How do I stop motion sickness naturally?

Sit facing forward, look at the horizon, get fresh air, eat light, and chew ginger or cardamom. Avoid screens while moving.

Does lemon help with vomiting during travel?

Many people find the smell and taste of lemon settles travel nausea. It is a simple traditional trick.

What should I eat before a long journey?

A light, non-greasy meal like poha, idli or toast 1–2 hours before travelling. Avoid heavy, oily or very spicy food.

Digestion5 min

Home remedies for motion sickness: ginger, lemon, a front seat and fresh air

Hill roads, long bus rides and boats can leave you queasy and dizzy. These home remedies for motion sickness help you travel more comfortably: chew a little ginger or cardamom, sniff or suck on lemon, sit in the front facing forward, keep a window open and eat light before you go.

Why travel makes us sick

Motion sickness happens when your eyes and inner ear send different signals to the brain — for example when you read in a moving car. Children, pregnant women and people with migraine are more prone to it.

Indian families often carry ginger candy, elaichi or a cut lemon on hill trips, a traditional way of keeping nausea at bay.

Ingredients

Ginger candy or thin slices of fresh ginger
A lemon, cut in half
A few green cardamom pods
A bottle of water

How to prepare

Pack ginger, lemon and cardamom in a small box for the journey.
Eat a light, non-greasy meal 1–2 hours before travel.

How to use

Chew a piece of ginger or ginger candy 30 minutes before travel and again during the trip if needed.
Sniff a cut lemon or suck on a lemon slice when nausea starts; chew a cardamom pod.
Sip water in small amounts through the journey.

Helpful habits

Sit in the front seat or over the wing in a plane, and look at the horizon.
Avoid reading or using the phone while moving.
Keep a window open for fresh air and take breaks on long drives.

Precautions

Ginger in large amounts may not suit people on blood thinners; small amounts are usually fine.
Ask a doctor before giving travel sickness medicines to children or taking them in pregnancy.
See a doctor if dizziness or vomiting happens without travel, or with headache, ear pain or hearing loss.

Frequently asked questions

How do I stop motion sickness naturally?: Sit facing forward, look at the horizon, get fresh air, eat light, and chew ginger or cardamom. Avoid screens while moving.
Does lemon help with vomiting during travel?: Many people find the smell and taste of lemon settles travel nausea. It is a simple traditional trick.
What should I eat before a long journey?: A light, non-greasy meal like poha, idli or toast 1–2 hours before travelling. Avoid heavy, oily or very spicy food.