Natural Remedies for Nausea of Pregnancy by Jeffrey Dach MD

Natural Remedies for Nausea of Pregnancy by Jeffrey Dach MD Every so often someone will ask me if there is a natural remedy other than ginger tea, for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy in the first trimester (first 12 weeks). Not commonly known is an old remedy I first learned from Jonathan Wright's book (1979) and newsletter (1984). This is the combined use of vitamin K and C for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy originally reported by Dr. Richard L Merkel in 1952 in the prestigious American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Header Image: The Artist's Wife at the French Windows by Laurits Andersen Ring (1854–1933). Title in Danish: I havedøren. Kunstnerens hustru. Oil on canvas. 1897. Statens Museum for Kunst. Public Domain. Courtesy of Wikimedia commons. What is Vitamin K? Vitamin K is involved in liver production of coagulation factors, hence the letter "K" comes from Koagulation, the Danish word for coagulation. Vitamin K serves as a cofactor in the hepatic production of clotting factors, Factor II, VII, IX, and X. Working as a Surgical Intern 50 Years Ago Back in the day, 50 years ago, I was a surgical intern at Rush Medical Center in Chicago. In some cases, surgery was delayed because of abnormal coagulation markers. The surgeons would pace back and forth in frustration. To correct this, vitamin K injections were commonly given to normalize coagulation markers so the surgeons could proceed with the operation. Left Image: Now retired: Dr. Jonathan V. Wright . Image Courtesy of the Tahoma Clinic which was closed April 2025, after Dr Wright's retirement. Letter to NEJM In October, 2010, Dr Jonathan Wright wrote a letter to the new England Journal of Medicine made public: Thank you for the comprehensive review of treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NEJM 2010:363;1544-50). From the 1970s to the present, I have found the treatment with vitamins K3 and C described by Merkel in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (1952;64:416-418) to be safe and effective in the very large majority of nauseated, vomiting, pregnant women. In 70 such women, Merkel used 5 milligrams of vitamin K3 (menadione) and 25 milligrams vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) given simultaneously orally, reporting that 64 of 70 had complete remission within 72 hours. Three were relieved of vomiting, but nausea persisted, and three did not respond to this treatment. Merkel emphasized that simultaneous administration is necessary for this treatment to be successful. As 25 milligram tablets or capsules of vitamin C have not been available for years, I have used 500 milligrams with 5 milligrams of vitamin K3 with the same degree of success. I have also observed that the occasional treatment failure can frequently be “reversed” with simultaneous injections (instead of continued oral administration) of the same vitamins. —Jonathan V. Wright, MD Tahoma Clinic, www.tahomaclinic.com Home Birth Clinic For a time, Dr. Wright ran a home birth clinic, and had considerable experience using the Vitamin K and C protocol for the nausea of early pregnancy patient, finding success in 90% of patients. Dr. Wright writes: Since the late 1970s (when my practice included helping women with their home births) the percentages of women helped by this treatment have remained at approximately nine out of ten...my current recommendations are a combination of vitamins K1 and vitamins K2 as MK-4 and MK-7 (all available in combination in one capsule; usually two capsules are needed to make five milligrams total vitamin K) along with vitamin C 500 milligrams, taken (as Dr. Merkel emphasized) at the same time once daily...And unlike patent medicines, these are safe during pregnancy. Tens of thousands of newborn infants were given vitamin K injections to prevent what was until relatively recently termed “hemorraghic disease of the newborn.” end quote Dr. Jonathan Wright. Credit and Thanks to Jonathan V. Wright for the above newsletter. More on Dr. Jonathan V. Wright: Jonathan Wright, M.D. Founder, Practitioner, Tahoma Clinic, Tukwila, WA Editor, Green Medicine Newsletter. A Harvard University and University of Michigan Medical School graduate. Dr. Wright founded Tahoma Clinic in Washington State in 1973. He is internationally known for his 29 medical articles and 13 books, selling over 1.5 million copies, with two texts (Book of Nutritional Therapy” and “Guide to Healing with Nutrition”) achieving best-selling status. Since 1996 he has written a popular monthly newsletter emphasizing nutritional and naturally-based medicine with a wide-reaching distribution. Most recently, in April 2012 he was inducted into the Orthomolecular Hall of Fame (International Society of Orthomolecular Medicine), honored for his contributions to the field of natural medicine. Dr. Wright retired April 2025. Dr. Jonathan V. Wright is a pioneer in natural treatments and Bioidentical Hormone Replacement (BHRT). Dr Wright pioneered the use of the Biest formula. Examples of his writings on natural treatment incude discussion of treatments for childhood asthma, how to improve vision in “dry” macular degeneration, the use of aldosterone to reverse age-related hearing loss, use of iodine for estrogen metabolism and steroid