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A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 43 patients with idiopathic facial palsy found that oral acetyl-L-carnitine (3 g/day for one month) combined with methylprednisolone produced significantly earlier facial nerve recovery compared to methylprednisolone plus placebo. After 10 days, a paralysis measure was reduced by half in the acetyl-L-carnitine group while remaining unchanged in the placebo group.

Curcumin, the principal bioactive of turmeric, has demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-HSV activity in preclinical studies. A 2021 proposal in JEL Sciences formally proposed curcumin (via turmeric) as a Bell's palsy adjunct, citing its neuroprotective and antiviral properties against HSV. Life Extension's Bell's palsy protocol lists curcumin as a recommended nutrient for managing the inflammatory response in the condition.

Ginkgo biloba leaf extract has established neuroprotective and microcirculation-enhancing properties relevant to Bell's palsy, which involves ischemic/inflammatory compression of the facial nerve. Life Extension's Bell's palsy protocol identifies ginkgo as potentially beneficial for nerve cell function. A study referenced in PubMed (PMID 23021527) evaluated ginkgo's effect on recovery after facial nerve injury.

L-lysine is an amino acid used to suppress HSV replication, which is strongly implicated as the causative trigger in Bell's palsy. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial showed that 3 g/day of L-lysine for 6 months significantly reduced herpes outbreak frequency, duration, and severity. Its anti-HSV activity makes it a rational adjunctive intervention for Bell's palsy, although it has not been studied directly in Bell's palsy RCTs.

Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) contains glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhizinic acid, compounds with demonstrated antiviral activity against HSV-1 and varicella zoster virus in preclinical studies. Since HSV-1 is the likely causative agent of Bell's palsy, licorice is cited by Life Extension's Bell's palsy protocol as an anti-herpes adjunct. A proposed 2021 RCT protocol specifically included licorice as one of three herbal adjuncts for Bell's palsy treatment.

Methylcobalamin, the active coenzyme form of vitamin B12, was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial of 60 Bell's palsy patients. Those treated with methylcobalamin alone achieved complete facial nerve recovery in a mean of ~2 weeks, compared to ~9.6 weeks for the steroid-only group. The results were statistically significant (p<0.001), supporting its role in accelerating peripheral nerve regeneration.

Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) are anti-inflammatory compounds that protect peripheral nerves from inflammatory damage. They are cited in Bell's palsy integrative protocols as supportive nutrients due to their conversion into pro-resolving mediators. Multiple authoritative integrative references recommend omega-3s alongside other nerve-supportive nutrients for Bell's palsy recovery.

Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin) was directly studied in a randomized trial of 60 Bell's palsy patients, showing recovery in ~2 weeks versus ~9.6 weeks for steroids alone. B12 deficiency is associated with peripheral nerve degeneration, and B12 supports myelin synthesis critical for facial nerve repair. Multiple clinical sources including EBSCO Research Starters and institutional health references cite B12 supplementation as beneficial for nerve health in Bell's palsy.

An uncontrolled case series of 74 consecutive Bell's palsy patients treated with oral or intramuscular niacin (100–250 mg) found good-to-excellent facial nerve response in nearly all cases within 2–4 weeks. Niacin's vasodilatory effect is proposed to improve microcirculation within the facial nerve canal, promoting recovery. This evidence dates to Kime's 1958 report and remains the primary dataset.

Vitamin B6 is repeatedly cited by neurological and integrative medicine authorities—including NINDS, Arkansas Center for ENT, and Dr. Andrew Weil's clinical guidance—as part of vitamin therapy for Bell's palsy due to its roles in nervous system health and neurotransmitter synthesis. It supports nerve regeneration and may help reduce nerve inflammation.

A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMC Neurology found an association between lower serum vitamin D levels and Bell's palsy incidence and severity. Vitamin D acts as a neuro-immunomodulator, and multiple studies have examined its role in facial nerve dysfunction. Evidence suggests vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor, with supplementation considered potentially supportive.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the supplemental form used to raise serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, which has been associated with Bell's palsy risk and severity in a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis (BMC Neurology). As a neuro-immunomodulator, vitamin D3 may reduce facial nerve inflammation and support recovery through immune regulation and neuroprotective pathways.

Zinc is cited by multiple authoritative sources including institutional neurology references and integrative medicine protocols as a supportive nutrient for Bell's palsy. Zinc inhibits HSV-1 replication (a likely etiological agent of Bell's palsy), supports normal nerve function, and has been shown in clinical trials to reduce herpes outbreak duration. Zinc deficiency impairs nerve signal transmission.

In TCM, Da Qin Jiao Tang (Major Gentiana Decoction) is the classical standard formula for Bell's palsy and stroke-related facial paralysis with wind invasion. Gentiana macrophylla (Qin Jiao) is the principal herb in this formula, documented in texts since ancient times. No modern clinical RCT isolates G. macrophylla for Bell's palsy.