Pregnancy is a natural process that many women undergo, but it is often accompanied by discomfort, particularly in the early phase. One of the most common symptoms during pregnancy is nausea and vomiting, known as emesis gravidarum, which typically occurs in the first trimester.
Various natural remedies, such as lime extract, are believed to alleviate these symptoms. Lime, rich in essential limonin, linalool, and flavonoids, offers benefits for pregnant women by potentially relieving nausea and vomiting. Additionally, honey, when consumed during pregnancy, can support overall health and immunity.
Researchers, in a study that investigated the effect of honey-lime juice on nausea and vomiting in pregnant women with emesis gravidarum, suggested that honey-lime juice is a promising alternative for managing this common pregnancy symptom.
Chronic nausea and vomiting during pregnancy can lead to dehydration and weight loss in the expectant mother. Both the pregnant woman and the baby can be injured as a result of this, and both can even die if they do not receive prompt and adequate treatment.
Pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting can be treated using medicines. However, these drugs may have a teratogenic effect, which can alter the development of the foetus in the early stages of pregnancy.
Many pregnant women seek alternative or traditional medicine as a therapeutic option because of the potential for birth abnormalities caused by drugs.
Plants that have been shown in the literature to be beneficial for reducing nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy include ginger, chamomile, raspberry leaf, peppermint, and lime extract.
For the study, the pregnant women had the honey-lime juice for four consecutive days, during which the frequency of nausea and vomiting was measured on the first and fourth days.
On the first day, the expectant mother is given a lime juice intervention consisting of 250 ml of warm water, one lime fruit 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter, and a tablespoon of honey. This is done twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the International Conference of Innovation, Science, Technology, Education, Children, and Health, involved 30 pregnant women in Indonesia.
The majority of pregnant women experienced a reduction from moderate to mild nausea, and the overall intensity of nausea and vomiting decreased. The nausea and vomiting severity scores dropped from 7.43 to 4.47 after the intervention.
‘This therapy is considered safe, natural, and beneficial not only in overcoming vomiting and nausea associated with pregnancy but also in supporting the health of the mother and foetus,’ they said.
The combination of ingredients is thought to offer a synergistic effect that helps alleviate symptoms and provide essential nutrients.
Lime’s constituents have the potential to increase bile production, which neutralizes ‘digestive juices’ and reduces nausea. Also, honey is a source of various essential minerals that are good for the body. In addition to providing a high intake of nutrients for foetal growth in the womb, honey consumption can help maintain health and endurance during pregnancy.
Previously, in a study, researchers suggested increased intake of watermelon following hospitalization for severe morning sickness.
The randomized trial was conducted in a university hospital from May 2019 to December 2020, found that adding watermelon to the diet of women with the severe type of morning sickness after hospital discharge improves body weight, morning sickness symptoms, appetite, wellbeing and satisfaction.
It was in the journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.
In the study, 128 women at the University Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were randomized to consume watermelon and to heed the advice leaflet or to heed the dietary advice leaflet alone.
Weight change metrics over the two-week trial period following hospital discharge for hyperemesis gravidarum were significantly better for the watermelon arm both at the end of the first week and through to the end of the second week, as hypothesised.
By the end of week 2, there was a 0.75 kg difference in weight change across trial arms, equivalent to a body weight change of about 1.4 per cent.
In addition, maternal satisfaction was higher, and the recommendation of the allocated intervention to a friend or family member was also higher in the watermelon arm. The confluence of these findings points to a consistent positive impact of watermelon. However, on rehospitalisation for HG, there was no difference.
However, the researchers declared, ‘The confidence building from watermelon ‘staying down’ after being eaten may encourage the consumption of other food and drink and hasten recovery from severe morning sickness.’
In addition, ginger, particularly in syrup form, can be used as a safe and effective herbal medicine to treat morning sickness. It is affordable, and the product is readily available. For instance, one study reported a decrease from 3.71 to 2.24 episodes per day in the ginger group, while the control group experienced an increase from 5.00 to 5.71 episodes.
A double-blind trial indicated that 77 per cent of participants using ginger syrup experienced a notable improvement in nausea severity, compared to only 20 per cent in the placebo group.