Gastroparesis: natural remedies and the evidence behind them
Gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach empties too slowly, causing nausea, bloating, and fullness after eating.
6 options1 graded B1 graded C4 traditional or ungraded
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If nausea and a sluggish, slow-to-empty stomach are your main concern, acupuncture has the most human-trial support of the options here. Randomized trials across diabetic, surgical, and idiopathic gastroparesis have been pooled in systematic reviews suggesting it may ease symptoms and speed stomach emptying, though the individual studies are small and mixed in quality.
Acupuncture is thought to help stimulate nerve pathways that regulate stomach muscle movement and reduce nausea.
Dose or use Delivered by a licensed acupuncturist as a course of sessions, usually once or twice weekly.
Key study Systematic review (2018, PMID 30560568): "Acupuncture for symptomatic gastroparesis" pooled 32 randomized controlled trials (2,601 participants, mostly diabetic gastroparesis) and found low-certainty evidence that acupuncture may improve symptoms and the rate of gastric emptying; most trials had a high risk of bias, so the benefit is suggestive rather than firmly established.
EvidenceSupported by smaller clinical studies · Centuries of traditional useTime to resultsTypically 4–8 weeks of regular sessionsTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
Caution: Seek a licensed acupuncturist; inform them of any bleeding disorders or medications.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use classical
Natural prokinetic; eases nausea, aids emptying
Why it may be relevant
If nausea and that heavy, slow-to-empty feeling after meals are your main issue, ginger is a traditional digestive aid used to calm nausea and help the stomach move food along.
Ginger's active compounds (gingerols and shogaols) are traditionally used to stimulate stomach motility and settle nausea and vomiting.
Dose or use Commonly taken as tea, capsules, or fresh root; around 1–1.5 g of dried ginger daily is typical. Follow product labeling.
Key study Traditionally and widely used to ease nausea and vomiting and to support gastric emptying; no controlled trial specific to gastroparesis is cited here.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use across more than one tradition · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsNausea relief can be felt within days; motility benefits build over weeks.Traditional useClassical use across multiple traditions
Caution: May have a mild blood-thinning effect and can worsen reflux in some people; check with your doctor if you take anticoagulants.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use classical
Stomach-meridian point for digestion & motility
Why it may be relevant
If your stomach feels slow to empty, ST36 (Zusanli) below the knee is the main Stomach-meridian point used to support digestion and gastric movement.
ST36 is traditionally used to regulate stomach function and is the point most often chosen in acupuncture work for sluggish digestion.
Dose or use Find it about four finger-widths below the kneecap and one finger-width outside the shinbone; press firmly for 2–3 minutes on each leg.
Key study Traditional Stomach-meridian point for digestive support; no controlled gastroparesis trial is cited here for acupressure at this point.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use across more than one tradition · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsBest used regularly; effects build over days to weeks.Traditional useClassical use across multiple traditions
Caution: Low-risk self-care; avoid firm pressure over injured or inflamed skin.
What does your gastroparesis feel like most days?
Mine is tied to a nerve-related condition like Parkinson's or diabetes
If nausea and a sluggish, slow-to-empty stomach are your main concern, acupuncture has the most human-trial support of the options here. Randomized trials across diabetic, surgical, and idiopathic gastroparesis have been pooled in systematic reviews suggesting it may ease symptoms and speed stomach emptying, though the individual studies are small and mixed in quality.
Acupuncture is thought to help stimulate nerve pathways that regulate stomach muscle movement and reduce nausea.
Dose or use Delivered by a licensed acupuncturist as a course of sessions, usually once or twice weekly.
Key study Systematic review (2018, PMID 30560568): "Acupuncture for symptomatic gastroparesis" pooled 32 randomized controlled trials (2,601 participants, mostly diabetic gastroparesis) and found low-certainty evidence that acupuncture may improve symptoms and the rate of gastric emptying; most trials had a high risk of bias, so the benefit is suggestive rather than firmly established.
EvidenceSupported by smaller clinical studies · Centuries of traditional useTime to resultsTypically 4–8 weeks of regular sessionsTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
Caution: Seek a licensed acupuncturist; inform them of any bleeding disorders or medications.
If your gastroparesis is connected to a neurological condition like Parkinson's, rikkunshito has been explored in a pilot study specifically for this overlap.
This traditional Japanese herbal formula is traditionally used to support digestive motility and may help ease stomach sluggishness in certain neurological contexts.
Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study Clinical trial (2014, PMID 24457529): Dietary herb extract rikkunshi-to ameliorates gastroparesis in Parkinson's disease: a pilot study.
EvidenceLimited human trials so far · Most of the research is laboratory or animal workTime to resultsTypically 4–8 weeks
Caution: Consult your neurologist before adding herbal supplements if you are on Parkinson's medications.
