Effective Natural Remedies for Restless Legs Syndrome Relief

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Dana (Alaska) on 03/25/2017
★★★★☆

Apple Cider Vinegar for Restless Legs...

If I can feel the restlessness creeping into my legs as the evening moves on, I'll take a spoonful of ACV in water. (Of course then I have to rinse my teeth off... too much acid.) But another thing that is helpful is HEAT, in the form of a hot water bottle between my legs. This is usually enough to keep me comfortable so that I can sleep without having to get out of bed and go get the vinegar. It must be because it relaxes my muscles. I've heard other people have success with sea salt, but I haven't found it makes a difference for me, and I already get plenty of sea salt/ Himalayan salt in my diet...

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Jennie B. (Sarasota, Fl) on 03/20/2017

Yes, PLEASE, PLEASE have your Ferritin tested. You would be surprised at how people and doctors are uneducated as to the effects of iron overload. It is a hereditary disorder with simple treatment! Restless legs syndrome is a warning...be diligent in finding solution.

Examine Mineral Deficiencies

Posted by Bogdan (Canada) on 03/07/2017

Hi, in general you are v.right, your diet, supplements, this and that. My case maybe different but that does not matter. I'm doing the same but I'd say nothing works regardless. If there is something the change is non-tangible 3-5%. Hard to say working or not. Sorry to tell you that but what people are posting that works normally won't.

Regards, Bogdan

Cold Room, Potassium

Posted by Bogdan (Canada) on 03/06/2017
★★★★★

Hi, what's working for my RLS is a cold room. I've had RLS since I was a kid till now, 50+ years.

Found a/c need to cool room 20 deg and take two potassium pills. This is it. all the best.

Cotton Sheets

Posted by Grace (Seattle) on 01/31/2017
★★★★★

Polyester clothes, creates a very strong electrostatic field which affects the body which makes the body react. Polyester is the worst fabric you can wear. We purchase all organic 100% cotton sheets, blankets. We began to replace all of our clothes to cotton, wearing cotton sock is very important I can tell big difference in how I feel if I wear a cotton clothing I feel clear, light, calm I feel so much better and healthy if I wear polyester or any synthetic I feel really off and my skin body feel uneasy, uncomfortable and my legs jumpy.

Polyester is made from synthetic polymers that are made from esters of dihydric alcohol and terpthalic acid. 2. Acrylic fabrics are polycrylonitriles and may cause cancer, according to the EPA.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Cathrine (Australia) on 01/08/2017

Yes, I'm wondering if it has something to do with static electricity. Perhaps the soap neutralises the static in the sheets.

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 Joe B. (Reno, Nv) on 12/23/2016
★★★★★

I have had RLS for 30+ years. The following have worked for me, and my RLS will recur without one of these very convenient and inexpensive "cures":

1. Bar of soap in the bed by my legs...sometimes 2 bars. Brand doesn't seem to matter.

2. Massage calves with aloe vera or any type of body lotion(I prefer coconut oil). For some reason, icy hot doesn't work. Also massage small amount of lotion into lower back.

3. Carbonyl iron.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 11/08/2016

Dear Ella,

Have you tried magnesium for your rls and restless arms?

Another great remedy for it is blackstrap molasses - 1 Tablespoon in the evening. I think it has the potential to help both of your issues.

~Mama to Many~

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Elle (La) on 11/08/2016

Would it help with restless arms. I have rls but at times the arms are 10x worse.

Blackstrap Molasses

Posted by Susu (California) on 11/03/2016
★★★★★

So true about blackstrap molasses and RLS.

Posted by Jennifer (Greenfield, WI) on 02/28/2007

I went to the health food store to ask about what I could give my 15 month-old son for constipation. They suggested 1-2 tsp. of blackstrap molasses in his bottle. I bought the bottle, came home, came to this website and discovered all different things this stuff is good for. I am 8 months pregnant. I was having a lot of trouble sleeping and developing symptoms of restless leg syndrome (common in pregnancy). I decided to give it a shot. Long story short, my son is pooping like a champ and I started sleeping through the night without any jerking limbs ON THE FIRST DAY! I ran out for one day, and I had a horrible night sleep. I am amazed and delighted.

I don't remember where I found the remedy but as long as I have a tbls a day my legs don't twitch at night. People roll their eyes when I tell them. I put 1 tbls of BSM in a cup of hot water with 1 tbls of dry milk. It tastes good that way so I don't mind drinking it.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Rick (Walking Dead Land) on 11/01/2016

You might preach to your victims that there is no cure, to keep up business at your "support" groups, but you are simply wrong. As mentioned above, magnesium deficiency is often the culprit, along with B12 and selenium. Anyone with an ounce of nutritional and/or physiology knowledge would know this. If you possess neither of those, you shouldn't be managing 'support' groups.

Compression

Posted by Ks (San Diego ) on 10/18/2016
★★★★☆

What really works for me is also compression on my legs. You must try compression stockings. They are primarily for circulation however the pressure does definitely ease the restless legs. I'm not saying it will take it completely away but help drastically. You can look them up online and try at least 30 to 40 mm of pressure. I use 40 to 50 and they work really well. They're a little difficult to get on but definitely worth it.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Maureen (East Sussex) on 10/18/2016
★★★★★

I tried Dove and it didn't work as it is a cream. So I tried something else and yes, it works. I too have suffered for many years and actually had a lie in this morning. Try it.

