Nausea: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Nausea is a subjective, unpleasant sensation of discomfort or queasiness in the stomach, often accompanied by a feeling of vomiting or the urge to vomit.

It can be caused by various factors, including food poisoning, pregnancy, chemotherapy, motion sickness, and gastrointestinal issues. Prolonged nausea can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and malnutrition, negatively impacting overall health. To alleviate nausea, herbal remedies such as ginger, peppermint, and chamomile can be consumed as teas or added to food.

However, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially if pregnant or breastfeeding, as they can interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

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

The main causes of nausea are complex and multifaceted, involving the integration of various physiological systems.

Gastrointestinal factors, such as gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can stimulate the vomiting center in the brain, leading to nausea. Neurological conditions like motion sickness, vertigo, and migraine headaches can also trigger nausea through the activation of the vestibular system. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and chemotherapy-induced nausea are also well-documented causes of nausea, with serotonin levels playing a key role in regulating nausea and vomiting.

Additionally, psychological factors, such as anxiety and stress, can contribute to nausea through the activation of the brain's emotional centers.

• Motion Sickness: Motion sickness is a common cause of nausea due to conflicting signals between the body's balance system and the eyes, leading to a mismatch in the brain's ability to process spatial orientation and movement.
• Food Poisoning: Food poisoning is a leading cause of nausea due to the consumption of contaminated or spoiled food that contains harmful bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens, which can cause inflammation and irritation in the stomach and intestines.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes, particularly during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause, can cause nausea due to the fluctuation of estrogen and progesterone levels, leading to increased sensitivity and stimulation of the vomiting center in the brain.
• Medication Side Effects: Medication side effects, such as those caused by chemotherapy, antibiotics, and other prescription medications, can lead to nausea due to their impact on the stomach, nervous system, and brain chemistry.
• Anxiety and Stress: Anxiety and stress can cause nausea due to the activation of the body's 'fight or flight' response, leading to increased levels of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which can stimulate the vomiting center in the brain.
• Migraines: Migraines can cause nausea due to the dilation of blood vessels in the brain and the release of pain-causing chemicals, which can stimulate the vomiting center and lead to nausea and vomiting.
• Ear Infections: Ear infections, particularly those that affect the inner ear and balance system, can cause nausea due to the disruption of the body's balance and spatial orientation, leading to a mismatch in the brain's ability to process movement and position.
• Infections: Infections, such as the flu, gastroenteritis, and other viral and bacterial infections, can cause nausea due to the inflammation and irritation of the stomach, intestines, and other body systems.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause nausea due to the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, leading to inflammation and irritation of the esophageal lining and stimulation of the vomiting center in the brain.
• Low Blood Sugar: Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, can cause nausea due to the body's need to correct the imbalance by stimulating the release of insulin and other hormones, which can lead to nausea and vomiting.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for nausea?

The main medicinal herbs used for nausea are Zingiber officinale, Ginkgo biloba, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Cinchona officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, Piper nigrum, Mentha x piperita, Aloe vera, Cinnamomum verum, Piper methysticum.

Zingiber officinale, also known as ginger, contains gingerols and shogaols which have anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate nausea and vomiting by inhibiting the activity of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that triggers nausea. Ginkgo biloba and Glycyrrhiza glabra have antioxidant properties that help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the stomach, leading to a decrease in nausea. Cinchona officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, and Piper nigrum have antispasmodic and carminative effects, which help relax the stomach muscles and relieve gas and bloating, further reducing nausea.

Mentha x piperita, Aloe vera, Cinnamomum verum, and Piper methysticum have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that help calm the stomach and alleviate nausea through different mechanisms, providing relief for individuals experiencing nausea.

• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale contains compounds such as gingerols and shogaols, which have anti-inflammatory properties and can help alleviate nausea by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals in the gut.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba has been shown to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation in the digestive system, which can help alleviate nausea caused by reduced blood flow to the stomach.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra contains compounds such as glycyrrhizin, which can help stabilize stomach acid and alleviate nausea caused by stomach acid imbalances.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis contains compounds such as quinine, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help alleviate nausea by reducing inflammation in the gut.
• Foeniculum vulgare: Foeniculum vulgare contains compounds such as anethole, which has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, and can help alleviate nausea caused by digestive spasms and inflammation.
• Piper nigrum: Piper nigrum contains compounds such as piperine, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help alleviate nausea by reducing inflammation in the gut.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita contains compounds such as menthol, which has antispasmodic properties and can help alleviate nausea caused by digestive spasms.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera contains compounds such as aloin, which can help soothe the digestive tract and alleviate nausea caused by digestive inflammation.
• Cinnamomum verum: Cinnamomum verum contains compounds such as cinnamaldehyde, which has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, and can help alleviate nausea caused by digestive inflammation and spasms.
• Piper methysticum: Piper methysticum contains compounds such as kavalactones, which have anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic properties, and can help alleviate nausea caused by anxiety and stress.

What are the main herbal preparations used for nausea?

The main herbal preparations used for nausea are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Suppository, Salve, Lozenges, Gel Caps, Ointment, Pills, Elixir.

Decoction involves boiling herbs in water to extract compounds that are then taken orally, often used for ginger and peppermint to alleviate nausea due to digestive issues. Tincture is a concentrated liquid extract of herbs, usually taken sublingually or added to water, used for nausea relief with herbs like ginger and chamomile. Capsules and Pills contain powdered herbs that are swallowed whole, often used for nausea with herbs like ginger, peppermint, and licorice root.

Other preparations like Lozenges, Gel Caps, Suppositories, Salve, Ointment, and Elixir are also used for nausea, often providing localized relief with herbs like peppermint, ginger, and lavender.

• Decoction: A decoction of herbs such as Angelica archangelica helps with nausea due to the volatile oils and flavonoids present in the plant, which have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties that can help to reduce stomach discomfort and alleviate nausea.
• Tincture: A tincture of herbs like Zingiber officinale helps with nausea due to the bioactive compounds, including gingerols and shogaols, that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help to soothe the stomach and reduce nausea.
• Capsule: A capsule containing herbs like Foeniculum vulgare helps with nausea due to the presence of essential oils and flavonoids, which have carminative and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce gas and alleviate nausea.
• Suppository: A suppository of herbs like Trifolium pratense helps with nausea due to the direct application of the herb's bioactive compounds, including isoflavones, to the intestinal tract, which can help to soothe the stomach and reduce nausea.
• Salve: A salve of herbs like Chamomilla recutita helps with nausea due to the topical application of the herb's bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and terpenoids, which can help to reduce anxiety and alleviate nausea through a calming effect.
• Lozenges: Lozenges containing herbs like Glycyrrhiza glabra help with nausea due to the sucking action, which can help to stimulate saliva production and aid digestion, while the licorice root's bioactive compounds, including glycyrrhizin, can help to soothe the stomach and reduce nausea.
• Gel Caps: Gel caps containing herbs like Avena sativa help with nausea due to the slow release of the herb's bioactive compounds, including avenanthramides, which can help to reduce inflammation and alleviate nausea through a soothing effect.
• Ointment: An ointment of herbs like Cannabis sativa helps with nausea due to the topical application of the herb's bioactive compounds, including cannabinoids, which can help to reduce anxiety and alleviate nausea through a calming effect.
• Pills: Pills containing herbs like Cichorium intybus help with nausea due to the bioactive compounds, including inulin and sesquiterpene lactones, which can help to stimulate digestion and alleviate nausea through a soothing effect.
• Elixir: An elixir of herbs like Panax ginseng helps with nausea due to the bioactive compounds, including ginsenosides, which can help to stimulate digestion and alleviate nausea through a balancing effect on the body's energy.