You may be able to help reduce nausea and vomiting by eating a bland diet, taking medication, or using herbal supplements like ginger. If vomiting lasts a long time, it may be an emergency.

Nausea is a queasiness or general sickness of the stomach during which you may or may not vomit. Vomiting can be a response to nausea and your body’s effort to get rid of viruses, bacteria, and harmful substances.

Whether due to a hangover, motion sickness, or an illness, nausea and vomiting may be treated at home with a few universal remedies.

Read on for ways to stop vomiting and nausea, as well as signs for when it may be best to see a doctor for further treatment.

Nausea may be related to different causes and conditions. These may include but are not limited to:

While it’s possible to feel nauseated without throwing up, nausea may sometimes be a precursor to vomiting.

The causes of vomiting are often the same as the causes of your underlying nausea. This may include acute illnesses such as gastroenteritis or long-term concerns such as GERD.

Your brain – not your stomach – tells your body when to vomit. Throwing up is often your body’s way of removing a damaging substance, such as viruses.

It’s also possible to feel queasy and not vomit. Although in some cases, nausea may go away after vomiting.

Vomiting in children is commonly caused by viral illnesses and doesn’t necessarily require medical treatment unless the vomiting is severe.

In general, you can help reduce vomiting by modifying your child’s diet. As a rule of thumb, you may want to avoid solid foods for up to 8 to 24 hours and instead offer:

  • ice chips
  • water
  • electrolyte solutions
  • popsicles
  • pudding
  • jello
  • yogurt
  • applesauce

A modified diet can also help prevent your child from becoming dehydrated. Eating solid foods may induce more vomiting, leading to further dehydration.

For this reason, a pediatrician may recommend a liquid diet for 8 to 24 hours. Talk with your pediatrician if your child is also vomiting up fluids.

Also, you should have your child lay on their side to minimize the chance of them inhaling vomit into their airways.

Always speak to your child’s doctor or a healthcare professional before giving them medications and alternative treatments.

When to seek emergency care for a vomiting child

Seek care immediately if your child is vomiting and has any of these symptoms:

  • has a sudden and severe stomach pain
  • is a baby who is floppy, irritable, or less responsive
  • has a headache, a stiff neck, and a rash
  • may have swallowed something poisonous
  • there’s blood in the vomit, or the vomit looks like ground coffee
  • the vomit is green or yellow-green
  • has a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights

Further treatment for vomiting will depend on the underlying cause. Unless you know the exact cause of vomiting, you should avoid taking medications without talking with a doctor first.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as antiemetics may sometimes be used to stop upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting. OTC medications for nausea can include Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate, which contain bismuth subsalicylate.

These medications help protect the stomach lining and reduce vomiting caused by food poisoning, among other causes.

Other types of antiemetics, such as OTC antihistamines or H1 blockers, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Bonine, Travel-Ease), may help stop vomiting caused by motion sickness.

They work by blocking the H1 histamine receptors responsible for stimulating vomiting. Side effects of antihistamines may include:

  • dry mouth
  • blurred vision
  • drowsiness

Before taking any OTC medications for nausea and vomiting, consider the following:

  • Only take the recommended dosage on the product label.
  • Do not take more than one antiemetic medication at the same time, as they may share similar active ingredients.
  • Do not give bismuth subsalicylate products to children under 12 years old.
  • Do not give bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol-type products) to children or teens with the flu or chickenpox, as this can increase their risk for Reye’s syndrome.
  • Ask a doctor or pharmacist about potential drug interactions if you take other OTC or prescription medications, such as blood thinners.
  • Ask a doctor or pharmacist if antiemetic medications are safe if you have certain underlying conditions, such as heart disease, asthma, or thyroid disease.

Dry crackers, such as soda crackers or saltines, are a tried-and-true remedy for nausea. They are thought to help absorb stomach acids.

For morning sickness, try eating a few crackers before getting out of bed to help settle your stomach.

Other bland foods like dry toast or white rice are also good to eat while recovering from a stomach bug.

Avoid eating spicy or fatty foods that could further irritate your stomach.

It’s also important that you continue to drink enough fluids to help prevent dehydration as you start eating bland solid foods.

Take deep breaths by breathing air through your nose and into your lungs. Your abdomen should expand as you breathe in. Exhale slowly through your mouth or nose and relax your belly after each breath.

Repeat this several times. You can use the image below to help pace yourself.

A 2020 study suggested that taking deep, controlled breaths may be beneficial in reducing how often people undergoing cancer treatments experienced nausea and vomiting.

According to a 2022 review, this may be attributed to the effects of deep breathing from the diaphragm, which can activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

Deep breathing may also help calm anxiety that may occur when you’re feeling sick.

Acupressure is a popular traditional Chinese medicine remedy that may also help alleviate feelings of nausea and subsequent vomiting. It uses pressure to stimulate certain points of the body to relieve symptoms.

Wrist acupressure may be preferred by people who may not want to eat or drink anything due to nausea.

Applying pressure to pressure point Neiguan (P-6), a spot on the palm side of the forearm near your wrist, may help relieve nausea and vomiting.

