Ginger Capsules for Travel Related Nausea and Motion Sickness

February 8th, 2023 | Motion Sickness, Nausea

Don’t Suffer from Motion Sickness

Ginger is a popular holistic alternative for several treatments and conditions. Ginger has demonstrated effects in treating colds, arthritis, migraines, and high blood pressure. It also shows particular promise in treating gastrointestinal (GI) related conditions such as diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting (1). This article will discuss gingers potential as it relates to travel-related nausea and motion sickness.

Nausea and Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is a common condition experienced by many. Feelings of stomach discomfort while in motion, be in a vehicle, boat, or other medium, can be very unpleasant. Experts think that motion sickness occurs because of gastric dysrhythmias, which are defined as abnormal electrical activity in the stomach. They also believe that increased levels of vasopressin, a hormone, could also contribute to feeling nauseous (2). Other possibilities include motion’s ability to increase movement through the GI tract

Currently, there are several marketed pharmaceutical options to help deal with motion sickness, including drug classes such as antihistamines and antimuscarinics. However, these medications are associated with several side effects, including fatigue, dry mouth, and low energy. Additionally, they are not always effective in managing symptoms. Thus, individuals may be seeking a holistic alternative like ginger to treat nausea.

Ginger and Nausea

Ginger is a natural herbal remedy that can treat conditions associated with nausea. For example, it has been used to alleviate nausea associated with morning sickness during pregnancy, chemotherapy, and postoperative ileus. Likewise, it also has therapeutic potential in alleviating motion sickness. Several studies have evaluated ginger’s efficacy in motion sickness.

One study analyzed 13 subjects with a history of motions sickness. Individuals received pretreatment with either ginger or placebo and then were exposed to feelings of movement. Findings demonstrated that 1,000 and 2,000 mg of ginger were associated with lower symptoms of nausea. Additionally, ginger delayed the start of nausea and shortened the time in which nausea was experienced (2).

Is Ginger Safe to Consume?

Ginger is relatively safe to consume at recommended dosages, although it can cause mild side effects. These side effects can include things such as gas, diarrhea, or heartburn. It is even safe to use during pregnancy at recommended doses. However, it can increase your risk of bleeding at higher dosages (3).

What Dose of Ginger is Best for Motion Sickness?

Ginger comes in several dosage strengths. For motion sickness, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommends a dose of 1,000 mg taken one hour prior to engaging in motion travel (4). However, the previously mentioned study found that both doses of 1,000 and 2,000 mg were effective in reducing symptoms of motion sickness (2).

How Can I Use Ginger for Motion Sickness?

There are several ways to consume ginger, as it comes in several pharmaceutical forms. These include ginger capsules, liquid extracts, syrups, and teas. It is even provided in topical form as gels and creams. For the purpose of motion sickness, an oral form of ginger such as ginger capsules would be most convenient to take on the go.

References

1. Lete I, Allué J. The effectiveness of ginger in the prevention of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and chemotherapy. Integr Med Insights. 2016 Mar 31;11:11–7.
2. Lien HC, Sun WM, Chen YH, Kim H, Hasler W, Owyang C. Effects of ginger on motion sickness and gastric slow-wave dysrhythmias induced by circular vection. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2003 Mar;284(3):G481-489.
3. Viljoen E, Visser J, Koen N, Musekiwa A. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting. Nutr J. 2014 Mar 19;13:20.
4. Lete I, Allué J. The effectiveness of ginger in the prevention of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and chemotherapy. Integr Med Insights. 2016 Mar 31;11:11–7.