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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Robert (Barnegat, NJ, USA) on 01/11/2009
★★★★★
I take 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar dilluted with 4oz. water for leg cramps at nite. Works very well! I used to get leg cramps 3 or 4 times at nite, no more since I've been drinking dilluted APC.
Baking Soda
Posted by Barbara (Austin, Texas) on 10/27/2008
★★★★★
I just started using ACV as a mouthwash and it seemed to clear out my sinuses and stopped my tooth from hurting. I gargle with it and no sore throats. Allergy symptoms gone. So far so good. On baking soda, it is high in sodium so I dont think taking it on a regular basis is a good idea. If I get leg cramps and cannot sleep and have to walk it out, I put a pinch of baking soda in water and drink it and it does immediately relieve the cramps. Cramps due to acidity. ACV is an antiseptic. I also use ACV as a tone on my face just dab it on and it makes y our skiin feels so clean. I dont use it on my face everyday just a coupld of times a week.
Vinegar
Posted by David (Los Angeles, California) on 09/01/2008
★★★★★
re: vinegar for night lower leg cramps... It doesn't matter what kind of vinegar you use. Mustard works if you use the kind that contains vinegar. I mix an ounce (approx) of wine vinegar (it's in the cupboard) with some water and drink. I don't measure. Cramps go away in 15 seconds.
Manganese
Posted by Larry (Valencia, California) on 06/19/2008
I have suffered cramps of feet, legs, hands and side for years. I have tried many natural remedies with some limited success. It was recommended that I try a powder mixture called Natural CALM, a mangonese supplement that you drink like a tea. This 'tea', which I added a regular tea bag to for flavor, immediately relieved my cramps. When I started taking 1 1/2 teaspoons morning and night, my irregular heartbeat (Atrial Fitrilation) went away! Wow! This is great! You can find it at your vitamin or healthfood store.
Manganese
Posted by Harriet (Federal Way, Wa) on 08/05/2009
Natural Calm is MAGNESIUM, N O T Manganese. I know. I've used it for years. Dissolves in hot water.
Hydrogen Peroxide Inhalation
Posted by Ramona (Greater Boston, MA) on 10/18/2008
★★★★★
Muscle spasms/leg cramps
In the middle of the night, I am often awakened by horrific leg cramps (calves). I, too, remembered the Bill M. peroxide inhalation....took out my handy-dandy nasal spray bottle with 3% peroxide, and inhale about four sprays at once, and hold my breath as long as I can. The pain disappears within ten seconds. This works for me, and might help someone else.
Ramona
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jamal (Phoenix, AZ) on 02/10/2008
★★★★★
I just tried the Apple Cider Vinegar and glass of hot water. I had overdone a workout and hadn't stretched. My quads and calves were cramping up really bad. (really painful). It really worked! It worked almost immiediately, I couldn't beleive it! I'm still sore, but that's an easy alternative to constant cramping. Thanks!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marsh57 (Colorado) on 07/21/2020
I was having foot cramps and heart palpitations. Saw a cardiologist and all was well. She recommended a good magnesium supplement, a banana and Himalayan salt. Didn't have either for 8 years.
The foot and leg cramps are returning. Not sure if it's because I'm back at the gym but will double up on the mag and start with ACV.
Wear Socks to Bed
Posted by Doris (Hamilton, AL) on 12/31/2007
★★★★★
WEAR SOCKS TO BED WILL HELP WITH LEG CRAMPS.
Aspirin and Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc
Posted by Anna (Philadelphia, Pa, Usa) on 03/14/2010
calcium, magnesium, zinc (all in one) also healed completely my calf cramp (no aspirin tried though), but then I run out of it, got another brand and... it didn't work that well... So I checked the bottles: the working one has copper! Now I have only those!
Magnesium Phosphate
Posted by Marinette (Cleveland, USA) on 11/01/2007
★★★★★
This is in response to a post by Irene from Hermosa about muscle cramps. I also wake up with cramps in my legs or feet, and find that this usually happens if I have been taking a supplement that has some Calcium in it. Foods that have Calcium in them don't have this negative effect on me. When I get a muscle cramp I take the cell salt Mag. Phos. in the 6X potency, and within seconds the muscle that is cramping will relax. Because cell salts dissolve on your tongue and do not have to be digested, they go directly into the bloodstream and act immediately. This is a great remedy for muscle cramping and also helps with indigestion.
