When I'm nauseous

My testimony

I’m not at all prone to nausea and vomiting. As far as I can remember, I’ve only thrown up once, out of a vagal reflex following a much too low blood pressure. My family includes several people who regularly suffer from dietary “liver attacks”; fortunately, I’ve never had one. On the other hand, if I read in the car, I quickly feel nauseous, and not just on winding roads. Of course, I could simply avoid this situation, which I do most of the time, but sometimes I still need to look at the map (or now the GPS…) and I can’t escape it, I feel sick and my stomach churns. Even if I go straight back to staring at the road, it doesn’t go away on its own.

My tip

For nausea and motion sickness, my reflex is peppermint. I always leave a spray bottle of peppermint hydrosol in the car. As soon as I feel nauseous, I spray it on my face and in my mouth. And I drink water. I don’t know why, but drinking seems to help. I repeat the hydrolat sprays as often as necessary. The “icicle” effect of peppermint on my face feels good, as does breathing it in, as well as swallowing it.
If you don’t have room for a bottle of hydrosol, you can use peppermint essential oil. For some people, putting a few drops on the car floor mat is enough to prevent nausea when breathing in the mint. Others will need to take a drop or two orally to get the full effect.

What does phytotherapy say?

Mints occupy a special place in digestive phytotherapy, thanks to the molecules they contain. Peppermint contains menthol, one of its many antispasmodic and digestive properties. Used since ancient times to treat indigestion, peppermint is a general tonic for the skin, digestive system and veins.
The hydrosol, composed mainly of menthol and menthone, is very refreshing and also has multiple properties. It is used as a stimulant in cases of general fatigue or lack of appetite, for nausea and motion sickness, and as a digestive aid. Externally, its “cold effect” is indicated to relieve migraines and muscular pains, as well as for its circulatory virtues, in case of heavy legs or varicose veins. In cosmetics, it is recommended as an astringent tonic and aftershave.

Did you know?

Menthol’s best-known property is the sensation of freshness it generates, by acting on a reactive cold receptor (TRPM, TRP being a family of calcium receptors, M for menthol). This type of receptor is found on many cell types, which explains menthol’s varied effects (anti-inflammatory, anesthetic, muscle stimulant…)

I use hydrosols SAFELY

Avoid using peppermint hydrosols or essential oils on pregnant women. In this case, peppermint hydrosol can be replaced by spearmint hydrosol, and the essential oil by lemon hydrosol.

MENTHA PIPERITA Peppermint

Peppermint is a perennial about 80 cm high, widespread in Europe and Asia, especially at low altitudes and on damp ground. In ancient times, the Chinese praised the calming and antispasmodic properties of peppermints, Hippocrates considered them an aphrodisiac and Pliny appreciated their analgesic action. All mints have more or less the same medicinal properties: antiseptic and analgesic, digestive, antispasmodic. Peppermint is also tonic, mucolytic, analgesic and anesthetic. Whether as a fresh plant, herbal tea, preparation or for external use, peppermint is used and appreciated in both allopathic and herbal medicine.