Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the spinal cord and brain. The body attacks the protective coverings of nerves. This leads to muscle spasms, numbness, and problems moving.
There is no cure. It is managed with medicine and changes in lifestyle habits. Some people turn to natural therapies to help ease symptoms. They should not be used instead of standard care.
Natural Therapies
Likely Effective
These therapies are likely to ease symptoms:
May Be Effective
These therapies may ease symptoms:
- Biotin is a B-vitamin naturally produced by the body and can be taken as a supplement. It is also found in egg yolks, whole grains, and nuts. C5
- Cannabinoids are compounds found cannabis. C12-C17
- Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is a substance found in tea and some other foods. C20
- Estriol is an estrogen hormone produced by the body. It can be applied as a cream or gel. C4
- Ginseng is a plant used in teas and sodas to stimulate energy and improve brain function. C3
- Lipoic acid is made by the body to help slow damage to cells. It can be taken as a supplement. (Note: It should not be taken by people with diabetes.) C7, C10, C20
- Mindfulness practices may improve symptoms and quality of life. D1, D2
- Tai Chi is a form of martial arts that combines meditation and movement. G1, G2
- Vitamin D is available in a few foods and as a supplement. Your body also makes it in response to sunlight. C2, C6, C8, C11, C19
May Not Be Effective
Carnitine is a compound that helps the body make energy. It may not be effective. C24
Not Enough Data to Assess
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse. For example, lipoic acid should not be taken by people with diabetes. It may interact with their medicines.
References
Cognitive Training
REFA1 Hind D, Cotter J, et al. Cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of depression in people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14:5.
REFA2 Rosti-Otajärvi EM, Hämäläinen PI. Neuropsychological rehabilitation for multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(2):CD009131.
Exercise Therapy
REFB1 Rietberg MB, Brooks D, et al. Exercise therapy for multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Sys Rev. 2005;(1):CD003980.
REFB2 Pearson M, Dieberg G, et al. Exercise as a therapy for improvement of walking ability in adults with multiple sclerosis: a meta-analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015;96(7):1339-1348.
REFB3 Heine M, van de Port I, et al. Exercise therapy for fatigue in multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(9):CD009956.
REFB4 Alphonsus KB, Su Y, et al. The effect of exercise, yoga and physiotherapy on the quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2019 Apr;43:188-195.
REFB5 Amatya B, Khan F, et al. Rehabilitation for people with multiple sclerosis: an overview of Cochrane Reviews. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Jan 14;1:CD012732.
REFB6 Charron S, McKay KA, et al. Physical activity and disability outcomes in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review (2011-2016). Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2018 Feb;20:169-177.
REFB7 Sandroff BM, Motl RW, et al. Systematic, Evidence-Based Review of Exercise, Physical Activity, and Physical Fitness Effects on Cognition in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis. Neuropsychol Rev. 2016 Sep;26(3):271-294.
REFB8 Campbell E, Coulter EH, et al. Physiotherapy Rehabilitation for People With Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2016 Jan;97(1):141-51.e3.
REFB9 Cruickshank TM, Reyes AR, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of strength training in individuals with multiple sclerosis or Parkinson disease. Medicine (Baltimore). 2015 Jan;94(4):e411.
Herbs and Supplements
REFC1 Wade DT, Young CA, et al. A randomised placebo controlled exploratory study of vitamin B-12, lofepramine, and L-phenylalanine (the “Cari Loder regime”) in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2002;73(3):246-249.
REFC2 Jagannath VA, Filippini G, et al. Vitamin D for the management of multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Sep 24;9:CD008422..
REFC3 Etemadifar M, Sayahi F, et al. Ginseng in the treatment of fatigue in multiple sclerosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot study. Int J Neurosci. 2013;123(7):480-486.
REFC4 Voskuhl RR, Wang H, et al. Estriol combined with glatiramer acetate for women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial. Lancet Neurol. 2016;15(1):35-46.
REFC5 Tourbah A, Lebrun-Frenay C, et al. MD1003 (high-dose biotin) for the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Mult Scler. 2016;22(13):1719-1731.
REFC6 Zheng C, He L, et al. The efficacy of vitamin D in multiple sclerosis: A meta-analysis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2018;23:56-61.