Horse Chestnut Root
Posted by Christopher (Copper Center, Alaska) on 10/16/2007
★★★★★
My Mom had painful leg cramps all of her life. I started getting them in my early 40's. I have tried most of the other remedies with varying success but what works best for me is "Horse Chestnut Root" extract. It is preventive, not for immediate relief. If I start to feel them coming back, I just take two pills a day for a couple days. Sometimes no cramps now for 1-2 months at a time.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Terri (Richmond , VA) on 10/15/2007
★★★★★
Recently my husband & I moved. Both of us are in our 50's. We were both taken by surprise at our aching muscles from the move as we are fairly active people. We didn't wish to take anything over the counter for our pain. Our Chiropractor recommended getting Epsom Salts (magnesium) to place into a tub of hot water to soak in. The directions were on the outside of the package. Place two cups into bath water and soak your body. I added a few drops of Pure Essential Oil, Lavendar to the bath as I needed a good nights rest. We slept like babies, totally pain free. We would recommend this highly to anyone able to get in and out of a tub. We repeated it nightly for several nights until the soreness had totally faded.
Dietary and Herbal Suggestions
Posted by Sandra (Entiat, W) on 10/22/2009
I agree with the sugar (sweets, simple carbs) If I eat to much I have learned that I get terrible leg and foot cramps. Just to be sure :) I keep testing it out. Some things are harder to accept as a lesson learned than other lessons.
DMSO
Posted by Janice (Ocean, NJ) on 06/19/2007
★★★★★
I pulled a muscle in the upper middle back and could not turn my head full left or right. I rubbed in DMSO, & soon after, the pain was gone. It lasted the whole day, but I did have to reapply at night & then the next day. After about 4 days , the pain was completely gone! This is an amazing site--my new bible---thank you for everything!
DMSO
Posted by Fuzzball (Nanuet, Ny, Usa) on 02/01/2012
Dmso is great for many things, including helping to turn cancer cells into good cells, but it stinks to high heaven. If you plan to use this remedy, wait about an hour then wash yourself. You can get this at most pet stores. Make sure it's 70% dmso, 30% distilled water.
Cold Showers
Posted by Araeshkigal (Hurst, TX) on 02/16/2007
★★★★★
I first started taking cold showers as a suggested remedy for migraines. It more than worked. It also helped alleviate skin breakouts, regular muscle cramping, and some blood pressure issues (I changed nothing else in diet or exercise to be sure this was what was having the effects) I find it's best to start barely warm and slowly get to cold. If you can't stand ice cold at first just go "on the cool side" till you get a tolerance. You don't have to *freeze* to get the benefits. Also I find cold baths do *not* have the same theraputic effect as' cold showers (anyone else?)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Clarence (Kaiserslautern, Germany) on 12/27/2006
★★★★★
I had a leg cramp the other night. I went to my kitchen and took a tablespoon of ACV in a glass of water (4 - 6 ) ounces. It helped almost immediately.
Mustard
Posted by Ruth (Banning, California) on 11/27/2006
★★★★★
A teaspoonful of prepared Mustard like Frenchs brings toe and leg cramps relief. I have tiny packets of mustard (that I purchase at Smart & Fiinal restaurant suppliers) and carry them in my handbag and at my bedside for quick relief. It works fast 99% of the time.
Buffered Salt
Posted by Jo Anne (Clearwater, FL)
★★★★★
Living in Florida, the heat can be harsh on one who works outside in it. My husband had been having severe muscle cramps and low energy. Our pharmacist recommended a salt supplement called Thermotabs (a buffered salt supplement). After taking this daily, he has no muscle cramps and also has a higher energy level. Hope this works for you too. Take as directed on the bottle.
Buffered Salt
Posted by Jan (Mesquite, Nv) on 11/26/2009
My husband also had a very bad problem with leg cramps, especially in the evening. I found a bottle of buffered salt supplements I had purchased and started giving them to him. Rarely does he get a cramp anymore, unless he forgets to take the buffered salt tablets daily. I just wonder if it's good for his blood pressure, but don't know who to ask.
Supplements
Posted by Deirdre ( LA)
★★★★★
My mother had been experiencing severe muscle cramps at night in her legs. Her toes too would sometimes go into excruciating spasms. She bought liquid calcium/magnesium and started taking it before going to bed. The cramps stopped right away. As long as she takes the supplement daily, she does not get the cramps.
