Vomiting: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Vomiting, or the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth, is a complex bodily reaction often triggered by various factors, including food poisoning, viral or bacterial infections, motion sickness, and even stress or anxiety.

Prolonged vomiting can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and nutrient deficiencies, potentially resulting in serious health complications. To alleviate vomiting, herbal remedies such as peppermint, ginger, and licorice root teas can be effective, offering anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.

However, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, as they may interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

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

The main causes of vomiting are multifaceted and can be attributed to various factors, including gastrointestinal infections caused by viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus, as well as bacterial infections like Salmonella and E. coli, which can lead to inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

Other causes include food poisoning from consuming spoiled or contaminated food, medication side effects such as those experienced with chemotherapy and antibiotics, and psychological factors like anxiety and stress. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also trigger nausea and vomiting, particularly during the first trimester. Additionally, vestibular disorders like labyrinthitis and motion sickness can cause vomiting due to the inner ear's balance issues.

In some cases, vomiting can be a symptom of underlying conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), kidney stones, and brain injuries.

• Food Poisoning: Food poisoning occurs when individuals consume contaminated food or drinks, which can be due to bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, leading to inflammation of the stomach lining and triggering vomiting as a defense mechanism to eliminate the toxin.
• Gastroenteritis: Gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, is often caused by viral infections, bacterial infections, or foodborne pathogens, resulting in vomiting as a way to expel the offending agent.
• Motion Sickness: Motion sickness, also known as travel sickness or sea sickness, occurs when conflicting signals between the body's sensory systems, such as the balance organs in the inner ear, lead to a mismatch in the brain's processing, causing the vomiting center to activate.
• Migraine: Migraine headaches can cause vomiting due to the activation of the vomiting center in the brain in response to the release of pain-producing chemicals and the irritation of the nerves in the brainstem.
• Anxiety: Severe anxiety can cause vomiting due to the activation of the body's fight-or-flight response, leading to increased stress hormones, such as adrenaline, which stimulate the vomiting center in the brain.
• Pregnancy: Morning sickness, a common symptom of early pregnancy, is caused by hormonal changes, particularly the increase in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estrogen, which stimulate the vomiting center in the brain.
• Hepatitis: Hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, can cause vomiting due to the release of toxins into the bloodstream, which stimulate the vomiting center in the brain and lead to the expulsion of the offending agent.
• Kidney Disease: Kidney disease, particularly end-stage renal disease, can cause vomiting due to the buildup of toxins in the blood, which stimulate the vomiting center in the brain and lead to the elimination of the waste products.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy, a treatment for cancer, can cause vomiting due to the damage to the stomach lining and the activation of the vomiting center in the brain in response to the release of pain-producing chemicals.
• Brain Injury: Brain injury, particularly damage to the brainstem, can cause vomiting due to the disruption of the normal functioning of the brain's regulatory centers, leading to the activation of the vomiting center.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for vomiting?

The main medicinal herbs used for vomiting are Cinchona officinalis, Rauvolfia serpentina, Zingiber officinale, Andrographis paniculata, Aristolochia clematitis, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Embelia ribes, Aloe perryi, Gelsemium sempervirens, Ginkgo biloba.

Cinchona officinalis contains quinine which exhibits anti-inflammatory properties and has been traditionally used to treat nausea and vomiting. Rauvolfia serpentina's alkaloids, particularly reserpine, have been shown to reduce vomiting by inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters that stimulate nausea. Zingiber officinale's gingerols and shogaols have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects, which help alleviate nausea and vomiting.

These herbs work by either reducing inflammation, inhibiting nausea-inducing neurotransmitters, or having antispasmodic effects to alleviate vomiting.

• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis helps with vomiting due to its alkaloid content, specifically quinine, which has antiemetic properties that help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Rauvolfia serpentina: Rauvolfia serpentina helps with vomiting due to its active alkaloids, including reserpine, which have a sedative effect that can help reduce nausea and vomiting.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale helps with vomiting due to its gingerols and shogaols, which have anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate nausea and vomiting associated with digestive issues.
• Andrographis paniculata: Andrographis paniculata helps with vomiting due to its andrographolide content, which has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that can help reduce nausea and vomiting.
• Aristolochia clematitis: Aristolochia clematitis helps with vomiting due to its aristolochic acid content, which has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra helps with vomiting due to its glycyrrhizin content, which has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce nausea and vomiting associated with digestive issues.
• Embelia ribes: Embelia ribes helps with vomiting due to its embelin content, which has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Aloe perryi: Aloe perryi helps with vomiting due to its aloin content, which has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce nausea and vomiting associated with digestive issues.
• Gelsemium sempervirens: Gelsemium sempervirens helps with vomiting due to its gelsemine content, which has sedative and antispasmodic properties that can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba does not have a known effect on vomiting, its primary uses are related to cognitive function and memory.

What are the main herbal preparations used for vomiting?

The main herbal preparations used for vomiting are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Suppository, Elixir, Salve, Ointment, Lozenge, Poultice, Gel.

Decoction is a liquid preparation made by boiling herbs in water to release their medicinal properties, often used for digestive issues like vomiting. Tincture is a concentrated liquid extract of herbs, typically taken sublingually to quickly alleviate vomiting symptoms. Capsules and Suppositories are solid preparations containing dried herbs, designed for easy consumption or absorption through the rectal mucosa to treat underlying causes of vomiting.

Other preparations like Elixir, Salve, Ointment, Lozenge, Poultice, and Gel are used to target specific areas of the body affected by vomiting, such as the skin or mucous membranes, or to provide quick relief from nausea.

• Decoction: A decoction of Ginkgo biloba helps with vomiting as the compounds in the plant, such as flavonoids and terpenoids, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can soothe the stomach and reduce nausea.
• Tincture: A tincture of Peppermint (Mentha piperita) helps with vomiting as the menthol in peppermint oil can calm the stomach and ease digestion, reducing the likelihood of vomiting.
• Capsule: A capsule containing Ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract helps with vomiting as ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce nausea and vomiting by inhibiting the serotonin receptors in the brain.
• Suppository: A suppository of Calendula (Calendula officinalis) helps with vomiting as the anti-inflammatory compounds in calendula can soothe the stomach and reduce inflammation, which can help alleviate vomiting.
• Elixir: An elixir of Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) helps with vomiting as the compounds in licorice root, such as glycyrrhizin, can reduce inflammation and soothe the stomach, which can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Salve: A salve of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) helps with vomiting as the anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic compounds in chamomile can soothe the stomach and reduce inflammation, which can help alleviate vomiting.
• Ointment: An ointment of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) helps with vomiting as the anethole in fennel oil can relax the muscles in the stomach and reduce inflammation, which can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Lozenge: A lozenge of Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) helps with vomiting as the compounds in echinacea, such as alkylamides, can stimulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, which can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
• Poultice: A poultice of Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) helps with vomiting as the mucilages in slippery elm can soothe and protect the mucous membranes in the stomach, which can help reduce inflammation and alleviate vomiting.
• Gel: A gel of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) helps with vomiting as the anti-inflammatory compounds in aloe vera can soothe the stomach and reduce inflammation, which can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.