Nausea is an unpleasant feeling – and can be highly disruptive too! Regardless of whether it’s caused by travel, motion, pregnancy, or illness, most of us will experience nausea at some point in our lives and will be left looking for a way to relieve it.
Did you know certain Essential Oils can help alleviate the feeling of nausea when used in aromatherapy practices? In this article, we explore the top 7 Essential Oils that can help calm an upset stomach or reduce feelings of nausea naturally.
Benefits of Essential Oils for Nausea
Nausea is one of those uncomfortable feelings that can stop you in your tracks. Whether it’s triggered by travel, stress, digestive issues, illness, or hormonal changes, that queasy, unsettled sensation can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming. And when you’ve got work to do, classes to attend, or a family to look after, taking time out to rest isn’t always possible.
It’s no surprise that many people are now turning to gentle, natural ways to support their wellbeing – and it’s the same with nausea. Essential oils offer a simple and accessible option, using aroma to help calm the stomach, ease discomfort, and restore a sense of balance. When used through diffusion or inhalation, they provide a non-invasive way to feel more comfortable and get back to your day.
But how exactly do Essential Oils help you? It’s largely down to their natural carminative and spasmodic properties that target issues like digestive and stomach discomfort, nausea, and inflammation. Here are some of the key ways natural Essential Oils may combat those feelings:
- Promote relaxation, helping to calm the nervous system and reduce tension that can contribute to digestive upset
- Decompress the mind, easing mental overload and anxious thoughts that are often linked to nausea or stomach discomfort
- Relax the muscles, including smooth muscle tension in the digestive tract that may cause cramping or spasms
- Decrease feelings of stress, which can play a significant role in triggering or worsening digestive symptoms
Not only natural; Essential Oils are an inexpensive alternative to many over-the-counter remedies too!
Top 7 Essential Oils for Nausea
When it comes to nausea relief, there are several oils that offer a solution. Here are some of our favourite aromatherapy oils for nausea:
Ginger Essential Oil
When talking about the best Essential Oils for nausea, Ginger Essential Oil is widely regarded as a go-to choice.
Ginger releases an earthy, invigorating, spicy aroma when diffused, that is known to relieve symptoms of nausea and promote overall health. In fact, a 2017 study found that patients who inhaled Ginger Oil after abdominal surgery reported lower instances of nausea and vomiting. Additionally, with a high concentration of Gingerol - known to alleviate digestive and bowel discomfort – it'slittle wonder that many people with nausea turn to Ginger Oil to relieve their symptoms.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint Essential Oil has a subtle, yet cool, crisp aroma that is believed to ease stomach and digestive discomfort; for this reason it is a popular choice amongst those wanting to alleviate feelings of nausea. Along with its antispasmodic properties that are known to relax the muscles, Peppermint Oil also acts as an antiemetic – reducing feelings of sickness and the act of vomiting.
One 2020 clinical study on postoperative patients supports this, showing that inhaling Peppermint Oil may help reduce feelings of nausea in the hours following surgery. So, if you’ve been wondering does Peppermint help with nausea, it seems the answer could well be “Yes!”.
Cardamom Essential Oil
Another well-regarded choice among Essential Oils for nausea is Cardamom Oil.
With a fresh yet spicy aroma, Cardamom Oil has been used since the 4th century to relieve digestive and intestinal issues. Its naturally occurring carminative and antispasmodic properties can help ease nausea and indigestion while improving blood circulation and reducing fatigue. What's more, a 2013 study found that when blended and diffused with other essential oils such as Ginger and Peppermint, Cardamom Oil reduced the feelings of nausea in postoperative patients.
Fennel Essential Oil
Fennel is another popular option among Essential Oils for nausea, particularly when digestion is involved.
The sweet and earthy aroma of Fennel Essential Oil is said to alleviate upset stomachs by helping with digestion, bloating and intestinal discomfort. With its antispasmodic and carminative abilities, Fennel Essential Oil may also help with digestive cramps and is a popular choice for those wanting to relieve nervous tension.
Lemon Essential Oil
Fresh, clean and uplifting, Lemon Essential Oil is widely used to help ease feelings of nausea and digestive discomfort.
Its bright citrussy aroma is often associated with calming the stomach and refreshing the senses, making it a popular choice for motion sickness, pregnancy-related nausea, and general queasiness. Lemon Oil is also known for its gentle detoxifying and mood-lifting properties, which may further support overall comfort when nausea strikes.
Spearmint Essential Oil
Spearmint Essential Oil is a gentle, refreshing option often used to help ease nausea and digestive discomfort.
Offering a softer, sweeter alternative to Peppermint, it’s known for its antispasmodic and calming properties, which may help settle an upset stomach, reduce cramping, and ease mild nausea. This gentler profile makes Spearmint a popular choice for those who find Peppermint too strong.