REFC7 Loy BD, Fling BW, et al. Effects of lipoic acid on walking performance, gait, and balance in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Complement Ther Med. 2018;41:169-174.
REFC8 Berezowska M, Coe S, et al. Effectiveness of Vitamin D Supplementation in the Management of Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Mar 14;20(6). pii: E1301.
REFC9 Amatya B, Young J, et al. Non-pharmacological interventions for chronic pain in multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Dec 19;12:CD012622.
REFC10 de Sousa CNS, da Silva Leite CMG, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders: a systematic review. Metab Brain Dis. 2019 Feb;34(1):39-52.
REFC11 McLaughlin L, Clarke L, et al. Vitamin D for the treatment of multiple sclerosis: a meta-analysis. J Neurol. 2018 Dec;265(12):2893-2905.
REFC12 Allan GM, Finley CR, et al. Systematic review of systematic reviews for medical cannabinoids: Pain, nausea and vomiting, spasticity, and harms. Can Fam Physician. 2018 Feb;64(2):e78-e94.
REFC13 Nielsen S, Germanos R, et al. The Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Treating Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis: a Systematic Review of Reviews. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2018 Feb 13;18(2):8.
REFC14 Abrams DI. The therapeutic effects of Cannabis and cannabinoids: An update from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report. Eur J Intern Med. 2018 Mar;49:7-11.
REFC15 da Rovare VP, Magalhães GPA, et al. Cannabinoids for spasticity due to multiple sclerosis or paraplegia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2017 Oct;34:170-185.
REFC16 Whiting PF, Wolff RF, et al. Cannabinoids for Medical Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2015 Jun 23-30;313(24):2456-2473.
REFC17 Lakhan SE, Rowland M. Whole plant cannabis extracts in the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review. BMC Neurol. 2009 Dec 4;9:59.
REFC18 Song L, Zhou QH, et al. Chinese herbal medicine adjunct therapy in patients with acute relapse of multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2017 Apr;31:71-81.
REFC19 Hempel S, Graham GD, et al. A systematic review of the effects of modifiable risk factor interventions on the progression of multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2017 Apr;23(4):513-524.
REFC20 Plemel JR, Juzwik CA, et al. Over-the-counter anti-oxidant therapies for use in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review. Mult Scler. 2015 Oct;21(12):1485-1495.
REFC21 Amatya B, Khan F, et al. Non pharmacological interventions for spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Feb 28;(2):CD009974.
REFC22 Kuspinar A, Rodriguez AM, et al. The effects of clinical interventions on health-related quality of life in multiple sclerosis: a meta-analysis. Mult Scler. 2012 Dec;18(12):1686-1704.
REFC23 Farinotti M, Vacchi L, et al. Dietary interventions for multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Dec 12;12:CD004192.
REFC24 Tejani AM, Wasdell M, et al. Carnitine for fatigue in multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 May 16;(5):CD007280.
Mindfulness Practices
REFD1 Grossman P, Kappos L, et al. MD quality of life, depression, and fatigue improve after mindfulness training: a randomized trial. Neurology. 2010;75(13):1141-1149.
REFD2 Simpson R, Booth J, et al. Mindfulness based interventions in multiple sclerosis--a systematic review. BMC Neurol. 2014 Jan 17;14:15.
Yoga
REFE1 Cramer H, Lauche R, et al. Yoga for multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2014;9(11):e112414.
REFE2 Alphonsus KB, Su Y, et al. The effect of exercise, yoga and physiotherapy on the quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. 2019 Apr;43:188-195.
REFE3 Green E, Huynh A, et al. Systematic Review of Yoga and Balance: Effect on Adults With Neuromuscular Impairment. Am J Occup Ther. 2019 Jan/Feb;73(1):7301205150p1-7301205150p11.
Pilates
REFF1 Sánchez-Lastra MA, Martínez-Aldao D, et al. Pilates for people with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Feb;28:199-212.
Tai Chi
REFG1 Taylor E, Taylor-Piliae RE. The effects of Tai Chi on physical and psychosocial function among persons with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review. Complement Ther Med. 2017 Apr;31:100-108.
REFG2 Zou L, Wang H, et al. Tai chi for health benefits in patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review. PLoS One. 2017 Feb 9;12(2):e0170212.