Sniffing a lemon can ease annoying motion sickness: doctor

August 13, 2024

Talk about lemon aid.

Dr. Karan Rangarajan, also known as Dr. Karan Raj, is sharing why bringing a lemon on a road trip — and sniffing it — may help ease motion sickness.

“The olfactory system [in the nose] picks up those citrusy aromas,” Rangarajan said on a trending TikTok last week that has drawn 406,700 views.

TikTok users have been raving about the lemon trick. TikTok / @kiyana.ebrahimi

“The olfactory system is also closely related to the limbic system, which regulates nausea, so inhaling that lemon scent stimulates the limbic system to help relieve nausea,” he added.

Rangarajan, a UK surgeon, further explained that the lemon aroma increases saliva production and emptying of the stomach, which means fewer nausea symptoms.

The strong scent of citrus also provides a sensory distraction that shifts attention in the brain away from nausea, Rangarajan said.

“This may not work for everyone but using ginger, peppermint oil or any citrus fruit are low-cost, relatively risk-free interventions for nausea that don’t require medications,” he advised.

This is not the first time lemons have stolen the limelight on TikTok.

Last fall, influencer Darcy McQueeny shared a short video of herself sniffing half a lemon and proclaiming, “literally never riding the train without a lemon again.”

Dr. Joseph Salhab, a gastroenterologist in Florida, said at the time that there is “some truth” to the lemon nausea trick.

“It doesn’t have to be a lemon specifically. It may just be the act of deep breathing,” Salhab shared. “Whenever you deep breathe or inhale an aroma, signals get sent to your brain, and this may trigger a relaxation or a soothing effect on the stomach.”

Salhab suggests breathing in slowly through your nose and holding the breath for about three seconds before slowly breathing out of your mouth.

Commenters on Salhab’s clip also recommended sniffing alcohol wipes, rubbing alcohol, an orange or ginger-scented lip balm.