detoxification, and the use of the natural sugar D-mannose for urinary tract infections. Thanks and credit to the AMMG web site for above biography of Dr Wright. Buy Supplements on Amazon: Carlson - K Complete, K1, K2 as MK-4 & MK-7, Each Softgel contains: K1 0.5 mg, K2 as MK4 (menatetrenone): 1.5 mg . K2 as MK-7 menaquinone-7: 45 mcg Carlson - Vitamin K2, 5 mg caps, MK-4 (Menatetrenone), Vitamin K Supplement, Soy-free, 60 capsules Pure Encapsulations Buffered Ascorbic Acid Capsules | Vitamin C for Sensitive Individuals* | 90 Capsules Articles with related Interest: Preventing Pre-Eclampsia with a High Protein Diet Vitamin K, is there Anything it Can't Do? Smarter Babies with Iodine Supplements in Pregnancy Overdosing on Tylenol While Pregnant Jeffrey Dach MD 7450 Griffin Road, Suite 190 Davie, Fl 33314 954-792-4663 my blog: www.jeffreydachmd.com Bioidentical Hormones 101 Second Edition Menopausal Hormone Replacement, Health Benefits Natural Thyroid Toolkit by Jeffrey Dach MD Cracking Cancer Toolkit ebook Cracking Cancer Toolkit print version Heart Book by Jeffrey Dach MD www.naturalmedicine101.com www.bioidenticalhormones101.com www.truemedmd.com www.drdach.com Disclaimer: None of the information on this page is intended to diagnose or treat any existing disease or ailment, or to replace in any way the patient /physican relationship with your own personal physician. Note that the comments, information or messages, including any advice, suggestions, and/or recommendations has NOT been generated as part of any professional evaluation. No patient has been examined prior to making these comments; no professional fee has been charged by or paid to myself. Regarding the nutritional supplements which may be mentioned: These have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat disease. Any comments made about nutritional supplements are of a general nature and not intended to provide personal advice. The reader should seek the advice of a trusted health care professional regarding the use, risks, benefits, indications, and contra-indications of the various nutritional supplements which may be mentioned. Regarding FDA approved pharmaceutical drugs mentioned: Any comments made about drugs are of a general nature and not intended to provide personal advice. The reader should seek the advice of a trusted health care professional regarding the use, risks, benefits, indications, and contra-indications of drugs. The reader is advised to discuss the comments on these pages with his/her personal physicians and to only act upon the advice of his/her personal physician Also note that concerning an answer which appears as an electronically posted question, I am NOT creating a physician — patient relationship. Although identities will remain confidential as much as possible, as I can not control the media, I can not take responsibility for any breaches of confidentiality that may occur. References: 1) Merkel, Richard L. "The use of menadione bisulfite and ascorbic acid in the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy: A preliminary report." American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 64.2 (1952): 416-418. 2) Wright, Jonathan V. "Dr. Wright's book of nutritional therapy: real-life lessons in medicine without drugs." (1979). 3) Slides from Dr Wright Presentation October 31st – November 4th, 2018 - Tucson, Arizona at the AMMG meeting. Neglected but Effective Therapies by JONATHAN V. WRIGHT, M.D. 4) Effective Then, Effective Now: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy —Jonathan V. Wright, MD On 03/02/2016 In 1979 this safe and effective treatment was mentioned in my Book of Nutritional Therapy. In 1984, Guide to Healing with Nutrition expanded this mention (and footnote reference) to a nine-page case history and discussion. The original publication—published in 1952 in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, no less—reported that sixty-four of seventy (91.4%) women suffering from nausea and vomiting of pregnancy were completely relieved of all nausea and vomiting within seventy-two hours…that’s three days! Three of seventy (4.2%) were relieved of vomiting but were still nauseated, and the other three (4.2%) had no relief. Since the late 1970s (when my practice included helping women with their home births) the percentages of women helped by this treatment have remained at approximately nine out of ten. So why doesn’t every practicing “Ob/Gyn” physician recommend this treatment? You very likely know the answer: it’s all natural, unpatentable, can’t be sold at an inflated price, and isn’t “approved” by los federales. In 2010—fifty-eight years after first publication of this very safe, successful treatment—the New England Journal of Medicine published an article reviewing treatments for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, which concluded there was no reliably effective treatment. So I wrote them the following two-hundred-and-fifteen-word letter and received the response below: October 25, 2010, Editor, New England Journal of Medicine: Thank you for the comprehensive review of treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NEJM 2010:363;1544-50). From the 1970s to the present, I have found the treatment with vitamins K3 and C described by Merkel in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (1952;64:416-418) to be safe and