A conflicting signal between the ears and the eyes to the brain is believed to be one of the most common causes of motion sickness. The inner ear (which controls balance) signals motion but the eyes tell the brain everything is still. The opposite signals confuse the brain and motion sickness occurs.
Other possible causes of motion sickness include:
- anxiety
- tension
- fear
- over tiredness
- offensive odors.
Prevent motion sickness in a car:
- sit in the front seat
- don't read
- keep your eyes on the horizon
- keep your head still by resting it against the back of the seat
- sit in front of the air vents and allow the air to blow on your face.
Prevent motion sickness on a plane:
- 24 hours before you travel, eat light meals that are low in calories
- the night before you travel, avoid alcohol, salty foods, and greasy meals
- sit by the wing or toward the front of the plane
- direct the air vent flow in front of your face.
Prevent motion sickness on a boat:
- get a cabin toward the front of the ship or on the upper deck
- keep your eyes on visible land or on the horizon.
Ginger standardized extract. Take 250 mg 3 times a day.
Ginger tea. Add 1/2 teaspoon of ginger powder to 8 ounces of hot water and steep for 5-10 minutes. Drink 2-4 cups per day.
Ginger ale. Add 1/2 teaspoon of powdered ginger and 1 teaspoon of red raspberry leaves to 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Remove, steep for 10 minutes, and strain. Add 1 cup of carbonated water and add 1 slice of lemon. Drink as needed.
Peppermint standardized extract. Take 1 enteric coated tablet 2-3 times daily.
Peppermint tea. Add 1 teaspoon of dried ginger leaf to 1 cup of hot water and steep for 5-10 minutes. Drink 2-4 cups a day.
Black horehound tea. Add 1-2 teaspoons of leaves to 1 cup of hot water and steep for 5-10 minutes. Drink 3 times daily.
To help prevent motion sickness, it is best to take the above remedies 20-30 minutes before you travel and to keep it in your system by using as directed.
Please read this disclaimer regarding the information contained within this article.