Introduction
Vomiting or the usually preceding nausea can have numerous causes. From indigestion caused by the wrong food, to infectious gastrointestinal disease, to vomiting with symptoms like travel sickness. There are various household remedies which are said to have an antiemetic effect.
Antiemetic is derived from the Greek words anti and emesis and means “against vomiting“. Ginger is most often mentioned as a household remedy against vomiting. For example in the form of ginger tea.
To make this, peel the part of a ginger tuber, cut it into strips and pour hot (but not boiling) water over it. Ginger is said to be consumed in large quantities and can cause premature labor in pregnant women, so expectant mothers should not use this household remedy. Even simple slow deep inhalation and exhalation can be effective for mild forms of nausea.
In general, anyone who vomits or has vomited should consume as much liquid as possible afterwards to compensate for the loss of fluid. In the beginning, it is best to take sips. Do not forget: Vomiting can be an important indication of a dangerous situation, for example in case of poisoning. In this case, vomiting should not be prevented, as it acts as a protective mechanism of the body to get rid of the spoiled substances.
What home remedies against vomiting are available?
Vomiting occurs from time to time, especially in children, and is usually caused by a harmless virus infection. However, since vomiting is very unpleasant, one would like to avoid it as much as possible or breastfeed it quickly. General tips on how to behave when vomiting are bed rest and opening a window to let fresh air into the room.
Avoiding cigarettes, alcohol and coffee is also advisable, because the consumption of these things can make vomiting worse. Those affected should drink a lot to compensate for the loss of fluid during vomiting. However, the following applies: Drink still mineral water, because the carbonic acid in sparkling water can intensify the nausea.
Herbal teas (especially fennel, aniseed, caraway, camomile and peppermint) are also suitable for vomiting. The classic “cola and pretzel sticks” should only be tried if nothing else would be drunk (e.g. in children), because cola can irritate the stomach lining. Pretzel sticks are often well tolerated when vomiting.
Rusk and dry cookies or toast are also good tips. However, it is important when choosing a light diet: always eat small amounts of food so as not to trigger nausea again. If vomiting is accompanied by nausea, the situation becomes even more unpleasant for the patient.
In principle, all household remedies can be used, which also help well against vomiting. The smell of a lemon can reduce nausea. Ginger tea is highly recommended.
You can buy it in a pharmacy or drugstore or make it yourself with fresh ginger slices (pour hot water over it and let it steep for 10-15 minutes). Alternatively you can chew fresh ginger, suck a ginger candy or swallow ginger capsules (from the pharmacy or drugstore). Ginger blocks certain receptors in the intestine, which means that less of the nausea-causing substance serotonin can be absorbed.
or peppermint or peppermint chewing gum. The constant chewing stimulates digestion, saliva production increases and the enzymes in saliva work well against mild forms of nausea. Classical home remedies for nausea and vomiting are a finely grated apple (slightly browned in the air), banana (squashed to a pulp), carrot pulp or soup, steamed fennel vegetables (contains essential oils that work against nausea) and light soups (vegetable or chicken broth).
The so-called acupressure can also help: To do this, apply light pressure in the form of circular movements on the forearm about 5 cm from the wrist on the side of the palm for about 30 seconds. If necessary, several repetitions are possible. If vomiting and diarrhoea exist at the same time, there are, in addition to the above mentioned home remedies against vomiting, some tips that help specifically against diarrhoea.
Ginger is also recommended here, as it has a disinfecting effect and stimulates the immune system. A tea made from blackberry leaves can provide relief: Simply pour 250ml of boiling water over 2 teaspoons and let it steep for about eight minutes. Then drink several cups of it throughout the day.
(see also blackberry as a household remedy) A tea made from dried blueberries slows down the intestinal movement, in addition the tea has an anti-inflammatory effect on the intestinal mucosa. The same applies to black tea, but for this purpose it should be steeped longer than usual (about 10 minutes). (see also blueberry as a household remedy) The following foods are recommended for diarrhea: Bananas have a stuffing effect, you can eat them well with crushed rusks or crushed cookies.
The carrot soup, which is supposed to help against diarrhoea, is also a classic and well-known food. Caution: Sugary cola tends to promote diarrhea because of the sugar it contains, which draws even more water into the intestine. Against diarrhea and vomiting and diarrheaEven when vomiting with migraine, ginger is a popular household remedy: Either chew it pure, drink it as tea or swallow it as capsules.
Other tips are Swedish herbs, lavender, valerian or peppermint. Cold cloths, one on the forehead and one in the neck, are recommended to relieve headaches. These should remain on the skin for 10-15 minutes.
If you wish, you can rub these cloths with raw onions or fresh lemon. There is little that helps against nausea and vomiting, which occur after extensive alcohol consumption. In general, the body has a fluid deficit a few hours after drinking alcohol, because alcohol contains substances that stimulate urination.
This explains the pronounced thirst that many feel after excessive alcohol consumption. So the rule is: drink a lot (water or tea!). Herbal teas that are easy on the stomach, fresh air and sleep are the best remedies against nausea and vomiting after alcohol consumption.
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