Nausea, the set of sensations your body uses to tell you you’re about to throw up, is extremely disconcerting. It may be the first symptom that you ate something about to disagree with you, in which case the situation will evolve (or more likely devolve) rapidly.

Nausea that is not part of food poisoning may be part of motion sickness or the morning sickness that is common in the first trimester of pregnancy. What can be done to help?

Years ago, we heard from a physician that a tablespoon of the juice from a can of pears could calm a queasy stomach, and we have found that to be true. He said that he learned the trick from a pediatrician who was his mentor, and that it would be especially helpful against nausea and vomiting in children. This liquid is extremely sweet because pears are canned in syrup.

Another old-fashioned remedy for nausea that some older folks remember from childhood is ginger ale.

But nowadays, ginger ale might not have any ginger in it. (If it does, it should say so on the label.) Without ginger, we’re not convinced that sipping ale will do anything for nausea, but there are many other ways to get ginger.

One of our favorites is ginger tea, made with fresh ginger root. Grate an inch-long piece of the root into a cup, cover it with boiling water, and let it steep for 10 minutes. Then strain the resulting tea into another cup, so you don’t end up with little pieces of grated ginger root in your mouth.

It will taste spicy and can be sweetened to taste with honey. Ginger works best when it is used preventively, before getting into the car or boat to travel.

Some people find that chewing on a piece of crystallized ginger or sucking on a ginger candy can help ease nausea.

Chamomile also has a long history as a treatment for upset stomach. You may remember that when Peter Rabbit made a pig of himself in Farmer McGregor’s garden in the classic Beatrix Potter tale, Mrs. Rabbit treated him with a dose of chamomile tea.

Chamomile contains compounds that calm spasms in the digestive tract, which may explain why it could be helpful against nausea.