Motion Sickness

Also indexed as: Car Sickness, Nausea (Motion Sickness), Sea Sickness, Travel Nausea

Motion sickness is nausea, vomiting, and related symptoms caused by repetitive angular and linear acceleration and deceleration.

Checklist for Motion Sickness

Rating Nutritional Supplements Herbs
3Stars   Ginger
1Star   Black Horehound
See also:  Homeopathic Remedies for Motion Sickness
3Stars Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2Stars Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1Star An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

What are the symptoms of motion sickness? Motion sickness is characterized by cycles of nausea and vomiting. These episodes may be preceded by yawning, salivation, pallor, cold sweat, and sleepiness. Dizziness, headache, fatigue, and general discomfort are also common. Once nausea and vomiting develop, a person with motion sickness is typically weak and unable to concentrate.

How is it treated? Conventional treatment includes over-the-counter anti-nausea medication, such as dimenhydrinate (e.g., Dramamine®, TripTone®), and prescription medications taken orally, rectally, or worn as a patch. Medications commonly prescribed for motion sickness include anticholinergic drugs, such as scopolamine (e.g., Scopace®, Transderm Scop®), and antihistamines, such as promethazine (e.g., Phenergan®, Anergan®). In addition, doctors also recommend getting fresh air, closing the eyes, and avoiding drinking alcohol.

Herbs that may be helpful: Ginger may be useful for the prevention and treatment of mild to moderate cases of motion sickness. A double-blind trial examined the effects of ginger supplements in people who were susceptible to motion sickness. Researchers found that those taking 940 mg of powdered ginger in capsules experienced less motion sickness than those who took dimenhydrinate (Dramamine®).1 Another double-blind trial reported that 1 gram of powdered ginger root, compared with placebo, lessened seasickness by 38% and vomiting by 72% in a group of naval cadets sailing in heavy seas.2 Two clinical trials, one with adults and one with children, found that ginger was as effective in treating seasickness as dimenhydrinate but with fewer side effects.3 4 In one controlled trial, though, neither powdered ginger (500 to 1,000 mg) nor fresh ginger (1,000 mg) provided any protection against motion sickness.5 Doctors prescribing ginger for motion sickness recommend 500 mg one hour before travel and then 500 mg every two to four hours as necessary. The study with children used one-half the adult amount.

Ginger’s beneficial effect on motion sickness appears to be related to its action on the gastrointestinal tract rather than on the central nervous system.6 7

Black horehound (Ballotta nigra, Marrubium nigrum) is sometimes used by herbalists to treat nausea associated with motion sickness.8 However, there are no clinical trials to confirm its effectiveness for treating this condition.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions.

Other integrative approaches that may be helpful : Acupuncture, acupressure, and electroacupuncture to specific points have been found to successfully prevent and treat motion sickness in some,9 10 11 but not all, 12 13 clinical trials.

References:

1. Mowrey DB, Clayson DE. Motion sickness, ginger, and psychophysics. Lancet 1982;1:655–7.

2. Grontved A, Brask T, Kambskard J, et al. Ginger root against seasickness. Acta Otolaryngol 1988;105:45–9.

3. Ribenfeld D, Borzone L. Randomized double-blind study comparing ginger (Zintona®) with dimenhydrinate in motion sickness. Healthnotes Rev Complementary Integrative Med 1999;6:98–101.

4. Careddu P. Motion sickness in children: results of a double-blind study with ginger (Zintona®) and dimenhydrinate. Healthnotes Rev Complementary Integrative Med 1999;6:102–7.

5. Stewart JJ, Wood MJ, Wood CD, Mims ME. Effects of ginger on motion sickness susceptibility and gastric function. Pharmacology 1991;42:111–20.

6. Holtmann S, Clarke AH, Scherer H, et al. The anti-motion sickness mechanism of ginger. Acta Otolaryngol 1989;108:168–74.

7. Grontved A, Hentzer E. Vertigo-reducing effect of ginger root. ORL 1986;48:282.

8. Hoffmann D. The Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide to Medical Herbalism. Rochester, New York: Healing Arts Press, 1998, 29.

9. Bertolucci LE, DiDario B. Efficacy of a portable acustimulation device in controlling seasickness. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1995;66:1155–8.

10. Hu S, Stritzel R, Chandler A, Stern RM. P6 acupressure reduces symptoms of vection-induced motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med 1995;66:631–4.

11. Hu S, Stern RM, Koch KL. Electrical acustimulation relieves vection-induced motion sickness. Gastroenterology 1992;102:1854–8.

12. Warwick-Evans LA, Masters IJ, Redstone SB. A double-blind placebo controlled evaluation of acupressure in the treatment of motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med 1991;62:776–8.

13. Bruce DG, Golding JF, Hockenhull N, Pethybridge RJ. Acupressure and motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med 1990;61:361–5.