If you are unfortunate enough to be one of the millions of people who suffer from motion sickness, then the idea of your next vacation may not bring you much peace or joy. Motion sickness strikes when you are traveling in planes, cars, trains, boats, or virtually any other moving vehicle, and for some people, it can be enough to completely ruin any trip you plan to take. Did you know that some essential oils can actually treat and even help to prevent motion sickness? Let’s figure out which ones need to be added to your next packing list!

The most common symptoms of motion sickness are nausea and vomiting. The upset stomach and “almost sick” feeling can linger for hours, even after the journey is over, making for a not-so-fun time. Relieving these feelings of sickness, or preventing them from developing, can help you start enjoying your life quickly, and essential oils can help.

The Best Essential Oils for Motion Sickness

Ginger

Ginger is the go-to essential oil for motion sickness, vomiting, and nausea. Ginger contains zingiberene and beta-Sesquiphellandrene, which both act to reduce nausea symptoms when they strike. You can add just a few drops of the essential oil to your water or tea to keep your stomach calm while traveling.

Peppermint

Peppermint is the other most-recommended essential oil for motion sickness. Inhaling the aroma peppermint can keep your stomach calm, and ingesting peppermint essential oil is a wonderful way to ease an already-upset stomach. If you find that peppermint is too strong for you, you can use spearmint essential oil, which has similar properties but is less intense. If you have children who suffer from motion sickness, spearmint is an excellent choice for them.

Cardamom

Cardamom has been used for centuries to relieve stomach problems, including nausea. It is a spicy and warm essential oil that can supply relief for long journeys. Cardamom is effective at easing other digestive issues, too, such as gas and cramps.

Bergamot

Bergamot essential oil is a type of citrus that can be used to ease digestion and help with motion sickness. Using this oil for aromatherapy can stimulate soothing digestive processes that relax the stomach and quell nausea. Bergamot also relaxes the body, which may help prevent motion sickness from starting.

Other Essential Oils

Other good options for treating motion sickness include coriander, fennel, black pepper, German chamomile, any citrus oil, nutmeg, or rose essential oils.

Using Essential Oils for Motion Sickness

Several methods work well for using essential oils to treat motion sickness. These include:

• Car diffuser: Clip a small diffuser to the air vents in your car, then place a few drops of essential oil onto it at the start of each journey.
• Massage: To prevent motion sickness, you can massage your abdomen with essential oils diluted with a carrier oil. This will prevent the upset stomach from even starting.
• Direct inhalation: Add a few drops of essential oil to a handkerchief, tissue, or cloth, then cup this around your nose and mouth while inhaling slowly. This can help ease nausea and reduce motion sickness instantly.

Blends for Motion Sickness

Combining several essential oils together can help you enjoy the benefits of them all at the same time. Some favorite blends for motion sickness include:

• Equal parts peppermint and bergamot essential oils
• Equal parts ginger and lemon essential oils
• Equal parts peppermint and cardamom
• Three parts grapefruit, one part spearmint, and two parts ginger
• Equal parts spearmint and ginger

Learning to use essential oils to control nausea and prevent motion sickness can not only help you enjoy your travels much more, but it can allow you the freedom to do the thing you want. If you suffer from motion sickness, try out one of these essential oil remedies on your next road trip to see how essential oils can work for you.