DIY Morning Sickness Relief Balm & Massage Oil

Last updated: August 2026

In This Recipe:

• What This Recipe Helps With
• Ingredients
• Directions
• Application Tips
• Customisation Ideas
• Storage & Shelf Life
• Voice Search FAQ
• Try These Next
• Disclaimer

The first trimester has a way of arriving with more waves of nausea than anyone warns you about, and reaching for something gentle — rather than another capsule or lozenge — is often what actually helps. This page brings together three traditional shea and baobab formulations for morning sickness relief, each developed a little differently: a fast-absorbing massage oil for pulse points, and two soothing balms drawn from Baraka's DIY recipe books. Whichever texture suits you, all three lean on the same trusted Baraka ingredients used throughout our Mother & Baby DIY Skincare Hub, made simply enough to prepare in under 20 minutes with basic kitchen tools.

Choose Your Formulation

What This Recipe Helps With

• Easing first-trimester nausea when you need a natural pulse-point remedy
• Providing a portable balm for purse, desk drawer, or bedside table
• Offering a scent-forward option for those who respond well to aromatherapy
• Giving a no-heat option (the massage oil) for days when even light cooking feels like too much
• Supporting rapidly changing first-trimester skin at the same time

Why This Is a Great DIY Recipe

Each formulation here uses just 4–6 ingredients and comes together with basic kitchen equipment — no fragrance chemists required. Skill Level: Beginner. The massage oil is the most forgiving (no heat, just infuse and strain), while the two balms use a simple double-boiler melt-and-pour method. Commercially, morning sickness balms with this level of ingredient transparency are hard to find; most rely on synthetic menthol or undisclosed "fragrance" blends, whereas every ingredient here is traceable to a Baraka cooperative. Yield: approximately 90ml oil (Primary) plus two small balm tins. This recipe is expanded from our Pregnancy DIY Skincare Hub, which covers additional first-trimester formulations.

Why These Ingredients Work Together

Shea Oil and Shea Butter both absorb quickly without overwhelming a sensitive first-trimester stomach, while Baobab Oil adds a lightweight vitamin boost that layers well on top. Cocoa Butter contributes a naturally comforting aroma and a firmer set for stick-format balms, and Coconut Oil softens the blend so it melts readily at body temperature. Fresh ginger and citrus peel round out the massage oil with a traditional aromatic pairing, long used alongside these butters for gentle first-trimester comfort.

Hero Ingredient Benefits

• Shea Oil: Absorbs quickly to deliver gentle nourishment without a heavy feel on sensitive skin.
• Baobab Oil: Lightweight and rich in vitamins A, D, E and F, suited to sensitive first-trimester skin.
• Shea Butter: Creates the stable, slow-melting base for both balm variations.
• Cocoa Butter: Adds structure and a naturally comforting chocolate note to the First Trimester balm.
• Traditional Coconut Oil: Softens the butter blends for an easy, fast-melting texture.

Primary Formulation: Morning Comfort Massage Oil

Ingredients:

• Shea Oil — 60 ml (1/4 cup)
• Baobab Oil — 30 ml (2 tablespoons)
• Fresh ginger root, finely grated — 2.5 cm (1 inch piece)
• Lemon peel, zest only — from 1/2 organic lemon
• Optional essential oils (1–2 drops total): spearmint (avoid peppermint during pregnancy), lemon, or cardamom

Avoid: peppermint, clary sage, rosemary essential oils in this blend.

Directions

1. Grate the fresh ginger root into a small glass jar.
2. Add the lemon zest to the jar.
3. Pour the shea oil and baobab oil over the ginger and lemon.
4. Cap tightly and shake gently to combine.
5. Allow to infuse for 24 hours in a cool, dark place. (Timer: 24 hours)
6. Strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean bottle.
7. Add optional essential oil if desired, no more than 1–2 drops total.

Application Tips: Apply a small amount to temples, wrists, and the back of the neck as needed throughout the day. A little goes a long way — most people find a few drops per application sufficient, applied by gently pressing rather than rubbing.

Variation: Gentle Morning Sickness Relief Balm

From Traditional DIY Shea Remedies for Mother & Baby Wellness.

Ingredients:

• Shea Butter — 30 ml (2 tablespoons)
• Beeswax — 5 ml (1 teaspoon)
• Ginger essential oil — 5 drops
• Spearmint essential oil — 3 drops
• Lemon essential oil — 2 drops

1. Create a double boiler with a heat-safe glass bowl over a pot of simmering water.
2. Add the shea butter and beeswax; stir occasionally until fully melted.
3. Remove from heat and cool for about 2 minutes.
4. Add the essential oils and stir to incorporate thoroughly.
5. Pour into a small container with a tight-fitting lid.
6. Allow to cool completely until solidified (approximately 1–2 hours). (Timer: 1–2 hours)

Apply a small amount to pulse points on wrists, behind ears, and at temples when nausea strikes, inhaling deeply while applying.

Variation: First Trimester Morning Sickness Relief Balm

From Nurture & Nourish: DIY Remedies for Mother & Baby.

