Morning Sickness: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Morning sickness is a common condition characterized by nausea, vomiting, and dizziness that occurs during pregnancy, typically from the first trimester.

It is often caused by hormonal changes, particularly the surge of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estrogen, which can lead to stomach upset and digestive issues. If left untreated, morning sickness can cause dehydration, malnutrition, and even weight loss. To alleviate morning sickness, herbal remedies such as ginger, peppermint, and raspberry leaf tea have been found to be effective.

However, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before using any medicinal herbs, especially during pregnancy, and follow proper dosages and preparation guidelines to ensure safe use.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of morning sickness, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of morning sickness?

The main causes of morning sickness are hormonal fluctuations, particularly the surge in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels, which can cause nausea and vomiting.

Elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone also contribute to morning sickness, as they can slow digestion and cause dizziness. Additionally, changes in blood chemistry, such as increased levels of alpha-fetoprotein, can lead to morning sickness. Individual variations in genetics and sensitivity to pregnancy hormones can also play a role, with some women experiencing more severe symptoms than others.

Research suggests that the combination of these hormonal changes, along with psychological factors such as stress and anxiety, can exacerbate morning sickness symptoms.

• Hormonal Fluctuations: Hormonal fluctuations, particularly the surge in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estrogen levels during early pregnancy, trigger morning sickness in many women due to the stimulation of the vomiting center in the brain and the release of other chemicals that induce nausea.
• Food Sensitivities: Food sensitivities, especially to strong-smelling foods like fish and dairy products, can cause morning sickness in some women due to the irritation of the stomach lining and the stimulation of the brain's nausea centers.
• Genetic Predisposition: Genetic predisposition, with some women being more prone to morning sickness due to their family history, may contribute to the development of morning sickness as a result of inherited traits that affect hormone levels and other physiological processes.
• Nutrient Deficiencies: Nutrient deficiencies, particularly a lack of vitamin B6 and other essential nutrients, can exacerbate morning sickness in some women by impairing the body's ability to metabolize hormones and other chemicals that induce nausea.
• Stress and Anxiety: Stress and anxiety can trigger morning sickness in some women by stimulating the brain's stress response and releasing chemicals that induce nausea, and by affecting hormone levels and other physiological processes that contribute to morning sickness.
• Environmental Factors: Environmental factors, such as exposure to certain smells, sights, and sounds, can trigger morning sickness in some women by irritating the stomach lining and stimulating the brain's nausea centers.
• Sleep Deprivation: Sleep deprivation, which is common during pregnancy due to discomfort and other factors, can contribute to morning sickness by impairing the body's ability to regulate hormones and other chemicals that induce nausea.
• Age: Women who become pregnant at an older age may experience more severe morning sickness due to the increased levels of hCG and estrogen, as well as other physiological changes that occur during pregnancy.
• Previous Pregnancies: Women who have had previous pregnancies may experience more severe morning sickness due to the development of tolerance to the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for morning sickness?

The main medicinal herbs used for morning sickness are Zingiber officinale, Ginkgo biloba, Piper methysticum, Avena sativa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Cinchona officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, Cinnamomum verum, Piper nigrum, Mentha x piperita.

Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, has been shown to alleviate morning sickness symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, specifically through the inhibition of nausea and vomiting. Ginkgo biloba's flavonoids and terpenoids may help reduce symptoms by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Avena sativa, or oat straw, contains avenacosides, which have been found to have a sedative effect, reducing anxiety and stress related to morning sickness.

Meanwhile, other herbs such as Glycyrrhiza glabra, Cinchona officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, Cinnamomum verum, Piper nigrum, and Mentha x piperita also possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can contribute to alleviating morning sickness symptoms.

• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, helps alleviate morning sickness by its anti-inflammatory properties that reduce nausea and vomiting, and its ability to regulate digestive enzymes, improving stomach comfort and reducing symptoms.
• Ginkgo biloba:
• Piper methysticum: Piper methysticum, also known as kava, may help with morning sickness due to its sedative properties that reduce anxiety and stress, which are often contributing factors to nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
• Avena sativa: Avena sativa, or oat straw, may alleviate morning sickness by its anxiolytic effects that help reduce stress and anxiety, which can exacerbate nausea and vomiting, and its ability to stimulate digestion and improve appetite.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, licorice root, may help with morning sickness due to its anti-inflammatory properties that reduce nausea and vomiting, and its ability to regulate cortisol levels, which can be imbalanced during pregnancy, leading to morning sickness symptoms.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis, or Peruvian bark, may help alleviate morning sickness by its anti-inflammatory properties that reduce nausea and vomiting, and its ability to regulate blood pressure, which can be a contributing factor to morning sickness symptoms.
• Foeniculum vulgare: Foeniculum vulgare, or fennel, may help with morning sickness due to its carminative properties that reduce gas and bloating, and its ability to stimulate digestion and improve appetite, alleviating nausea and vomiting.
• Cinnamomum verum: Cinnamomum verum, or Ceylon cinnamon, may help alleviate morning sickness by its anti-inflammatory properties that reduce nausea and vomiting, and its ability to regulate blood sugar levels, which can be imbalanced during pregnancy, leading to morning sickness symptoms.
• Piper nigrum: Piper nigrum, or black pepper, may help with morning sickness due to its ability to enhance digestion and improve appetite, reducing nausea and vomiting, and its anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation in the digestive tract.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita, or peppermint, may help alleviate morning sickness by its carminative properties that reduce gas and bloating, and its ability to stimulate digestion and improve appetite, alleviating nausea and vomiting.

What are the main herbal preparations used for morning sickness?

The main herbal preparations used for morning sickness are Tincture, Decoction, Capsule, Suppository, Gummies, Lozenge, Gel, Pill, Pills, Ginger Oil.

Tincture is a concentrated liquid extract of ginger or other herbs, often used sublingually to rapidly relieve nausea. Decoction is a liquid herbal extract made by steeping herbs in hot water, then straining to create a tea-like solution, often used to alleviate morning sickness symptoms. Capsule and Pill preparations contain dried, powdered herbal extracts, often used to deliver a controlled dose of ginger or other anti-nausea herbs.

Ginger Oil, a concentrated essential oil, can be administered via lozenges, gummies, or applied topically to acupressure points to stimulate digestion and alleviate morning sickness.

• Tincture: A tincture made from Zingiber officinale helps with morning sickness as it contains compounds such as gingerol and shogaol that have anti-inflammatory properties and can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Decoction: A decoction made from Zingiber officinale helps with morning sickness as it releases the bioactive compounds from the plant, including gingerols and shogaols, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-emetic effects.
• Capsule: Capsules containing Zingiber officinale help with morning sickness as they provide a controlled release of the bioactive compounds, including gingerol and shogaol, which can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Suppository: Suppositories made from Zingiber officinale help with morning sickness as they allow for direct absorption of the bioactive compounds, including gingerol and shogaol, into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and quickly alleviating nausea and vomiting.
• Gummies: Gummies made from Zingiber officinale help with morning sickness as they provide a convenient and tasty way to consume the bioactive compounds, including gingerol and shogaol, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-emetic effects.
• Lozenge: Lozenges made from Zingiber officinale help with morning sickness as they allow for direct absorption of the bioactive compounds, including gingerol and shogaol, into the bloodstream through the oral mucosa, providing quick relief from nausea and vomiting.
• Gel: Gels made from Zingiber officinale help with morning sickness as they provide a soothing and cooling effect on the stomach, which can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Pill: Pills made from Zingiber officinale help with morning sickness as they provide a controlled release of the bioactive compounds, including gingerol and shogaol, which can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Pills: Pills made from Zingiber officinale help with morning sickness as they provide a controlled release of the bioactive compounds, including gingerol and shogaol, which can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Ginger Oil: Ginger Oil, derived from Zingiber officinale, helps with morning sickness as it contains compounds such as gingerol and shogaol that have anti-inflammatory properties and can help alleviate nausea and vomiting when inhaled or applied topically.