Herb for Sea Sickness

Seasickness and motion sickness can be bothersome, but many over-the-counter products sold for these conditions make you sleepy. The herb ginger is an effective alternative to motion sickness medications, without the drowsy side effects.

Benefits

• The phenols and oils, like gingerols and shogaols, in ginger are good for preventing nausea. Ginger is so effective at preventing nausea that some cancer patients take it after chemotherapy to reduce vomiting.

Identification

• Ginger is a rhizome with roots that grow deeply in the ground. The stem can extend out of the ground as much as 12 inches and has narrow, ribbed green leaves and white or yellow-green flowers.

History

• Ginger has been used for vomiting, colic and other gastrointestinal disorders for at least 2,000 years in China. Ginger is also a common element of Asian, Indian, Native American and Arabic herbal medicine.

Dosage

• Take 1 g powdered ginger root daily, broken into three or four doses. Capsules are available from health food stores, as are teas and tinctures. For seasickness, take ginger 30 minutes before sailing to prevent nausea.

Side Effects

• Ginger is usually well tolerated in moderate doses, but rare side effects have occurred with excess amounts, including mouth irritation, diarrhea and mild heartburn. Ginger may have anticoagulant properties, so anyone taking a blood thinning medication should check with her physician before taking ginger.