Suddenly something feels a little off in your gut. Maybe it even spreads its way up through your chest and into your throat. The contraction, the queasiness, the inability to focus on anything else… UGH, the NAUSEA.
It often arises at inopportune times when we are having so much fun: At the amusement park; enjoying good food and drink with loved ones; taking a joyride in the car and then, there it is. Everything suddenly feels awful.
Using Essential Oils For Nausea
There are some amazing essential oils that are incredibly helpful for nausea, with all the right properties for timely relief.
The listed essential oils below are all powerful allies in managing symptoms of nausea, and can be used in varying combinations. The beautiful thing about having so many options is that you likely already have at least one or two of these essential oils around the house. If you’re the kind of person who loves to have an entire apothecary worth of oils then you can choose based on which scents you love best.
Powerful Essential Oils For Nausea
1) Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum)
Aniseed is great at relieving symptoms of stomach upset including indigestion, gas, bloating, and nausea. In addition to settling the belly, aniseed can help to rev up your hunger after a stretch of nausea-related fasting. Drinking the herb in a tea is a great way to stimulate your appetite.
A gentle abdominal massage using 2 drops of aniseed essential oil mixed with 2 teaspoons of jojoba oil is also a great way to manage PMS and abdominal cramps.
2) Basil (Sweet) (Ocimum basilicum)
Sweet basil relieves queasiness, stomach cramps, flatulence,
and bloating. If hunger is feeling elusive due to nausea, this herb can help restore a healthy appetite.
Basil also has mildly sedative and soothing properties, so is effective at calming stress, irritability, and anxiety, all of which can contribute to stomach issues. Inhaling the scent of basil essential oil will help reduce stress and nausea in a flash.
3) Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Like many citrus oils, bergamot is very uplifting and mood improving, making it helpful to relieve stress and stress-related nausea. Bergamot stimulates and regulates digestion and liver function, and is also good at easing colic and flatulence. A cup of earl grey tea (flavored with bergamot!) is a lovely thing to drink when you’re feeling stomach upset.
Bergamot is also a rock star at easing dizziness and lightheadedness. If you’re nauseous and starting to feel the spins, simply diffuse 5-6 drops of bergamot essential oil into a comfortable space, lay down on the floor, and take some deep breaths through your nose to ground the dizziness.
4) Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)
Black pepper is an amazing digestive aid and helps to break down food – not surprising as half of the most famous spice combo! It also eliminates excess gas and prevents gas from forming, which can help when your nausea is accompanied by gas pains.
When applied topically (generously diluted in a carrier oil!) black pepper can very quickly relieve spasms and cramps related to digestive issues.
5) Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
Cardamom is in the same family as ginger, another amazing oil for nausea. It’s spicy scent is amazing at reducing stress when diffused into a room, so if you’re feeling queasy as a result of worry, give cardamom a try.
It has been used in blends in clinical trials to address post-operative nausea, and is generally a great oil to mix with other oils to address nausea.
6) Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)
Cinnamon has antibacterial and anti-viral properties, making it really useful to relieve nausea related to sicknesses like the flu.
It is also helpful with morning sickness – though should only be use via inhalation for pregnant women. In addition to using the essential oil of cinnamon, choosing to eat cinnamon rich foods can help facilitate digestion.
7) Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
Clove essential oil is antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and antiseptic, so if you’re feeling nauseous from cold, flu or other sickness, consider adding this oil to your regimen.
Similar to cinnamon, choosing clove rich foods eases indigestion and stress, so throw a couple fresh cloves into your chai or your meal, in addition to the 5 or 6 drops of oil you put in your diffuser, and feel your nausea disappear.
Note: Do not take with blood thinning medication.
8) Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Coriander is another name for cilantro, an herb that promotes a healthy digestive system.
Coriander oil eases gas, indigestion and vomiting, and relieves pain due to stomach spasms.
