Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome: natural remedies and the evidence behind them

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) is a condition marked by recurring episodes of intense nausea and vomiting separated by symptom-free periods.

6 options · 1 graded C · 5 traditional or ungraded

What kind of support do you want for your CVS?

My episodes seem tied to stress — I want to calm my mind and nervous system between them

Meditation
Limited human trials so far· Most of the research is laboratory or animal work (Evidence grade C · No traditional record)
Studied as part of an integrative CVS care program
Why this matches
If stress and anxiety are fueling your episodes, a mind-body practice like meditation directly targets that nervous system connection.
Why try it
A clinical trial found that an integrative care program including heartfulness meditation was associated with better outcomes in people with CVS. Because meditation was combined with care coordination, its benefit on its own has not been isolated — but it is low-risk and may help if stress triggers your episodes.
Dose or use
10–20 minutes of guided or heartfulness meditation daily; consistency between episodes is key.
Time to results
Typically 4–8 weeks of regular practice
Key study
RCT (2021, PMID 33774892): An integrative healthcare model combining heartfulness meditation with care coordination improved outcomes in cyclic vomiting syndrome; meditation alone was not tested, so its individual contribution is unclear.
Caution
Check with your healthcare provider before starting, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take prescription medication, or manage a chronic condition.
Acupuncture
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Traditionally used to ease nausea and vomiting
Why this matches
If you prefer a hands-on, physical approach, acupuncture offers a body-based option for supporting digestive and nervous system balance.
Why try it
Traditionally used to help relieve nausea and support digestive function, particularly at points associated with stomach regulation.
Dose or use
Delivered by a licensed acupuncturist, typically a course of weekly or biweekly sessions with frequency guided by your practitioner. Points such as PC6 (Neiguan) and ST36 are commonly used for nausea; ask about self-acupressure you can do between visits.
Time to results
Typically 4–8 weeks with regular sessions
Key study
Traditionally used for this condition; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
Seek a licensed acupuncturist; let them know about any medications or other conditions.

I like hands-on, body-based care — from a practitioner or with my own two hands

PC6 (Neiguan) - Pericardium 6
Not yet assessed· We have not reviewed the literature for this one (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised)Recognised traditional use
Best-known acupressure point for nausea
Why this matches
If you want a hands-on approach you can do yourself, PC6 on the inner forearm is the classic point people press to settle nausea and the urge to vomit.
Why try it
Traditionally the go-to acupressure point for nausea and vomiting, and the point behind anti-nausea wristbands. It is simple and self-administered, so you can use it during an episode.
Dose or use
Find PC6 about three finger-widths below the wrist crease on the inner forearm, between the two central tendons. Press firmly with your thumb for 2-3 minutes on each arm, or wear an acupressure wristband.
Time to results
May ease nausea within minutes during use
Key study
Traditionally used to relieve nausea and vomiting; this specific use in cyclic vomiting syndrome has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
A comfort measure, not a treatment for the underlying condition. Skip if the skin over the point is broken or irritated, and keep hydrating and seeking care during severe episodes.
Acupuncture
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Traditionally used to ease nausea and vomiting
Why this matches
If you prefer a hands-on, physical approach, acupuncture offers a body-based option for supporting digestive and nervous system balance.
Why try it
Traditionally used to help relieve nausea and support digestive function, particularly at points associated with stomach regulation.
Dose or use
Delivered by a licensed acupuncturist, typically a course of weekly or biweekly sessions with frequency guided by your practitioner. Points such as PC6 (Neiguan) and ST36 are commonly used for nausea; ask about self-acupressure you can do between visits.
Time to results
Typically 4–8 weeks with regular sessions
Key study
Traditionally used for this condition; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
Seek a licensed acupuncturist; let them know about any medications or other conditions.

