Hyperemesis gravidarum, or extreme morning sickness, changed Emma Michelsen’s life. After experiencing firsthand the mental toll that the physical discomfort of pregnancy can take on women, she founded Daisy to raise awareness of the condition and provide support to those suffering from it.
“It wasn’t just the physical strain. I felt like I was lost in a medical maze, desperately searching for relief.”Michelsen noted that up to 90 percent of mothers-to-be will experience some nausea or vomiting during pregnancy, and of those, 10 percent will suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum, which can be life-altering and traumatic.
Physical comfort promotes mental health
Daisy’s new drink, Morning Relief, aims to relieve both mild and severe morning sickness. The drink contains gingerol, Vitamin B6 and electrolytes, which are backed by scientific studies to relieve symptoms of morning sickness, nausea and dehydration during pregnancy. Vitamin B6 helps reduce nausea in pregnant women, while electrolytes are essential for managing hydration during vomiting, addressing maternal fluid depletion.
Michelsen hopes the product will help ease some of the physical discomfort that can come with pregnancy, while also improving mental wellbeing.
Ginger is often touted as a remedy for nausea and vomiting because the active compound in ginger, gingerol, is known to help with these conditions, but Michelsen found that no products on the market actually provided relief.
To fill this gap, she began an extensive search for clinical trials that had uncovered the efficacy of gingerol and discovered that certain parts of ginger root, taken in specific amounts, could be effective in reducing these symptoms.
Designed for a positive experience
Morning Relief was developed in partnership with a leading Nutrition PhD specialising in women’s health at Massey University and based on published clinical trials.
Preliminary user testing was also conducted to refine the product’s taste and efficacy to maximize consumer acceptance and therapeutic benefit.
“When I compared therapeutic doses of gingerol with those currently on the market, I found that there was nothing with adequate amounts that were proven to actually have a palliative effect. Having experienced first-hand the dangers of maternal wasting, I understood the importance of including pregnancy-specific electrolytes along with vitamin B6.”Michelsen says.
Hyperemesis gravidarum is also one of the most common causes of hospitalization during pregnancy and is often caused by dehydration, which is why Michelsen made Morning Relief Powder water soluble.
When mixed with water, Morning Relief provides powerful gingerol to soothe an upset stomach, vitamin B6, which has been proven to help with morning sickness, and electrolytes to combat dehydration.
Every 12g (1 teaspoon) of Morning Relief contains 200mg of ginger, which is the equivalent of 2000mg of dried ginger root.
Each 180g sachet contains 15 servings of three gentle flavour combinations – Raspberry, Lemon & Ginger, Blackcurrant & Ginger and Lemon & Ginger – which are deliciously enjoyed by those with ginger sensitivity.
Morning Relief is also formulated to give you a subtle, not overpowering, ginger taste.
“People who experience ongoing nausea may be turned off by the strong taste of ginger, so we wanted to make sure the gingerol had a softer flavor.”Michelsen says. “Our extraction process ensures that gingerol remains water-soluble and imparts a subtle sweet flavor even when used in high doses.”
Recognizing that oral intake may be undesirable when nausea is present, there are plans to explore alternative forms of Morning Relief. Possible new forms include an effervescent version that can be added to beverages, offering flexibility and ease of intake. New flavours are also in development.
Future innovations focus on mental health
Daisy is also working on developing a new probiotic range focused on maternal mental wellbeing, which is developed based on the latest scientific research into natural ingredients that have a positive impact on mood and mental wellbeing during and after birth.
“We believe current consumer trends position us well to continue to develop in this space. The growing interest in health and wellness, particularly natural and ingestible healthcare products, is significantly influencing our product development and marketing strategy. Trends in gut health and ingestible beauty products demonstrate the broad acceptance and demand for supplements that support health, aligning with our mission to enhance maternal health through science-backed products.” Michelsen said all of Morning Relief’s ingredients are natural.
Along with ginger root extract and vitamin B6, the formula also contains sodium citrate, crude granulated sugar, freeze-dried fruit powder and natural flavours. Gingerol and Vitamin B6 are sourced from a cGMP, ISO certified, Kosher and Halal certified provider in China, known for their advanced R&D capabilities and innovative herbal extraction technology. This ensures that the gingerol is not only effective, but also palatable. The freeze-dried fruit powder and crude granulated sugar are sourced in New Zealand, while the sodium citrate is sourced from Austria.
Daisy products are available to purchase on the company’s website and in online baby, maternity and health stores in New Zealand and Australia. Plans for international expansion are underway, while adhering to local regulatory requirements for dietary supplements. Daisy plans to distribute in Asia by late 2024.
Infant and maternal nutrition will be a central theme at this July’s Growth Asia Summit 2024, featuring insights from a wide range of industry leaders and experts. Don’t miss out – register now! here today!
