Queasy Stomach: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

A queasy stomach, also known as nausea, is an unpleasant sensation of unease or discomfort in the stomach, often accompanied by a feeling of vomiting.

Causes of queasy stomach include food poisoning, motion sickness, pregnancy, stress, and certain medications. If left untreated, queasy stomach can lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and electrolyte imbalances. To alleviate queasy stomach, herbal remedies such as peppermint, ginger, and chamomile can be consumed as teas or taken in capsule form.

However, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and to follow recommended dosages to avoid adverse reactions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of queasy stomach, 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 queasy stomach?

The main causes of queasy stomach are gastrointestinal infections such as viral gastroenteritis, food poisoning from bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, and parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

Motion sickness, often caused by conflicting signals from the body's balance organs, is another common trigger. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause can also lead to queasiness. Other factors include stress, anxiety, and panic disorders, which can slow digestion and cause stomach discomfort.

Additionally, certain foods and substances, such as spicy or fatty foods, caffeine, and some medications, can irritate the stomach and trigger queasiness.

• Food Poisoning: Food poisoning is a leading cause of queasy stomach due to the ingestion of bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens that can cause inflammation and irritation in the stomach lining, leading to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
• Motion Sickness: Motion sickness is a common cause of queasy stomach due to the conflict between what the body sees, feels, and experiences, triggering the brain's balance centers to send signals to the stomach, resulting in nausea and vomiting.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause, can affect the digestive system, leading to queasy stomach due to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels that can slow digestion and increase stomach acid.
• Stress and Anxiety: Stress and anxiety are common causes of queasy stomach due to the release of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, which can slow digestion, increase stomach acid, and trigger nausea and vomiting.
• Food Allergies: Food allergies can cause queasy stomach due to an overactive immune response to specific foods, triggering inflammation, irritation, and damage to the stomach lining.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a cause of queasy stomach due to the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, causing inflammation, irritation, and damage to the esophageal lining.
• Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, such as antibiotics, antidepressants, and pain relievers, can cause queasy stomach as a side effect due to changes in stomach acid production, gut motility, or other mechanisms.
• Viral Gastroenteritis: Viral gastroenteritis, commonly known as the stomach flu, is a cause of queasy stomach due to the infection of the stomach and intestines by viruses, leading to inflammation, irritation, and damage to the gastrointestinal tract.
• Caffeine and Nicotine: Caffeine and nicotine can cause queasy stomach due to their stimulating effects on the nervous system, leading to increased stomach acid production, gut motility, and other mechanisms that can trigger nausea and vomiting.
• Spicy or Fatty Foods: Consuming spicy or fatty foods can cause queasy stomach due to the irritation and inflammation of the stomach lining, leading to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for queasy stomach?

The main medicinal herbs used for queasy stomach are Zingiber officinale, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Foeniculum vulgare, Mentha x piperita, Ginkgo biloba, Cinchona officinalis, Aloe barbadensis, Lavandula angustifolia, Aloe vera, Piper nigrum.

Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, has anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate nausea and vomiting due to its ability to inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice root, contains glycyrrhizin, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antacid properties, thereby reducing stomach upset and queasiness. Foeniculum vulgare, or fennel, has been traditionally used to alleviate flatulence, indigestion, and nausea, likely due to its carminative and anti-inflammatory properties.

Additionally, Mentha x piperita, or peppermint oil, has been found to relax the muscles in the stomach and reduce nausea and vomiting by blocking the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that stimulates stomach contractions.

• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, also known as ginger, helps alleviate queasy stomach due to its anti-inflammatory properties that reduce nausea and vomiting, and its ability to slow down gastric emptying, allowing the stomach to digest food more efficiently.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice root, provides relief from queasy stomach by inhibiting the release of gastric acid, thereby reducing inflammation and discomfort in the stomach lining.
• Foeniculum vulgare: Foeniculum vulgare, or fennel, helps soothe an upset stomach by releasing carminative compounds that ease flatulence and reduce bloating, allowing the stomach to function properly.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita, or peppermint, eases queasy stomach by relaxing the muscles in the stomach and reducing inflammation, which helps alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal issues.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba does not directly treat queasy stomach, but its antioxidant properties may help improve blood flow to the digestive system, thereby aiding in nutrient absorption and potentially alleviating some gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis, or cinchona, contains quinine, which can help alleviate queasy stomach by reducing the release of histamine, a chemical that can cause stomach cramps and nausea.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis, or aloe vera, soothes an upset stomach by reducing inflammation and promoting the growth of new gut lining cells, which can help alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal issues.
• Lavandula angustifolia: Lavandula angustifolia, or lavender, may help alleviate queasy stomach by reducing anxiety and stress, which are common triggers for nausea and vomiting.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera, also known as Aloe barbadensis, soothes an upset stomach by reducing inflammation and promoting the growth of new gut lining cells, which can help alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal issues.
• Piper nigrum: Piper nigrum, or black pepper, contains piperine, a compound that may help alleviate queasy stomach by reducing inflammation and improving digestion, although more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

What are the main herbal preparations used for queasy stomach?

The main herbal preparations used for queasy stomach are Tincture, Decoction, Capsule, Salve, Suppository, Gel, Ointment, Elixir, Poultice, Powder.

Tincture is a concentrated liquid extract of herbs that can be taken sublingually to quickly alleviate queasy stomach symptoms, particularly for nausea and vomiting, due to its high bioavailability. Decoction is a liquid extract of herbs that are boiled in water, commonly used for gastrointestinal issues such as queasy stomach, by releasing bioactive compounds that can help soothe the stomach. Capsule is a solid dose of powdered herbal extract that can be swallowed to provide a controlled release of active compounds that can help regulate digestion and alleviate queasy stomach symptoms.

Elixir and Salve, Suppository, Gel, Ointment, Poultice, and Powder, are used topically to provide localized relief for queasy stomach symptoms, with Elixir being a liquid solution that can be taken sublingually or applied topically, Salve being a topical cream for skin application, Suppository being a solid dose inserted rectally to release active compounds directly into the lower gastrointestinal tract, Gel and Ointment being topical creams that can be applied to the skin for localized relief, Poultice being a paste applied to the skin to draw out toxins and stimulate digestion, and Powder being a powdered herbal extract that can be taken orally or applied topically.

• Tincture: A tincture, typically made from the leaves of the Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) plant, helps with queasy stomach by releasing its bioactive compounds, such as menthol and menthone, which are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream to provide quick relief from nausea and vomiting.
• Decoction: A decoction, often prepared with the roots of the Ginger (Zingiber officinale) plant, helps with queasy stomach by releasing its active compounds, including gingerols and shogaols, which have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to soothe the stomach and reduce nausea.
• Capsule: A capsule, frequently filled with the dried leaves of the Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) plant, helps with queasy stomach by releasing its bioactive compounds, such as parthenolide, which has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that can help to reduce nausea and vomiting.
• Salve: A salve, often made from the leaves of the Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) plant, helps with queasy stomach by releasing its bioactive compounds, including apigenin and luteolin, which have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that can help to soothe the stomach and reduce nausea.
• Suppository: A suppository, typically made from the bark of the Senna (Cassia senna) plant, helps with queasy stomach by releasing its bioactive compounds, including anthraquinones, which have anti-inflammatory and laxative properties that can help to relieve constipation and reduce nausea.
• Gel: A gel, often made from the leaves of the Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) plant, helps with queasy stomach by releasing its bioactive compounds, including aloin and aloe-emodin, which have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that can help to calm the stomach and reduce nausea.
• Ointment: An ointment, frequently made from the leaves of the Calendula (Calendula officinalis) plant, helps with queasy stomach by releasing its bioactive compounds, including triterpenoids and flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that can help to soothe the stomach and reduce nausea.
• Elixir: An elixir, often prepared with the roots of the Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) plant, helps with queasy stomach by releasing its bioactive compounds, including glycyrrhizin, which has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that can help to calm the stomach and reduce nausea.
• Poultice: A poultice, typically made from the leaves of the Plantain (Plantago major) plant, helps with queasy stomach by releasing its bioactive compounds, including aucubin and iridoids, which have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that can help to soothe the stomach and reduce nausea.
• Powder: A powder, often made from the seeds of the Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) plant, helps with queasy stomach by releasing its bioactive compounds, including anethole, which has anti-inflammatory and carminative properties that can help to relieve gas and reduce nausea.