Aromatherapy for Nausea: Four Essential Oils to Try

Posted: Jul 31, 2025

Navigating Your Health

Chemotherapy-induced nausea can be a challenge for people living with blood cancer. You may wonder if there are natural ways to reduce treatment-related nausea, in addition to or instead of prescription medicines. Recent research has shown that certain essential oils and aromatherapy may help reduce discomfort.

Below, learn the basics of essential oils. Then explore four types of essential oils for nausea relief. Remember to speak with your healthcare team about any concerns you have related to managing side effects.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that keep the plant’s natural scent and flavor. They are made through steam distillation or mechanical pressing. Many essential oils have been studied for their potential health benefits.

Why quality matters with essential oils

Essential oils are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so quality can vary widely. To stay safe and experience positive benefits, choose 100% pure therapeutic-grade oils. Avoid oils with additives or synthetic chemicals.

Aromatherapy: How to use essential oils

Essential oils can be used in several ways, altogether known as aromatherapy.

Inhalation: Smell the oil directly from the bottle or add a few drops to a diffuser.
Topical application: Massage into the skin, such as on your wrists or the bottoms of your feet. If the oil is known to cause skin sensitivity or if you have sensitive skin, mix it with a carrier oil. A carrier oil is used to dilute essential oils so they can be spread on the skin. Commonly recommended carrier oils include coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, and almond oil. Do not use water to dilute the oil since water and oil don’t mix, and water will drive the oil deeper into the skin rather than reduce sensitivity.

Staying safe with aromatherapy

Essential oils are very concentrated. Avoid using too much as this can cause skin irritation, breathing problems, or even poisoning.

Also, always check with your doctor before using essential oils, especially if you are taking cancer treatments. Some essential oils, such as grapefruit, can interact with medicines and change how they work. You may also use a drug interaction checker to review possible interactions before speaking with your health care team.

Before using essential oils, do a skin patch test. This can help you know if you have a sensitivity that could cause a reaction. To safely patch test essential oils:

Apply a small amount of the oil to the inside of your elbow.
Cover the spot with a bandage.
After 24 hours, remove the bandage. Check for skin reactions.

If you have any skin reaction, do not use the essential oil.

Four essential oils for nausea

1) Peppermint for nausea: A top choice

Peppermint essential oil is one of the most commonly used for nausea relief. In recent studies, inhaling peppermint oil reduced chemotherapy-related nausea for cancer patients. Peppermint essential oil works by relaxing the stomach muscles to decrease feelings of queasiness. Another way to get the benefits of peppermint oil is by drinking peppermint tea for nausea relief.

2) Ginger: A traditional remedy with modern use

Ginger has long been used as a natural remedy for nausea, especially in Traditional Chinese Medicine or Eastern medicine. One study found that cancer patients receiving chemotherapy who inhaled ginger essential oil experienced short-term relief from nausea. However, it did not reduce vomiting or long-term nausea. For some, ginger essential oil may be a helpful part of a broader nausea management plan.

3) Bergamot mint: Supporting your digestion and nervous systems

Bergamot mint essential oil is closely related to peppermint and has been studied for its ability to reduce nausea by supporting your digestive and nervous systems.

4) Lavender: Calming the mind and body

Lavender essential oil is often used for relaxation, sleep, and stress relief. In studies of people with cancer, lavender essential oil has been shown to reduce pain and anxiety during procedures like biopsies or needle insertions.

While lavender oil is not as directly linked to nausea relief as peppermint or ginger, it may help reduce anxiety, which can worsen nausea.

Talk with your health care team about nausea solutions

Please note that essential oils are not cancer treatments, but they may help improve your quality of life. They can ease symptoms like nausea, anxiety, and other side effects. They may be used alongside standard medical care or combined with complementary therapies such as massage, acupuncture, or acupressure.

It is important to discuss the side effects you are experiencing from blood cancer or its treatments with your healthcare provider. They can provide you with supportive solutions such as:

Prescription anti-nausea medicines like ondansetron (Zofran)
Dietary advice, such as eating small, frequent meals

Discussing all available options ensures you receive a care plan that matches your needs. If you want to try essential oils, your health care team can guide you on how to use them safely alongside your prescribed treatments.

Key takeaways for blood cancer patients

Peppermint, ginger, bergamot mint, or lavender essential oils in 100% pure form and used at safe doses may offer a natural way to help reduce nausea for people with blood cancer. These oils can be used by smelling them directly from the bottle, in a diffuser, and massaged into your skin.

Always consult your healthcare team before using essential oils to avoid interactions with your cancer treatments and to discuss other ways to manage nausea. While essential oils are not cancer treatments, they may improve your quality of life by reducing treatment-related side effects like nausea.

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