Motion Sickness Remedies: Facts on Homeopathics, Ginger, and Motion Sickness Bracelets by Dr. Melead

Question for Dr. Leia: I am going on a cruise for Christmas, and I have mixed feelings about it.

I really want to go, but I am afraid I might get sick from the rocking and rolling motion of the ship. I really want this to be a wonderful experience, but I am worried that I will be miserable.

Do you know of any motion sickness remedies? I have heard of a motion sickness bracelet, but have my doubts that it would work for me. I would love a natural remedy over a prescription motion sickness medicine because I really don't like taking products that are not natural. Thank you for considering my question. Best, Silvia.

Dr. Leia's Answer: Dear Silvia, You didn't mention the size of your cruise ship and how long your trip would last. Usually larger ocean vessels won't cause much rocking and rolling on the sea as would a smaller vessel such as a catamaran or a sailing boat. At any rate, here are a few tips for both prevention and treatment using natural methods.

First, at least one day before boarding the ship and during the trip, you could begin taking ginger in the form of powder, ginger slices, capsules or tincture form, all of which are readily available at your local health food store or drug store. Try to keep the dose of ginger constant in your body, by taking it two or three times per day, in the morning, noon, and evening. It is best to avoid ginger candies since they contain too much sugar, although some people have been found that ginger snap cookies and ginger ale can help with milder cases of motion sickness. Since each person experiences sea sickness differently, you may find that there are also various responses to different forms and strengths or remedies.

Also, before boarding the ship, you should be well rested and hydrated, meaning that you should be drinking at least 8-10 glasses of water each day. Dehydration increases your susceptibility to motion sickness. Make sure that you drink water, and not other beverages when measuring your liquid intake. Juices and other drinks are not a substitute for water. To make sure that you do not become dehydrated during your trip, it is best to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages and coffee before or during your voyage.

Alcohol can easily dehydrate your body, and coffee is a diuretic, which means that it flushes water out of your body. Your diet for a few days before and during your time on the ship is also very important. Eating lightly and staying away from rich, fatty, acidic, and heavy foods which may cause indigestion could also contribute to nausea, one of the symptoms of sea sickness. Dizziness or vertigo is the other common symptom of sea or motion sickness.

A motion sickness bracelet has also been effective to prevent sea sickness in many people. The premise of the bracelet is that it stimulates a key acupressure point on the inner side of the wrist area. This acupressure point, called Pericardium 6, is a potent point for nausea, vomiting, indigestion, weakness, dizziness, and worry. These bracelets have a button or magnet which provides a continuous pressure on this acupoint, thus stimulating the area. If one feels the onset of nausea or dizziness, then it is a simple, effective matter to gently press on this button.

Another possible remedy for motion sickness is a homeopathic called Belladonna, which is the Latin name of the plant from which Scopalamine is derived. Scopalamine is the chemical drug commonly recommended for sea/motion sickness. Since homeopathic remedies are safe, contain no harmful side effects, and no harmful chemical substances, then it would be worth a try to add this natural remedy to your repertoire. You may take it in a dosage of 6c or 30c, which are the lower homeopathic dosages recommended for prevention.

Combined with the above mentioned bracelet, ginger, diet, and the other prevention and cautionary methods, you could have potent natural resources for a motion sickness remedy to help you have a smooth, safe, comfortable, and healthy voyage. Bon voyage!

By Dr. Leia Melead

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