How to Treat Nausea Naturally with Lemons: Home Remedies for Chemo Nausea

Nausea caused by chemotherapy and other cancer treatments can be challenging. Although you have many sickness medications, you may find that they may not work as well as you had hoped. Fortunately, there are ways to ease nausea, the most common chemotherapy side effect. In this blog post we explain how lemons reduce nausea and how to make your own remedies, a natural nausea relief for cancer patients. 

Our Ultimate Chemo Kit includes HOOGLY LEMON & GINGER TEA plus nausea-soothing recipes from Lotte May's Conquer Cancer Guidebook.

How does lemon reduce nausea?

Lemon is one of the most popular natural remedies for nausea — and for good reason. The refreshing scent and tart flavour can help ease queasiness almost instantly. Lemons contain natural acids that the body converts into bicarbonates, which help neutralise stomach acid and settle the digestive system.

In addition to calming the stomach, lemon juice stimulates saliva production, which not only helps relieve nausea but also soothes dry mouth — a common side effect during chemotherapy. Whether it’s sipping on fresh lemon water, lemonade, or simply inhaling the scent of a cut lemon, this bright citrus fruit can offer gentle, fast-acting relief when you need it most.

Nausea remedies

1. Lemon Water
Just squeeze a couple of drops of lemon into a glass of water. You can also try this hot with grated ginger to create a nausea relief tea.

2. Lemonade
Lemonade is an easy way to take lemons when you feel sick. Consider adding ginger into the lemonade to boost its anti-nausea effects.

3. Lemon Flavoured Sweets
Helps to focus your brain on flavour rather than the nausea. Also great for when having chemo to keep any weird tastes at bay.

4. Aromatherapy
Use an aromatherapy diffuser with lemon essential oil or try lemon-flavoured candles.

5. Lemon Inhalation
Simply cut a lemon in half and inhale every time you feel sick, or take a small bite.

6. Lemon Mouthwash
Rinsing the mouth with lemon water can create a sour flavour without consuming anything.

Further Reading and Support

• Comfort Crate: How to Treat Nausea with Peppermint
  Explore the science behind menthol and how peppermint tea or oil can disrupt the nausea signals in your digestive tract.
• Healthline: 17 Evidence-Based Ways to Relieve Nausea
  A comprehensive, medically reviewed look at natural remedies ranging from ginger and lemon to specific breathing exercises.
• True Citrus: Why Lemon Helps Settle Your Stomach
  Discover how the neutralising effect of citric acid and the scent of citrus can provide immediate relief from queasiness.

About the Author: Lotte May is a stage 4B Hodgkin Lymphoma survivor and founder of Comfort Crate. She uses her background to research to provide patients with practical evidence-based tools for side effect management. Read more about her mission.

Medical Disclaimer: This information is for support and guidance only. It does not replace the advice of your medical team.