Several approaches can help nausea and vomiting, from simple home remedies to over-the-counter medications, depending on the cause. Most episodes resolve within 24 to 48 hours with the right combination of hydration, dietary changes, and symptom relief. Here’s what actually works and when to use each option.
Ginger: The Best-Studied Natural Remedy
Ginger is one of the few natural remedies with real clinical backing for nausea. Its active compounds, called gingerols and shogaols, appear to calm the digestive tract and reduce the signals that trigger the urge to vomit. Fresh ginger root is the most studied form. About 1 gram of fresh ginger root (roughly a half-inch piece) is considered an effective dose.
You can use ginger in several practical ways: steep sliced fresh ginger in hot water for tea, chew on crystallized ginger, or take ginger capsules from a pharmacy. Ginger ale is a popular choice but often contains very little actual ginger, so check the label. If you’re using capsules, look for products standardized to contain gingerols, and start with a small dose to see how your stomach responds.
Wrist Pressure (P6 Acupressure)
Pressing firmly on a specific point on the inside of your wrist can reduce mild nausea. The point, called P6, sits in the groove between the two large tendons that run from the base of your palm. To find it, place three fingers flat across your inner wrist just below the crease, then press your thumb into the spot just below those fingers, right between the tendons. Hold firm pressure for one to two minutes.
This technique is most commonly used for motion sickness and morning sickness. Wristbands sold as “sea bands” or “acupressure bands” work by applying continuous pressure to this same point, which can be more convenient than using your thumb repeatedly throughout the day.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Two main categories of OTC medications treat nausea, and they work best for different causes.
Bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate) is your best bet for nausea from stomach flu, food poisoning, or general digestive upset. It works by reducing inflammation in the stomach lining, slowing fluid flow into the intestines, and potentially killing some of the bacteria causing the problem.
Antihistamines like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) are more effective when nausea comes from motion sickness or vertigo. These work differently: they make the inner ear less sensitive to movement and slow down the signals your brain sends that create the sensation of nausea. They tend to cause drowsiness, which can be a benefit if nausea is keeping you from sleeping, but a drawback if you need to stay alert.
Choosing the wrong category won’t hurt you, but it may not help much either. Match the medication to the cause when you can.
Staying Hydrated When You Can’t Keep Much Down
Vomiting depletes your body of water, salt, and sugar rapidly. Plain water alone doesn’t replace everything you lose. A simple homemade oral rehydration solution does a better job: mix about 4 cups of water with 2 tablespoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt. Sip it slowly rather than gulping, since large volumes hitting an irritated stomach often come right back up.
If mixing your own solution isn’t appealing, diluted juice with a pinch of salt works too. Three-quarters of a cup of apple juice mixed with about 3 cups of water and half a teaspoon of salt provides a similar balance of fluids and electrolytes. Broth-based options are another alternative: dissolve a bouillon cube in 4 cups of water with a quarter teaspoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of sugar.
The key is taking small, frequent sips every few minutes rather than trying to drink a full glass at once. Ice chips or frozen electrolyte pops can help if even sipping triggers more vomiting.
What to Eat (and When)
The old advice to stick strictly to bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (the BRAT diet) is outdated. Those foods are fine for the first day or two, but they lack the protein and nutrients your body needs to recover. There’s no reason to limit yourself to just those four items.
A better approach: start with whatever bland, easy-to-digest foods appeal to you. Brothy soups, oatmeal, boiled potatoes, crackers, and plain dry cereal all work well in the first 24 hours. Once your stomach settles and you’re keeping those down, expand to cooked squash, carrots, avocado, skinless chicken, fish, and eggs. These are still gentle on the stomach but provide the protein and vitamins that speed recovery.
Avoid greasy, spicy, or heavily seasoned foods until you’ve kept bland foods down comfortably for at least a few hours. Eating smaller amounts more frequently is easier on your stomach than trying to manage full meals.
Nausea During Pregnancy
Morning sickness affects the majority of pregnancies and often responds well to a combination of vitamin B6 and doxylamine (an antihistamine). This combination is available as a prescription delayed-release tablet, typically starting with two tablets at bedtime. If symptoms persist into the afternoon the next day, the dose can be gradually increased to include a morning tablet as well, up to a maximum of four tablets per day.
Ginger and P6 acupressure are also commonly used during pregnancy and are generally considered safe. Many pregnant people find that eating small, frequent snacks (especially something starchy before getting out of bed in the morning) helps prevent nausea from building throughout the day.
Prescription Options for Severe Nausea
When OTC options and home remedies aren’t enough, prescription antiemetics target the problem more aggressively. The most commonly prescribed class works by blocking serotonin receptors in the gut and brainstem. Here’s what happens normally: when something irritates your digestive system, cells in your small intestine release serotonin. That serotonin activates nerve receptors that send “vomit now” signals through the vagus nerve to your brain. Prescription antiemetics block those receptors so the signal never gets through.
These medications are particularly effective for nausea caused by surgery, chemotherapy, or severe infections. They’re available as tablets, dissolving wafers, and injections for people who can’t keep pills down.
Warning Signs That Need Medical Attention
Most nausea and vomiting resolves on its own, but dehydration is the main risk, especially in children and older adults. In adults, watch for a dry mouth, dizziness, lightheadedness, rapid heart rate, confusion, or extreme fatigue. In children, warning signs include dry lips and tongue, no tears when crying, and reduced urination (fewer than six wet diapers a day in infants, or no urination for eight hours in toddlers).
Vomiting that contains blood, looks like coffee grounds, or is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, high fever, or a stiff neck needs prompt evaluation. The same goes for vomiting that continues beyond 24 hours in children or 48 hours in adults without any improvement, particularly if you’re unable to keep even small sips of fluid down.