Essential Oils for Vomiting and Nausea Relief
Essential oils for vomiting and nausea can provide complementary aromatherapy support when your stomach feels unsettled. Among the essential oils studied for nausea, peppermint and ginger have some of the strongest human research, particularly when used through inhalation.
Clinical studies have investigated aromatherapy for postoperative nausea, chemotherapy-related nausea, and pregnancy-related nausea. Results are encouraging in several settings, although aromatherapy should be considered complementary support rather than a replacement for medical evaluation or prescribed anti-nausea treatment.
How Aromatherapy May Help with Nausea
Aromatherapy delivers volatile aromatic compounds through the sense of smell. The olfactory system has close connections with brain regions involved in emotion, memory, and autonomic responses, which may help explain why certain aromas can influence the perception of nausea.
Research has particularly focused on inhaled peppermint and ginger essential oils. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis encompassing 19 randomized controlled trials found that peppermint oil inhalation was associated with reductions in nausea and vomiting symptoms in postoperative, chemotherapy, and pregnancy settings.
A separate systematic review of aromatherapy for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting found that several studies using peppermint and ginger reported improvements, although study quality varied.
Best Essential Oils for Nausea
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint Essential Oil has a powerful, fresh aroma produced in part by naturally occurring menthol.
Peppermint is one of the most frequently studied essential oils for nausea. Recent systematic-review evidence suggests that inhaled peppermint aromatherapy may help reduce nausea and vomiting in several clinical settings.
Its intensely cooling, refreshing aroma makes peppermint an excellent choice to keep available for occasional queasiness or travel-related stomach discomfort.
Ginger Essential Oil
Ginger Essential Oil provides a warm, spicy aroma and is another essential oil studied specifically for nausea.
In a randomized trial of postoperative nausea, ginger aromatherapy significantly reduced nausea compared with saline. Another study involving chemotherapy patients found an improvement in acute nausea following ginger essential-oil inhalation, although the overall treatment effect was not significant.
Ginger pairs particularly well with peppermint and lemon for a fresh, spicy aromatherapy blend.
Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon Essential Oil offers a bright, clean citrus aroma.
Lemon aromatherapy has also been investigated for nausea. In a randomized controlled trial involving 100 pregnant women experiencing nausea and vomiting, lemon inhalation aromatherapy was associated with significantly lower nausea and vomiting scores on the second and fourth days compared with placebo.
Lemon combines especially well with ginger when you prefer a lighter aroma than peppermint.
Digestive Support Essential Oil Blend
Digestive Support Blend provides a convenient aromatherapy option for times when your stomach feels unsettled.
Rather than having to select and combine individual essential oils each time, this ready-made blend can become part of your digestive comfort and aromatherapy routine.
Use according to product directions and individual safety recommendations.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Citrus Essential Oil Blend
Citrus Blend provides a fresh alternative for people who prefer bright citrus aromas.
Citrus aromatherapy can be particularly appealing when stronger herbal or mint aromas feel overwhelming. Lemon essential oil has also been specifically investigated in human research involving nausea.
Diffuse Citrus Blend or use it according to the product directions whenever you’d like a fresh, uplifting aromatic experience.
DIY Essential Oil Recipes for Nausea
These simple blends emphasize the essential oils with the most relevant aromatherapy research.
Peppermint & Ginger Nausea Aromatherapy Blend
- 2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
- 2 drops Ginger Essential Oil
Use the combination for inhalation aromatherapy according to appropriate essential-oil and diffuser guidelines.
Peppermint and ginger have both been studied for inhalation aromatherapy in people experiencing nausea.
Ginger & Lemon Aromatherapy Blend
- 3 drops Ginger Essential Oil
- 2 drops Lemon Essential Oil
This combination provides a fresh citrus-spice aroma without peppermint’s pronounced cooling sensation.
DIY Nausea Roll-On
For a convenient topical aromatherapy option:
- 2 drops Ginger Essential Oil
- 1 drop Peppermint Essential Oil
- Carrier oil
Add the essential oils to a 9 ml roller bottle and fill the remainder with carrier oil. Apply sparingly to pulse points and enjoy the aroma.
For external use only.
Essential Oils for Motion Sickness
Ginger and peppermint are good aromatic choices for travel because they are portable and their aromas have been investigated in nausea research.
Try:
- 3 drops Ginger Essential Oil
- 1 drop Peppermint Essential Oil
Add the oils to a personal aromatherapy inhaler or another appropriate inhalation device and use intermittently during travel.
What Does the Research Say About Aromatherapy for Nausea?
Research into aromatherapy for nausea is promising but varies considerably depending upon the cause of nausea and the essential oil studied.
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials concluded that peppermint oil inhalation may be a promising complementary therapy for nausea and vomiting in postoperative, chemotherapy, and pregnancy settings.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of postoperative nausea found that aromatherapy significantly reduced nausea severity, although the reduction in actual vomiting episodes wasn’t statistically significant. The researchers characterized the certainty of evidence as low.
Similarly, a meta-analysis involving adults with cancer found aromatherapy associated with reductions in nausea and combined nausea/vomiting outcomes but did not find a statistically significant reduction in vomiting alone.
These findings make “essential oils for nausea” a better-supported description than claiming essential oils stop vomiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What essential oil is best for nausea?
Peppermint and ginger are among the most researched essential oils for nausea aromatherapy. Peppermint in particular now has evidence from multiple randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews.
Can peppermint essential oil help nausea?
Research suggests inhaled peppermint aromatherapy may reduce nausea severity in some circumstances. Studies have examined its use after surgery, during chemotherapy, and during pregnancy.
Is ginger essential oil good for nausea?
Ginger essential oil has also been investigated as inhalation aromatherapy. Some clinical trials have reported reduced nausea, although results have not been consistent across every outcome or study.
Can essential oils stop vomiting?
Research is stronger for reducing feelings of nausea than for stopping vomiting itself. Aromatherapy should not be relied upon to control persistent or severe vomiting.
Can I use essential oils for morning sickness?
Pregnancy requires additional essential-oil precautions. Although lemon and peppermint inhalation have been investigated in pregnancy-related nausea, consult your healthcare professional before using essential oils during pregnancy.
When Nausea or Vomiting Needs Medical Attention
Occasional mild nausea is different from persistent or severe vomiting. Seek medical care when vomiting is prolonged, severe, accompanied by significant pain or concerning symptoms, or when you’re unable to keep down enough fluids.
Children, older adults, pregnant people, and individuals with underlying medical conditions may require medical attention sooner because dehydration and other complications can develop more quickly.
Essential Oil Safety
- For external and aromatherapy use only.
- Do not ingest essential oils.
- Dilute essential oils appropriately before topical application.
- Perform a patch test before using a new topical preparation.
- Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.
- Keep essential oils away from children and pets.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding require additional precautions.
- Follow the individual safety recommendations for each essential oil.
Visit our Safety Information page for additional precautions.
Explore More
Browse BioSource Naturals essential oils and blends for your aromatherapy routine or download our free Essential Oil Suggested Combinations Chart for more DIY blending ideas.
Disclaimer
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. BioSource Naturals products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Aromatherapy is intended as complementary wellness support and should not replace appropriate medical care or prescribed treatment.
References
- Gergő D, et al. Inhaling peppermint essential oil as a promising complementary therapy in the treatment of nausea and vomiting. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025.
- Lua PL, Zakaria NS. A brief review of current scientific evidence involving aromatherapy use for nausea and vomiting. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2012.
- Lee YL, et al. Effectiveness of inhaled aromatherapy on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic review. 2021.
- Yavari Kia P, et al. The effect of lemon inhalation aromatherapy on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: a double-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal. 2014;16(3):e14360.
- Lua PL, Salihah N, Mazlan N. Effects of inhaled ginger aromatherapy on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and health-related quality of life in women with breast cancer. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2015;23(3):396–404.
- Hunt R, et al. Aromatherapy as treatment for postoperative nausea: a randomized trial. Anesthesia & Analgesia. 2013;117(3):597–604.
- Aromatherapy for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2024.
