Natural Remedies for Vertigo

Written by Institute for Natural Medicine Staff

Medically Reviewed by Elidania Perez, ND, MS

Published September 18, 2025
Last Updated September 19, 2025

Vertigo is an abnormality in the body’s vestibular (balance) system that causes a sensation of spinning or being unsteady on your feet.¹ Typically resulting from dysfunction or disorders of the inner ear,² vertigo can also affect vision and hearing.

Common vertigo symptoms

While peripheral vertigo affects patients of all ages, central vertigo is more common among older adults.² Both types can cause a moving or rotating sensation that leads to:¹

Dizziness
Nausea
Vomiting
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Hearing loss
Difficulty focusing the eyes

“The diagnosis of vertigo is the most crucial step, as there are multiple causes,” says Rachel Erickson, ND, founder of Virtual Integrative Specialists in Seattle, Washington. “Natural treatments would depend largely on the cause.”

Many conditions are connected with dizziness and vertigo, including hypoglycemia, anemia, migraines, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), benign paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV), concussions, traumatic brain injury, and post-concussion syndrome.

Peripheral vertigo

Peripheral vertigo, the most common type, is typically triggered by problems with the vestibular labyrinth (inner ear) or vestibular (“balance”) nerve.¹^,² These parts of the vestibular system maintain posture, gait, and eye movement.

Vestibular disorders such as BPPV, neuritis, and labyrinthitis are common causes of peripheral vertigo. Less common contributors include acoustic neuromas, middle ear infections, and perilymphatic fistula.³

BPPV is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo. Most episodes are short-lived, occurring suddenly when calcium crystals called canaliths within the inner ear become displaced, often due to rapid head movements.³

Certain conditions and lifestyle factors may increase the risk of recurring BPPV, such as head injury, osteoporosis, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and prolonged computer use.⁴

Viral infections can trigger sudden and severe episodes of vertigo that last for days at a time. This type of vertigo is called vestibular neuritis.¹ When hearing loss occurs, it’s known as labyrinthitis. Hearing loss can also occur with Meniere’s disease, another common cause of vertigo.³

Medical conditions that affect the brainstem, like stroke, vestibular migraines, blood vessel disease, and multiple sclerosis (MS), are linked to central vertigo.² MS has also been associated with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.¹

How to treat vertigo

Vertigo doesn’t always stem from a single cause, and chronic stress with hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation may exacerbate inflammation, impair circulation, and disrupt balance. Over time, these factors, along with high blood pressure and other metabolic imbalances, could increase the risk of recurrent episodes.

A doctor or physical therapist may recommend vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) as part of treatment,³ depending on the type of vertigo you’re experiencing. This specialized physical therapy aims to reduce vertigo symptoms and improve balance, muscle strength, daily activities, and overall health.¹ VRT is proven to effectively manage multiple causes of vertigo, including BPPV.

Physical therapy for BPPV

Some vertigo therapies consist of simple maneuvers known as “canalith repositioning procedures.”⁵ Others, like Brandt–Daroff exercises, aim to disperse canaliths and increase symptom tolerance.⁶

“For BPPV, the goal is to move the ear crystals back into alignment with the Epley maneuver,” explains Dr. Erickson. “I teach people how to do this, or send them to a physical therapist. They [can also] do it at home, watching a YouTube video.”

While effective for BPPV, canalith repositioning procedures may temporarily worsen vertigo symptoms. Neck stiffness, nausea, and dizziness have been reported, particularly with head movement.⁵ Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about performing these exercises from home.

Epley maneuver

The Epley maneuver, one of the most common home remedies for vertigo, uses simple head and body movements to reposition displaced canaliths.⁵ Start by moving your head 45 degrees toward the affected side, followed by a 90-degree turn toward the unaffected side.⁶

If your left ear is affected, for example, start by turning your head toward the left. If symptoms persist, the procedure can be repeated, beginning with the right side.¹

Follow these steps to perform a modified version of the left-sided Epley maneuver¹:

Place a pillow at the end of your bed.
Slowly sit upright near the center of the bed, with the pillow behind you.
Starting with the left side, gently turn your head 45 degrees to the left.
Keeping your head turned, quickly lie down flat with your shoulders over the pillow.
Hold the position for 30 seconds.
Keeping your head down, slowly turn your head 90 degrees to the right.
Hold the position for 30 seconds.
Roll onto the right side of your body, bringing your right ear to your shoulder.
Hold the position for 30 seconds.
Slowly return to a sitting position with your legs hanging over the right side of the bed.

Repeat the process throughout the day until you are symptom free for 24 hours.¹

Semont maneuver

While similar to the Epley, the Semont maneuver uses rapid movements to reposition displaced canaliths.⁵ It requires less neck flexibility than the Epley procedure, making it a gentle alternative if you have limited neck mobility.⁶

You can perform the exercise at home by following these steps⁷:

Sit upright and turn your head 45 degrees toward the unaffected side. If your left ear is affected, you’d move 45 degrees to the right.
Keeping your head turned, quickly move to a side-lying position toward the affected side. Hold the position for two minutes.
Without turning your head, quickly lie down on the opposite side. Hold the position for two minutes.
Slowly sit up.

Some research suggests that alternating between the Semont and Epley maneuvers may be a more effective way to manage vertigo symptoms.⁷

Gans repositioning maneuver

The Gans repositioning maneuver is a hybrid approach that blends elements of the Semont and Epley maneuvers.⁸ According to a meta-analysis of 22 studies, Gans may be the most effective treatment for BPPV. Similar to the Semont maneuver, it’s a gentler and more comfortable therapy for people with limited neck mobility.⁵

Brandt–Daroff exercises

Brandt–Daroff habituation exercises are a series of movements that treat vestibular disorders like BPPV. Compared to canalith repositioning procedures, they’re thought to be less effective for managing vertigo.⁶ Still, these home exercises may be worth trying if cervical problems prevent you from comfortably performing the Epley or Semont reposition procedures.⁹

Medication

To treat longer-lasting episodes of nausea, dizziness, or spinning, a doctor may prescribe medications such as antihistamines, benzodiazepines, calcium channel blockers, or antiemetics to manage symptoms.¹

Dr. Erickson also notes that medications like beta blockers are sometimes prescribed for POTS.¹⁰

Herbs, supplements, and home remedies

Ginkgo biloba

ginkgo leaves and glass containers with powder on marble counter

Ginkgo biloba has been shown to reduce blood viscosity and improve blood flow to the brain, potentially alleviating vertigo symptoms.¹¹ In clinical trials, ginkgo biloba extract alleviated symptoms as effectively as betahistine, the most commonly prescribed vertigo medication.¹²

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to BPPV, and some studies suggest that supplementing with the vitamin could reduce recurrence.¹³ Bloodwork can determine whether supplementation is beneficial.

Other ways to increase your vitamin D levels include:

Eating foods that are naturally rich in vitamin D (trout, salmon, and mushrooms)
Consuming foods that have been fortified with vitamin D (soy milk and dairy products)
Getting adequate sunlight exposure each day

Staying hydrated

Dehydration may increase the risk of vertigo, while drinking more water could relieve symptoms.¹⁴ A small study from 2010 found that people who doubled their water intake for two weeks experienced less severe vertigo.¹⁵

For people with POTS, Dr. Erickson recommends extra hydration in addition to [higher] sodium [intake], compression socks, and horizontal exercises.

Natural anti-inflammatories

Dr. Erickson recommends anti-inflammatory supplements, such as omega–3, alpha–lipoic acid, vitamin B1, and lion’s mane mushroom. “For post-concussion [syndrome], all the neuro anti-inflammatories [can] really help,” she says. “And vestibular physical therapy to retrain their brains.” Anti-neuroinflammatory foods include pomegranates, extra-virgin olive oil, walnuts, fatty fish, and Manuka honey.

Other natural options for vertigo symptoms

“Vertigo is often a ‘minor’ symptom in my patients, but not a chief complaint,” says Debra Rouse, ND, a Colorado-based expert in integrative and functional medicine. “[By] treating the whole person, symptoms of vertigo tend to lessen as a result.”

A whole-health approach to treating vertigo often provides relief, adds Dr. Rouse. By addressing underlying drivers such as stress, cardiovascular health, and lifestyle habits, patients experience more lasting improvement than with symptom-focused care alone.

Footnotes

1
Vertigo-Associated Disorders. MedlinePlus. National Library of Medicine. Reviewed December 31, 2023. Accessed July 30, 2025. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001432.htm
2
Dy JS, Freeman AM. Vertigo. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; May 17, 2025. https://www.ncbinlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482356
3
Baumgartner B, Taylor RS. Peripheral vertigo. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; June 26, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430797
4
Li S, Wang Z, Liu Y, et al. Risk factors for the recurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ear Nose Throat J. 2022;101(3):NP112-NP134. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145561320943362
5
Si N, Liu M, Chang W. Correction: Effect of different maneuvers of repositioning on benign paroxysmal vertigo: a network meta‑analysis. BMC Neurol. 2025;25(1):212. Published 2025 May 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-025-04238-w
6
Pérez-Vázquez P, Franco-Gutiérrez V. Treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. A clinical review. J Otol. 2017;12(4):165-173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joto.2017.08.004
7
Lovato A, Marioni G, Monzani D, Rossettini G, Genovese E, de Filippis C. Physical therapy for benign positional vertigo of posterior canal: the role of alternated Epley and Semont maneuvers. Ear Nose Throat J. 2023;102(2):NP60-NP64. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145561320980183
8
Dhiman NR, Joshi D, Gyanpuri V, Pathak A, Kumar A. Comparison between Epley and Gans repositioning maneuvers for posterior canal BPPV: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2023;26(4):537-542. https://doi.org/10.4103/aian.aian_12_23
9
Cetin YS, Ozmen OA, Demir UL, Kasapoglu F, Basut O, Coskun H. Comparison of the effectiveness of Brandt-Daroff vestibular training and Epley canalith repositioning maneuver in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo long-term result: a randomized prospective clinical trial. Pak J Med Sci. 2018;34(3):558-563. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/83de/7416b6ea2fe61cb667849d00eb9d0c75c224.pdf
10
Hussein MT, Hewko A. Management of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: a Canadian approach. J Nurse Pract. 2024;21(1):105258-105258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2024.105258
11
Gao X, Cheng Y, Liu F, Han X, Liu C. The clinical efficacy and safety of Ginkgo biloba in vertigo patients: a meta-analysis. Adv Integr Med. 2023;10(4):158-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2023.10.001
12
Sokolova L, Hoerr R, Mishchenko T. Treatment of vertigo: a randomized, double-blind trial comparing efficacy and safety of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 and betahistine. Int J Otolaryngol. 2014;2014:682439. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/682439
13
Li Y, Gao P, Ding R, et al. Association between vitamin D, vitamin D supplementation and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neurol. 2025;16:1560616. Published 2025 Apr 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2025.1560616
14
Altın B, Aksoy S. Is inadequate water intake a risk factor for vestibular disorders? J Int Adv Otol. 2022;18(3):264-268. https://doi.org/10.5152/iao.2022.21303
15
Jormeus A, Karlsson S, Dahlgren C, Lindström T, Nystrom FH. Doubling of water intake increases daytime blood pressure and reduces vertigo in healthy subjects. Clin Exp Hypertens. 2010;32(7):439-443. https://doi.org/10.3109/10641961003686450

This article is provided by

The Institute for Natural Medicine, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. INM’s mission is to transform health care in the United States by increasing public awareness of natural medicine and access to naturopathic doctors. Naturopathic medicine, with its person-centered principles and practices, has the potential to reverse the tide of chronic illness overwhelming healthcare systems and to empower people to achieve and maintain optimal lifelong health. INM strives to fulfil this mission through the following initiatives:

Education – Reveal the unique benefits and outcomes of evidence-based natural medicine
Access – Connect patients to licensed naturopathic doctors
Research – Expand quality research on this complex and comprehensive system of medicine

About The Author(s)

Writer

Institute for Natural Medicine Staff

Our dedicated content team of professional staff writers represents decades of experience covering essential natural health topics in an accessible, evidence-based, and engaging way. Guided by a shared passion for holistic well-being, each and every one of our writers strives to empower our readers to take charge of their health.

Supported by a rigorous fact-checking and medical editing process from licensed naturopathic doctors that examines the latest in peer-reviewed research, our team brings their in-depth knowledge of natural health practices into every piece of content we produce. We strive to be the gold standard for evidence-based natural medicine, providing trustworthy information and inspiring narratives to help you live your best health, naturally.

Explore Brain Health & Eye Health & Hearing Articles

Explore

Consumer

Education

Awareness, Advocacy, &

Action

Professional Education &

Research

Natural Remedies for Vertigo

In this article:

Common vertigo symptoms

Peripheral vertigo