The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Lobelia, Trace Minerals
Posted by Drwelby (California) on 05/09/2014
★★★★★
Leg Cramps:
LOBELIA Extract (brown liquid available in large health food stores & from herbalists). The most powerful antispasmodic natural medicine. In essence, a cramp is a a 'spasm' or knot of the muscle. A quick liberal spray or splash of the lobelia rubbed into & about 3" around the circumference of the cramped area & relief will be momentary & complete.
TRACE MINERALS
The other people's recommendations of trace minerals, AC vinegar etc daily will treat the 'cause' of the cramping if taken daily as an addition to the daily diet..(its a 'food' not a medicine) on an ongoing basis. And..improve digestion (& therefore absorption of minerals from food) & general quality of health in many regards.
I find the following taken at least twice daily approx 15mins before meals is an easy quick & relatively pleasant:
- 3 T AC Vinegar
- 1T Raw Honey (NOT pasturized or boiled sold in markets)
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup hot water
Stir & drink
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Ms Peggy (Sacramento, Ky) on 10/03/2013
★★★★★
I don't know why it works, but read some where about using peroxide for muscle spasms. After suffering from them nearly every night for many years, I decided to try it. Rubbed a small amount of peroxide on the area of the charlie horse, and praise be it worked. They didn't come back the rest of the night. While pickle juice, and mustard do tend to help, I have to repeat fairly often. Now I keep the peroxide close by.
Tonic Water with Quinine
Posted by Bob A (Tucson, Az, Usa) on 09/22/2013
★★★★★
My mother (now 90 yo) said that HER mother told her that night-time muscle cramps are easily dealt with by an 8-oz glass of Quinine Water (also known as Tonic Water at the grocery or liquor store) just before bed. I do this whenever I have leg muscle aches and I sleep like a baby. Works much better than aspirin or ibuprophen. Tonic water contains a small amount of quinine, which is incidentally the main worldwide treatment for malaria for the past 100+ years.
Hydrocortisone Cream
Posted by Anna (Philadelphia) on 08/06/2013
★★★★★
Hydrocortisone Cream for sufficient temporary relief of spasms and overworked joints/muscles
I was rear ended in a car accident when I was 24. Since then I have been dealing with sharp stabbing burning pains in my neck. After 2 years of pain management my doctor has exhausted all techniques. Until one day he put his finger in the dip in my shoulder. INCREDIBLE PAIN surged, I felt like I lost the ability to stand or sit upright. After finding this out there isn't much that is able to be done about the horrible sensations that start in my shoulder and shoot to my neck. No prescribed external topical applications have been successful.
One day I was in so much pain I just started throwing different creams on myself. Surprisingly, I found that hydrocortisone cream temporarily relieves these neck spasms long enough to "forget" about it and move on to something else. I would say it's an aid to help me relax.
At first I had to apply frequently because I was so stressed from the pain itself. But used less eventually. Keep in mind that a hot shower stream of water beating on my neck caused "white light" ten out of ten pain that took me to the ER because I freaked out.
So I suggest applying this to a very sensitive painful area of the body due to deep debilitating muscle spasms. It really helped me get past the pain long enough to distract myself with normal activities.
Point Toes To Nose
Posted by Merrin (Mundaring, Western Australia) on 04/30/2013
Interesting! I started getting leg cramps when pregnant. Local goat dairy owner and midwife gave me raw goats milk throughout two pregnancies. This cured my leg cramps. She told of her 90 year old aunt who experienced leg cramps when on holiday as only cows milk was available. On returning to the goat dairy and beautiful raw goats milk, her leg cramps ceased. Pointing toes to nose seems so much easier.
Point Toes To Nose
Posted by Peter (Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff) on 05/05/2013
When we used to get these leg cramps we would instantly start streching the leg by pointing the toes away from the body, this would never work because you're not doing anything, try it now and point your toes hard to your nose, feel that, well I do that every now and then and I have not had leg cramps in over 10 years, taking meds for it is insane.
Quinine Water
Posted by Linda (Roscommon, Mi) on 02/12/2013
My Mom had bad leg cramping at night and her doctor told her to drink quinine water before bed.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Laura (Florida) on 10/16/2020
Thank you for letting me know about just putting apple cider vinegar on the muscle itself. I have a severe shoulder spasm so I just tried that. I also tried drinking it but the taste is pretty repulsive to me and I started coughing and had a sneezing attack afterwards! I'm hoping this works. Thank you so much for the advice!