I'd rather work on prevention — daily supplements that may make episodes less frequent

Ubiquinol/Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Cellular-energy support sometimes used to try to reduce episodes
Why this matches
If you want daily support aimed at reducing how often episodes occur, CoQ10 is a supplement some people with CVS use empirically, because CVS overlaps with migraine and cellular-energy issues — though this use is not confirmed by controlled trials.
Why try it
CoQ10 helps cells produce energy and is one of the supplements sometimes used empirically to try to reduce how often CVS and migraine episodes strike; whether it actually lowers episode frequency has not been established. It is taken steadily between episodes, not during one.
Dose or use
Often taken daily between episodes; a common range is 100-300 mg per day with food. Best used consistently over time and alongside your doctor's guidance rather than as a rescue during an episode.
Time to results
If trying it, assess over 2-3 months of daily use
Key study
Used empirically as a preventive supplement in cyclic vomiting syndrome; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
Generally well tolerated but may cause mild stomach upset. It can interact with blood thinners and some blood pressure medicines, so check with your doctor first.
L-carnitine
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional staple
Mitochondrial support sometimes used to try to reduce episodes
Why this matches
If you are looking for daily support aimed at reducing how often episodes happen, L-carnitine is often paired with CoQ10 in the energy-support approach some people try for CVS — though this use is not confirmed by controlled trials.
Why try it
L-carnitine helps carry fatty acids into your cells' energy factories, and it is sometimes used alongside CoQ10 as part of a mitochondrial-support strategy people try in hopes of making CVS episodes less frequent; whether it actually reduces episodes has not been established.
Dose or use
Often taken daily between episodes, typically in the range of 500-1000 mg per day, frequently combined with CoQ10. Use it steadily between episodes and coordinate the dose with your doctor.
Time to results
If trying it, assess over 2-3 months of daily use
Key study
Used empirically as a preventive supplement in cyclic vomiting syndrome; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
May cause nausea, stomach upset or a fishy body odor at higher doses. Check with your doctor if you have thyroid, kidney or seizure conditions before starting.

When an episode hits, I want fast ways to settle my nausea and calm my stomach

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Not yet assessed· We have not reviewed the literature for this one (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised)Recognised traditional use
Widely used to calm nausea and settle the stomach
Why this matches
If your main goal is easing the nausea and queasiness that come with an episode, ginger is one of the most common natural options for settling the stomach.
Why try it
Long used as a gentle stomach settler for nausea and vomiting, including during pregnancy and after chemotherapy. It is easy to reach for as tea, capsules or chews.
Dose or use
Commonly taken as ginger tea, or roughly 500-1000 mg of ginger in divided doses through the day as needed for nausea. Fresh ginger, chews or capsules all work; start low to see how your stomach responds.
Time to results
Nausea may ease within an hour of use
Key study
Traditionally used to relieve nausea and vomiting; this specific use in cyclic vomiting syndrome has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
May cause mild heartburn or an upset stomach at higher amounts. Talk to your doctor if you take blood thinners, as ginger can affect clotting.
PC6 (Neiguan) - Pericardium 6
Not yet assessed· We have not reviewed the literature for this one (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised)Recognised traditional use
Best-known acupressure point for nausea
Why this matches
If you want a hands-on approach you can do yourself, PC6 on the inner forearm is the classic point people press to settle nausea and the urge to vomit.
Why try it
Traditionally the go-to acupressure point for nausea and vomiting, and the point behind anti-nausea wristbands. It is simple and self-administered, so you can use it during an episode.
Dose or use
Find PC6 about three finger-widths below the wrist crease on the inner forearm, between the two central tendons. Press firmly with your thumb for 2-3 minutes on each arm, or wear an acupressure wristband.
Time to results
May ease nausea within minutes during use
Key study
Traditionally used to relieve nausea and vomiting; this specific use in cyclic vomiting syndrome has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
Caution
A comfort measure, not a treatment for the underlying condition. Skip if the skin over the point is broken or irritated, and keep hydrating and seeking care during severe episodes.

Evidence grades describe the strength of published research for Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, not a promise of results. Nothing here is medical advice — talk to your clinician before starting anything, especially alongside prescription medication.