Natural Treatments for Myasthenia Gravis: Do They Really Work?

Natural treatments for myasthenia gravis and lifestyle habits may help control symptoms and improve quality of life. These can include acupuncture, speech/swallowing therapy, a balanced diet, and supervised exercise. However, they should not replace standard medical therapy. 

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a long-term autoimmune disorder. MG causes weakness of muscles you can control, especially those in the eye, face, throat, neck, and limbs. It occurs when the immune system disrupts the communication between the nerves and muscles. 

Standard treatments for myasthenia gravis include medications, surgery, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

Natural Treatments for Myasthenia Gravis: A Closer Look at the Evidence

Natural treatments may help some people with myasthenia gravis improve their quality of life. Nonetheless, they should not replace conventional MG treatments. 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine. During an acupuncture session, a practitioner inserts fine needles through the skin at specific points on the body. According to the practitioners, doing so will help rebalance the flow of “life force” in the body. 

Acupuncture is mainly used to treat:

• Dental pain 
• Neck pain
• Low back pain 
• Labor pain
• Menstrual cramps 
• Joint pain

Acupuncture may help reduce symptom severity and improve quality of life in some MG patients by stimulating local nerves. 

For example, in a 2024 review, researchers found that acupuncture (combined with conventional treatments) may benefit MG patients as a supportive therapy. In this study, acupuncture was associated with improved quality of life and reduced symptom severity [1].

Likewise, participants in a small 2025 trial reported improvements in MG symptoms after twice-weekly acupuncture for 12 weeks. According to the researchers, acupuncture is safe and feasible for MG patients [2].

However, this is an ongoing area of research. Large high-quality studies are necessary to establish acupuncture as an effective MG treatment. 

Speech and Swallowing Therapy

People with MG often have difficulty speaking and swallowing. These issues can occur because MG significantly weakens the muscles in the head, neck, and throat. A 2025 study found that people with MG have a significantly higher risk of speech and swallowing difficulties compared with the general population [3]. 

Common speech problems include vocal fatigue, monotonous or hypernasal voice, and periods of voice loss. 

Speech therapy can help people with MG improve their speech clarity. Moreover, they can learn compensatory strategies to increase understandability, such as [4]:

• Using short phrases
• Taking regular breaks to avoid vocal fatigue
• Developing alternative modes of communication 
• Using gestures or facial expressions for effective communication 
• Avoiding speaking in loud environments 

Common swallowing problems include coughing or choking during or after eating, slow eating, and shortness of breath when eating or drinking. 

Swallowing therapy is an evidence-based approach. This rehabilitation program may help reduce the risk of choking, aid efficient eating, and strengthen swallowing-related muscles.

Respiratory Muscle Training 

Sometimes, MG can weaken muscles involved in breathing, such as the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles. If this happens, a person may experience shortness of breath. 

Respiratory muscle training (RMT) can help increase respiratory muscle endurance, improve functional outcomes, and reduce fatigue in MG patients [5,6].

A respiratory therapist may recommend breathing exercises, such as:

• Belly breathing 
• Inspiratory muscle training
• Pursed-lip breathing 

Lifestyle Measures for Myasthenia Gravis

Find Ways To Save Your Energy

Fatigue is a common, often debilitating feature of myasthenia gravis. To conserve your energy, try the following:

• Schedule important or physically demanding tasks appropriately. 
• Sit more often than you stand.
• Rest when you need to. 
• Ask for help when you need to. 
• Try to eat when you feel the strongest. 
• Use tools to save your energy. 

Manage Potential Triggers

Stress, infection, heat, and overexertion may worsen myasthenia gravis symptoms. Take steps to avoid these triggers. These can include:

• Avoiding extreme heat when possible. 
• Avoiding exposure to people with signs of an infection. 
• Saving energy to reduce fatigue. 
• Consulting a healthcare provider before using a new medicine or getting a vaccine.

Symptoms may also worsen during pregnancy. Inform your provider if you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant. 

Exercise 

Because exercise can increase fatigue, many people with MG tend to avoid physical activity. However, exercise is still crucial for overall health, mood, balance, and strength. 

If you have mild to moderate MG, consider an appropriate activity to meet the weekly goal of 150 minutes of exercise. Always consult your provider before starting any new activity. Also, make sure you don’t overexert yourself. Low-impact exercises such as swimming, walking, or yoga are effective and less rigorous on the body.

A Healthy Diet 

A healthy diet is the foundation of health. While there’s no MG-specific dietary guideline, the fundamentals of healthy eating still apply. 

We have an entire article dedicated to healthy eating when you have myasthenia gravis. Read more about the Best Diet for Myasthenia Gravis. 

Myasthenia Gravis Natural Treatments: Frequently Asked Questions 

Can myasthenia gravis be completely cured?

No. Currently available treatments help manage symptoms and prevent complications, but don’t cure myasthenia gravis. 

Are there natural supplements for myasthenia gravis?

Limited evidence suggests certain Chinese herbal formulas and vitamin supplementation may offer additional benefits. However, there is no evidence that these remedies significantly affect disease progression. Always talk to your healthcare provider before trying supplements. 

What medications can trigger myasthenia gravis?

Certain antibiotics, blood pressure medications, and anti-seizure medications may worsen MG symptoms. 

What foods should I avoid if I have myasthenia gravis?

Foods to avoid with myasthenia gravis include:

• Difficult-to-swallow foods, such as dry/crunchy/crumbly foods
• Dry bread products such as bagels, muffins, and sandwiches 
• Tough meats that are hard to chew and swallow
• Ultraprocessed foods, which are high in added salt or sugar
• Foods high in caffeine, such as coffee and soda
• Hot, spicy foods

Does vitamin B12 benefit people with myasthenia gravis?

There is no evidence to suggest that vitamin B12 affects MG disease activity or that vitamin B12 supplementation can improve symptoms.