Relieve Nausea Without Medications: From Ginger to Acupuncture (Palliative Doctor Explains)

Can you relieve and treat nausea without adding more pills? In Part 2 of our series on nausea, Dr. Jonathan Wong—a palliative care physician in Winnipeg, Canada—explores evidence-based, non-pharmacological strategies to relieve nausea. From the simplicity of fresh air and fans to the traditional use of ginger and acupuncture to ancient practices of acupuncture and acupressure, we break down why these methods can work to reduce the sensation of nausea. In this video, you will learn: Why fresh air and moving air across the face can calm the brain’s vomiting centre. The truth about Ginger Ale and why fresh ginger is a superior alternative. How to make food more "approachable" to things to avoid after eating. How good oral hygiene is very important. The role of Acupuncture and Acupressure (the PC6 point) in nausea relief. How relaxation techniques like Diaphragmatic Breathing, Music Therapy and Progressive Muscle Relaxation can help. Link to Nausea Part 1 - Causes & Physiology:    • Nausea in Cancer & Serious Illness: Causes...   00:00 Intro 00:42 Background 01:20 Avoid the triggers of nausea 02:20 Get fresh air, lower ambient temperature 05:01 Make what you eat more approachable 06:36 Ginger Ale vs. fresh ginger 08:40 Foods to avoid 11:02 Things to do after eating & oral hygiene 11:55 Scents & aromatherapy 12:50 Issues & variability with Complementary therapies 13:32 Acupuncture & acupressure 14:20 Relaxation strategies including Progressive Muscle Relaxation 16:39 Reducing anticipatory nausea - CBT, mindfulness, hypnosis 18:03 Summary #Nausea #PalliativeCare #SymptomManagement #MedicalEducation #CancerCare Link to the introductory video:    • Welcome to Palliative Care Explained! Decl...   About this channel: Welcome to Palliative Care Explained - a channel aimed at answering your questions about palliative care and end of life care. My name is Dr. Jonathan Wong (MD, FRCPC) and I am a palliative care doctor based out of Winnipeg, Canada. Brought online March 28, 2025, Palliative Care Explained is a channel aimed at answering your questions about palliative care. My formal medical training is in internal medicine and palliative care and I have been working in the field of palliative care since 2011. It is my hope that this channel will better inform viewers about palliative care, end of life care and living with a serious illness. Intro music written & recorded by: Jonathan Wong Committee advisors: Dr. P. Daeninck MD, MSc, FRCPC Dr. E. Giannouli MD, FRCPC Dr. J. Strutinsky-Mason MD, MSc, MRCP (UK) Disclaimer and medical-legal statements: *As a medical professional speaking to you, I hereby declare that I do not have any conflicts of interest that would compromise the integrity of the presented information. *I do not have any financial sponsors nor am I receiving any funding from the pharmaceutical industry. *This channel and its production, is my own undertaking, with support from other palliative care experts. *This video series is for educational purposes only and is intended for audiences in Canada. *The presented information may not be applicable to all viewers. *I am not providing any direct medical treatment or advice to the viewer. *These videos are not meant to imply or establish a therapeutic relationship with the viewer. *These videos are not to replace or subvert the advice from the viewer’s own doctor or health care provider team. *Any further questions should be directed to the medical team most familiar with the viewer’s unique situation. References and further reading: Yongzhao D. The Anti-emetic Mechanisms of Gingerols Against Chemotherapy Induced Nausea & Vomiting. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022 Feb 24. Samuels, N. Acupuncture for Nausea: How does it work? Harefuah 2003 142(4):297-300 Kravits. Hypnosis for the Management of Anticipatory Nausea and Vomiting. J Adv Onco, 2015 6(3):225-229 Gergo D. Inhaling Peppermint Essential Oil as a Promosing Complementary Therapy in the Treatment of Nausea & Vomiting. J Clin Med 2025: 14(14):5069. Arakawa S, Relaxation to Reduce Nausea, Vomiting & Anxiety induced by Chemotherapy in Japanese patients. Cancer Nursing 1997. 20(5):342-349 Zhong F. Effect of Music Therapy on Chemo-induced Nausea & Vomiting in Gastrointestinal Cancer. A systematic Reeview and meta-analysis. World J Gastrointestinal Surg. 15(3):471-479. Nausea and vomiting in palliative care. Leach, C. Clinical Medicine (2019) 19-4, 299-301 Palliative Medicine – A Cased Based Manual Fourth Edition MacDonald S, Herx L, Boyle A Copyright Oxford University Press 2022. Published by Oxford University Press. Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine Sixth Edition Cherny N, Fallon M, Kaasa S, Portenoy R, Currow D. Copyright Oxford University Press 2021. Published by Oxford University Press. JAMA Evidence Care at the close of life – Evidence and Experience McPhee S, Winker M, Rabow M, Pantilat S, Markowitz A Copyright American Medical Association 2011. Published by McGraw-Hill.