Natural Remedies to Prevent Motion Sickness Without Medication

Instead of relying on motion sickness pills, you can try these natural methods to stay alert and comfortable during long journeys.

Motion sickness occurs when traveling by car, boat, train, or airplane, and it happens because of a conflict between what your eyes see and what your inner ear feels. Common symptoms include dizziness, nausea or vomiting, sweating, and a drop in blood pressure. Medically, this condition is known as motion-induced vestibular disorder.

To help you travel long distances without getting sick, here are several simple yet effective natural remedies you can try:

1. Using Ginger to Prevent Motion Sickness

According to traditional Eastern medicine, ginger has been used for centuries to relieve nausea and improve digestion. About 30 minutes before your trip, chew or crush a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger (peeled and washed) and drink it with a cup of warm water. During the journey, you can also keep a small slice of ginger in your mouth to help prevent nausea.

Ginger has a spicy and warm nature and is known to benefit the lungs, spleen, and stomach meridians. It helps disperse cold, promote blood circulation, and reduce inflammation. Herbal practitioners often use three to five slices of raw ginger—called “Sheng Jiang” in traditional Chinese medicine—even for patients with different body constitutions.

Raw ginger works especially well for preventing nausea and vomiting. Unlike medication, it doesn’t cause side effects such as drowsiness or dry mouth, making it a safe and natural alternative for travelers.

🟡 Extra tip: If you dislike the strong flavor, you can drink ginger tea with honey, or take ginger candy made from natural extracts for a more pleasant option.

2. Using Tangerine or Orange Peel

About an hour before traveling, peel a tangerine or orange and gently fold the peel in half so that the aromatic oils are released. Hold the peel close to your nose and inhale the fragrance about ten times. You can repeat this anytime during your trip.

The essential oils in citrus peel—mainly limonene and flavonoids—help calm the nervous system and reduce dizziness. The refreshing scent also neutralizes unpleasant odors from fuel or car interiors that may trigger nausea.

🟡 Bonus idea: You can dry orange peels and store them in a small cloth bag to carry with you. Sniffing it occasionally provides a calming, anti-nausea effect throughout your journey.

3. Pressing the Nei-Guan Acupressure Point

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners often recommend stimulating the Nei-Guan point (P6) to prevent motion sickness. This pressure point is located about three finger-widths above the wrist crease, between the two tendons in the middle of your inner forearm.

Apply gentle, circular pressure to this spot using your thumb for 2–3 minutes on each wrist before and during your trip. This method helps regulate energy flow, calm the stomach, and reduce nausea naturally.

🟡 Tip: If you travel often, consider wearing acupressure wristbands designed to stimulate this point continuously—they’re especially useful on flights or long car rides.

4. Eating or Smelling Bread

It may sound unusual, but eating or smelling fresh bread can also help prevent motion sickness. When you eat bread, the pancreas releases an enzyme called trypsin, which interacts with amino acids in the bread to help stabilize the nervous system.

Additionally, the mild scent of baked bread can mask unpleasant odors from fuel or air conditioning inside the vehicle, helping reduce nausea and dizziness.

🟡 Tip: Choose plain or slightly toasted bread instead of sweet pastries, as sugar can sometimes worsen nausea in sensitive individuals.

5. Using Betel Leaves (Piper Betle)

Another traditional remedy involves using betel leaves. Place one or two betel leaves over your navel, cover them with a soft cloth or handkerchief, and secure them in place with tape or a bandage.

The leaves help warm the abdominal area, reduce cold energy in the body, and balance internal pressure. Keeping one or two fresh leaves in your hand to smell occasionally can also block unpleasant vehicle odors and help you feel more refreshed.

🟡 Note: If betel leaves are not available, peppermint leaves or menthol balm can offer a similar soothing and aromatic effect.

6. Wrapping a Dry Towel Around Your Neck

This simple trick works on the same principle as using betel leaves—by keeping the body warm and improving circulation. Wrap a dry towel around your neck, from the back of your head to your chest, before or during travel.

This gentle pressure and warmth help reduce discomfort, especially for people sensitive to wind or temperature changes, which are common triggers of motion sickness.

🟡 Tip: You can slightly warm the towel before using it during cold weather for added comfort.

Final Advice

Before every trip, avoid eating greasy, heavy, or spicy foods, and get enough rest. Keep the car well-ventilated and try to look forward at a fixed point instead of reading or using your phone. Combining these simple habits with the natural remedies above will help you stay comfortable and fully enjoy your journey—no motion sickness medication needed!