How to Use Peppermint to Overcome Nausea Fast
Did you know that peppermint, whether in tea, tincture, or essential oil form, is an amazing natural remedy for nausea and other intestinal issues? I’m not kidding—it works quickly, and it is effective. Crazy effective. Effective to the point that, anytime I feel even a little bit of nausea, I reach for the peppermint. And it’s not just a natural remedy for nausea: it’s also great if you’re experiencing indigestion, gas, cramping, and more.
What makes peppermint so good at calming an upset stomach? Mostly, it’s because of the high quantity of menthol found in this amazing herb. Menthol is antispasmodic (so it can help relieve stomach and intestine spasms), plus it helps to reduce any excess gas in your system, stimulates your stomach to produce bile, and helps to relieve pain.
Peppermint Essential Oil
To get relief from nausea, I tend to use peppermint essential oil. I find it to be the most convenient, and it works super duper fast. I usually start by putting 2 or 3 drops of peppermint essential oil on my tongue (being careful not to get it in my eyes!), and within a few minutes (if that), the nausea and discomfort are gone. If that doesn’t work, I add another 2 or 3, and will go up to 10 or 15 drops. It’s not a precise science, and you aren’t going to hurt yourself by taking more drops (just don’t down the whole bottle in one sitting, obviously). Just go slowly, and give yourself 5 minutes or so between each addition.
Some people caution against ingesting essential oil, but I haven’t had a problem (I use Young Living). However, if you don’t want to ingest the oil, you can still get some of the same benefits by inhaling it. If I was going that route, I’d breathe it in directly from the bottle every 5 minutes or so until the nausea passed. I might also diffuse it in whatever room I was in for additional relief. Do be careful, though, if you suffer from asthma, because inhaling peppermint essential oil can sometimes make asthmatic symptoms worse.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is another fantastic natural remedy for nausea and other GI discomfort. Just steep 1-2 teaspoons of fresh (or dried) peppermint leaves in 8 ounces of hot water. Steep it (covered) for 10-15 minutes. You can also buy this awesome peppermint tea. If your stomach is really upset, sip very slowly—you don’t want your stomach bringing everything back up because you hit it with too much, too fast! Also, if you’re pregnant, be careful not to overdo it. Drinking too much peppermint tea can cause miscarriage, so be cautious.
If you find that drinking straight peppermint tea causes heartburn, you can try a blend of peppermint, spearmint, lemon balm, and bee balm (about ½ teaspoon of each), along with a pinch each of oregano, sage, and basil. Steep all the herbs (covered) in hot water for 10-15 minutes, then drink while hot (preferably after you’ve had a large meal).
Peppermint Tincture
Taking a tincture of peppermint is another effective way to deal with stomach discomfort. Take anywhere from 20-60 drops of your peppermint tincture in a small glass of water to help relieve indigestion. You can use the tincture up to 3 times daily.
Looking for a different way to beat nausea? Check out our article about using ginger here!
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