7 homeopathic remedies to relieve motion sickness

Does the thought of traveling by car, boat, train or plane fill you with dread? Homeopath David Needleman offers seven remedies to help ease motion sickness and keep you on an even keel

Whether it strikes on winding roads, turbulent flights or rough seas, motion sickness can quickly turn any journey into an ordeal. It happens when your brain receives mixed signals from your eyes, inner ears and body about movement, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headaches, sweating, dizziness and vertigo.

Around a third of people are especially prone to motion sickness, while most others may experience it only under extreme conditions. Precisely why some people are more susceptible to motion sickness is unclear, but age, sex, genetics, hormones, sleep and glucose levels all appear to play a role.¹

Triggers also vary from person to person. Some people are sensitive to the motion itself, while for others it’s related to smells, such as fuel or petrol fumes, that can set symptoms off.

Fortunately, homeopathy can be an effective option for dealing with motion sickness. Homeopathic pharmacies will often have combination remedies specially formulated for motion sickness.

You can also select an individual remedy depending on your particular symptoms. For best results, consult with a homeopath who can prescribe the right remedy for you.

Here’s a list of the most important homeopathic remedies for the various manifestations of motion sickness, in alphabetical order. Ideally, start taking the remedy (or remedies) before you travel to help prevent the sickness in the first place.

Apomorphia

In the past, this substance was sometimes given in material doses (in measurable, physical amounts rather than highly diluted homeopathic preparations) to induce vomiting after a person swallowed poison or harmful chemicals. Although this treatment is rarely used today, it offers insight into its homeopathic use. According to its basic principles, homeopathy uses highly diluted remedies prepared from substances that, in larger amounts, can produce symptoms like those the patient is suffering from (“Like cures like”).

As well as nausea, vomiting, motion sickness and vertigo, symptoms that point to Apomorphia include dilated pupils, headache, heartburn, a hot feeling all over the body and dry heaving (retching).

Apomorphia can be used alone or in combination with other remedies for motion sickness.

Bryonia

Bryonia is ideal if your motion sickness is triggered by trying to read in a moving vehicle or by take-off in an airplane. Symptoms include nausea and feeling faint when standing up or rising, vertigo, and vomiting bile or water immediately after eating.

Cocculus Indica (Indian cockle)

One of the best remedies for motion sickness of any kind, Cocculus Indica is suitable if your symptoms include nausea, vertigo, dizziness, disorientation and headaches. It’s especially useful for sickness triggered by traveling in a vehicle or riding a horse.

Nicotinum/Tabacum

Nicotinum (made from nicotine) and Tabacum (made from tobacco) have very similar symptom pictures and are interchangeable. Opt for one of these if your motion sickness feels worse in hot, confined spaces and if fresh air brings relief.

Petroleum

This is a good remedy for you if you feel sickened by the smell of petrol or diesel. You may also feel nauseous or vomit with the tiniest amount of motion and usually feel better in fresh air.

Sanicula

Opt for Sanicula if you suffer from car sickness with no other symptoms besides nausea and vomiting. 

Theridion (orange spider)

This remedy is a good one for seasickness, especially for nausea and vomiting that’s worse when your eyes are closed.

Suggested dosages

For all the remedies mentioned, I recommend a potency of 30C. Take a dose the night before travel and another the morning of travel. Then repeat a few times during the journey if needed. Alternatively, take one dose at the onset of any symptoms.

A remedy for ear pressure discomfort

When traveling by airplane, changes in air pressure during take-off and landing can affect the ears, sometimes upsetting balance and making motion sickness worse. For many people, especially children, this can cause uncomfortable pressure or blocked ears.

Simple measures like swallowing, yawning or chewing can help to equalize air pressure, but homeopathy can also help. Taking Hepar Sulphuris 30C three times a day for a day or two before a flight, with additional doses on take-off and landing, can help to ease the discomfort of blocked ears.

Movements to help with vertigo

People with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) are especially prone to motion sickness. BPPV is a common inner-ear condition that causes dizziness or a spinning sensation (vertigo) when you move your head in certain ways, such as looking up or down or turning over in bed.

The following exercises and maneuvers can be very helpful for this condition and may reduce the frequency and intensity of vertigo attacks as well as susceptibility to motion sickness.

Brandt-Daroff exercises

This series of habituation exercises involves alternating postural and head movements as follows:

1. Sit on the side of your bed and turn your head 45 degrees (about halfway) to the left.
2. Lie down on your right side, keeping your head turned and bringing your legs up onto the bed. Remain there for 30 seconds or until the dizziness is gone.
3. Sit up and turn your head straight again.
4. Turn your head 45 degrees to the right.
5. Lie down on your left side, keeping your head turned and bringing your legs up onto the bed. Remain there for 30 seconds or until the dizziness is gone.
6. Sit up and turn your head straight.
7. Repeat for the other side, starting by turning to the right.

These steps are typically repeated five times, often three times a day for a couple of weeks.

The Epley maneuver

This procedure is easily performed with the help of an osteopath, chiropractor or physiotherapist but is often taught for home use as well. It’s easy to learn and is a safe and effective treatment that can also help prevent acute attacks.

Follow these steps:

1. Sit fully on your bed with a pillow behind you and turn your head 45 degrees toward the ear that’s causing the problem.
2. Quickly lie back with your shoulders on the pillow, keeping your head turned. The back of your head should be touching the bed. Hold for 30 seconds.
3. Without sitting up, turn your head toward the other ear. You should be facing 45 degrees toward that ear from center. Hold for 30 seconds.
4. In the same direction, turn your whole body and head toward the mattress so that you’re lying halfway on your stomach. Hold for 30 seconds.
5. Sit up on the side of the bed you’re facing.

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