Does Arrowroot Help with Nausea?

November 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Arrowroot has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to address a variety of digestive complaints. People often ask, does arrowroot help with nausea, based on its reputation as a gentle and bland food for sensitive stomachs.

Quick Summary

Arrowroot is a traditional remedy used for digestive issues like upset stomachs and diarrhea due to its bland, gentle nature. Scientific proof for its nausea-relieving effects is minimal.

Key Points

Traditional Remedy: Arrowroot has been used in traditional medicine for centuries as a gentle and bland food for sensitive stomachs, including those experiencing nausea.
Demulcent Effect: When prepared as a gruel, arrowroot forms a soothing, protective coating over the digestive tract's mucous membranes, which may help calm irritation.
Limited Scientific Evidence: While traditionally recommended, there is minimal scientific evidence from clinical trials to prove arrowroot's direct effectiveness against nausea.
Easily Digested: Its main benefit for nausea is its high digestibility and neutral taste, which allows it to provide gentle nourishment without irritating the stomach.
Proper Preparation: For best results, mix arrowroot powder with a cold liquid first to create a slurry before adding it to hot water to avoid clumping.
Comparison to Ginger: Unlike ginger, which has strong clinical evidence for its anti-nausea effects, arrowroot is primarily a soothing, supportive dietary choice.

The Traditional Use of Arrowroot for Digestive Woes

Arrowroot, derived from the tropical tuber of the Maranta arundinacea plant, has a long history as a gentle digestive aid. Traditional healers across regions like the Caribbean, South America, and India have recommended arrowroot starch for various gastrointestinal issues, including nausea and upset stomachs, particularly for children and those recovering from illness. Its primary application in these practices is as a demulcent, meaning it forms a soothing, protective film over mucous membranes in the digestive tract. This can help calm irritation and provide a non-acidic source of nutrition when the stomach is sensitive. The resulting arrowroot gruel or porridge is easily digestible and gentle on the system, which is why it has been a staple in home remedies for generations.

How Arrowroot Provides a Soothing Effect

While strong clinical evidence is lacking, the presumed mechanisms behind arrowroot's soothing action are tied to its composition and properties. The key factors include:

High Digestibility: Arrowroot starch is easily digested by the body, reducing the workload on a compromised digestive system.
Blandness: Its neutral, mild flavor makes it suitable for neutral diets and less likely to trigger a nauseous response than stronger-tasting foods.
Demulcent Properties: When heated and mixed with liquid, arrowroot powder forms a viscous, mucilaginous gel. This gel is thought to coat the stomach lining, which may offer temporary relief from irritation or discomfort associated with indigestion or gastritis.
Prebiotic Effects: Arrowroot contains resistant starch, a type of fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. A balanced gut microbiome is vital for overall digestive and immune health, which may indirectly help manage digestive issues.

Scientific Validation for Arrowroot and Nausea

Despite its widespread traditional use, the scientific evidence supporting arrowroot's specific effectiveness for nausea is weak. Most of the available literature consists of anecdotal reports, traditional folklore, and ethnobotanical surveys, rather than robust clinical trials or comprehensive pharmacological studies. The relief experienced is more likely due to its mildness and ease of digestion than any direct antiemetic (anti-nausea) properties. The body's ability to easily process arrowroot provides gentle sustenance, helping to stabilize a sensitive stomach without further irritation.

How to Prepare Arrowroot for Nausea

If you choose to use arrowroot as a gentle digestive aid, it is important to prepare it correctly to avoid lumps and maximize its soothing potential. It is most effective when consumed as a warm, smooth gruel.

Make an Arrowroot Drink: Create a cold slurry first by mixing arrowroot powder with a small amount of cold water or milk. Then, stir this slurry into a hot, simmering liquid, such as water or broth, until it thickens. Do not add the powder directly to boiling liquid, as this will cause clumping. You can also add ginger or honey for extra flavor and benefit.
Arrowroot Biscuits: Some commercially prepared biscuits containing arrowroot are designed for sensitive stomachs and can provide gentle nourishment.
Add to Soups and Broths: Use arrowroot as a thickener for nutrient-rich soups or broths, which are often recommended for those experiencing nausea.

Arrowroot vs. Ginger for Nausea Relief

While both are popular natural remedies for stomach issues, their effectiveness for nausea and supporting evidence differ significantly.


Feature	Arrowroot	Ginger
Primary Mechanism	Soothes the digestive tract through its demulcent (coating) properties; provides easily digestible nourishment.	Directly affects physiological pathways involved in nausea and increases digestive motility to speed stomach emptying.
Scientific Evidence	Minimal; primarily anecdotal and based on traditional use.	Strong; multiple clinical trials support its use for various types of nausea, including chemotherapy-induced nausea and morning sickness.
Flavor Profile	Neutral and bland, making it ideal for those sensitive to strong tastes.	Pungent and spicy, which can sometimes be too strong for a sensitive stomach.
Best for...	Providing gentle, non-irritating calories when other foods are hard to tolerate.	Directly targeting the sensation of nausea itself, especially with strong evidence for specific types of nausea.

Conclusion: A Gentle Tradition, Not a Guaranteed Cure

Arrowroot can be a gentle, soothing, and easily digestible food for an upset stomach, offering a source of nutrition when other foods are unappealing. Its traditional use for nausea is based on its mildness and ability to coat the digestive tract, which can provide symptomatic relief from irritation. However, it is not a direct, pharmacologically proven anti-nausea agent. Robust clinical evidence for its effectiveness against nausea, particularly when compared to scientifically-backed remedies like ginger, is lacking. It is best viewed as a supportive, gentle dietary choice for a sensitive stomach rather than a targeted treatment. If nausea persists, consulting a healthcare professional is always recommended.

Visit a medical professional for severe or persistent nausea symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, arrowroot has historically been used for children due to its easily digestible and gentle nature, often prepared as a soothing gruel for upset stomachs. However, it is always best to consult a pediatrician before giving any remedy to a child, especially for persistent or severe symptoms.

Arrowroot and ginger work differently. Ginger has strong, clinically-backed anti-nausea effects, while arrowroot primarily offers gentle, non-irritating nourishment for a sensitive stomach. For direct relief from nausea, ginger is generally more potent, but arrowroot can be better if you need a bland, easily tolerated food.

To make a soothing gruel, mix 1-2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder with a small amount of cold water to form a smooth paste. Slowly stir this mixture into a cup of simmering water or broth until it thickens into a smooth, translucent gel.

Arrowroot is known for being easily digestible, soothing the gut lining with its demulcent properties, and acting as a gentle remedy for diarrhea. It also contains prebiotic resistant starch that can support a healthy gut microbiome.

Arrowroot is generally considered safe when used in food amounts. However, excessive intake might cause constipation or stomach discomfort. If used for diarrhea, it should not be combined with other diarrhea medications without a doctor's supervision.

Yes, arrowroot powder is a gluten-free starch that can be used in baking and as a thickening agent. It is gentle on the stomach and can replace wheat flour for those with gluten sensitivities.

Arrowroot is a more nutritionally dense, gluten-free, and neutral-tasting thickener compared to cornstarch. Arrowroot creates a silky, clear finish, freezes and thaws better, but loses its thickening power with prolonged high heat.