Effectiveness Between Lemon and White Ginger Brewing on Reducing Emesis Gravidarum in Pregnant Women in the First Trimester at the Tebat Agung Public Health Center, Muara Enim Regency in 2025

Abstract

Background: Emesis gravidarum is a common complaint in the first trimester of pregnancy (0-16 weeks) due to increased levels of the hormones hCG and estrogen, which stimulate nausea. Its prevalence tends to increase annually—data from the 2023 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (SDKI) reached 52.8%. If left untreated, it can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, and weight loss. Non-pharmacological treatments such as lemon tea (containing d-limonene, which reduces stomach acidity) and white ginger (containing gingerol, which blocks serotonin) are considered safe and effective. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of both.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a Two Group Pretest-Posttest design was conducted at the Tebat Agung Community Health Center, Muara Enim, on 30 pregnant women in their first trimester in 2025. Samples were taken using total sampling, divided into two groups: 15 women received lemon infusion (2 slices, 3 times/day, inhaled 5 times) and 15 women received white ginger infusion (50 grams boiled for 15-20 minutes, drunk 2 times/day for 7 days). Data analysis used an Independent Sample T-test.

Results: Respondent characteristics: 93.3% were aged 20-30 years, 60% were multiparous, 56.7% had a high school education, 40% were housewives, and 56.7% were ≥10 weeks' gestation. Before the intervention, 86.7% of the lemon group and 73.3% of the ginger group experienced nausea and vomiting >3 times/day. After the intervention, the average frequency of vomiting decreased to 1.53 times (SD=0.52) in the lemon group and 1.13 times (SD=0.35) in the white ginger group. Statistical testing showed a significant difference (p=0.001) with a difference of 0.4 times. White ginger infusion was shown to be more effective in reducing emesis gravidarum.

Conclusion: White ginger infusion was more effective in reducing emesis gravidarum than lemon infusion in pregnant women in the first trimester. It is recommended that health workers promote this non-pharmacological therapy through active counseling and leaflet distribution to pregnant women.