effective in the very large majority of nauseated, vomiting, pregnant women. In 70 such women, Merkel used 5 milligrams of vitamin K3 (menadione) and 25 milligrams vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) given simultaneously orally, reporting that 64 of 70 had complete remission within 72 hours. Three were relieved of vomiting, but nausea persisted, and three did not respond to this treatment. Merkel emphasized that simultaneous administration is necessary for this treatment to be successful. As 25 milligram tablets or capsules of vitamin C have not been available for years, I have used 500 milligrams with 5 milligrams of vitamin K3 with the same degree of success. I have also observed that the occasional treatment failure can frequently be “reversed” with simultaneous injections (instead of continued oral administration) of the same vitamins. —Jonathan V. Wright, MD Tahoma Clinic Reply from NEJM: November 5, 2010 Dear Dr. Wright: I am sorry that we will not be able to print your recent letter to the editor regarding the Niebyl article of 14-Oct-2010. The space available for correspondence is very limited, and we must use our judgment to present a representative selection of the material received. Many worthwhile communications must be declined for lack of space. Thank you for your interest in the Journal. Sincerely, Caren G. Solomon, M.D. Deputy Editor, New England Journal of Medicine 10 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115 Right! The New England Journal had just printed that there’s no effective remedy, so why let anyone—especially nauseated, vomiting women—know that the possibility of a safe and effective treatment (published in a very respectable medical journal) might exist? One other detail: Vitamin K3 is no longer available in anything but a homeopathic form. And—as noted in the letter above—vitamin C is no longer available in a 25 milligram size. So my current recommendations are a combination of vitamins K1 and vitamins K2 as MK-4 and MK-7 (all available in combination in one capsule; usually two capsules are needed to make five milligrams total vitamin K) along with vitamin C 500 milligrams, taken (as Dr. Merkel emphasized) at the same time once daily. And unlike patent medicines, these are safe during pregnancy. Tens of thousands of newborn infants were given vitamin K injections to prevent what was until relatively recently termed “hemorraghic disease of the newborn.” Effective then, effective now! Other Articles In This Edition of Green Medicine Book of Nutritional Therapy 1979, p. 415. Published by Rodale Press. Available through Tahoma Clinic Dispensary, www.tahomadispensary.com, 1-888-893-6878 “A Case of Severe Pregnancy Nausea,” is a chapter within Dr. Wright's Guide to Healing with Nutrition, authored by Jonathan V. Wright and published by Rodale Press in 1984. The chapter is located on pages 457-469 and likely discusses a patient with extreme pregnancy sickness managed with nutritional therapy Merkel RL. The use of Menadione Bisulfite and Ascorbic Acid in the Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1952;64:416-418 end quote Dr Wright Jeffrey Dach MD 7450 Griffin Road, Suite 190 Davie, Fl 33314 954-792-4663 my blog: www.jeffreydachmd.com Bioidentical Hormones 101 Second Edition Menopausal Hormone Replacement, Health Benefits Natural Thyroid Toolkit by Jeffrey Dach MD Cracking Cancer Toolkit ebook Cracking Cancer Toolkit print version Heart Book by Jeffrey Dach MD www.naturalmedicine101.com www.bioidenticalhormones101.com www.truemedmd.com www.drdach.com Click Here for: Dr Dach’s Online Store for Pure Encapsulations Supplements Click Here for: Dr Dach’s Online Store for Nature’s Sunshine Supplements Web Site and Discussion Board Links: jdach1.typepad.com/blog/ disc.yourwebapps.com/Indices/244066.html disc.yourwebapps.com/Indices/244067.html http://sci.med.narkive.com/covV2Qo2/jeffrey-dach-book-announcment-natural-medicine-101 Disclaimer The reader is advised to discuss the comments on these pages with his/her personal physicians and to only act upon the advice of his/her personal physician. Also note that concerning an answer which appears as an electronically posted question, I am NOT creating a physician — patient relationship. Although identities will remain confidential as much as possible, as I can not control the media, I can not take responsibility for any breaches of confidentiality that may occur. Link to this Article Copyright © 2025 Jeffrey Dach MD All Rights Reserved. This article may be reproduced on the internet without permission, provided there is a link to this page and proper credit is given. See Repost Guidelines. FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of issues of significance. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Serving Areas of: Hollywood, Aventura, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Davie, Coral Springs, Cooper City, Sunshine Ranches, Hallandale, Surfside, Miami Beach, Sunny Isles, Normandy Isles, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Golden Beach ,Kendall,sunrise, coral springs, parkland,pompano, boca raton, palm beach, weston, dania beach, tamarac, oakland park, boynton beach, delray,lake worth,wellington,plantation

Jeffrey Dach MD

Bioidentical Hormones Natural Thyroid

Tag Archives: nausea

Natural Remedies for Nausea of Pregnancy by Jeffrey Dach MD