IMMEDIATE RELIEF FROM NAUSEA during pregnancy

Nausea is defined as the unpleasant and imminent feeling of vomiting. It is vaguely located in the epigastrium or throat and may not end in vomiting. Vomiting refers to the forceful ejection of the gastrointestinal content through the mouth by involuntary contractions of the chest and abdominal wall musculature.

Nausea and vomiting are very common during the first three months of pregnancy. They are often known as morning sickness, although they can occur at any time of the day. The onset of nausea is highly variable and generally coincides with the disappearance of the first and second menstrual cycles and continues from week 14 to 16 of pregnancy. Generally, they are more intense between week 7 and 9 of pregnancy.

50-90% of pregnant women feel nausea and 25-55% experience vomiting

GINGER (Zingiber officinale) has been used since ancient times. We find it in the pharmacopeia of China and India to treat nausea and vomiting. Known for its spasmolytic, digestive and carminative properties, recent research proved its antiemetic properties. The inhalation of its essential oil helps reduce nausea and vomiting.

• Karaman S, Karaman T, Tapar H, Dogru S, Suren M. A randomized placebo-controlled study of aromatherapy for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Complement Ther Med. 2019 Feb;42:417-421. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.12.019. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

LEMON essence (Citrus limonum) was studied in a randomized clinical trial with 100 pregnant women experiencing nausea and vomiting. The results show statistically significant differences between the two groups in the average scores on nausea and vomiting in the second and fourth day (P = 0.017 and P = 0.039, respectively). The inhalation of lemon essence is effective to reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

• Yavari Kia P, Safajou F, Shahnazi M, Nazemiyeh H. The effect of lemon inhalation aromatherapy on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: a double-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2014 Mar;16(3):e14360.

MECHANISM OF ACTION OF ESSENTIAL OILS WHEN INHALED

Aromatherapy acts on the central nervous system. The aromatic molecules contained in essential oils are able to stimulate the cells of the olfactory bulb, which in turn send signals to certain regions of the brain, such as the hypothalamus and the limbic system. In this sense, aromatherapy through olfaction is a method to get effects quicker than any other mechanism.

Ginger essential oil and lemon peel essence showed to be effective reducing nausea and vomiting through inhalation. When we inhale them, both aromatic compounds go into the body through the lungs and then flow to the blood vessels

through the alveolus. Different studies show positive results in nausea control making inhalations in periods of 5-10 minutes.

In the central nervous system, the olfactory message acts through the cells of the olfactory bulb transporting the stimulus to the thalamus and activating the secretion of enkephalins, which act as natural analgesics, capable of producing a calming effect that helps reduce nausea.

MARIBEL SAIZ CAYUELA M.S. Biology + 27 years of experience in Scientific Aromatherapy

Author of the book: AROMATERAPIA PARA TÍ. ED MILENIO