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Herbs That Prevent Seasickness
Index
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Ginger:  The rhizome is used fresh, dried, pickled and preserved. The shoots, leaves and inflorescences of ginger, (an antioxidant), are eaten raw or cooked.   Crystallized or infused ginger suppresses nausea and settles upset stomachs. A steam inhalation treats colds and lung infections.  Ginger tea [stimulates digestion], eases indigestion and flatulence and reduces fever [can be made with one half teaspoon of freshly grated rhizome (root) into a cop of boiling water - cover the pot and steep for ten to fifteen minutes.  Strain, (add honey) and drink hot or cold]. One drop of the root essential oil in a massage blend helps relieve muscular pain, rheumatism, lumbago and fatigue.   [It improves the digestion of proteins, is an effective treatment for nausea and motion sickness, strengthens the mucosal lining of the upper GI tract in a way that protects against formation of ulcers and has a wide range of action against intestinal parasites. When ginger is dried, its chemistry changes; in particular, the ginerols, which are abundant in the fresh rhizome, convert to the more pungent shogaols. These to classes of compounds may have different properties, with shogaols having more powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.   There fore it might be wise to use more than one form of ginger. And persons with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions might get more benefit from capsules of dries powdered ginger.

Ipecac:   Fast-acting remedy for nausea and vomiting. Homeopathic Ipecac, unlike “ipecac” used to induce vomiting, homeopathic ipecac gets rid of nausea and makes you stop vomiting regardless of the cause. It takes less than five minutes to work and is very inexpensive, costing about $7 per tube and lasts about a year.

Milk Thistle:  The whole plant is edible [nontoxic] and aids digestion.   The seeds and leaves have been given for low milk flow, coughs and depression and for digestive, liver gallbladder and spleen problems.   Since silymarin in the seeds was discovered to protect the liver from many toxins, including death cap mushrooms, extracts have been used [to enhance metabolism of liver cells and protect them from toxic injury, and] to reduce damage from alcohol and drugs, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and cadmium poisoning.  It is taken to prevent travel sickness and heart disease. [Note: Heavy drinkers should take milk thistle regularly as well as those using pharmaceutical drugs that are hard on the liver including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy as well as those with chronic hepatitis and abnormal liver function].

Lavender:  Aromatic oil glands cover all aerial parts of the plants but are most concentrated in the flowers.  The flowers flavor jams, vinegar, sweets, cream and Provencal stews and are crystallized for decoration.  Dried flowers add long-lasting fragrance to sachets and potpourri.  Flower water is a skin toner useful for speeding cell renewal and is an antiseptic for acne and treats anxiety, headaches, flatulence, nausea, dizziness and halitosis.  The essential oil is a highly valued perfume and healer.  It is antiseptic, mildly sedative and painkilling.  It is applied to insect bites and treats burns, sore throats and headaches.  It treats rheumatic aches, insomnia, depression and high blood pressure.  The best quality oil is from L. stoechas and L. angustifolia.

Mint:   Spearmint and peppermint oils have a mild anesthetic action.  They flavor candy, drinks, cigarettes, toothpastes and medicines.   Mints are stimulant, aid digestion and reduce flatulence. Peppermint has additional antiseptic, antiparasitic, antiviral and sweat-inducing properties.  It is included in ointments and cold remedies and is given for headaches.  In an inhalation the essential oil treats shock and nausea and improves concentration.

Anise:  Popular in European, Arabic and Indian cooking, whole or crushed seeds add sweet, spicy flavor to desserts, candies, pickles, curries and spirits such as Pernot, Anisette, Ricard, Ouzo and Arrak.  The flowers and leaves are used in fruit salads, the stem and roots in sweet soups. In cooking or infused as a tea, the seeds aid digestion, quell nausea and ease flatulence and colic.  Anise is used in cough mixtures, as it is expectorant and soothes spasms of irritant coughs and bronchial problems.   It promotes estrogen production and is used to stimulate libido.  In tests, it has significantly increased liver regeneration in rats.  Tiny amount of the essential oil, produced from the seeds, are added to toothpastes, perfumes and mouthwashes.

Sweet Pepper:   For a cook, there are two types of pepper: sweet and hot.  Sweet peppers (chilies), rich in vitamin C and are a digestive stimulant. Hot peppers enliven bland foods and give heat to curries The pungent capsaicin of chilies stimulates circulation and sensory nerves, "disinfects" food, (helps preserve food in hot countries), and eases sore throats. Capsaicin eases shingles but is painful if it comes in contact with the eyes and open cuts.  Spices include: paprika which helps prevent seasickness.

Catnip:  The root and leave scent minty with cat pheromone overtones, intoxicates cats and repels rats and flea beetles.   Tender leaves are added to salads and flavor meat.   They can also be brewed as tea and were used before China tea was imported.  The leaves and flowering tops treat colds, calm upset stomachs, reduce fevers and soothe headaches and scalp irritations.  Their mild, sedative action soothes babies with colic. When smoked, leaves give mild euphoria with no harmful effects.



Health At Sea



Wash Your Hands – Frequently!

Use the anti-bacterial wipes before re-boarding the ship, refrain from shaking hands as much as possible.

You will see the crew meticulously wiping banisters, elevator buttons, railings, door handles and windows shade pulls.

The virus is probably brought on board the ship by an infected person and then spread from person to person.  Infected people may contaminate surfaces they touch, infecting others who touch the same surface and absently touch a finger to the mouth, or eat without first washing.

Enjoy the lovely food aboard rather than venturing into the ports and eating on the streets.

The Captain may refrain from shaking hundreds of hands at his “Welcome Aboard Party.”

Drink bottled water and be cautious in ports, avoiding ice cubes and salads.

Wash Your Hands – Frequently!

Bon Voyage

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