In general, we associate going on vacation with the notion of relaxation and pleasure. However, some cannot help but dread the long journey which precedes these delicious moments of well-deserved rest. Given that motion sickness (or motion sickness) affects nearly 20% of French people, they have no reason to feel isolated! Fortunately, there are many techniques to avoid suffering from unpleasant nausea. Parsley, for example, is very popular with sailors against seasickness! This helps prevent the feeling of discomfort linked to contradictory information processed by our inner ear disturbed by the moving vehicle. Here are 4 natural remedies that grandmother presents to you here to deal with travel sickness.
4 natural remedies for motion sickness
1) Essential oils as remedies for motion sickness
Here you can turn to lemon essential oil or peppermint essential oil! These natural solutions can be poured into a diffuser or applied to a wooden clothespin that you clip to the car vents during the journey. You can also place two drops of lemon EO on a sugar to calm and avoid unpleasant nausea. However, this preventive treatment is not suitable for children under 12 years old. However, pregnant women can use it and it also works on pregnancy nausea.
2) Flavored water
As explained previously, mint and lemon are excellent against motion sickness. You can therefore prepare a drink with a liter of water added with juice of half a lemon and a few mint leaves. Remember to refrigerate this beverage so that it is fresh and pleasant when drinking it (throughout the journey in small sips). It will be more effective against these inconveniences and this heartache than a simple chewing gum or mint candy.
3) Ginger
We know: ginger has no second to none for calming nausea and vomiting. In addition, it can improve digestion and stop dizziness. So, imagine what it can do for you when you suffer from motion sickness! You can drink a cup before each meal on the day of travel to avoid inconvenience. Simply boil the equivalent of a teaspoon of crushed root in water for 5 minutes and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. And if you don’t have time to concoct this natural remedy, find some ginger candies!
4) Acupressure, one of the most unusual remedies for travel sickness
This age-old practice is reminiscent of acupuncture (without the needles!). Coming from Chinese medicine, it helps prevent and relieve travel sickness! Above, the visual shows the four points you can stimulate for several minutes to feel better. If you do it for three seconds, you will not feel any change… Note that the first (between the tendons, two fingers from the crease of the wrist) is one of the best known and effective against nausea, especially during pregnancy. It’s worth a try!
With herbal medicine and the other solutions mentioned, preventing motion sickness and avoiding getting car sick becomes easy. Dizziness, headaches, paleness, cold sweats… linked to a long journey will no longer scare you!
In video:
How to avoid motion sickness: some tips in addition to remedies!
Before the trip…
First of all, avoid large meals and fatty or spicy foods before travel. On the contrary, favor light, easy-to-digest meals. This will limit digestive problems. In parallel, hydrate well. Drink mostly water, but avoid alcoholic and caffeinated drinks which can make symptoms worse. And of course, rest! Indeed, fatigue can increase susceptibility to motion sickness. So, make sure you are well rested before you go on your trip.
During the trip…
The most important thing is to choose the right seat if you can. In the car, sit in the front, for example. On the other hand, on a boat, stay in the center of the ship where there is less movement. As for the plane, choose a seat near the wings where movements are less noticeable. This will make the trip more enjoyable for you. Finally, when traveling by train, make sure you are seated in the direction of travel.
Moreover, fix your gaze on a fixed point on the horizon or in the distance. Also avoid reading or looking at screens during the journey as much as possible. Also make sure that the air circulates well. Open a window or use ventilation. Moreover, try to stay as still as possible and keep your head steady using a headrest if necessary, regardless of the mode of transport chosen.
Medications and relaxation
If remedies aren’t enough, over-the-counter medications, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine, can help prevent motion sickness. However, it is better consult a healthcare professional before using themespecially for children or if you have medical problems. Also think about acupressure braceletsoften available in pharmacies. These Sea-Bands, which apply pressure to the P6 (Neiguan) acupuncture point on the wrist, may indeed be effective for some people.
Practice relaxation techniques can also do you a lot of good. In particular, test deep breathing techniques to calm your nervous system. To relax, don’t hesitate to listen to soft music or podcasts to distract yourself and reduce your stress.
If symptoms persist, it may be helpful to consult a healthcare professional to discuss other treatment or prevention options. By following these tips, however, you should be able to reduce or avoid motion sickness and make your travels more enjoyable.