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Motion sickness is most frequently caused by recurring movement
in the form of both acceleration and deceleration in linear and
angular forms of travel. Symptoms may include vomiting and nausea,
headache, dizziness, general discomfort, and fatigue any of which
may be fore fronted by salivation, pale complexion, yawning, cold
sweat and sleepiness. After symptoms of nausea and vomiting appear,
people with motion sickness usually become week and are not able to
focus.
Herbs that may be useful for people who experience
motion sickness
There has been enough research performed
to suggest that the herb ginger to be useful
in both preventing and treating mild to moderate motion sickness.
One study, involving a group of individuals prone to motion
sickness, found taking supplementing with ginger was relatively more
effective at relieving the symptoms of motion sickness than taking
dimenhydrinate, (Dramamine®) a common medication prescribes to those
suffering from motion sickness. Another study involving sea sailing
naval cadets, observed that when compared with a placebo, cadets who
took suppplemented ginger root reported nearly 40% less cases of
seasickness and over 70% less incidents of vomiting. Often when
doctors who recommend ginger for the prevention and treatment of
motion sickness recommend that adults to take about 500mg of ginger
one hour before traveling and then 500mg every two to four hours as
needed there after. Children are usually given half the adult
dose.
Current research suggests that the positive results of
ginger, with regards to motion sickness, are related to its effect
on the gastrointestinal tract and not an effect on the central
nervous system.
Supporting
Literature
Clayson DE, Mowrey DB. Motion
sickness, ginger, and psychophysics. Lancet
1982;1:655–657.
Grontved A, Kambskard J, Brask T, et al. Ginger
root against seasickness. Acta Otolaryngol
1988;105:45–49.
Careddu P. Motion sickness in children: results
of a double-blind study with ginger (Zintona®) and dimenhydrinate.
Healthnotes Rev Complementary Integrative Med
1999;6:102–107.
Holtmann S, Clarke AH, Scherer H, et al. The
anti-motion sickness mechanism of ginger. Acta Otolaryngol
1989;108:168–174.
Ribenfeld D, Borzone L. Randomized double-blind
study comparing ginger with dimenhydrinate in motion sickness.
1999;6:98–101.
Stewart JJ, Wood MJ, Wood CD, Mims ME. Effects of
ginger on motion sickness susceptibility and gastric function.
Pharmacology 1991;42:111–120.
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