5 Gentle Herbs That Helped Me with Pregnancy Nausea

Pregnancy is wild. Beautiful, yes—but also messy, humbling, and often full of surprises (hello, all-day nausea 😅). When I was pregnant, one of the hardest parts of the first trimester was that constant queasy feeling—like motion sickness that never quite lets up.

If you're in that stage right now, I see you. I remember googling everything, trying all the crackers, and hoping the next morning would feel better. Somewhere along the way, I turned to herbs—and they offered me so much gentle support. I wanted to share what worked for me in case it helps you too.

Here are five of the herbs I leaned on, with love and care:

🌿 1. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

This one is a classic for a reason. Ginger has been used for centuries to ease nausea, and I found it incredibly helpful. I drank ginger tea first thing in the morning and kept ginger chews in my bag for emergencies. Just the smell sometimes brought relief. It’s warming, grounding, and kind of magical in how it calms the stomach.

🌿 2. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)

There were days I couldn’t even look at food—but a cup of peppermint tea? That I could handle. Peppermint cools and relaxes the digestive system. I also carried a small bottle of peppermint essential oil and would take a slow, deep inhale when nausea hit in public. Simple, but surprisingly effective.

🌿 3. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Soft, sweet, and a total heart-soother. Lemon balm doesn’t just ease the belly; it gently calms the nervous system too. On days when I felt overwhelmed and sick, a cup of lemon balm tea helped me feel steady again. It’s one of my all-time favorite herbs.

🌿 4. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

I turned to chamomile on those nights when nausea and exhaustion teamed up and left me wired but wiped out. It’s calming, anti-inflammatory, and pairs beautifully with a quiet bedtime ritual. Think soft lighting, cozy socks, and a warm mug before sleep.

🌿 5. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

This one was a surprise helper. Fennel is more known for bloating and cramping, but I found it gently settled my stomach too. I made a light tea with the seeds when digestion felt off—it helped release some of the tension and brought a feeling of relief I didn’t expect.

A Loving Reminder

These herbs are generally considered safe in small, food-like amounts—but every pregnancy is different. Please talk to your midwife or healthcare provider before adding any herbs to your routine. Nature is powerful, and tuning into your body’s unique needs is the most important medicine of all.

Sending love and chamomile-scented strength,
— Jennifer 🌼