Homeopathic Remedies for Motion Sickness

Homeopathy is based on the principle of "like cures like." The remedies, which are generally dilutions of natural substances from plants, minerals, and animals, are selected to specifically match a person's individual symptom pattern. Here are some homeopathic remedies that are used for motion sickness.

Argentum Nitricum

Homeopaths 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.

Borax

The symptom associated with this remedy is a fear of downward motion, such as during the landing of an airplane.

Cocculus Indicus

This is the most popular remedy for motion sickness. Nausea, especially when it worsens with the sight or smell of food, is a keynote of this remedy. 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 worsens nausea and dizziness.

Kali Bichromicum

This remedy is used for seasickness. It's often used for severe nausea and dizziness that's worse from 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.

Nux Vomica

This remedy 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.

Petroleum

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.

Rhus Toxicodendron

This remedy is often used for airsickness when there is 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

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.

Combination of Remedies

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.

Using Homeopathy for Motion Sickness

Due to a lack of supporting research, it's too soon to recommend homeopathy for motion sickness treatment.

Supplements haven't been tested for safety and 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. Also keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established. If you're considering the use of homeopathy, talk with your primary care provider first. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.

Sources:

Gibson DM. First Aid Homeopathy. The British Homeopathic Association. London, England. 1997.

Kruzel T. The Homeopathic Emergency Guide. North Atlantic Books and Homeopathic Educational Services. Berkeley, CA 1992.

Lessell CB. The World Travellers' Manual of Homeopathy. C.W. Daniel Company Limited. Essex, England. 1993.

Lininger S, Gaby A, Austin S, Brown DJ, Wright JV, Duncan A. The Natural Pharmacy, 2nd Edition. Prima Health and Healthnotes, Inc., 1999.

Morrison R. Desktop Companion to Physical Pathology. Hahnemann Clinic Publishing Nevada City, CA. 1998.

Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstances or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen.