Objective To explore the effect of lemon essential oil inhalation combined with Neiguan acupressure on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) during emergence from anesthesia in female patients following total thyroidectomy under general anesthesia. Methods A total of 80 female patients who experienced PONV during emergence from anesthesia after total thyroidectomy were recruited and randomly divided into two groups using a random number table, with 40 in each group.The single-intervention group received Neiguan acupressure alone, while the combination group received lemon essential oil inhalation combined with Neiguan acupressure.The intervention effects were compared between the two groups at 10, 20, and 30 minutes after intervention (T1,T2,T3). Results At T1, T2, and T3, the severity scores of PONV in the combination group were significantly lower than those in the single-intervention group.At T2 and T3, the frequency scores of PONV in the combination group were significantly lower than those in the single-intervention group.At T3, the overall PONV rating in the combination group was significantly milder than that in the single-intervention group (all P＜0.05). Conclusion Lemon essential oil inhalation combined with Neiguan acupressure can alleviate PONV during emergence from anesthesia in female patients after thyroid surgery.