If you’re heading on holiday this year, there’s one item that could help your journey run smoothly but it’s one you likely wouldn’t think to pack. Travel sickness affects nearly one in three Brits but there’s one cheap, easy remedy that’s been used by cruise crews and frequent flyers for years.

Cruise and travel expert Yasmin Peckel says you can stop nausea in its tracks — and it costs just pennies. Unfortunately, motion sickness on transport is a common problem. Luckily for Brits, Yasmin Peckel, travel and cruise expert at Blue Cruise, has the perfect on-the-go solution for all travellers – and she never travels without a stash of this item. “It’s a well-known trick amongst sailors that seasickness – or other motion sea sickness – can be settled with a calming cup of peppermint tea. I recommend always having a few bags in a handbag, just in case the travel provider doesn’t stock them,” she says.

“Simply ask for hot water from a trolley service or the crew onboard, or make a cup of peppermint tea in your cruise cabin.”

You can purchase a box of peppermint tea bags from Tesco for £1.75, with 40 tea bags in the box, this works out at just 4p per one.

According to Blue Cruise, “The constant fluctuating movement at sea or in the air and lack of visual reference points, combined with motion of the transport, is behind the nausea.”

Peppermint or mint teas can help relax the muscles in your stomach and digestive system and improve the flow of bile, which aids digestion – which is why it’s considered something that will settle your stomach. 

Peppermint can help with psychosocial stress, which can trigger or worsen digestive issues. If you’re looking for other tricks to treat motion sickness, there’s many other methods you can try.

Make sure to choose the right seat. You should opt for a seat with the least movement. In a car, the front seat is often best, while on a boat or plane, try the middle of the cabin.

Another tip is to focus on the horizon and fix your gaze on a distant, stable point to align your visual and inner ear senses – or something stable on a plane.

Finally make sure to breathe fresh air if you can. If you’re travelling by car, open a window in a car and make use of the land or sea breeze as improving airflow reduces nausea.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure to reduce your motion sickness and have a more enjoyable journey.