4.8
Motion Sickness: natural remedies and the evidence behind them
Motion sickness is the uncomfortable feeling of nausea, dizziness, and unease that occurs when your brain receives conflicting signals from your eyes, inner…
6 options · 2 graded B · 2 graded C · 2 traditional or ungraded
When motion sickness hits (or you know it's coming), how would you rather handle it?
I want to get ahead of it — something I take or put on before the car, boat, or plane even moves
PC6 (Neiguan) - Pericardium 6
Supported by smaller clinical studies· Centuries of traditional use (Evidence grade B · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleThe go-to wrist point for travel nausea
- Why this matches
- You wanted something you can do yourself in the moment — PC6 is the inner-wrist point that anti-nausea travel bands target, and you can press it anytime.
- Why try it
- PC6 (Neiguan) is one of the best-known pressure points for easing the nausea of motion sickness.
- Dose or use
- Find PC6 three finger-widths below the wrist crease, between the two tendons on the inner forearm. Press firmly for 2-3 minutes on each wrist, repeating as nausea rises.
- Time to results
- Often within minutes
- Key study
- Randomized controlled trial (2001, PMID 11452572): 'Acupressure relieves the symptoms of motion sickness and reduces abnormal gastric activity' - pressing the P6 (Neiguan) point with a wristband reduced motion-sickness symptoms versus control. Encouraging but from a small trial, and effects differ between people.
- Caution
- Very safe; avoid pressing over broken or irritated skin. If you use a pressure band, loosen it if your fingers start to tingle.
Acupressure
Supported by smaller clinical studies· Centuries of traditional use (Evidence grade B · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleDIY pressure point you can use anywhere
- Why this matches
- Acupressure wristbands or finger pressure can be applied instantly during travel without any professional help.
- Why try it
- Traditionally used to calm nausea by applying firm pressure to the P6 (Neiguan) point on the inner wrist.
- Dose or use
- Press firmly 2-3 min on the P6 point (three finger-widths below the wrist crease, between the two tendons), both wrists, 1-2x as needed.
- Time to results
- Often within minutes of application
- Key study
- Randomized controlled trial (2001, PMID 11452572): 'Acupressure relieves the symptoms of motion sickness and reduces abnormal gastric activity' - a P6/Neiguan acupressure wristband eased motion-sickness symptoms in susceptibility-screened subjects in a rotating drum. Supportive but from a small study, so results can vary from person to person.
- Caution
- Generally very safe; avoid pressing over broken skin or irritated areas.
Ginger
Centuries of traditional use· Limited human trials so far (Evidence grade C · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleClassic anti-nausea herb you can carry
- Why this matches
- You wanted a natural remedy to carry and take — ginger travels easily as chews, capsules, or tea you can use before or during a trip.
- Why try it
- Ginger is one of the most widely used natural remedies for settling a queasy, nauseated stomach.
- Dose or use
- Try 250-500 mg of ginger (capsule or chew) about 30-60 minutes before travel, repeating every few hours as needed. Ginger tea or a piece of candied ginger works too.
- Time to results
- Often within 30-60 minutes
- Key study
- Clinical study (2020, PMID 32714473): 'Clinical Evaluation of the Use of Ginger Extract in the Preventive Management of Motion Sickness' - ginger extract improved motion-sickness questionnaire scores in an open-label, single-arm evaluation. This was uncontrolled and the broader evidence is mixed (a recent analysis found no clear preventive effect), so ginger may help settle queasiness for some people but is not guaranteed to work.
- Caution
- May cause mild heartburn; high doses can have a blood-thinning effect, so check with your doctor if you take blood thinners or are pregnant.
I'd rather use my own hands the moment queasiness rises — press a point on my wrist or foot, no supplies needed
PC6 (Neiguan) - Pericardium 6
Supported by smaller clinical studies· Centuries of traditional use (Evidence grade B · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleThe go-to wrist point for travel nausea
- Why this matches
- You wanted something you can do yourself in the moment — PC6 is the inner-wrist point that anti-nausea travel bands target, and you can press it anytime.
- Why try it
- PC6 (Neiguan) is one of the best-known pressure points for easing the nausea of motion sickness.
- Dose or use
- Find PC6 three finger-widths below the wrist crease, between the two tendons on the inner forearm. Press firmly for 2-3 minutes on each wrist, repeating as nausea rises.
- Time to results
- Often within minutes
- Key study
- Randomized controlled trial (2001, PMID 11452572): 'Acupressure relieves the symptoms of motion sickness and reduces abnormal gastric activity' - pressing the P6 (Neiguan) point with a wristband reduced motion-sickness symptoms versus control. Encouraging but from a small trial, and effects differ between people.
- Caution
- Very safe; avoid pressing over broken or irritated skin. If you use a pressure band, loosen it if your fingers start to tingle.
Acupressure
Supported by smaller clinical studies· Centuries of traditional use (Evidence grade B · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleDIY pressure point you can use anywhere
- Why this matches
- Acupressure wristbands or finger pressure can be applied instantly during travel without any professional help.
- Why try it
- Traditionally used to calm nausea by applying firm pressure to the P6 (Neiguan) point on the inner wrist.
- Dose or use
- Press firmly 2-3 min on the P6 point (three finger-widths below the wrist crease, between the two tendons), both wrists, 1-2x as needed.
