Does Salt Treat Nausea? Fact vs. Fiction

December 4, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately 40% of people experience nausea at some point in their lives, often leading them to seek quick-fix solutions. The idea that salt treats nausea is a widely circulated folk remedy, but its effectiveness and safety depend on the specific context and cause of the nausea.

Quick Summary

This article explores the role of salt and electrolytes in managing nausea, distinguishing between beneficial and harmful uses. It reviews the scientific evidence, compares salt with proven remedies, and outlines safer hydration strategies.

Key Points

Electrolyte Replenishment: Salt can help replenish electrolytes lost during vomiting, but only as part of a balanced oral rehydration solution (ORS), not as a concentrated solution.
Avoid Concentrated Salt Water: Drinking concentrated salt water is dangerous and can worsen dehydration, trigger more vomiting, and cause serious health issues.
Opt for Proven Remedies: Scientifically-backed remedies like ginger, bland foods, and commercially prepared electrolyte drinks are safer and more effective for treating nausea.
Stay Hydrated: Sipping small amounts of clear, cold fluids like water or ginger tea is a crucial strategy for managing nausea safely.
Eat Bland Foods: When you can eat, stick to low-fat, bland foods like crackers to avoid further upsetting your stomach.
Monitor Your Symptoms: If nausea is persistent or severe, it is important to seek medical advice to rule out more serious causes.
Consider Acupressure: Some individuals find relief from nausea symptoms by using acupressure on specific points like the P-6 wrist point.

The Connection Between Salt, Electrolytes, and Nausea

Nausea can stem from various causes, including digestive issues, viral infections, and dehydration. The folk wisdom linking salt to nausea relief often relates to the body's need for electrolytes, particularly sodium, especially after vomiting. However, this is a nuanced topic that requires careful consideration of the body's delicate balance.

Replenishing Lost Electrolytes

When a person experiences vomiting, the body loses essential fluids and electrolytes, including sodium. This can lead to dehydration and further exacerbate feelings of nausea. In these cases, replenishing electrolytes can be beneficial. However, the key is balance.

Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS): Medical professionals recommend carefully balanced oral rehydration solutions, which contain specific ratios of sodium, glucose, and other electrolytes, rather than a homemade salt-water mixture.
Bland, Salty Foods: For mild cases not involving significant vomiting, some find relief from bland, slightly salty foods like crackers. The salt content can help replenish minor losses, while the simple carbohydrates are easy on the stomach.

The Dangers of Excessive Salt

Conversely, consuming too much plain salt, particularly in a concentrated solution, can be dangerous and worsen symptoms. The body has a hard time processing and eliminating excess sodium, which can draw water out of cells and further intensify dehydration. In fact, warm, concentrated salt water was historically used to induce vomiting, and doctors advise against this practice.

Context is Key

The reason a person feels nauseous dictates whether salt could be helpful or harmful. For motion sickness or inner ear issues, salt provides no benefit. For early pregnancy morning sickness, some find salty crackers helpful, but this is less about the salt itself and more about the bland, easy-to-digest nature of the food.

Comparison of Nausea Remedies: Salt vs. Proven Methods

It is helpful to compare the unproven use of plain salt with other well-documented remedies for nausea to make an informed decision.


Remedy	Mechanism of Action	Evidence	Best For	Considerations
Salt (plain)	Replenishing minor electrolyte loss; easy-to-digest salty foods can be soothing.	Minimal scientific evidence for salt alone; beneficial for electrolyte balance when properly diluted.	Mild cases or post-vomiting electrolyte replenishment using balanced solutions.	Excessive salt can cause dehydration and worsen nausea.
Ginger	Contains active compounds that interact with serotonin receptors in the gut and brain.	Strong evidence for pregnancy-related and post-chemotherapy nausea.	Various causes, including motion sickness and morning sickness.	Safe for most, but consult a doctor for specific conditions.
Electrolyte Drinks	Balanced blend of sodium, potassium, and glucose for rapid rehydration and electrolyte restoration.	Supported by clinical guidelines for managing vomiting and diarrhea.	Cases involving significant fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhea.	Choose low-sugar options to avoid potential stomach upset.
Acupressure	Stimulating specific pressure points (e.g., P-6 point on the wrist) to influence nausea pathways.	Some evidence suggests effectiveness, especially for motion sickness and post-operative nausea.	Wide range of conditions, often used alongside other treatments.	Not a replacement for addressing underlying medical issues.
Bland Foods (BRAT Diet)	Simple carbohydrates that are easy to digest and gentle on the stomach.	Recommended by medical professionals for stomach flu and other viral illnesses.	Gastrointestinal distress, including stomach flu.	Limits nutrients, so should be a temporary diet.

