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 options1 graded C5 traditional or ungraded
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Studied as part of an integrative CVS care program
Why it may be relevant
If stress and anxiety are fueling your episodes, a mind-body practice like meditation directly targets that nervous system connection.
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.
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.
EvidenceLimited human trials so far · Most of the research is laboratory or animal workTime to resultsTypically 4–8 weeks of regular practice
Caution: Check with your healthcare provider before starting, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take prescription medication, or manage a chronic condition.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing
Traditionally used to ease nausea and vomiting
Why it may be relevant
If you prefer a hands-on, physical approach, acupuncture offers a body-based option for supporting digestive and nervous system balance.
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.
Key study Traditionally used for this condition; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsTypically 4–8 weeks with regular sessionsTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
Caution: Seek a licensed acupuncturist; let them know about any medications or other conditions.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing
Traditionally used to ease nausea and vomiting
Why it may be relevant
If you prefer a hands-on, physical approach, acupuncture offers a body-based option for supporting digestive and nervous system balance.
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.
Key study Traditionally used for this condition; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsTypically 4–8 weeks with regular sessionsTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
Caution: Seek a licensed acupuncturist; let them know about any medications or other conditions.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised
Best-known acupressure point for nausea
Why it may be relevant
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.
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.
Key study Traditionally used to relieve nausea and vomiting; this specific use in cyclic vomiting syndrome has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
EvidenceNot yet assessed · We have not reviewed the literature for this oneTime to resultsMay ease nausea within minutes during useTraditional useRecognised traditional use
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.
What kind of support do you want for your CVS?
I'd rather work on prevention — daily supplements that may make episodes less frequent
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing
Mitochondrial support sometimes used to try to reduce episodes
Why it may be relevant
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.
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.
Key study Used empirically as a preventive supplement in cyclic vomiting syndrome; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsIf trying it, assess over 2-3 months of daily useTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
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.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing
Cellular-energy support sometimes used to try to reduce episodes
Why it may be relevant
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.
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.
Key study Used empirically as a preventive supplement in cyclic vomiting syndrome; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsIf trying it, assess over 2-3 months of daily useTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
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.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised
Widely used to calm nausea and settle the stomach
Why it may be relevant
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.
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.
Key study Traditionally used to relieve nausea and vomiting; this specific use in cyclic vomiting syndrome has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
EvidenceNot yet assessed · We have not reviewed the literature for this oneTime to resultsNausea may ease within an hour of useTraditional useRecognised traditional use
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.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised
Best-known acupressure point for nausea
Why it may be relevant
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.
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.
Key study Traditionally used to relieve nausea and vomiting; this specific use in cyclic vomiting syndrome has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
EvidenceNot yet assessed · We have not reviewed the literature for this oneTime to resultsMay ease nausea within minutes during useTraditional useRecognised traditional use
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. 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 Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome itself. Each page shows where the point is and how to press it.
The evidence behind Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, in one page
We track 5 natural options for Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome — what each is typically used for, usual dose, cautions, and the study behind the ones with real trial data.
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