There’s nothing worse than planning a special cruise getaway only to find out that you have developed a case of sea sickness. Nausea and vomiting don’t make for a very relaxing and special trip. Before heading out on the water, head to the herb store for a few natural remedies that just may be what you need to keep sea sickness at bay.
Mugwort
Mugwort is a type of shrub that can grow up to 5 feet tall. The herb is widely used for indigestion, gastric disorders, pain in the stomach, and for motion and sea sickness. It can also be used for air sickness and car sick symptoms. Use it to make tea that can be sipped. Make tea by steeping fresh leaves for six to eight minutes with boiling water. The tea is to be consumed several days to get the full effect of the herb. Mugwort also comes in capsules and pure herb extracts.
Mugwort is not to be used by pregnant or lactating women and caution should be taken with all herbal supplements.
Other uses for mugwort:
colic diarrhea nose bleeds asthma leg pains aids in digestion rheumatoid arthritis gout head aches muscle spasms worms
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is an essential oil that can be used internally or externally depending on the condition or ailment. The oil is used to calm the stomach muscles, ease headaches, ease nausea and lessen sea sickness. If you’d like to give the peppermint oil a try for motion sickness first, simply put a few drops of the oil onto a tissue and inhale.
Other uses for peppermint oil:
colic confusion constipation dizziness lack of energy flu indigestion morning sickness vomiting cloudy thinking muscle spasms irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to freshen breath
Peppermint oil can also be inhaled for sinus conditions and can be made into a tea for nervous and digestive conditions. The oil is not advised for young children and proper care should be taken when taking peppermint oil internal as too much may have adverse effects.
Other Natural Remedies for Sea Sickness
Some other herbs to consider for sea sickness include:
Butcher’s Broom – helps dizziness Ginger – helps nausea and upset stomach
* Always talk to a doctor of natural medicine before beginning any herbal remedies as some herbs can interact with medications. Make sure you have been diagnosed properly and that there are no serious health problems that may be causing symptoms of motion sickness. Always follow product directions when using any type of natural medicines.
Sources:
“Peppermint”, University of Maryland Medical Center, UMM.edu.
“Mugwort”, American Cancer Society, Cancer.org.
“Mugwort: Health Benefits and Side Effects”, The Herbal Resource, Herbal Supplement Resource.com.