If nausea and a sluggish, slow-to-empty stomach are your main concern, acupuncture has the most human-trial support of the options here. Randomized trials across diabetic, surgical, and idiopathic gastroparesis have been pooled in systematic reviews suggesting it may ease symptoms and speed stomach emptying, though the individual studies are small and mixed in quality.
Acupuncture is thought to help stimulate nerve pathways that regulate stomach muscle movement and reduce nausea.
Dose or use Delivered by a licensed acupuncturist as a course of sessions, usually once or twice weekly.
Key study Systematic review (2018, PMID 30560568): "Acupuncture for symptomatic gastroparesis" pooled 32 randomized controlled trials (2,601 participants, mostly diabetic gastroparesis) and found low-certainty evidence that acupuncture may improve symptoms and the rate of gastric emptying; most trials had a high risk of bias, so the benefit is suggestive rather than firmly established.
EvidenceSupported by smaller clinical studies · Centuries of traditional useTime to resultsTypically 4–8 weeks of regular sessionsTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
Caution: Seek a licensed acupuncturist; inform them of any bleeding disorders or medications.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use classical
Natural prokinetic; eases nausea, aids emptying
Why it may be relevant
If nausea and that heavy, slow-to-empty feeling after meals are your main issue, ginger is a traditional digestive aid used to calm nausea and help the stomach move food along.
Ginger's active compounds (gingerols and shogaols) are traditionally used to stimulate stomach motility and settle nausea and vomiting.
Dose or use Commonly taken as tea, capsules, or fresh root; around 1–1.5 g of dried ginger daily is typical. Follow product labeling.
Key study Traditionally and widely used to ease nausea and vomiting and to support gastric emptying; no controlled trial specific to gastroparesis is cited here.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use across more than one tradition · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsNausea relief can be felt within days; motility benefits build over weeks.Traditional useClassical use across multiple traditions
Caution: May have a mild blood-thinning effect and can worsen reflux in some people; check with your doctor if you take anticoagulants.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use classical
Classic acupressure point for nausea relief
Why it may be relevant
Since nausea is your main struggle, PC6 (Neiguan) on the inner forearm is the best-known acupressure point for calming nausea and vomiting.
Pressing PC6 is traditionally used to relieve nausea from motion sickness, pregnancy, and chemotherapy, and it is a simple, drug-free thing you can do yourself.
Dose or use Press the point about three finger-widths below the wrist crease, between the two tendons, firmly for 2–3 minutes on each arm as needed.
Key study Long-standing traditional acupressure point for nausea; not studied as a stand-alone treatment for gastroparesis here.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use across more than one tradition · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsMany people feel nausea ease within minutes of pressing.Traditional useClassical use across multiple traditions
Caution: Gentle and low-risk; avoid pressing over broken or irritated skin.
What does your gastroparesis feel like most days?
Bloating and getting uncomfortably full after just a few bites
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Pressure point
REN12 (Zhongwan)
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use classical
Midline stomach point for bloating & fullness
Why it may be relevant
If bloating and getting full quickly are your main issue, REN12 (Zhongwan) on the midline above the navel is a core point for stomach fullness and indigestion.
REN12 is traditionally used to ease bloating, gastritis, and that over-full, heavy feeling after meals.
Dose or use Locate it midway between the navel and the base of the breastbone; press gently for 2–3 minutes while breathing slowly.
Key study Traditional abdominal acupressure point for bloating and indigestion; not studied as a stand-alone gastroparesis treatment here.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use across more than one tradition · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsSome ease in fullness can be felt during or shortly after pressing.Traditional useClassical use across multiple traditions
Caution: Press gently and not right after a large meal; avoid pressing over broken skin.
–
Pressure point
ST36 (Zusanli)
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use classical
Stomach-meridian point for digestion & motility
Why it may be relevant
If your stomach feels slow to empty, ST36 (Zusanli) below the knee is the main Stomach-meridian point used to support digestion and gastric movement.
ST36 is traditionally used to regulate stomach function and is the point most often chosen in acupuncture work for sluggish digestion.
Dose or use Find it about four finger-widths below the kneecap and one finger-width outside the shinbone; press firmly for 2–3 minutes on each leg.
Key study Traditional Stomach-meridian point for digestive support; no controlled gastroparesis trial is cited here for acupressure at this point.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use across more than one tradition · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsBest used regularly; effects build over days to weeks.Traditional useClassical use across multiple traditions
Caution: Low-risk self-care; avoid firm pressure over injured or inflamed skin.
Evidence grades describe the strength of published research for Gastroparesis, not a promise of results. A higher grade is not a personal recommendation. Nothing here is medical advice — talk to your clinician before starting anything, especially alongside prescription medication.
Related pressure points
Hands-on options you can try yourself.
Acupressure is a comfort measure, not a treatment for Gastroparesis itself. Each page shows where the point is and how to press it.
We track 4 natural options for Gastroparesis — what each is typically used for, usual dose, cautions, and the study behind the ones with real trial data.
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