beyond crackers and ginger ale: ancient remedies and modern relief for morning sickness (yes, that includes cannabis!)
Let’s be honest, if you’re deep in the trenches of severe morning sickness, the last thing you want to hear is “try some ginger tea and saltines.” For some people, that helps. For others, it’s laughably useless when you’re puking at the sight of water.
Morning sickness can range from mild nausea to full-blown Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), a debilitating condition that makes it hard to keep anything down, from food, fluids, even your will to live. (Ask me how I know.) But instead of rushing to pharmaceuticals or riding it out in misery, more and more pregnant people are turning to ancient herbal allies and modern plant medicine to find relief.
Here are some of the best natural and time-tested remedies for morning sickness, including a gentle, honest look at cannabis.
🌿 1. Let’s Talk About Cannabis (and Why It’s Not as Controversial as They Want You to Think)
Before we dive into cannabis as a potential remedy, let’s talk about what morning sickness actually is. Despite the name, it doesn’t just strike in the morning, and it’s not just nausea. Morning sickness is a physiological response caused by a rapid rise in hormones (especially hCG and estrogen) during early pregnancy. For some, it’s pretty mild nausea and food aversions. For others, it spirals into Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), a debilitating condition marked by severe vomiting, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and even hospitalization.
It’s not “in your head.” It’s not just a quirky pregnancy symptom. And for those affected, it can feel like being poisoned and betrayed by your own body.
🍃 Cannabis and Its Role In Alleviating Morning Sickness
Cannabis has been used for thousands of years in cultures around the world to ease suffering, including during pregnancy. Ancient texts from Egypt, China, and India describe its use in various forms for both medicinal and spiritual purposes. It was often used to manage pain, stimulate appetite, and reduce nausea, symptoms that modern pregnant people still face today.
In contemporary research, cannabinoids, especially CBD and low doses of THC, are being explored for their anti-nausea properties. The science points to the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which helps regulate vital processes like appetite, digestion, and mood. When cannabinoids like THC are introduced to the body, they bind to CB1 receptors in the ECS. These receptors are found in the brain and the gut, and their activation appears to play a key role in reducing nausea and vomiting.
Even at low doses, THC has shown remarkable potential in calming the body's nausea response, not just anecdotally, but in early clinical settings and patient-reported outcomes. CBD, meanwhile, may help modulate anxiety and inflammation, both of which can intensify feelings of queasiness.
💡 Harm Reduction and Informed Choices
It’s important to weigh the potential risks and benefits of cannabis use during pregnancy or postpartum with a trusted, qualified healthcare provider, ideally one who understands the endocannabinoid system and is both QUALIFIED and experienced in counseling patients on medical cannabis.
Practicing harm reduction is equally essential. Avoid tobacco or nicotine-based products like blunt wraps and bleached rolling papers, which may introduce additional toxins. Instead, choose organic hemp-based wraps or papers when smoking. If combustion is the only method that brings relief, take precautions: wash your hands, brush your teeth, and consider wearing an outer layer you can remove before holding your baby.
And if you're in a state where cannabis is legal, seek out a cannabis-literate provider, someone who sees the full picture, not just the stereotype.
❤️🩹 How Cannabis Can Help — When Used Intentionally
For many pregnant people, cannabis isn’t about getting high — it’s about getting relief. And that relief can be achieved thoughtfully, safely, and with minimal risk when you’re mindful about how you use it.
Here are some key practices for intentional, harm-reduced cannabis use:
🧪 Microdosing Works
Start low, go slow. A microdose is just enough to soothe your symptoms without producing a “high,” and it can be incredibly effective. That might mean:
A single puff from a clean vaporizer
1–2 mg of THC in a tincture or edible
Or even just CBD alone, depending on your body’s response
🌱 Look for High-CBD, Low-THC Ratios
CBD-dominant strains or products (like a 20:1 or 10:1 CBD:THC ratio) are ideal for nausea and anxiety with minimal psychoactive effect. Many people find that just a hint of THC is enough to engage the ECS and offer relief without feeling altered.
💨 Non-Smoking Methods Are Ideal
While smoking provides fast relief, non-combustion methods are gentler on your body and reduce exposure to harmful byproducts. Try:
Dry herb vaporizing is one of the most effective options. Unlike smoking, vaporizing doesn’t burn the plant material, it gently heats it to release cannabinoids and terpenes without combustion. A high-quality dry herb vaporizer (think medical-grade devices like the Vapor Brothers VB1.5, Volcano, or PAX) is even classified as a medical device in some regions for its ability to deliver cannabinoids in a cleaner, controlled way.
Tinctures (sublingual drops offer quick absorption and precise dosing)
Capsules or edibles (especially for overnight or long-term relief)
Infused teas or honey (soothing and easy on the stomach)
Topicals (for pain, with no psychoactive effects)
If smoking is the only method that works for you, be intentional. Choose organic hemp papers or wraps, avoid tobacco and nicotine products like blunt wraps, and practice good hygiene: wash your hands, brush your teeth, and change clothes before holding your baby.
👩⚕️ Talk to a Cannabis-Literate Provider
Not all doctors are educated or equipped enough to give guidance on cannabis. Again, if you're in a legal state, seek out a provider who understands the ECS and harm reduction. You deserve INFORMED support, not stigmatized implicit bias.
🍋 2. Lemon, Mint, and Fresh Aromatics
Citrus has been used for centuries to curb nausea. Try sniffing fresh lemon or adding it to your water with crushed mint leaves. Peppermint essential oil on a cotton pad near your pillow or tucked in your bra can help soothe waves of nausea without overwhelming your senses.
🌿 3. Ginger… But Not Just Any Ginger
We’ve all heard ginger is the go-to for nausea, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. Some people find ginger tea or chews helpful, while others can't tolerate the taste, or it worsens acid reflux. If ginger works for you, go for freshly grated root steeped in hot water with a touch of honey or lemon.
Pro tip: Ginger capsules (especially standardized ones) can be easier on the stomach than tea or candy and offer more consistent dosing.
🌾 4. Ancient Herbal Allies: Chamomile, Lemon Balm, and Fennel
Many herbs used by midwives for centuries are still just as helpful today. Chamomile and lemon balm can ease queasiness and calm the nervous system, which is often in overdrive during early pregnancy. Fennel tea may help with bloating, gas, and nausea, particularly when digestion is sluggish.
Important: Always consult with an herbalist or midwife before starting any herb during pregnancy, especially if you’re on medications or experiencing complications.
🌸 5. Acupressure + Movement
If you're well enough to move, gentle stretches, walking, or even swaying in the shower can shift the body’s equilibrium. Sea-Bands or anti-nausea wristbands (that stimulate the P6 acupressure point) have been studied for nausea relief and can be surprisingly effective!
🌈 Final Thoughts: Honor Your Body’s Wisdom
Your body is doing something massive. Morning sickness is brutal, but it’s also a message, a sign that your hormones are surging and that your body is working overtime. The key is finding support systems and remedies that work for you.
Whether that’s chamomile tea, a lemon popsicle, or a few puffs of flower in the bath, you deserve relief without shame.
💬 Have you tried any of these remedies, or found something totally unexpected that worked for you? Drop a comment or DM me on Instagram @thestonedathomemom.official. Let’s share the love and support for the ones growing the future, one queasy day at a time.
