Ginger essential oil is proven to calm nausea. Here’s how to use it!

People have been using ginger to calm nausea for centuries. 

More recently, studies have demonstrated that ginger can indeed ease nausea! Ginger had this effect when it was both inhaled and topically applied.

Today, we’re going to use Ginger oil for nausea in a DIY inhaler recipe. 

We’ll also use two other essential oils that can relieve queasiness in your belly: Bergamot and Anise.

This recipe can help calm nausea,
ease spasms, and relax your muscles.

You can keep this inhaler with you and use it as needed. It’s a great travel companion, and can help settle your stomach if you’ve eaten something that doesn’t agree with you, or if you feel nervous and get “butterflies in your stomach.” 

But this recipe is not right for pregnant women or those with bleeding disorders, because it contains Anise. I’ll share more specific safety info below. 

First, let’s get to the recipe!

Steady Belly Inhaler with Ginger for Nausea

• 8 drops Bergamot essential oil (Citrus bergamia)
• 4 drops Ginger essential oil (Zingiber officinale)
• 3 drops Anise essential oil (Pimpinella anisum)

Making an essential oil inhaler is simple—even if you’ve never done it before!

You’ll need a blank inhaler with a cotton or polyester wick.

All you have to do is slide the wick into the inhaler, and drop your essential oils right onto the wick. You can watch the process with our co-founder, Andrea Butje, in this video.

About these essential oils for nausea

Bergamot essential oil

Citrus bergamia

Bergamot is a fresh, warm citrus essential oil that’s rich in the constituent linalyl acetate.

In studies, linalyl acetate has been shown to relax smooth muscles and calm spasms. That’s definitely what we want in a blend to ease nausea! And Bergamot oil’s fruity scent is emotionally comforting. It inspires serenity and happiness.

Ginger essential oil

Zingiber officinale

Spicy-sweet Ginger oil contains both monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. 

These two chemical families contribute to the oil’s ability to calm pain and inflammation, relax muscles, and ease nausea. Sesquiterpenes are known for their overall grounding, soothing effects, while many monoterpenes (including those in Ginger oil) are more lively and energizing. 

As they combine in Ginger oil, they create a sense of emotional stability and courage—a will to engage more freely with life. 

Anise essential oil

Pimpinella anisum

Anise is a warm, spicy, essential oil with an irresistible licorice-like scent!

It contains trans-anethole, a potent spasm-calming component that relaxes muscles—and also comes with some significant safety considerations.

In Essential Oil Safety, Second Edition, Tisserand and Young recommend avoiding anise essential oil if you’re pregnant, breast-feeding, or if you have endometriosis, estrogen-related cancer, or a bleeding disorder. 

Anise is also contraindicated if you’re on anticoagulant medications. It’s too strong for sensitive skin and for children under 5 years old. 

If you’d like to skip the Anise oil in this recipe, simply substitute Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum).

I hope your Steady Belly Inhaler helps you feel calm, reassured, and balanced!