Potassium
Posted by Vera (Beulah, Co) on 01/03/2013
★★★★★
I suffered Charley horse something awful. It would wake me at night, screaming. Getting out of bed and putting weight on the foot/leg in question would help break the spasm. But I did not discover a cure until I was at a holistic clinic. I asked them if it's lack of calcium. They tested me, and said I had plenty.
They put me on liquid potassium, drink slowly with food. There is a prescription for it. Now, if I experience just a smidgen of it again, I take some potassium for a few days, and I am blessedly free of the agony. Never again. My neighbor tried it too, and she's not had a problem since. :-)
Magnesium
Posted by Ian (Oldham, United Kingdom) on 08/07/2012
★★★★★
i have recently been experimenting with magnesium chloride liquid which I rub in my legs after and during long bicycle rides, it seems to be working well. I put in a spray bottle, its cheap and effective and is absorbed well into the body as a good source of magnesium. Yesterday I did a cycle route with 15miles uphill, in the past ive had to stop due to debiliating cramps, yesterday did it no cramps, took the bottle with me and occasionally stopped and sprayed some on the legs.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Ky Mama (Clinton, Ky) on 07/26/2012
★★★★★
My husband does construction work. In the heat of the summer when he works outside, no matter how much water he drinks, he still ends the day somewhat dehydrated and missing minerals. One night he woke up with a cramp in his leg. He took a tablespoon of Blackstrap molasses. (It has to be Blackstrap! ) It helped within minutes and he had no trouble the rest of the night. Now whenever his leg feels twitchy, like it is getting ready to cramp, he takes 1-2 tablespoons of blackstrap. (He is a 230lb man. A smaller person could take less. I take 1 Tablespoon when I need it and I am half his size.) When my children have had fevers they have had leg cramps, probably from dehydration. In the future, I will try Blackstrap. However, many find it unpalatable, in which case a banana might be better. (But my husband has done bananas for cramps and, though they help, he doesn't think they help as much or as fast as the blackstrap.)
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Ky, Usa) on 07/27/2012 2043 posts
Ky Mama, I use one spoon Blackstrap M in my coffee as a sweetener, and as we all know it is a sweetener and beyond. Any form of Magnesium is best for cramps. In your husband's severe case, try him w/ an Epsom Salt warm footbath when he gets home and plunks down on the couch. Both the Magnesium and the Sulphur of the E-salt will do wonders on the body and also helps one to sleep.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Frances (Los Angeles, California) on 08/27/2012
hello mama with 5yr old with LS. Ive done all of the above, steroid creams havent helped me either and they ultimately thin the skin. I too have thyroid and hormone problems which are autoimmune diseases that some think are associated. I find that sugar is inflammatory so avoiding that helps, also eating less carbs and more plants as part of a good diet. Also I take gabapentin which has been a godsent for the itching. It works on a neurological level and works way better than any antihistamines ive tried. Just ask your doctor if its ok for kids. As for the flare ups and redness, I still have that battle. The cold compresses and cold baths with baking soda, epson salt sometimes helps. I often just put cold water on the area periodically as well. Calmoseptine helps on the anal area too and acts as a good barrier. For the vaginal area zinc oxide and aquafor are excellent. Try not to use underwear when you can. And always cotton underwear. I also use lidocaine on the area to numb it for periods of time. Hopefully you are seeing a dermatologist as well fo more options. Im a rare young case as well, not as young as your daughter, I pray she is one of the children that grows out of this. Ive also seen some promising research with regard to stem cells and regenerating the skin in the area. Ive heard great results, ill keep you posted. Having it done next month. I hope my suggestions help, your daughters story really touched my heart.
Magnesium Phosphate
Posted by Val (Pittsburg, Pa) on 06/02/2012
★★★★★
The mag phos cell salt also helps me with the spasms I have. The muscles can cramp at anytime of the day. I learned about mag phos from a naturalist. I also use the Apple Cider Vinegar and honey for severe cramps using both has helped greatly.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ronnie (Oak Island, North Carolina) on 07/07/2011
★★★★★
For leg cramps or back cramps apple cider vinegar will eliminate them within seconds, almost imediately
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tessa (Okanagan) on 05/17/2024
Hi Misty -
I think Timh may be referring to ConcenTrace Minerals.
https://www.traceminerals.com/products/concentrace-trace-mineral-drops-8-oz
I've been using it for many years to remineralize my distilled water.
You can get it at health food stores, water supply stores that sell jugs of distilled water, Walmart used to (don't know if they still do), online, etc.
Cheers,
Tessa
Salt
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 06/07/2011
Eating bananas and magnesium or magnesium chloride help well with cramps!
Salt
Posted by Andy (London) on 02/12/2017
Correct; Sodium is an electrolyte.
An additional side note: Magnesium is important for a myriad of processes in the body; muscle cramps are resolved with an adequate amount of bioavailable Magnesium.
Niacin
Posted by Ss (Santa Barbara, Calafia) on 01/09/2011
★★★★★
Niacin is EXTREMELY effective for leg cramps. Unlike magnesium, it does NOT result in muscles becoming so relaxed your body's energy levels appear to be reduced.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Olivia (Imperial, Ca) on 10/31/2010
★★★★★
I have been taking molasses for about 4 years now and it works like magic. One day I had a leg cramp at night that was so bad I was literally dragging my leg down the hall to the kitchen to get at the molasses. I just dipped the spoon half way into the jar and then ate it off the spoon and drank a little water to get it down. It's the same molasses you will find next to the pancake syrup. My doctor check me for potassium, magnesium and calcium deficiency, but all was normal. I don't know what it is but it works. It has been a life saver. You're able to get right back to bed with no problems.
Bar of Soap
Posted by Traveler (Santa Barbara, Ca, Usa) on 04/29/2010
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
I found on the peoples' pharmacy website a recommendation for using soap for restless leg syndrome. I think any soap works well, though you could google search people's stories. All I know is that I recommended it to my father, and while it didn't work for his restless legs at night, it DID work on his leg cramps for around two months. After that, the effect, sadly, wore off. For those who want to try, just put a bar of soap (doesn't have to be expensive, I remember people writing about trying it with the little hotel soaps) under the sheets near your legs or even touching. If you start to feel a cramp coming on, put the leg into contact with the soap. My father saw results within three days. Unfortunately, it didn't last-- but it was nice to know that it worked for at least two months for him.
Bar of Soap
Posted by Mtnwindsong (Lubbock, Tx) on 08/28/2010
Change to new bar of soap when it quits working. I can taste soap when I drink water first thing in the morning so I think something in the soap is going into your body.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 03/27/2010
I just eat bananas.... we can't buy Epsom salts here in France. I have also looked in Germany and Switzerland (we live next door to them, quite practical) but they only sell them in small quantities for constipation so I never tried them. Bananas have helped me well all my life! I don't have the time to search now as we a leaving on a trip but there are vegetables that are also very rich on potassium.
Vitamin E, Calcium, Magnesium
Posted by Peggy Conrad (Sacramento, Kentucky) on 08/12/2009
★★★★★
After suffering terribly for years with muscle cramps everywhere ex: calves of my legs, bottoms of my feet, back, and neck. I finally discovered that Vit E 400IU, 1000mg calcium, and 1200mg of magnesuium daily, was my answer. Said it could take up to two weeks to start working, however, for me, it worked the very first night. This has worked for me for about eight years now. I have been able to cut back on magnesium to about 500mgs. a day now.
Horseradish
Posted by Ken (Saint Louis, MO) on 07/17/2009
★★★★★
Horseradish works great for Muscle cramps, headaches, and ulcers. I eat a spoonfull with a glass of water and the cramps go away in a minute and do not return.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Connie (Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA) on 08/13/2009
Try mixing the vinegar in some apple juice or tomato/vegetable juice.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dave (Friend, Ne) on 06/17/2015
ACV is actually easy to drink, easy to get used to. But everyone is different. Just keep reading posts on this great site!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Tess (Palm Beach, FL) on 02/12/2009
Hi Shelagh, not sure this will be of any help, but I found this while searching under Vitamin D3 cures:
http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec01/ch004/ch004k.html
"Symptoms and Signs:
Vitamin D deficiency can cause muscle aches, muscle weakness, and bone pain at any age."
There may be other vitamin or mineral deficiencies which can also cause intense muscle pain. I will keep looking.
