Herbs Traditionally Used for Nausea
The Donguibogam view
The Donguibogam explains nausea and vomiting as stomach qi failing to descend and rebelling upward. It distinguishes cold-type rising, phlegm-type rising, and food-stagnation rising, recording warming, resolving, and descending herbs for each.
This page organizes herbs recorded in the Donguibogam's herbology volume for nausea and vomiting, with original citations. Nausea in pregnancy sharply limits which herbs may be used — always consult a professional.
Herbal reference is not appropriate in these situations — seek medical care first:
- Blood or coffee-ground material in vomit
- Vomiting with severe headache or a stiff neck
- A rigid abdomen or severe abdominal pain
- Signs of dehydration — unable to keep fluids down, little urine
- Vomiting that began after a head injury
Herbs recorded for this concern
Fresh Ginger生薑
Fresh ginger bridges the kitchen and the pharmacy in Korean tradition. It is used at the first signs of w…
The original text records it as stopping vomiting — the foremost warming herb for settling the stomach, long used in households.
Pinellia Rhizome半夏
Pinellia is one of the most important phlegm-resolving herbs in Korean tradition, but the Donguibogam is …
Recorded as stopping vomiting and opening the stomach — central for phlegm-type nausea (processed only; contraindicated in pregnancy).
Poria茯苓
Poria is unusual among traditional herbs in that it is not a plant at all, but the dried sclerotium of a …
The original text records it as stopping retching and calming the spirit — used when queasiness comes with fluid intolerance.
Aged Tangerine Peel橘皮
Tangerine peel is a kitchen-cabinet remedy for stuck qi and phlegm, and the Donguibogam records that Kore…
Recorded as treating qi between chest and diaphragm and resolving phlegm — moves stuck qi in queasy, stuffy presentations.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drink ginger tea for queasiness?
Ginger is the herb the Donguibogam records as stopping vomiting, and ginger tea is a time-honored home practice. If you are pregnant, on medication, or vomiting repeatedly, consult a professional first.
Can these herbs be used for morning sickness?
Only some, and cautiously — pinellia in particular is traditionally contraindicated in pregnancy. Morning sickness should always be discussed with a qualified practitioner.
How does the Donguibogam explain nausea?
As stomach qi rebelling upward instead of descending, divided into cold-type, phlegm-type, and food-stagnation types, each with different recorded herbs.