Several remedies can relieve nausea quickly, from simple techniques you can try right now to over-the-counter options that work within minutes. The best choice depends on what’s causing your nausea and how severe it is, but most people find relief without needing a prescription.
The Fastest Trick You Probably Haven’t Tried
Sniffing a rubbing alcohol pad is one of the quickest ways to cut nausea. In a randomized trial of 80 adults with nausea in an emergency department, people who inhaled from a standard isopropyl alcohol wipe rated their nausea at 3 out of 10 after just 10 minutes, compared to 6 out of 10 in the placebo group. That’s a meaningful drop, and it works almost immediately. You simply hold an alcohol prep pad (the kind in any first aid kit) a few inches from your nose and take slow, deep breaths. The deep breathing itself helps, and the alcohol vapor appears to have its own anti-nausea effect.
Ginger: The Best-Studied Natural Remedy
Ginger is the most reliable natural option for nausea, backed by decades of clinical evidence. It works by calming signals in your gut and brain that trigger the urge to vomit. Clinical trials have used doses ranging from 250 mg to 2 g per day, split into three or four smaller doses. Interestingly, studies found that 1 g per day works just as well as 2 g, so more isn’t necessarily better.
You can get ginger through capsules, ginger tea, ginger chews, or even flat ginger ale (though most commercial ginger ales contain very little actual ginger). For the strongest effect, look for supplements or products that list a specific ginger content. Freshly grated ginger steeped in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes makes an effective tea. If your nausea is from pregnancy, motion sickness, or a stomach bug, ginger is a solid first option.
Acupressure on Your Inner Wrist
There’s a pressure point on your inner wrist called P6 that can reduce nausea when pressed firmly. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center recommends it for chemotherapy-related nausea, but it works for other types too. To find it, hold your hand up with your palm facing you. Place three fingers from your other hand across your wrist, just below the crease where your wrist bends. The point sits right below your index finger, between the two tendons you can feel running down the center of your inner forearm.
Press that spot firmly with your thumb for two to three minutes, then switch wrists. You can also buy “sea bands” or acupressure wristbands that apply constant pressure to this point. It won’t work for everyone, but it’s free, has no side effects, and you can do it anywhere.
Over-the-Counter Medications
When home remedies aren’t enough, a few pharmacy options can help. The right one depends on the type of nausea you’re dealing with.
Bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol) works well for nausea tied to an upset stomach, heartburn, or indigestion. It coats the stomach lining and reduces irritation. Follow the package directions and avoid exceeding 16 tablets or their equivalent in liquid form within 24 hours. Don’t use it if you’re allergic to aspirin, since it’s chemically related.
Antihistamines for motion sickness are your best bet if nausea hits during travel or is related to dizziness or vertigo. Meclizine (sold as Bonine or Dramamine Less Drowsy) is taken as 25 to 50 mg about an hour before travel, with one dose lasting a full 24 hours. Dimenhydrinate (original Dramamine) works similarly but causes more drowsiness. Both are most effective when taken before nausea starts, so plan ahead if you know a car ride or boat trip is coming.
What to Eat and Drink
When you’re nauseated, the thought of food can make things worse. But an empty stomach often prolongs the problem. The key is starting small. Try a few bites of bland, easy-to-digest foods: plain toast, white rice, bananas, crackers, applesauce, or plain chicken. Avoid dairy, caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods, and anything heavily seasoned until your stomach settles. Eating small amounts frequently tends to work better than sitting down to a full meal.
Staying hydrated matters more than eating, especially if you’ve been vomiting. The CDC recommends about 3 liters of fluid per day for adults experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. If plain water is hard to keep down, try small sips every few minutes rather than gulping a full glass. Oral rehydration solutions (like Pedialyte or a homemade mix of water, salt, and sugar) replace the electrolytes you lose through vomiting better than water alone. Sports drinks work in a pinch, though they contain more sugar than ideal.
Simple Habits That Help
Beyond specific remedies, a few behavioral changes can make a real difference. Cool, fresh air tends to ease nausea, so open a window or step outside if you can. Lying down with your head slightly elevated often helps more than sitting upright. Avoid strong smells, since your sense of smell becomes more sensitive when you’re nauseated. Loose clothing around your waist takes pressure off your stomach. And if the nausea is intense, breathing slowly and deliberately through your nose activates the same calming response that makes the alcohol pad trick work.
When Nausea Signals Something Serious
Most nausea passes on its own or responds to the remedies above. But certain combinations of symptoms need immediate medical attention. Get emergency care if your nausea comes with chest pain lasting more than a few minutes, confusion, blurred vision, a severe headache unlike any you’ve had before, high fever with a stiff neck, or shortness of breath. Vomit that contains blood, looks like coffee grounds, or appears green also warrants an emergency visit.
Outside of emergencies, call your doctor if you can’t keep any fluids down for 24 hours, vomiting lasts more than two days, or nausea and vomiting have been recurring for over a month. Unexplained weight loss alongside persistent nausea, signs of dehydration like extreme thirst or reduced urination, and nausea that started after beginning a new medication are all worth a phone call. If you’re pregnant or think you might be, mention your nausea to your provider since treatment options differ during pregnancy.