Herbs to Treat Morning Sickness

Both my stepdaughter and my daughter-in-law are pregnant at the moment, which has prompted my investigating what herbs are useful to treat morning sickness. There are several. However, before using any herbs at all during pregnancy, consult with your physician first. In addition, there are several herbs that should be completely avoided during pregnancy; therefore, you should once again consult your physician and/or a certified herbalist before using any herbs while you are pregnant. When in doubt, do not use the herb in question.

Chamomile
Chamomile has been used for centuries as a mild sedative and to calm the digestive system. Many pregnant women benefit from a cup of chamomile tea, which can help to ease the effects of morning sickness. Make sure that you trust the source for your chamomile, though. You want your chamomile to be as pure as possible, plus use only the flower heads and not the leaves when making your tea.

Ginger
Ginger really does settle the stomach and tends to be quite safe, even during pregnancy. Do not overdo it, though. If you are taking ginger capsules, do not take more than 1,000 milligrams (1 gram) per day. If using fresh ginger, grate only about one teaspoon to two cups of water. Simmer this until it has been reduced to one cup and do not drink more than 5 cups per day.

Marjoram
To ease morning sickness, eat fresh or dried marjoram in leaves every day. Add them to salads, soups, sauces, and any other foods you so desire. You can also make a marjoram tea by adding one large teaspoon of the dried leaves and/or flowers to 2 cups of boiled water.

Peppermint
Peppermint tea has been used to ease nausea, treat digestive disorders, and to alleviate headaches. It can also help to treat the nausea caused by morning sickness. I must give you a warning, though. A nurse told me once that pregnant women should completely avoid peppermint; therefore, I highly recommend that you check with your physician before using peppermint to treat your morning sickness.

One last note on a non-herbal remedy: Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine [see Traditional Chinese Medicine Overview] discovered a pressure point on the wrist that could control motion sickness and also works in treating morning sickness. There are now wrist bands that are sold that put pressure on this particular point and that you can wear to help ease the morning sickness. Check with your local herb and/or natural food store. Some drugstores might also carry this wristband. Of course, you can always search the internet for mail order companies that would have such a wrist band.

References:

Buchman, Dian Dincin, Ph.D. Herbal Medicine: The Natural Way to Get Well and Stay Well. NY, NY: Wings Books, 1996.