Lavender Essential Oil
When nausea is tied to stress or nervous tension, Lavender Essential Oil can be especially comforting.
Lavender Oil is perhaps best known for its calming and relaxing properties, which can be particularly helpful when nausea is linked to anxiety or emotional strain. Its soft floral aroma is often used to soothe the nervous system, promote relaxation, and ease stomach discomfort associated with emotional or situational triggers.
How to Use Essential Oils for Nausea
Diffusing: Add a few drops of Essential Oils like Peppermint, Lemon or Lavender to your aromatherapy diffuser to create a calming environment that may help ease nausea.
Inhaling: Place one drop of an Essential Oil like Ginger, Cardamon or Spearmint onto a tissue or handkerchief and inhale gently from a distance, avoiding direct skin contact (this can cause irritation).
Warm Bath: Add a few drops of Ginger, Cardamon, Fennel or Lavender to a warm bath to promote relaxation and help relieve stress-related nausea.
Topical Application: Add a few drops of Essential Oil (see dilution guidelines below) into a carrier oil, and gently massage the abdomen in a clockwise direction, to help ease digestion discomfort.
Essential Oil Safety Guidelines
Essential Oils are extremely concentrated, and it’s important to follow a few safety rules when diffusing and diluting them – particularly for nausea relief.
When diffusing Essential Oils for nausea, always ensure that you are a safe distance from the diffuser. Additionally, we advise against directly inhaling the vapour from the diffuser or vaporiseras this can irritate the sinuses.
If your nausea persists or worsens over 48 hours, or if you begin to feel dehydrated, stop using essential oils and contact your GP or health care professional.
Note: All Essential Oils are potent and can cause serious harm if used incorrectly. As such, AWO suggests the following:
- In line with the Therapeutic Goods Act, we do not recommend ingesting essential oils without the guidance of a registered Aromatherapist or Naturopath.
- Avoid using essential oils during pregnancy and when breastfeeding.
- We recommend storing your essential oils in a cool, dry place at room temperature, ensuring that they are not directly exposed to sunlight and are out of reach of children or pets.
- Essential oils can be very concentrated and are likely to cause irritation or reactions if applied directly to the skin. For this reason, it is important to first dilute your essential oils before using topically (on the skin). Follow our topical dilution guideline below:
Other Natural Ways to Help Manage Nausea
While Essential Oils can offer gentle, natural support, there are several other steps you can take to help manage nausea.
Many people find relief by combining a few everyday strategies like these ones:
- Practising deep breathing to help calm the nervous system and ease that unsettled feeling in the stomach
- Getting plenty of rest to help prevent fatigue – which can often make nausea feel worse
- Staying well hydrated by taking small, frequent sips of water or herbal teas rather than large amounts at once
- Eating light, easy-to-digest foods and avoiding rich, spicy, or greasy meals while feeling unwell
- Reducing strong smells or sensory triggers that may intensify feelings of nausea
- Using fresh air and gentle movement – for example, stepping outside or taking a short walk to help the body feel more balanced
Combining these supportive habits with natural remedies like essential oils can help you feel more comfortable and better equipped to get through the day when nausea strikes.
If symptoms are ongoing or severe, it’s always a good idea to speak with your GP or another qualified health professional for personalised advice.
Where to Buy Essential Oils for Nausea
Essential Oils for nausea are generally available to purchase at health, wellness and retail stores, but keep in mind that the purity and quality of these oils will vary from one store to the next. For this reason, we recommend finding a reputable supplier.
Here at AWO, we have a wide selection of 100% pure essential oils and organic essential oils that are sold at reasonable prices. Because our stock is purchased in bulk quantities, our costs are significantly less, allowing us to offer our high-quality products at affordable prices. We are also based right here in Australia!
FAQs
Can Peppermint help with nausea?
Peppermint Essential Oil is widely used to help ease feelings of nausea and digestive discomfort. Its cool, refreshing scent is believed to calm the stomach and relax the digestive muscles, which can be particularly helpful when nausea is linked to indigestion, motion sickness, or general queasiness.
What is the best essential oil for motion sickness?
There isn’t a single “best” essential oil for motion sickness, as different oils suit different people and situations. However, some of the most commonly used Essential Oils for motion sickness include Peppermint, Ginger, Lemon, and Spearmint. These oils are often chosen for their digestive-supporting, calming, or refreshing properties and are frequently used in aromatherapy to help ease car sickness, sea sickness, or travel-related nausea.
Which essential oils best suit different types of nausea?
Many essential oils can be used to support different types of nausea, depending on the underlying cause. For example, Peppermint Essential Oil for car sickness is a popular choice due to its cooling, stomach-settling aroma, while Ginger Essential Oil is often used for digestive-related nausea. Lemon and Spearmint Oils are commonly chosen for general queasiness, and Lavender Oil may be helpful when nausea is linked to stress or anxiety.