Effective Natural Remedies for Restless Legs Syndrome Relief

Quinine

Posted by Dolly (Brighton, United Kingdom) on 07/29/2012
★★★★★

This remedy was given to me by a friend and my husband has used it with highly successful results. It's quinine. He takes it by drinking a well-known brand of Tonic Water (not all tonic waters containe quinine) - but I know you can't advertise. I understand you can buy quinine so could be worth a go. (Hmm think it is a natural substance??).

Quinine

Posted by Jo (Surrey, Uk) on 07/30/2012

To Dolly from Brighton. Wonder if you could advise about the quinine in the tonic water. When you refer to the well-known brand are you referring to the one that starts with the letter S and ends with the letter s? Also, can you please advise how often your husband drinks this for his restless leg syndrome and in what quantity? Many thanks.

Quinine

Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 07/30/2012

Hi Jo, I bought the Schweppes brand a couple of years ago on recommendation from my chiropractor to take tonic water. My neck and trapezius area had completely seized up so badly, I couldn't move. I bought the well- known brand and promptly drank it. I began to then have my negative reactions that I get instantly from sugar. I avoid sugar because I am sensitive to it. I looked at the ingredients and was upset that the second ingredient was corn syrup high fructose and the second sugar. I didn't take any more after that in spite of the fact that the quinine was supposed to help the muscle spasm. I have since learned there is very little quinine in this company's tonic water.

Then, about a year later, I noticed that one of my favorite health food stores here in LA was now carrying a few brands of quinine and of very high quality. The one I chose had purified water, natural bitters, handpicked quinine, lemon juice extract and organic agave as the sweetener.

I just wanted to pass this info on to others that might have issues regarding ingredients. Hope it helps, Lisa

Quinine

Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 03/01/2014

Share, I was wondering when magnesium would come up in your post, and it did towards the end. Try Epsom Salts baths, soaking for 20 minutes at a time.

For iron, the only thing that helped get my ferritin level up to normal was Blackstrap Molasses, about a tablespoon a day.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Steve (Las Vegas, Nevada) on 07/12/2012
★★★★★

This Apple Cider vinegar and honey recipe cures RLS. The recipe for it is 2 qts. of water to 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/3 cup honey. Drink 8oz. 4x/day. The vinegar and water will stop restless legs in approx. 5 to 15 mins. Every time. Take as needed.

Many other benefits to drinking ACV as well:

1 tablespoon of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar mixed in 4 ounces of purified water after a meal has been used as a natural remedy for heartburn and as a replacement for toxic heartburn medications.
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar may help improve bowel irregularity, thereby removing toxins from the body at a faster rate.
Helps clear up skin conditions and blemishes giving a smoother texture and complexion.
Raw Apple Cider vinegar may also help with joint pain and stiffness.
Apple Cider Vinegar helps to break down fats so that your body can use them rather than store them. For this reason, many diets include ACV in their regimen.
On a small scale, ACV was studied by researchers at Arizona State University. The preliminary study was published in the Diabetes Care journal. It reported that ACV helps reduce levels of glucose.

Light Therapy

Posted by elisabeth (MT) on 08/03/2024

Are you talking about red lights?

Hot Shower, Massage

Posted by Colin (Ajax, Ontario/canada) on 01/19/2012
★★★★★

For my RLS treatment, I usually take a very warm shower, and then I massage my legs to the sole of foot bottom for about fifteen minutes and with this procedure I do get a good night rest.

Zinc

Posted by D (Asheville, Nc) on 01/15/2012
★★★★★

I have food allergies and have Restless Leg Syndrome in the evening as well as at night in bed. I also have insomnia. What works for both my insomnia (even when the legs aren't restless) and for the RLS is zinc supplement before bed. Sometimes I wake in the middle of the night and need to take it again. Since I take it almost everyday, I only take as much as I need and try not to take more than that.

The different kinds that work for me, are zinc chelate, monomethionine zinc, zinc gluconate, combination of zinc arginate and zinc glycinate. But two zincs that work quickest for me are in liquid form: Monoatomic zinc liquid and zinc sulphate liquid. Supposedly one has to take some copper to balance the zinc or you could get a copper deficiency. I take the other minerals and all the trace minerals as well for the same reason.

Iron, Vitamin C

Posted by elisabeth (MT) on 08/02/2024

What kind of iron and how much are you taking?

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Sal (Fresno, Ca) on 12/04/2011
★★★★★

I've been struggling with RLS for the last 4 years and have found various things that have helped. At this point, after trying various things and reading a lot about it, I've concluded that RLS has to do with minerals/vitamins deficiency and mainly lack of iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium combination. I would recommend a healthy diet with the following additions that has really helped me:

1) Cream of wheat: eat this cereal, this is high in iron and calcium

2) Munch on pumpkin seeds: high in magnesium and other minerals

3) Drink mineral water for a few days

These will stop RLS. This is what I'm focusing right now and has stopped my RLS.

Other things that have helped me in the past:

1) warm water with 2 spoons of apple cider vinegar and honey before sleep

2) ivory soap has helped too

3) Cutting down on sodium if the intake is high

4) Eating banana (high in potassium)

Don't feel defeated with RLS, you can cure it over time. My RLS comes irregularly, so the body must be ok for a while and then all of a sudden, the minerals get depleted and then you need to boost the levels of these essential minerals and vitamins.

Hope this helps. Take care.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Diana (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) on 11/23/2011

What do you mean you started using coconut oil? Rubbing it on the legs or taking it orally?

Coconut Oil

Posted by Lardiver (Abbotsford, Bc Canada) on 11/23/2011

Sorry I mean I take coconut oil, drink it, eat it, on food any way, it stops my restless legs and has been for a few months now.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Smanke (Newport News, Va) on 04/17/2013

It's been a while now and was wondering if you are still using the coconut oil for restless legs and/or how long it worked. My mom is 87 and would like to give her some hope for these final years.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 04/18/2013

Use the following for restless leg syndrome:

1. Apply on her knees solution of half teaspoon of baking soda in half glass of water..."dab"on her knees and legs on surface of the skin, two applications in three minutes of each other - to both legs. I have found that little trick when my legs (mainly my legs around my knees) begin to be irritated at night works wonders to calm the irritation.

2. Also Calcium AEP (MUST be AEP)...two tablets to counter irritable legs, especially helpful if patient is prone to insulin resistance and finally...

3. No sugar or foods with sugar like fruit juices, cereals with sugar etc. after 3:00 pm. Again, restless leg is often associated with folks who are insulin resistant or borderline.

Homeopathy

Posted by Janet (Kendal, U.k) on 08/10/2011

Have you tried quinine for restless legs available much cheaper in tonic water a lot of other benefits too.

Eliminate Coffee

Posted by Janet (Kendal, U.k) on 07/27/2011

Also if you drink a glass of tonic water that, s good for restless legs too, but it, s the quinine in the tonic that does the trick.

Eliminate Coffee

Posted by Kratomking (Sharon, Pennsylvania) on 01/07/2017
★★★★★

I've heard from many people that giving up the coffee will help cure a lot of RLS!!!

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Surveyor65 (Jefferson City, Mo, Usa) on 07/01/2011
★☆☆☆☆

I have suffered with RLS for about 20 years now and have been taking prescription medications to help for the last 10 or so. Since I HATE the idea of having to take a pill for the rest of my life, I tried searching natural remedies for RLS, and here I am. My RLS starts in my left leg, then, if I don't start moving or medicate, it will "attack" my left forearm, them my other leg, then the other arm (I usually take something before it gets to my right leg). I also have issues when just sitting at rest. I work two jobs, and my part-time gig requires a LOT of sitting (it's at a mental hospital). It will also start in on me while trying to watch TV in the evenings.

In reading the comments on the website, I decided to try the bar of soap remedy last night. NO HELP. I used a bar of Ivory soap, still wrapped, in the sheets. First below my feet, then between my knees and feet, then unwrapped the bar, shoved it in a sock and kept it between the sheets, then held it in my hand. After an hour and a half, I broke down, took my pill, and went outside to walk it off for about 30 minutes. Finally fell asleep about 2:45 AM!! UGGGGGHHHHH!!!

Thoughts, suggestions, snide remarks?

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Blanche (Iberia Parish, Louisiana) on 07/01/2011

I read somewhere that restless legs sometimes occur if you are anemic. Just a thought.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia) on 07/02/2011

Surveyor65, From the Doctoryourself.com website:

Just thought I'd let you know another great use for Niacin -- restless leg syndrome. My husband has never been officially diagnosed, but has a lot of trouble sleeping. This year when the work season started again, he began kicking me all night. It got so bad that I wasn't going to be able to sleep in the same room. Every few seconds, his legs would move and it was driving me up the wall. I persuaded my husband to try Niacin with Vitamin C right before bedtime. Works like a charm, in fact when he missed his vitamins the other night, I could tell within minutes. What a great solution to a problem that so many suffer with! "

"Doses vary from person to person, ranging anywhere from a low 50-100 mg to a high 500 mg".

Source: http://www.doctoryourself.com/leg.htm

Aspirin

Posted by Tbocamp (Texas, US) on 09/26/2014
★★★★★

I take 2 low dose aspirin every night for my RLS, and that usually does the trick. There are some nights -when symptoms are really bad - that I have to get back up and take 2 to 4 more, but not very often. Soap did help some. Hot, hot baths at 3 in the morning sometimes worked, too. Aspirin has been the most reliable source of help for me. BTW - I have also found that sleeping in lightweight pajama pants, year round, helps.

Hydration

Posted by Lardiver (Abbotsford, Bc Canada) on 02/25/2011
★★★★★

I have found that if I drink 2 - 3 glasses of water befor going to bed it stops the RLS. Also foods that start up my RLS like chocolat, junk food, and more, the 2 to 3 glasses of water stops it. At first I thought I would be up all night peeing it out but usually only about once, must have something to do with laying down. Try it if you get desperate like I did.

Hydration

Posted by Lardiver (Abbotsford, Bc Canada) on 11/02/2011

Since I told you about water for RLS I have found that coconut oil stops the RLS. I take 2 tablespoons a day and it stops the RLS.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Kimmi (Springfield, Mo.) on 04/09/2017 12 posts

@ Rigger--i know this was an older post, but I just sent off for some of that Night Time Leg Calm. I hope it works for me!! Thanks for the tip, too. It's now 10:30 am and I never got to sleep last night, thanks to my RLS. -_- I tried quinine water (tonic water) with V8 juice (as I can't tolerate the taste of tonic water on its own) and I have a bar of soap under my sheet strategically placed between my calves (that's where my RLS hits). My tub is old and the veneer is coming off and it LOOKS horrid. Mentally, I KNOW when I wash it it's clean...but I can't get past the looks of it enough to actually bring myself to SIT in it, lol! If I could, I would add some lavender essential oil and epsom salts. (Just wish I could get past that mental block about my tub looking so nasty even when it's clean! ) I always slept SO well when I lived in places that had a decent tub to soak in. Half the time I would fall asleep in the tub...lol. And I never had RLS on the nights I did that, either.
Thank you again for the tip! :)

Poppy Seeds

Posted by Anita (Princeton, WI) on 07/29/2009
★★★★★

I have suffered from restless legs for 15 years (since I was started on an SSRI for depression). I could not go off the antidepressant because otherwise I would become unable to work. When I took hydrocodone for a pain condition, my restless legs went away. My doctor tried me on all sorts of medications for restless legs and nothing worked. When I told her that hydrocodone worked, she said "I cannot prescribe that for restless legs or I could lose my license." So, I did some research and found out that hydrocodone, like other opiates are made from poppy seeds. Now I take 1 pound of poppy seeds (you can get from bulk food stores) and mix with 16 ounces of fruit juice. Shake well for 20 minutes. Poke small holes in the top of the fruit juice bottle and drain out the juice. Drink approximately half cup of that juice every night and you will not have restless legs. At least, it works for me. You can use the poppy seeds twice and then toss.

Exercises

Posted by Faye (Odessa, TX) on 06/25/2009
★★★★★

Can say that I was diagnosed with RLS about 2 years ago. One night I was reading online and noticed that I was hurting in my lower back while sitting. I looked to see what would help that problem and found- 3 -simple exercies and when I did those I slept all night long. It seems that the lower back is related to Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). I do also believe that a lack of minerals and folic acid and Vitamin D3 are also needed but the exercises doing them 3 to 6 times a day about a minute and I sleep all night long. This works whether I take the vitamins and mineral or not as sometimes I get lazy about taking pills all the time and can go weeks before I take the supplements again. But the exercises are simple: 1-Rotate the Hips as in trying to use a Hula Hoop. 2-Twist the upper body 3-Do squats with the knees as low as possible and do all of this no more that 1 minute for all 3 exercises. Do this a minumin of 3 times or more as needed.

Exercises

Posted by Runr (Weston, Kansas) on 02/28/2013

I'm going to try these tonight. I do have issues with lower back pain. Took a nap this afternoon and RLS started. Worth a try. Thank you.

Exercises

Posted by Megan (Salt Lake City, Ut) on 07/10/2014
★★★★★

These exercises are so great and were so helpful during my last pregnancy. even though minerals helped a lot I still found that I would have bad bouts of RLS. if I did these exercises, even in the middle of the night, I found that I could go right to sleep after that. Thank you again!

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Donna (Brattleboro, VT) on 04/27/2009
★☆☆☆☆

Good Morning, I would just like to mention that I moderate 3 online supprt groups for RLS and sleep disorders. I do have SOME members (under a dozen) who swear by the soap thing. I think almost all of us have tried it at one point or another when we were desperate. Out of 1500 members, I would say that soap may work for 6 of them. I am not putting it down, but most of us need more than soap to keep the RLS at bay, and our sleep partners from getting kicked, if you have PLMD. It is most certainly a trial and error thing, treating RLS, and we just have to keep plugging away.
Thanks!

Rubbing Alcohol

Posted by Nancy (Shreveport, LA, U.S.) on 04/27/2009
★★★★★

Since I am seeing more posts about Restless Leg Syndrome, I thought I would share with all of you as a possible solution. I was telling a friend about the Earthclinic web site and she told me she once had restless leg syndrome. She said remembers how releatives used rubbing alcohol for horses legs. She thought, why not and rubbed her legs with it. The next day and to this day she has had no more symptoms. I don't have personal experience with this but I thought I would throw it into the mix to see if anyone else had tried it.

Baking Soda

Posted by Kristy31 (Highgate, Vt) on 10/28/2009

Do you rub the baking soda and water on your legs or do you drink it?

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Sammie (Ventura, Ca) on 12/09/2008
★☆☆☆☆

I have restless legs that intesify after a workout. I've tried the bar of soap remedy, and it does not work for me at all.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Michele (Los Angeles, California) on 10/31/2008
★★★★★

I too have had the creepy crawly sensation, associated with Restless Leg Syndrome. I tried lots of home remedies and finally I am cured but there is not one single remedy that did the trick. A remedy is good for a little while then it is not efficient anymore and I have to use another one for a while. I have listed everything I tried and your readers have to do like me: test them and by trials and errors they will find a few that are good for them.

VERY EFFICIENT FOR ME:
1-Massaging the legs.
-Almond oil is a light oil widely used in the profession but any good oil will work.
-Three places to massage: on the side above the ankle, inside the thighs, vertically all along the back of the calves.
-Tapping gently on the great saphenous vein with castor oil. It runs along the inside side of the thigh.

2-Being warm:
This is extremely important for me: even if I have never noticed that my legs were cold, I have discovered with surprise that my legs need to be warm.
Wearing a pyjama and also sometimes support stockings (but I believe any regular hosiery will do). I have a dawn conforter and a dawn matress pad. If nothing works, I crawl against my husband and the warmth of his body always helps me.

Feet
All the problems of the feet have an influence on the legs.
-Foot bath before retiring with hydrogen peroxide or Epsom Salt or baking soda or sea salt are extremely important.
-I massage lightly my legs, from ankle to knee (in this direction) with the water from the bath.
-I have worn insole in my shoes for more than 25 years. I cannot do without them.

3-Drinking before going to bed
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water
or
Baking soda and cider vinegar (Ted's recipe)
or
Cinnamon and honey in warm water

4-Spiritual healing (reiki or other modalities)
Laying on of hands done by yourself or a practitionner
or
Remote healing sent by a friend or a practitionner.
If you don't know anyone to send it to you, you can contact me and I will do it for you for one or two days so that you can experience it and see if you can get some relief this way. (My pleasure. No charge)

5-Other good aids:
Exercices with legs
Inversion table
Full bath
Magnet anklet
Foot detox pads

NOT EFFICIENT FOR ME BUT IT MAY BE FOR SOME READERS:
Soap in bed
Magnesium supplement
Molasses
In-home professional massage
Sleeping on the floor
Bed in North-South direction
Unplugging everything in bedroom (to avoid the electromagnetic field EMF)
Avoiding digital clocks on bedstand

OTHER IDEAS WORTH EXPLORING
Chi Kong
Tai Chi
Electric massager
Cider vinegar on legs
Foot bath with cider vinegar
Reflexology
Drinking drops of hydrogen peroxide

POSSIBLE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM
While massaging my legs, I discovered that there are three places inside the legs that feel hard and painful and benefit immensely from the massage: on the side above the ankle, inside the thighs, vertically all along the back of the calves.

Looking at a chart, I realized these places correspond to the path of the great and the small saphenous veins. Does that mean that Restless Leg Syndrom is a blood circulation problem?

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Maura (Chevy Chase, Md) on 07/24/2015

Has anyone tried Vitamin K2 for leg cramps of RLS? I am going to try K2 and curcumin/tumeric as soon as I receive them in mail.

Electric Massager

Posted by Victoria (Santa Barbara, CA) on 09/07/2008
★★★★★

Re creepy crawly leg sensations associated with restless leg syndrome... using an electric massager on the afflicted area of my leg, usually the calf, stops the creepy crawly sensation. This sensation is associated with Restless Leg Syndrome although my leg does not twitch or jump. I experience this sensation in the early afternoon or evening when I am lying down and resting on the couch. When I use the above treatment for about 5-10 minutes, the crawling sensation cycle is broken.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Alice Curt (Seale, Alabama) on 04/28/2009

I am new to the site. I have had restless leg syndrom for MANY years now and take medication for it. I DO NOT like the side effects. I see where many people are talking about acv. I have severe rls and would like to know how much acv and water to mix? Also what time of day should this be taken? I can not take naps either because if I take a pill to sleep I am no good for the rest of the day.

I am a 59 year old female, about 5ft6inches and weigh 180, I would also like to try the acv for weight lose. Any suggestions?

Thank you for your time,
Alice Curt

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Dorothy (Texas) on 09/29/2015

Thanks for the info about the Apple Cider Vinegar. I just read this and plan to try it in just a minute. Do you also have knotted veins in the thigh area that hurt soooo bad?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 09/29/2015

Dear Dorothy,

The knotted veins sound like varicose veins. The Apple Cider Vinegar May help that, too.

~Mama to Many~

Cereal High in Iron

Posted by Carlos (Dundas, Ontario, Canada) on 07/11/2012

Been taking cream of wheat for six months and it is doing nothing for my nightly restless legs. Tried the soap, no effect. Tried magnesium with and without calcium, tablets and powder (CALM), no effect. Would cutting out one or two cups of coffee in the morning really make a difference? The only sure thing which works is walking around for about two hours between 2 AM and 4 AM, plus some tylenol. Don't ask me why. Carlos.

Cereal High in Iron

Posted by Blanche (Iberia Parish, Louisiana) on 07/11/2012

Are you by any chance anemic? That is one of the contributing factors.

Cereal High in Iron

Posted by Bess (Calgary (home Of The Stampede!), Alberta, Canada) on 07/12/2012

Hi Carlos - Along with being checked for anemia as suggested by Blanche, have your thyroid checked too. Restless leg syndrome can be a problem for those suffering from hypothyroidism. Also, make sure you are not dehydrated (check out the water cure on the Internet - you add just a little bit of sea salt with your water). Although magnesium (CALM) really helped me with RLS, perhaps you need to apply magnesium oil transdermally on your legs/feet (I believe Bill's formula is 60% magnesium chloride and 40% distilled water). Good luck - I hope you find something that works! Bess

Cereal High in Iron

Posted by Ladymars (Florida, Us) on 02/01/2015

Hi, great to know about the low iron/diabetic neuropathy link. Can you tell us what else you are taking in addition to the Cream of Wheat? Thanks!

Cereal High in Iron

Posted by Larry (Fairfax, Va) on 02/02/2015

Hi Mare, In your post about RLS, you mention: "Yes, It's metformin .... " Can you please explain this further, including its action & the dosage? Thanks, Larry