To massage this pressure point:

  1. Place three fingers across the wrist.
  2. Put your thumb under your index finger.
  3. Rub this point in a firm, circular motion for two to three minutes.
  4. Repeat on the other wrist.

If you’re vomiting a lot, it’s critical to drink plenty of fluids to help prevent dehydration, even if you vomit some of them back up. Sip the fluids slowly. Drinking too much at one time when your stomach is upset may cause more vomiting.

Fluids that help keep you hydrated and may ease nausea can include:

  • herbal or mint tea
  • lemonade
  • water

You can also suck on ice chips or popsicles to stay hydrated.

If a doctor believes you’re dehydrated due to vomiting, they may provide you with intravenous (IV) fluids.

Pregnant people, children, and those with medical conditions should speak with a healthcare professional before using herbal remedies.

Ginger

Ginger supplements have been one of the most widely studied remedies for nausea and vomiting.

According to research, ginger is likely safe and effective for preventing and treating nausea and vomiting in during pregnancy and for people undergoing chemotherapy.

The review also suggested that ginger’s active ingredients, gingerols and shogaols, can help speed up stomach emptying and reduce morning sickness.

Still, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s best to check with a doctor first before using ginger or any other supplement.

You can try sipping a cup of warm ginger tea slowly when nausea strikes. Or, slowly eat a small piece of fresh ginger root or candied ginger.

You can also make fresh ginger tea by adding a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger root to one cup of boiling water. Steep to desired strength. You can strain the tea before drinking if you prefer.

Fennel

Fennel seeds are thought to help calm the digestive tract. Animal studies suggest that fennel may help promote healthy digestion, but human studies on fennel for relief from vomiting are lacking.

Still, anecdotal evidence suggests it may be worth sipping a cup of fennel tea the next time nausea strikes.

To make fennel tea, add about a teaspoon of fennel seeds to one cup of boiling water. Steep to desired strength and strain before drinking.

Cloves

Cloves have been used as a folk remedy for nausea and vomiting.

A 2021 study in China wasn’t able to confirm such benefits more broadly, but you can still try cloves either topically or as a tea if a doctor gives you the go-ahead.

To make clove tea, add one cup of boiling water to a teaspoon or so of cloves. Steep to desired strength and strain before drinking.

Aromatherapy may help relieve nausea and vomiting, although studies on its effectiveness are mixed.

To practice aromatherapy, try deep breathing with an open essential oil bottle, an essential oil diffuser, or add a few drops to a cotton ball.

Scents that are believed to have an effect on nausea can include:

  • clove
  • lemon
  • ginger
  • lavender
  • chamomile
  • rose
  • fennel
  • peppermint

If you have asthma or another respiratory condition, ask your doctor before diffusing essential oils. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAI), using essential oils may increase breathing difficulties in some people.

Not all cases of nausea and vomiting require a visit to a doctor, especially if the symptoms are mild and temporary. However, you should call a doctor if:

  • You or your child vomits for more than 24 hours.
  • There’s blood in your vomit.
  • You have signs of dehydration, such as infrequent urination, dark urine, and dry mouth.
  • Vomiting comes and goes for more than a month.
  • You’re losing weight from long-term nausea and vomiting.

When vomiting is an emergency

Sometimes vomiting can be a sign of an emergency situation. If you experience any of the following symptoms along with nausea and vomiting, have someone bring you to a hospital or contact local emergency medical services.

These symptoms can include:

  • chest pain
  • severe abdominal pain
  • blurred vision
  • dizziness or fainting
  • high fever
  • stiff neck
  • cold, clammy, pale skin
  • severe headache
  • being unable to keep food or liquids down for 12 hours

Additionally, you should seek help right away if you think your symptoms are related to poisoning. Get help from the Poison Control Center online or call (800) 222-1222.

Some natural ways to help you stop vomiting include eating bland foods and crackers, trying aromatherapy or wrist acupressure, and taking some herbal supplements like ginger, fennel, or cloves. Some OTC medications may also provide relief from nausea and vomiting, such as Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate, antihistamines, or H1 blockers.

It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if vomiting persists for more than 1 day. Get immediate medical attention if you’re experiencing bloody vomit or it looks like coffee grounds.

Some prescription and OTC anti-emetic medications may help stop vomiting. However, their efficacy depends on the underlying cause. Other options may include wrist acupressure, consuming ginger, and deep breathing.

Some warm tea may help provide relief from nausea and vomiting, such as ginger, clove, and fennel teas.

Drinking water very slowly or sucking on ice cubes may help keep water down. It will also provide essential hydration. However, drinking too much water at a time or drinking it too quickly often triggers more vomiting.

Acute nausea and vomiting can typically be treated at home. Vomiting due to the stomach flu or food poisoning may require medical attention, especially if you’ve been throwing up for more than one day.

Remember to drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration and to stick with a bland diet once you reintroduce solid foods.

If you’re concerned about persistent or recurring nausea or vomiting or any symptoms of dehydration, consider seeing a doctor for further treatment.

Depending on the underlying causes, a doctor may recommend medications and IV fluids to help treat dehydration.