Ginger for Motion Sickness: Does It Really Help?

Ginger for Motion Sickness: Does It Really Help?

Why Motion Sickness Happens

Motion sickness occurs when your eyes and inner ear send conflicting signals to your brain — one says you're moving, the other says you're still. This phenomena is often referred to as the intersensory conflict model. The result: dizziness, cold sweats, and nausea. It affects up to 1 in 3 people and can strike on planes, boats, cars, or even in VR headsets. Some think that the body is wired this way because, back in the day, the most likely reason for your senses to send conflicting reports was that you ate a poison berry that needed to be vomited!

What the Science Says About Ginger

Ginger has been studied as a motion sickness remedy since the 1980s, and the evidence is solid. A landmark study published in The Lancet found ginger outperformed dimenhydrinate (the active ingredient in Dramamine) for reducing motion sickness symptoms — without the drowsiness.

Here's how it works: ginger's active compounds — gingerols and shogaols — act directly on the GI tract to reduce nausea signals, and may also influence serotonin receptors involved in the vomiting reflex. Unlike antihistamine-based remedies, ginger doesn't make you drowsy or foggy. Gingerols do not cross into the brain, although there is mounting evidence that shogaols may, and that these compounds may influence other body pathway's of nausea in the brainstem vomiting center.

Bottom line: Yes, ginger really does help — and it does so without the side effects most OTC options carry.

How to Use Ginger for Motion Sickness

• Take it 30-60 minutes before travel — ginger works best as a preventive, not a rescue remedy once nausea is severe.
• Use it consistently on longer trips — one dose at the start, then every few hours as needed.
• Choose a form that delivers real ginger — supplements, candies, and teas vary wildly in potency. Look for products made with actual ginger root, not just ginger flavoring.

How Tummydrops Can Help

Tummydrops Organic Ginger lozenges are made with certified organic ginger root — no artificial flavors, no fillers. Because they dissolve slowly in your mouth, the active compounds absorb gradually, which is ideal for sustained motion sickness relief during a flight or road trip. They are made with a special organic ginger extract enriched in both gingerols and shoagaols using a patented process only available with tummydrops.

They're also TSA-friendly, pocket-sized, and come in flavors that make them easy to take even when you're already feeling off:

• Organic Natural Ginger Tummydrops, 33 ct — the classic, full-strength option
• Organic Ginger Strawberry Tummydrops, 33 ct — mild and approachable for sensitive stomachs
• Organic Double Ginger Peach Tummydrops, 33 ct — for those who want maximum ginger potency
• Italian Ginger & Peppermint Pack — ginger + peppermint combo for broader nausea coverage

Browse the full Ginger collection to find your match.

Tips for Best Results on the Road

• Pack them in your carry-on, not your checked bag — nausea doesn't wait for baggage claim.
• Start with a milder flavor if you're new to ginger — Strawberry or Sweet Pear are great entry points.
• Combine with a window seat when possible — visual alignment with motion reduces conflicting signals.
• Stay hydrated — dehydration amplifies motion sickness symptoms.
  

The Bottom Line

Ginger is one of the most well-researched natural remedies for motion sickness, and it works — without drowsiness, without a prescription, and without the foggy feeling that comes with antihistamine-based options. Keep a bag in your travel kit and take it before you board.