Motion sickness occurs commonly. Existing drug treatments either carry unwanted adverse effects or are insufficiently effective. Scopolamine, one of the major drugs for treating motion sickness, is a natural product found in many members of the Solanaceae family. Two members of this family, Atropa belladonna (belladonna) and Hyoscamus niger (henbane), are discussed as safer whole-plant alternatives to isolated scopolamine. The best studied herbal medicine for motion sickness, Zingiber officinale (ginger), is both safe and effective for many people. A whole host of other plants in the same family as ginger, the Zingiberaceae, are also antiemetic, including Alpinia officinarum (lesser galangal), A. katsumadai (Hainan or Katsumada galangal), Curcuma caesia (black zedoary), C. zedoaria (white zedoary), C. amada (mango ginger), and Renealmia alpinia (ixquihit), which are particularly discussed in this group. Finally, the Lamiaceae or mint family contains many antiemetic herbs. Mentha x piperita (peppermint) and M. spicata (spearmint) are particularly discussed. The novel use of their volatile oils by inhalation as an alternative to other routes of administration in motion sickness is highlighted.
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