No matter how unpleasant, vomiting is a protective mechanism that allows the body to get rid of whatever’s making it sick. That’s why doctors often say that the best treatment for nausea is to let it run its course.
This isn’t always true, however. Some types of nausea, such as those caused by pregnancy or motion sickness, have no useful purpose—nor does vomiting that continues after the stomach has been emptied. These bouts of nausea should always be stopped.
The Native Americans didn’t have planes or cars, so motion sickness was unlikely to be a problem. However, they were just as susceptible to other types of nausea, and they developed quite a few helpful remedies.
Ease nausea with ginger. According to herbal expert Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D., ginger tea is better for preventing nausea than modern over-the-counter drugs. If you’re planning a trip, he says, it’s best to take ginger prior to embarking; it’s much more effective at preventing nausea than stopping it once it begins.
You can also use ginger tea to reduce nausea that occurs during pregnancy or when you have the flu. Ginger supplements, available in health food stores, are also very effective.
Soothe your stomach with peppermint. Usually taken as a tea, this herb is well-known for reducing gastric spasms that can lead to nausea. Don’t drink more than a few cups if you’re pregnant because large amounts of peppermint can increase the risk of miscarriage.
Browse the herbal menu. Native Americans used many different herbs for relieving nausea. An herbal tea that doesn’t work for one person might very well work for another, so it’s good to keep your options open. Herbs you may want to try include licorice root, goldenseal, chamomile, black horehound, blackberry leaves, lemon balm, and fennel.
This Natural Remedies For Nausea article is taken from :
Healing Secrets of the Native Americans - Porter Shimer
