Feeling your stomach churn due to motion sickness is something most would prefer to avoid, especially as lots of us are jetting off on summer trips. Between the relaxation and rest, there may be a bout of queasiness.
MedlinePlus highlighted that one out of three people are highly prone to the ill-effects of motion sickness. Those who already suffer are impacted severely by sea sickness due to unsteady movement at water and nothing to help the brain line up the sights to with what it's experiencing.
However, there are several natural 'cures' available for motion sickness - from munching on olives to applying pressure between the nose and upper lip. Lydia Crispin from AllClear has shared some effective remedies tried and tested by travellers.
"There are many natural remedies which can be found at home in your cupboards or most definitely along your travels to help alleviate motion and sea sickness starting with peppermint oil," says Lydia, highlighting how the muscle-relaxing properties in peppermint can soothe stomach cramps and decrease nausea.
"It can be used in various forms, such as inhaling peppermint scented oils, applying it topically to the wrists or behind the ears, or sipping on a refreshing peppermint tea. If the taste or smell of peppermint isn't for you, you could instead opt for a lemon or ginger water or tea, which is also a great remedy for seasickness, consumed by both smelling and drinking," reports the Mirror.
"The scent of lemon has a refreshing and calming effect, which helps to reduce nausea as well as keeping you hydrated. In fact, the sour taste can help distract you from any feelings of an upset stomach. It is believed that ginger, taken in small doses, can be an anti-nausea spice which can help settle the stomach and prevent the feeling of sickness."
You don't need to spend extra money to fight travel sickness, as our bodies naturally produce something that can assist. Lydia said: "If you're not a tea drinker and prefer to keep consuming hot drinks to a minimum, swallowing your own saliva can also help reduce the feeling of motion sickness by maintaining normal stomach motility.
"As you continue to swallow, it will reduce the amount of saliva that might otherwise be overwhelming in your mouth, due to feeling sick." For those who feel queasy, snacking might seem like the last thing you'd want to do, but it can actually soothe your stomach.
Lydia suggested opting for something salty like popcorn, pretzels, crackers, or rice cakes. She explained: "[These] can help to balance electrolytes to help hydration as well as being a distraction from feeling unwell.
"A great healthy snack to curb these feelings of nausea are green apples, costing as little as 34 pence, they can help to neutralise stomach acid and reduce the sensation of being sick. Their tartness can also distract from the nauseous feeling."
"Lastly, olives are a great snack to settle your stomach as they help to dry out the mouth and prevent excess saliva, a common reason for vomiting. The salty and distinctive taste is also a great distraction."
Being prepared before any journey is crucial if you're prone to sickness. While not every remedy works for everyone, discovering your personal 'cure' might be found in the most unexpected of places.
Lydia said: "Interestingly, a hat with a brim reduces sensitivity by blocking out bright light and reducing any eye or head strain, which can exacerbate motion sickness. Not only should you be avoiding direct sunlight to the eyes but also any extra screen time on mobile devices that is not necessary, should be avoided when possible".
One final tip Lydia offered was "applying pressure to the divot of your nose" - also known as the philtrum. This technique is said to alleviate pressure and stimulate nerve endings in the area, potentially sending signals to the brain to release neurotransmitters that can help quell feelings of sickness.
