Homeopathic Remedies for Motion Sickness

Homeopathy is a system of complementary or alternative medicine based on the principle of "like cures like." The remedies, which are generally highly diluted compounds of natural substances from plants, minerals, and animals, are selected to specifically match a person's individual symptom pattern. Although the substances the medicines are made from might cause sickness in a higher concentration, the dosages are quite small in homeopathy and generally do not pose a risk.

Here are some homeopathic remedies that are used for motion sickness.

Homeopaths (people trained in homeopathy) may suggest this remedy for someone with dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, especially if the person is excitable and anxious. .The person may also feel claustrophobic.It is made from silver nitrate.

Borax is a type of salt, also called sodium borate. The symptom associated with this remedy is a fear of downward motion, such as during the landing of an airplane.

Cocculus indicus is made from the seeds of a shrub called the Indian cockle. This is the most popular remedy for motion sickness. Nausea, especially when it worsens with the sight or smell of food, is a key symptom this remedy is used for. The person may feel extremely weak and dizzy and have to lie down or may have an empty or hollow feeling in the stomach. Symptoms may be worse after becoming cold, moving about or from lack of sleep. This remedy is often used for car or sea sickness when watching moving objects worsen nausea and dizziness.

This remedy, made from potassium dichromate, is used for seasickness. It's often used for severe nausea and dizziness that worsens with standing up. The person may feel weak and achy, especially in the bony areas of the face or head. The vomit may be bright yellow.

This remedy, made from the strychnine tree, is used for severe nausea with an intense headache that may be at the back of the head or over one eye. The person desires warmth and loathes food, tobacco, and coffee. There may also be bloating, gagging and possibly retching with nothing coming up.

This remedy is also often referred to as parrafin oil. Persistent nausea with an empty feeling in the stomach suggests this remedy, especially if the person feels a little better after warmth and eating food. There may be excessive salivation, stomach pain, and pain or stiffness at the back of the head or neck. The person may feel worse with light, noise or when attempting to sit up.

This remedy is made from the poison ivy plant. It is extremely diluted and will not cause a skin or internal reaction. Rhus toxicodendron is often used for air sickness when there are nausea and vomiting but no appetite. The person may feel very giddy when attempting to sit up, may have an intense headache around the forehead, and his or her scalp may feel sensitive to the touch. There may also be dryness of the mouth and throat and unquenchable thirst.

Tabacum is made from the tobacco plant. If a person is nauseous, faint, green, extremely pale, icy cold, or very tired with a terrible sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach, this remedy may be indicated. These symptoms may also be accompanied by a cold sweat, yellow or yellow-green vomit and a headache that feels like a tight band pulled around the head. The person may feel better with cold, fresh air or when closing the eyes, and worse with any movement.

Cocculus indicus, petroleum, and tabacum can be used in combination. If the latter two remedies are unavailable, cocculus indicus is the most common single remedy for motion sickness.

In general, supplements like homeopathic remedies haven't been tested for safety. Due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the product label. Keep in mind that the safety of supplements in children, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or people with medical conditions or who are taking medication have not been established.

If you're considering the use of homeopathy for motion sickness, talk with your primary care provider first. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.