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Essential Tremor: natural remedies and the evidence behind them
Essential tremor is a neurological condition causing involuntary, rhythmic shaking—most often in the hands—that can interfere with everyday tasks like…
7 options · 1 graded A · 1 graded B · 5 traditional or ungraded
How would I like to work on steadying my tremor?
I'm open to working with a practitioner on a therapy that has research behind it for tremor
Acupuncture
Supported by controlled trials· Centuries of traditional use (Evidence grade A · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleHands-on therapy with encouraging trial evidence for tremor
- Why this matches
- If you prefer a body-based, practitioner-led approach, acupuncture is a natural fit as a hands-on therapy traditionally used to support neurological and muscular balance.
- Why try it
- Long used in Chinese medicine to calm the nervous system, acupuncture now also has supporting research: a 2026 review pooling 20 randomized trials found acupuncture-based approaches reduced tremor severity and improved symptoms for many people with essential tremor, with few side effects. The trials were small, so it is best seen as a complementary option to explore alongside your medical care.
- Dose or use
- Typically 6–10 sessions with a licensed acupuncturist; frequency determined by your practitioner.
- Time to results
- Typically 4–8 weeks of regular sessions
- Key study
- Network Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review (2026, PMID 41897256): 20 randomized trials in 1,067 people with essential tremor found acupuncture-based approaches improved tremor response rates and reduced tremor scores versus controls, with a low rate of adverse events. The authors caution that the included trials were small and of limited methodological quality, so the findings are promising rather than definitive.
- Caution
- Seek a licensed practitioner; inform them of any blood-thinning medications or bleeding disorders.
Exercise
Supported by smaller clinical studies (Evidence grade B · No traditional record)Strengthening exercise that eased tremor in a trial
- Why this matches
- Since you'd rather use a body-based approach, structured resistance exercise is something you can do yourself to help steady your hands and build the strength and control that make everyday tasks easier.
- Why try it
- In a randomized trial, older adults with essential tremor who followed an 18-session resistance-exercise program had noticeably less hand tremor during everyday tasks like drawing and pouring, plus better dexterity and grip strength. It is a safe, drug-free way to work on steadiness.
- Dose or use
- Aim for a structured resistance-exercise program a few times a week (the studied program ran 18 sessions); start with guidance from a physical therapist or trainer, then continue at home.
- Time to results
- Often several weeks of consistent training
- Key study
- Randomized Controlled Trial (2026, PMID 41752856): 'Comparative Effects of Home-Based and Aquatic Resistance Training on Hand Tremor Severity and Manual Dexterity in Older Adults with Essential Tremor' — 27 older adults with essential tremor were randomized to home-based resistance exercise, aquatic resistance exercise, or a control group; both exercise groups showed significant reductions in drawing and pouring tremor, better manual dexterity, and greater grip strength versus control, with large effect sizes. The trial was small and preliminary.
- Caution
- Start gently and get guidance if you're new to resistance exercise or have other health conditions; stop and seek advice if an exercise causes pain, dizziness, or chest discomfort.
I'd rather build steadier hands through gentle movement and strength training
Exercise
Supported by smaller clinical studies (Evidence grade B · No traditional record)Strengthening exercise that eased tremor in a trial
- Why this matches
- Since you'd rather use a body-based approach, structured resistance exercise is something you can do yourself to help steady your hands and build the strength and control that make everyday tasks easier.
- Why try it
- In a randomized trial, older adults with essential tremor who followed an 18-session resistance-exercise program had noticeably less hand tremor during everyday tasks like drawing and pouring, plus better dexterity and grip strength. It is a safe, drug-free way to work on steadiness.
- Dose or use
- Aim for a structured resistance-exercise program a few times a week (the studied program ran 18 sessions); start with guidance from a physical therapist or trainer, then continue at home.
- Time to results
- Often several weeks of consistent training
- Key study
- Randomized Controlled Trial (2026, PMID 41752856): 'Comparative Effects of Home-Based and Aquatic Resistance Training on Hand Tremor Severity and Manual Dexterity in Older Adults with Essential Tremor' — 27 older adults with essential tremor were randomized to home-based resistance exercise, aquatic resistance exercise, or a control group; both exercise groups showed significant reductions in drawing and pouring tremor, better manual dexterity, and greater grip strength versus control, with large effect sizes. The trial was small and preliminary.
- Caution
- Start gently and get guidance if you're new to resistance exercise or have other health conditions; stop and seek advice if an exercise causes pain, dizziness, or chest discomfort.
