Hi R.,
As a person who has been getting sea-sick, car-sick, air-sick since I was very young (6 or 7), it means everything to me to not be sick. When I was a child only Dramamine was available, it worked but it also put me to sleep. Bonine works well but it also put me to sleep. As far as it affecting your daughter in the long term, I have not had any side effects.
As for doing it without drugs, if your daughter is not inclined toward motion sickness, then a good night sleep and a low fat good breakfast goes a long way to keeping her from being sick. Also, avoid foods with acid in them like tomatoes, citrus fruit, etc. Peppermint also will calm the stomach. So, I would send her with either a pack of peppermint gum or a box of altoids.
I hope this helps.
D.