Ingredients:

• Cocoa Butter — 30 g (1 oz)
• Shea Butter — 15 g (0.5 oz)
• Traditional Coconut Oil — 15 g (0.5 oz)
• Ginger essential oil — 5 drops
• Lemon essential oil — 3 drops
• Peppermint essential oil — 2 drops

1. Create a double boiler with a heat-safe glass bowl over a pot of simmering water.
2. Add cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil; melt completely, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove from heat and cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the essential oils and stir thoroughly.
5. Pour into balm tubes or small containers and cool completely until solid. (Timer: 1 hour)

Apply to pulse points on wrists, behind ears, or temples, or inhale directly from the container whenever nausea strikes.

Application Tips

Apply whichever formulation you've chosen to pulse points — wrists, temples, and behind the ears — as soon as nausea starts, rather than waiting for it to build. A small amount goes further than expected; press gently into skin rather than rubbing, and reapply every few hours as needed. The massage oil absorbs fastest and suits daytime use, while the solid balms are easier to carry and apply one-handed when nausea strikes away from home.

Customisation Ideas

• Swap the citrus — try grapefruit peel in place of lemon in the massage oil for a brighter scent.
• Skip essential oils entirely if your sense of smell is especially sensitive in the first trimester — all three formulations work unscented.
• Make a travel size by halving the balm recipes into small 15ml tins for handbags or desks.

Storage & Shelf Life

Store the massage oil in a cool, dark place in a capped glass bottle for up to 3 months. Store both balms at room temperature in a sealed tin or jar; the Gentle Morning Sickness Relief Balm keeps for approximately 6 months, and the First Trimester balm for approximately 3 months given its higher water-sensitive cocoa butter content.

The Impact of Your Purchase

When you make skincare with Baraka ingredients, you're supporting women's cooperatives who earn fair wages and preserve traditional processing methods. According to Baraka's Social and Environmental Impact Report, this direct trade model provided income for over 1,000 women and prevented 47 metric tons of CO2 emissions. You also gain complete transparency — knowing exactly what touches your skin and your family's skin, without hidden synthetics or uncertain supply chains.

Shop the Baraka Ingredients in This Recipe

Pure. Natural. Ethically sourced. Hand-crafted by women's cooperatives. These are the ingredients trusted throughout Baraka's DIY guides and recipes.

• Shea Oil — Shop Now — The liquid form of shea butter — delivers deep conditioning benefits in a smooth, easily absorbed format.
• Baobab Oil — Shop Now — Fast-absorbing and nutrient-dense, ideal for improving skin softness without heavy residue.
• Shea Butter — Shop Now — Rich and deeply moisturising, a versatile base for balms and creams.
• Cocoa Butter — Shop Now — Firm and antioxidant-rich, adds structure to solid balm formulations.
• Traditional Coconut Oil — Shop Now — Lightweight and versatile, softens balms and absorbs well.

Voice Search FAQ

What's a good DIY recipe for morning sickness relief?

A shea oil and baobab oil massage blend infused with fresh ginger and lemon peel is a gentle, no-heat option for first-trimester nausea. Apply a small amount to pulse points on wrists and temples whenever nausea strikes throughout the day, reapplying as needed.

Can I use shea butter for morning sickness?

Yes — shea butter forms the base of two balm variations here, combined with ginger and citrus essential oils drawn from two different Baraka recipe books. The solid balm format is convenient for a purse or bedside table for quick pulse-point application.

How do I make a portable morning sickness balm?

Melt shea butter (or cocoa butter and shea butter together) with a small amount of beeswax, add a few drops of ginger and citrus essential oil, then pour into a small tin to solidify. It's ready to use within about two hours.

How often should I use a morning sickness relief balm?

Apply as needed whenever nausea strikes, generally to wrists, temples, or behind the ears, whichever formulation you're using that day. There's no strict limit, though starting with a small amount and reapplying is usually more effective than one heavy application.

Try These Next

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like:

• DIY Pregnancy Facial Moisturizer — a natural next step for balancing first-trimester skin alongside nausea relief.
• DIY Pregnancy Heartburn Chest Rub — pairs well for later-pregnancy digestive discomfort using the same gentle approach.
• Shea Butter for Pregnancy — a deeper look at how shea butter supports the whole pregnancy journey.
• Top 6 Baobab Oil Skin Benefits for Mothers & Babies — more on the second hero ingredient in the massage oil formulation.
• From Kitchen to Nursery: Essential Tools for DIY Mother & Baby Skincare — useful if you're just getting your DIY setup started.

About These Ingredients

This recipe draws on three Baraka recipe books: the primary formulation is expanded from DIY Formulations for the Motherhood Journey, with variations credited to Traditional DIY Shea Remedies for Mother & Baby Wellness and Nurture & Nourish: DIY Remedies for Mother & Baby. Each book explores additional formulations, ingredient options, and variations for supporting the pregnancy journey.

Disclaimer

The recipes and ingredients on this page are intended for cosmetic use only — for application to the skin, hair, and nails to cleanse, condition, and beautify. They have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any other regulatory authority. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. If you have a medical condition, skin condition, or known allergies, consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Always patch-test new ingredients before full application. Keep all products away from eyes and out of reach of children. Results will vary between individuals.