Natural and Practical Strategies for Nausea Relief

In addition to addressing the electrolyte issue, several other strategies can help manage nausea safely and effectively.

Stay Hydrated Strategically

Sip small amounts of cold, clear fluids regularly throughout the day.
Consider sucking on ice cubes made from juice or frozen drink mixes.
Drink ginger ale (made with real ginger), ginger tea, or peppermint tea.

Adjust Your Diet

Eat small, frequent meals rather than three large ones to avoid an empty stomach or feeling too full.
Stick to bland, low-fat, and easy-to-digest foods.
Avoid greasy, spicy, and overly sweet foods that can worsen symptoms.

Manage Your Environment and Habits

Avoid strong food smells by choosing cold foods that have less odor.
Try deep breathing exercises to help calm your system.
Ensure proper ventilation in your environment to avoid triggers.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Safety and Science

While the concept that salt treats nausea is rooted in the body's need for electrolytes, relying on plain salt or concentrated salt water is not a safe or reliable remedy. The minimal scientific evidence available confirms that excessively salty solutions can actually exacerbate dehydration and vomiting. The most effective and proven methods for nausea relief involve balanced rehydration with solutions like Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS), consuming bland foods, and utilizing remedies like ginger and acupressure. By understanding the difference between a carefully balanced electrolyte intake and harmful concentrated salt solutions, you can make safer choices for managing nausea and prioritize your overall well-being.

How to Manage Nausea Safely: A Comprehensive Guide

Understand the role of electrolytes: Salt, or sodium, is an electrolyte that the body loses during vomiting. Replenishing it is important, but only in balanced solutions, not concentrated salt water.
Rely on proven remedies: Ginger, bland foods, and balanced electrolyte drinks have strong evidence supporting their use for nausea.
Stay hydrated with clear fluids: Sipping cold water, clear broths, or tea is one of the most important steps to take when nauseous.
Eat strategically: Opt for small, frequent meals of bland, low-fat foods to keep your stomach from becoming too full or too empty.
Practice caution with home remedies: Be wary of anecdotal evidence for concentrated salt water, which can be dangerous and is not medically recommended.
Know when to seek medical help: If nausea is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, consult a healthcare provider.
Manage your environment: Avoid strong smells and ensure good ventilation to reduce nausea triggers.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, drinking concentrated salt water is not a good way to treat nausea and can be very dangerous. Excessive salt can worsen dehydration and trigger more vomiting. Balanced oral rehydration solutions are a safer alternative for replenishing electrolytes.

Salty crackers can help with nausea for several reasons. The bland nature of the crackers is easy on the stomach, and the small amount of salt can help replace some electrolytes. Additionally, they can help soak up stomach acid that may be causing irritation.

A medically recommended oral rehydration solution (ORS) is a much better and safer alternative. These solutions have a carefully balanced ratio of sodium, glucose, and other electrolytes designed for effective rehydration.

Yes, excessive intake of plain salt, especially in a concentrated liquid form, can disrupt the body's fluid balance. This can lead to increased dehydration and trigger or worsen feelings of nausea and vomiting.

Salt itself is not the treatment. For nausea caused by significant fluid loss (e.g., from vomiting), replenishing lost electrolytes is key. The most effective way is with a balanced solution, not plain salt. Bland, salty foods may help with mild, general nausea.

Several remedies have more scientific backing, including ginger (as tea or lozenges), sipping clear fluids like ginger ale or peppermint tea, eating bland foods, and using acupressure on the wrist.

You should see a doctor if your nausea is severe, persistent, or if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as high fever, severe abdominal pain, chest pain, vision changes, or signs of severe dehydration.