- Time to results
- Often within minutes of application
- Key study
- Randomized controlled trial (2001, PMID 11452572): 'Acupressure relieves the symptoms of motion sickness and reduces abnormal gastric activity' - a P6/Neiguan acupressure wristband eased motion-sickness symptoms in susceptibility-screened subjects in a rotating drum. Supportive but from a small study, so results can vary from person to person.
- Caution
- Generally very safe; avoid pressing over broken skin or irritated areas.
SP4 (Gongsun) - Spleen 4
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleA foot point to pair with wrist pressure
- Why this matches
- You wanted a self-applied trick — SP4 on the inner foot is a classic partner to the wrist point for calming nausea, and you can press it while seated.
- Why try it
- SP4 (Gongsun) is traditionally used for nausea and vomiting, including from motion sickness.
- Dose or use
- Find SP4 on the inner edge of the foot, in the hollow below and just forward of the big-toe joint. Press firmly for 2-3 minutes on each foot, repeating as needed.
- Time to results
- Often within minutes
- Key study
- Traditionally used for nausea and vomiting from motion sickness; this specific use rests on traditional practice rather than a cited clinical trial here.
- Caution
- Very safe; avoid pressing over broken or irritated skin, and skip it if you have an injury in that part of the foot.
My motion sickness keeps coming back — I'd consider seeing a practitioner for longer-lasting relief
Acupressure
Supported by smaller clinical studies· Centuries of traditional use (Evidence grade B · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleDIY pressure point you can use anywhere
- Why this matches
- Acupressure wristbands or finger pressure can be applied instantly during travel without any professional help.
- Why try it
- Traditionally used to calm nausea by applying firm pressure to the P6 (Neiguan) point on the inner wrist.
- Dose or use
- Press firmly 2-3 min on the P6 point (three finger-widths below the wrist crease, between the two tendons), both wrists, 1-2x as needed.
- Time to results
- Often within minutes of application
- Key study
- Randomized controlled trial (2001, PMID 11452572): 'Acupressure relieves the symptoms of motion sickness and reduces abnormal gastric activity' - a P6/Neiguan acupressure wristband eased motion-sickness symptoms in susceptibility-screened subjects in a rotating drum. Supportive but from a small study, so results can vary from person to person.
- Caution
- Generally very safe; avoid pressing over broken skin or irritated areas.
Acupuncture
Centuries of traditional use· Limited human trials so far (Evidence grade C · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staplePractitioner-delivered sessions for ongoing support
- Why this matches
- Acupuncture requires a trained practitioner and is better suited to those who want ongoing, in-clinic care for recurrent motion sickness.
- Why try it
- Traditionally used to support the body's balance and reduce nausea by stimulating specific meridian points.
- Dose or use
- Delivered by a licensed acupuncturist, not self-administered; a typical course is several sessions over 2-4 weeks, often targeting the PC6 (Neiguan) point for nausea. Share your motion-sickness triggers so the practitioner can tailor the points.
- Time to results
- Typically after several sessions over 2-4 weeks
- Key study
- Randomized trial (2014, PMID 25112084): '[Controlled observation of the efficacy on motion sickness with jianpixingnao needling therapy]' - an acupuncture point protocol that included PC6 (Neiguan) lowered motion-sickness symptom scores versus a delayed-treatment group. The trial was small with a waitlist (not sham) control, so the evidence is limited and the benefit is uncertain.
- Caution
- Seek a licensed acupuncturist; let them know about any blood-thinning medications or bleeding disorders.
I'd rather pack something natural to chew, sip, or sniff when my stomach turns — like ginger or peppermint
Ginger
Centuries of traditional use· Limited human trials so far (Evidence grade C · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleClassic anti-nausea herb you can carry
- Why this matches
- You wanted a natural remedy to carry and take — ginger travels easily as chews, capsules, or tea you can use before or during a trip.
- Why try it
- Ginger is one of the most widely used natural remedies for settling a queasy, nauseated stomach.
- Dose or use
- Try 250-500 mg of ginger (capsule or chew) about 30-60 minutes before travel, repeating every few hours as needed. Ginger tea or a piece of candied ginger works too.
- Time to results
- Often within 30-60 minutes
- Key study
- Clinical study (2020, PMID 32714473): 'Clinical Evaluation of the Use of Ginger Extract in the Preventive Management of Motion Sickness' - ginger extract improved motion-sickness questionnaire scores in an open-label, single-arm evaluation. This was uncontrolled and the broader evidence is mixed (a recent analysis found no clear preventive effect), so ginger may help settle queasiness for some people but is not guaranteed to work.
- Caution
- May cause mild heartburn; high doses can have a blood-thinning effect, so check with your doctor if you take blood thinners or are pregnant.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleSoothing mint to settle a queasy stomach
- Why this matches
- You wanted a natural remedy to carry — peppermint travels easily as tea, lozenges, or a dab of oil to sniff when nausea builds.
- Why try it
- Peppermint's cooling aroma and menthol are traditionally used to calm an unsettled, queasy stomach.
- Dose or use
- Sip peppermint tea, suck a peppermint lozenge, or inhale a drop of peppermint oil from a tissue when nausea rises; use as needed during travel.
- Time to results
- Often within minutes
- Key study
- Peppermint is a traditional settle-the-stomach remedy for nausea; its specific use for motion sickness is based on tradition and common practice, not on a cited clinical trial here.
- Caution
- Can worsen acid reflux or heartburn in some people; keep essential oil away from your eyes and never apply it undiluted to skin.
Evidence grades describe the strength of published research for Motion Sickness, not a promise of results. Nothing here is medical advice — talk to your clinician before starting anything, especially alongside prescription medication.