· By Amy Suzanne Upchurch, Founder + CEO of Pink Stork, Certified Health Coach, INHC
What actually works for morning sickness, ginger or vitamin B6?
Ginger and vitamin B6 are the two options with the strongest head-to-head research behind them for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, and multiple randomized trials have found they perform similarly well. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially during pregnancy. A large trial found ginger and vitamin B6 to be equivalent for reducing nausea, retching, and vomiting, so the more useful question is often which one fits your routine, not which one is objectively better.†
What the research actually shows
A randomized, controlled equivalence trial of 291 pregnant women compared 1.05 g of ginger daily with 75 mg of vitamin B6 daily over three weeks and found ginger was equivalent to vitamin B6 for reducing nausea, retching, and vomiting1. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' practice guideline lists vitamin B6, alone or combined with doxylamine, as first-line pharmacologic therapy for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, and identifies ginger as a nonpharmacologic option shown to reduce nausea symptoms2.
This is meaningfully different from most "morning sickness cure" content circulating online. Ginger and vitamin B6 are not old wives' tale remedies. They have real randomized trial data behind them, and major medical guidelines recognize both.
Why it matters which one (or both) is in your supplement
Here is the detail that gets missed: a lot of prenatal nausea products only include ginger or only include vitamin B6, not both. Since the research shows the two work through different mechanisms and perform comparably, a formula that includes both gives you access to two independently studied options rather than betting on just one.
Mayo Clinic notes that foods and supplements containing ginger might help settle an upset stomach during pregnancy, alongside general strategies like avoiding an empty stomach and eating small, frequent meals3. Cleveland Clinic notes that morning sickness affects up to 70% of women in the first trimester and, despite the name, can occur at any time of day4.
Signs your morning sickness may need more than home remedies
- Inability to keep liquids down for an extended period
- Signs of dehydration, such as dark urine or infrequent urination
- Weight loss during the first trimester
- Symptoms that worsen rather than improve with rest and dietary changes
If you notice any of these, contact your healthcare provider promptly rather than relying on home remedies alone.
"One of the challenges in pregnancy is building that trust… and feeling heard."
— Dr. Tosin Odunsi, MD, MPH, FACOG, Obstetrics and Gynecology Physician
That trust matters here too. Talking openly with your provider about which symptom-relief options you are trying, including over-the-counter supplements, helps them support you more effectively.
What to look for in a nausea-support product
Real ginger or peppermint and vitamin B6 to ease occasional nausea, morning sickness, and motion sickness, Nausea Sweets are formulated with active ginger or peppermint oil plus vitamin B6 to help ease occasional upset stomach, morning sickness, indigestion, and feelings of bloat.† They come individually wrapped, so you can keep them in a bag, car, or desk drawer for whenever nausea hits. Pairing nausea support with a foundational prenatal matters too: our clean-label prenatal with 5-MTHF and iron bisglycinate covers the nutrient side while Nausea Sweets addresses day-to-day comfort.
"Every pregnancy feels different, even for the same woman. If something as simple as ginger or B6 gets you through a rough week, that matters," says Amy Suzanne Upchurch, Founder and CEO of Pink Stork.
If you are also researching what to look for in your prenatal itself, see our guide on why your prenatal needs methylated folate.
Frequently asked questions
Is ginger or vitamin B6 more effective for morning sickness?
A randomized equivalence trial found the two performed comparably for reducing nausea, retching, and vomiting, so neither has been shown to be clearly superior1.
What does ACOG recommend for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy?
ACOG's practice guideline lists vitamin B6, alone or with doxylamine, as first-line pharmacologic therapy, and identifies ginger as a nonpharmacologic option with evidence for reducing nausea2.
How common is morning sickness?
It affects up to 70% of women in the first trimester of pregnancy, and despite the name, it can occur at any time of day4.
When should I call my healthcare provider about morning sickness?
Contact your provider if you cannot keep liquids down, show signs of dehydration, are losing weight, or your symptoms are worsening rather than improving3.
Does Nausea Sweets contain both ginger and vitamin B6?
Nausea Sweets are formulated with active ginger or peppermint oil plus vitamin B6, available in Sweet Peppermint, Ginger Mango, and Ginger Raspberry.†
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or while managing a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.