9) Cumin (Cuminum Cyminum)
In a low dose, cumin aids digestions, dispels gas, and can be a great relief for nausea and vomiting. It is a strong oil so should be used in very low doses. But strong also means effective, and cumin is fast to relieve cramps and pain associated with nausea, constipation, and diarrhea.
Cumin also eases stress and anxiety, and since nausea can often develop as a side effect of strong emotions, calming the nervous system can be really helpful to relieve queasiness.
Mix one drop of oil with one tablespoon of carrier oil, and apply to your wrists, the bottoms of your feet, and your temples for fast stress and nausea relief.
10) Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Fennel relaxes the digestive tract, relieves gas and constipation, and acts as a natural laxative. This stimulating herb is frequently used in its seed form to aid digestion. You could chew a few fennel seeds to facilitate better digestion and freshen my breath.
If you are experiencing nausea related to gas and constipation, fennel oil really stands out to offer relief. A couple drops on a cotton ball in your pocket or near your pillow while you rest will do wonders.
11) Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger relieves revulsion, diarrhea, motion sickness, and indigestion. It’s specifically great for motion sickness and commonly used to relieve nausea post-op.
It is one of the most commonly used herbs for all things digestive system-related, and nausea is no exception. Ginger is the power oil of nausea, in our opinion!
12) Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)
Grapefruit is another great choice for nausea related to sickness, as it fights microbes in the digestive system.
Grapefruit is not only yummy but the scent of the oil is wonderfully stress-relieving and mood lifting, which is a great help when you’ve been feeling nauseous. Simply diffuse 6-7 drops of the essential oil throughout your home and enjoy!
13) Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is anti-inflammatory and soothing to tissues, so is a lovely choice for a gentle abdominal massage as well. See the topical application suggestions further along in the article for tips on using oils in massage.
Where lavender essential oil really shines, though, is in its ability to relax the nervous system. As far as anxiety and stress-related nausea goes, lavender is a front-runner for most effective. Carry this one everywhere and inhale anytime you start to feel a little off. Works like a charm.
14) Lemon (Citrus limon)
Lemon essential oil relieves queasiness, aids digestion, and soothes indigestion. This oil is incredibly refreshing, like a ripe fruit tree or a cooling lemon beverage on a hot sunny day. It’s a great choice for summer, if the heat is getting to you and you feel a bit queasy and unsteady on your feet.
Lemon is also great for morning sickness and can be a godsend in the first trimester when nausea is usually at its most intense. It’s not safe to apply essential oils topically when pregnant, but one quick whiff of lemon straight from the bottle, or on a cotton ball will bring you back to baseline in no time.
15) Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm tones and strengthens the stomach, so it’s an awesome oil to have on hand as you’re recovering from belly issues, including nausea. It is also great at reducing spasms in the digestive system, so is a good choice to relieve pain related cramping, as well as vomiting. Also, if you have ulcers or gastroenteritis, give lemon balm a try.
16) Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
Mandarin essential oil is a favorite for nausea relief. Like all citrus oils, it’s antiseptic properties make it a good choice to treat sickness-related nausea. Mandarin also aids digestion, eases constipation, relieves fluid retention, and helps with indigestion.
This is a strong oil and should always be generously diluted in a carrier oil before topical application. One drop in one tablespoon of jojoba oil is a lovely choice for a gentle belly massage when you’re feeling queasy.
17) Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)
Nutmeg essential oil is a warming, stimulating oil that aids digestion, reduces vomiting, eases gas, and reduces stomach pain and cramps related to nausea. Nutmeg is especially useful for motion sickness, as well as in combating nausea related to intestinal infections. It’s also helpful for chronic diarrhea and flatulence.
Since vomiting and nausea can often arise as a result of stress and anxiety, nutmeg as a nervous system relaxant can ease symptoms that seems to arise anytime your mind and spirit feels out of balance.
Especially around the holidays when things can get stressful, add a few extra sprinkles of nutmeg powder into your desserts and hot beverages. The rest of the year, just keep a bottle of essential oil near you, especially when in the car, and inhale anytime you start to feel queasy.
