Motion Sickness
Definition
Seasickness, airsickness, car sickness, swing sickness.
Causes
Excessive motion causes the vestibular apparatus of the ear, the
eyes, and the sensory nerves to send conflicting signals to the brain,
where the brain then misinterprets them.
Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, and vertigo induced by irregular or rhythmic movements.
Severe headaches may occur. If severe,
an attack can make the sufferer completely uncoordinated. Women are
affected more often than men. Children under the age of two and the
elderly are generally unaffected by excessive motion.
Other symptoms may be loss of appetite,
excess salivation, cold sweats, sleepiness, and dizziness.
Nutrients
Charcoal tablets, 5 tablets 1 hour before the trip.
Ginger capsules, 2 tablets every 3 hours,
beginning 1 hour before the trip, is good for nausea
and upset stomach. Magnesiu
m, 500 mg. 1 hour before the trip, acts
as a nerve tonic. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), 100
mg. 1 hour before the trip, 100 mg.
2 hours later, relieves nausea. Dimenhydrinate (trade
name for Dramamine), taken as directed on the label, is an over-the-counter
drug (not always effective).
Herbs
TB
- Anise
- Aspen, quaking
- Balm of Gilead
- Basil
- Capsicum
- Chamomile
- Clover, red
- Cloves
- Colombo
- Elderberry
- Fumitory
- Gentian
- Ginger
- Ginkgo
- Goldenrod
- Goldenseal (will stop nausea during pregnancy)
- Hops
- Horsemint
- Lavender
- Lemon Balm
- Marjoram, sweet
- Melilot, yellow
- Mint
- Origanum
- Oswego tea
- Patchouli
- Peach, leaves
- Pennyroyal (don't' take if pregnant)
- Peppermint
- Raspberry, red
- Sage
- Sanicle
- Savory
- Solomon's seal
- Spearmint
- Sweet balm
- Valerian
- Wood sorrel, creeping
- Yam, wild
Recommendations
Prevention is the key word here. Do not eat heavily processed meals,
consume alcohol, or eat junk foods. Take whole grain crackers with
you and eat a few before and during the trip. Avoid smoke and food
odors. Stay cool, if possible. If at sea, lie down and close yours
eyes at the first sign of motion sickness.
Suggestions
Over-the-counter Dramamine may possibly stop or prevent an attack
but sleepiness is often a side effect.
Tea Blend for nausea and vomiting:
| Chamomile flowers |
|
.70 |
| Peppermint leaves |
|
.35 |
| Lemon balm leaves |
|
.35 |
| Hop cones |
|
.17 |
Pour 8 oz (1/4 L) of boiling water over 2 heaping tbsp.
of mixture, let steep, covered, for 10 minutes, then strain.
Drink 2 to 3 cups per day, as needed.
|
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