Tai Chi
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleGentle movement practice for balance and calm
- Why this matches
- Since you'd rather take a hands-on, body-based route, Tai Chi is a slow, mindful movement practice you can do yourself to work on steadiness, balance and coordination.
- Why try it
- It is traditionally used to improve balance and body control while easing stress, and because tremor often worsens under stress, the calming, focused movement may help you feel steadier.
- Dose or use
- Practice 20-30 minutes most days, ideally learning the basics from a class, video, or instructor.
- Time to results
- Typically several weeks of regular practice
- Key study
- Traditionally used to support balance and steadiness; this specific use for tremor has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
- Caution
- Move within a comfortable range and use support nearby if your balance is unsteady; stop if a movement causes pain.
I want to rule out fixable nutrient gaps — like low magnesium or B12 — that can make shaking worse
Magnesium Deficiency
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleA correctable nutrient gap linked to shaking
- Why this matches
- Since you want to steady things from within, it is worth checking whether a magnesium shortfall is contributing, because this mineral is central to how nerves and muscles work.
- Why try it
- Magnesium supports over 300 processes including nerve and muscle function, and low levels are classically associated with muscle cramps, spasms, twitching and tremor, so correcting a gap may help.
- Dose or use
- Ask your provider about testing your magnesium status; if low, address it through magnesium-rich foods or a supplement they recommend.
- Time to results
- Typically a few weeks after levels are restored
- Key study
- Magnesium deficiency is a recognized contributor to muscle cramps, spasms and tremor per its library profile; whether correcting it improves essential tremor specifically has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
- Caution
- Too much supplemental magnesium can cause diarrhea and can be harmful with kidney problems; confirm dosing with your provider.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Deficiency
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleA checkable nutrient gap with nerve effects
- Why this matches
- If you'd like to steady your nervous system from within, screening for a B12 shortfall is a simple internal step, since this vitamin is essential for healthy nerves.
- Why try it
- Vitamin B12 is needed for normal nerve function, and a deficiency can cause neurological signs such as unsteadiness and shakiness, so it is a reversible contributor worth ruling out.
- Dose or use
- Ask your provider for a B12 blood test; if low, correct it with diet or a supplement or injections as they advise.
- Time to results
- Often weeks to a few months once levels are restored
- Key study
- B12 deficiency is a recognized cause of neurological symptoms including unsteadiness per its library profile; whether correcting it improves essential tremor specifically has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
- Caution
- Self-supplementing can mask a deficiency that needs medical management; test and treat under your provider's guidance.
I'd like simple pressure-point techniques I can do on myself to help calm the shakiness
LV3 (Taichong)
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleSelf-applied acupressure point to calm tension
- Why this matches
- If you like body-based, hands-on approaches, LV3 is a point on the top of the foot you can press yourself, no practitioner needed.
- Why try it
- In traditional Chinese medicine, shaking is linked to 'internal wind' along the Liver meridian, and LV3 is the classic point used to calm the nervous system, ease tension and relieve stress.
- Dose or use
- Press the point on the top of each foot, between the first and second toes, with firm circular pressure for 1-2 minutes.
- Time to results
- May feel calming right away; used regularly over weeks
- Key study
- Traditionally used to calm the nervous system and ease tension; this specific use for tremor has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
- Caution
- Use gentle pressure and avoid pressing on broken or irritated skin; not a substitute for medical care for tremor.
GB20 (Fengchi) - Gallbladder 20
Centuries of traditional use· Human evidence not yet assessed (Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing)Long-standing traditional stapleNeck acupressure point to ease tension
- Why this matches
- As another hands-on option you can do yourself, GB20 sits at the base of the skull and pairs naturally with LV3 for a body-based routine.
- Why try it
- Known as 'Wind Pool,' this point is traditionally used to release head and neck tension and calm the mind, fitting the TCM view of tremor as internal wind.
- Dose or use
- Find the hollows on either side of the neck at the base of the skull and apply firm pressure for 1-2 minutes, breathing slowly.
- Time to results
- May feel relief right away; used regularly over weeks
- Key study
- Traditionally used to relieve head and neck tension and calm the mind; this specific use for tremor has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
- Caution
- Press gently on the soft area below the skull, not on the spine; ease off if you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
Evidence grades describe the strength of published research for Essential Tremor, not a promise of results. Nothing here is medical advice — talk to your clinician before starting anything, especially alongside prescription medication.