18) Orange (Citrus sinensis)
Orange essential oil is another mood-lifting ally that reduces stress and is especially helpful to ease anxiety-induced stomach aches. Orange also relieves bloating, stimulates digestion, and helps with dizziness and lightheadedness.
Orange pairs well with several other oils on this list, including lavender, lemon, and ginger.
19) Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Peppermint has a very cooling and calming effect on the body and mind, so it’s one of the best essential oils for nausea and vomiting. It is antispasmodic so it soothes gastric muscles, reduces cramps, and eases nausea-related headaches. Peppermint can help with revulsion and other digestive disorders.
Due to its coolness, this is one of the best essential oils for nausea related to hot, muggy climates, or over activity that raises the body temp too high. It has also been used to help support nausea post operations, like after a C-section or other surgery.
Peppermint, however, is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Pretty much any other kind of nausea though, and this one is an amazing go to.
20) Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
Roman Chamomile is a champion at dispelling gas, soothing a sore stomach, relaxing abdominal muscles and easing the bloat. On top of all this, its famous and favorite benefit – anxiety relief – can only be welcome when experiencing the throws of nausea.
How To Use Essential Oils For Nausea
Dizziness And Nausea Quick Fix
- 1 drop bergamot
- 1 drop orange
- a cotton pad
Place the oils on the cotton pad and keep near you (in your pocket, under your pillow, in the car), to alleviate dizziness and re-ground yourself.
Other great oils for inhalation are lavender, peppermint, spearmint, lemon, grapefruit, mandarin, orange, and basil.
If you’re prone to car sickness, keeping a cotton ball or diffuser in the car is a great preventative measure!
Soothing Nausea Related To Anxiety
- 2 drops lavender
- 2 drops roman chamomile
- 3 drops lemon balm
Place the oils in the diffuser according to its instructions. Set the diffuser to run for at least 1 hour. If you suffer from persistent anxiety, it is especially helpful to fall asleep and wake up to the soothing scents of aromatherapy.
Another lovely way to diffuse oils into the atmosphere is be using a spritzer. Simply add a 6 drops off essential oil to 6 oz of water, place in a spray bottle, and spritz away!
Belly Massage For Indigestion
- 2 drops ginger
- 2 drops peppermint
- 2 drops chamomile
- 2 tbsp. grape seed oil.
Blend this in a small bowl or jar. Mix well, and use the mixture to massage the solar plexus and abdomen. Keep hands soft as you make clockwise circles on your belly, gently massaging the oil into the tissues.
Pause periodically while holding your hands on your belly, and breathe deeply, inhaling the scent of the oil.
Other great essential oil combinations for belly massage are: ginger, lavender, peppermint and spearmint.
Note: Avoid essential oil abdominal massage during pregnancy. Instead, use the diffusion method to soothe nausea/morning sickness.
Bath Oil For Nausea And Stress Reduction
- 2-3 drops lavender
- 1 drops peppermint
- 3 drops chamomile
- 1 tbsp honey
Blend well and place the blend into a cool or warm bath (very hot water can sometimes aggravate nausea.)
Soak for at least 20 minutes to allow the oils to penetrate into the skin, breathing deeply until nausea passes.
For fun, play around with proportions to find out what smells and works best for you. (Maybe 5 drops of lavender, 2 of peppermint, and 1 of chamomile is the sweet spot for you.)
To Summarize
- Essential oils are amazing at reducing nausea, and there are myriad ways to do so. In a pinch, inhaling straight from the bottle works like a charm.
- In addition to boosting your gut health and well being with essential oils, lots of these oils are effective as well in their fresh herb or spice form. For the best quality medicine, grow and/or harvest yourself!
- The best essential oils for nausea are: lemon for pregnancy, peppermint for almost anything (except pregnancy), ginger for digestive issues, chemotherapy, or post surgery, and lavender for stress and anxiety-related nausea.
- If you have accompanying symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, intense cramping, or nausea that persists for long periods of time, please consult a doctor.
Read more: