How to Get Rid of Nausea Fast

Try ginger, P6 wrist acupressure and small sips of water to manage nausea, though no remedy works instantly for everyone. If drinking is difficult, start with a sip or two rather than a full glass. For more options, see the best drinks for nausea.

What are 6 home remedies for nausea?

These remedies are ordered with the better-studied options first. The best choice also depends on the cause: a remedy studied for pregnancy-related nausea or chemotherapy-related nausea may not work as well for motion sickness, a stomach infection or another cause.

1. Try a little ginger

Ginger contains compounds that may act on the digestive system and nausea-related signaling, although exactly how it works is not fully understood. You can try a mild ginger tea made by steeping a few slices of fresh ginger in warm water. Start with a few small sips, and stop if the taste or smell makes nausea worse.

Evidence: A meta-analysis of 13 studies found that ginger improved nausea symptoms during pregnancy compared with a placebo, but it did not show a clear reduction in vomiting. The studies examined ginger interventions, not necessarily homemade ginger tea, and they do not establish that a drink will work immediately.

Food amounts of ginger are different from concentrated supplements. If you are pregnant, take a blood thinner such as warfarin, or have a medical condition, ask a clinician or pharmacist before using ginger supplements. Do not replace prescribed nausea treatment with ginger.

2. Apply P6 wrist acupressure

P6 acupressure involves pressing a point on the inner wrist. It may affect nausea-related signaling, but its mechanism is uncertain. It is a practical option when the thought of eating or drinking makes you feel worse.

Turn one palm upward and place three fingers of your other hand across the wrist, just below the crease. The point is below those fingers, between the two prominent tendons. Press and gently massage it with your thumb for several minutes, then try the other wrist. Use comfortable pressure, not enough to cause pain, and avoid broken or irritated skin.

Evidence: In a randomized trial in people receiving chemotherapy, P6 acupressure was associated with improvements in nausea and some vomiting symptoms. This is encouraging but does not prove that self-applied pressure will quickly relieve nausea from every cause. If you are receiving chemotherapy, use it only as an addition to your prescribed care.

3. Take small sips of water or rehydration solution

Vomiting can lead to dehydration, and drinking a large amount at once may be difficult when you feel nauseated. Small, frequent sips can be easier to tolerate and help replace fluid. They are primarily a way to prevent dehydration, not a proven instant treatment for the sensation of nausea.

Try a sip of water, pause, and take another if it stays down. Some people find cool liquids easier to tolerate. If you have been vomiting repeatedly, an oral rehydration solution prepared according to its package directions can help replace fluid and salts; a pharmacist can help you choose one.

Evidence: Hydration is an established part of care when fluid has been lost, but there is no evidence here that water itself rapidly stops nausea. If you have been told to limit fluids because of a medical condition, ask your care team how to manage vomiting safely. Get prompt medical help if you cannot keep even small sips down or have signs of dehydration.

4. Eat a little plain food when you feel ready

An empty stomach can make nausea feel worse for some people, while a large or rich meal may be difficult to tolerate. If you feel ready to eat, try a small amount of plain food, such as a cracker, toast or rice. Eat slowly and pause to see how you feel before having more.

Choose foods whose smell and texture are comfortable for you. You do not need to force food while you are actively vomiting; focus first on tolerating small sips of fluid. Once drinking feels manageable, you can gradually return to foods you usually eat.

Evidence: Small, plain meals are a common comfort measure, but the evidence provided does not establish that a particular food quickly relieves nausea. If eating repeatedly triggers nausea or you cannot maintain your intake, contact a clinician rather than relying on food changes alone.

5. Move away from strong smells

Food odors, perfume and other strong smells can worsen nausea for some people. If a smell is bothering you, move away from it, open a window if practical, or sit somewhere with fresh air. Ask someone else to prepare food if cooking smells are making you feel worse.

Cool or room-temperature foods may smell less strongly than hot foods. There is no need to avoid all smells or foods indefinitely; use your own response to decide what is comfortable while the nausea passes.

Evidence: Avoiding a noticeable trigger is a practical comfort measure, but the evidence provided does not establish that fresh air or avoiding odors rapidly treats nausea. It may be more useful when a particular smell is clearly making your symptoms worse.

6. Sit quietly and rest

Movement can make nausea feel worse, particularly if you are already dizzy or experiencing motion sickness. Sit upright in a comfortable position and minimize movement for a while. Loosen tight clothing and avoid lying flat immediately after eating if that makes you feel worse.

If you need to lie down and might vomit, lie on your side rather than flat on your back. If nausea starts during travel, looking toward the horizon and taking a break from reading or a phone screen may be more comfortable. Do not drive if you feel dizzy or too unwell to do so safely.

Evidence: These are low-risk comfort measures, but the evidence provided does not show how quickly rest or positioning relieves nausea. They should not delay medical assessment when symptoms are severe or unusual.

When should you see a doctor for nausea?

Seek emergency care for nausea with chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting or confusion. Also get urgent medical help for severe abdominal pain, a severe headache with a stiff neck, or vomit that is bloody, looks like coffee grounds or is green. These signs need assessment rather than home treatment.

Contact a clinician promptly if you cannot keep fluids down, are urinating much less than usual, have very dark urine, or feel dizzy when standing. Nausea that lasts more than a few days, keeps returning or prevents you from eating and drinking also deserves medical advice. Seek advice if vomiting persists or you are getting worse.

Get advice sooner for a baby or child, an older adult, or someone with diabetes, kidney disease or another serious condition. In children, a dry mouth, unusual sleepiness or fewer wet diapers can be signs of dehydration. If you are pregnant and cannot keep food or fluids down, contact your maternity care team promptly.

If nausea began after starting a medication or occurs during cancer treatment, tell the prescribing clinician. Do not stop a medication on your own; your care team can assess the cause and discuss appropriate treatment.