of morning sickness. Frequencies and pulses, disguised by music, interrupt signals from your brain to your gut telling your body to be sick.
Breakfast for morning sickness
Stay in bed for half an hour after waking and sip a digestive herbal tea, such as peppermint, fennel or chamomile, or a glass of mineral water with a few dry crackers. Rise slowly, have some fresh fruit or fruit juice and breathe deeply in the open air. Half an hour later have a slice of wholegrain toast with yeast extract and a second cup of herbal tea.
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