Dietary Changes, Magnesium

Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 10/17/2016

Well Kim, I have consistently recommended Magnesium Chloride LIQUID for leg muscle issues on this Site and I hope this will help you. Follow the maker's directions. If it does indeed prove beneficial for you, it ought to show results VERY quickly indeed! That is the good news. Please let us know if it does help you.

Cheers, Michael

Dietary Changes, Magnesium

Posted by Kim (San Diego ) on 10/17/2016

What type of magnesium works best for RLS? I take Glycinate however some people say that may not be the best. Thank you

Dietary Changes

Posted by Karen (India) on 10/16/2016
★★★★★

I have had chronic RLS for 5 years. 5 years without sleep! I have tried everything, I thought, without success. Then, 3 weeks ago, I read a posting on a ME site, (I have ME as well) by someone that had been on a low oxalate diet for a year. He had not had RLS since starting the diet. I had just finished a whole 30 diet which made me feel terrible. I couldn't understand this as I was eating lots of spinach, carrots, nuts and beetroot.

I read the post about the Low oxalate diet, and he had listed the food that I had been eating, and ate a lot of before the diet. I straight away went to the low oxalate info page and read everything. Straight away stopped eating high oxalate food, but so not to start my body 'dumping', ate medium to low oxalate food. I have experienced only slight twitching, more annoying than anything, with three nights of just an awareness feeling in my legs. With pretty much three full nights of sleep. For me this is miraculous! I have by the side of my bed oils, magnesium, homeopathic remedies and creams. The only thing I have used since starting the diet is an essential oil for nerves, and I have only used it a few times.

I highly recommend this diet. Read all that you can, start slowly and persevere! There are many conditions that a low oxalate diet helps.

Borax

Posted by Beth (San Diego, Ca) on 09/25/2016
★★★★★

Just wanted to comment on the stiffness someone mentioned in an RLS post. I read recently about a remedy that has really worked well for me. I was experiencing stiffness upon waking so much so that I was hobbling around in the mornings. It also effected me when I would get up from sitting down. My fingers would swell an be stiff as well. I read about boron deficiency and how stiffness was one side effect of it. The remedy: Borax. Seems borax is a mineral that was marketed for its cleaning properties. I did as directed and added a heaping tsp of borax to a quart of water. I then took 4 tablespoons of this mixture and added it to my iced tea, although any beverage would work. After a couple of days I noticed an huge difference. I have been taking it for about 3 weeks now and feel SO much better. The stiffness in my fingers is all but gone and I am not in pain upon waking or getting up from a sitting position.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Cocobolo (Uk) on 09/14/2016

I think you must be right about the sugar being a huge part of triggering RLS, and along with trying the soap bar (I think just because we see no scientific explanation that we understand, is not reason to throw out something that has helped so many) and bicarb treatments. Sugary food seems very bad for health, and is never really required although it is craved. I have been to EarthClinic and am fascinated. I was looking for peptic ulcer relief, and that too involves expunging refined sugar. You may not be diabetic, or have insulin pathology as one poster announces you must, (and, of course, you might! ) A lot of people, as they grow older retain more glucose in their blood as the renal threshold rises. That is a normal phenomenon.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Rw (Bluefield, Va) on 08/12/2016

It's possible that there is some type of energy in the soap that transfers to the legs. Radiation was always present but it took Marie Curie to discover it. Bacteria were there before we had microscopes to see them. Just because we can't explain something, doesn't mean its effect isn't real.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Sonia (Cohutta) on 07/30/2016
★★★★★

Soap absolutely works, my husband has suffered with RLS for years, I read about soap and thought I'd give it a try without his knowledge to avoid the placebo effect. That was almost four weeks ago and he has not had an episode since. He filled his prescription for Requip on 7/8/16 and hasn't taken the first pill. He's NEVER gone this long, in fact he was taking a pill EVERY night. First I placed one bar of dial under the fitted sheet at the foot of the bed, the soap was YEARS old so after two days I added a fresh bar of Dove with it...they're both still there and working like magic. I was very skeptical and assumed it would NOT work but to my surprise it work even better than the Requip!!! So don't count this one out....it truly works and believe me I'm just as surprised as you are!!! I finally told him about it and he too was skeptical but it's still working so we're going with it!!!! There's a lot more to these old wives tales than we know or understand!!

Butcher's Broom

Posted by Laurie (Seattle) on 07/16/2016
★★★★★

Butcher's Broom helps with restless leg syndrome. Used to work in a vitamin store and customers loved it. Take the tincture or capsules twice a day.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Andrea (Westminster, Ca) on 06/17/2016

Mark Ky.

Espresso = coffee, which = (beans) legumes. Guess what you get with a concentrated serving of legumes? Magnesium. Looks like you just might need magnesium supplementation in your diet, but preferably without the caffeine of espresso, so you don't keep waking up.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Chris (Mpls) on 05/26/2016

Did the acupuncture help with the RLS?

Baking Soda

Posted by Yvie Fern (Lancashire ) on 05/06/2016
★★★★★

RLS - I'v suffered with in my legs and recently started in arms so I tried this bicarbonate of soda. It worked a treat. I usually wake up in the night. First time I've tried this. Best night sleep. I thank you for this. xx

Keeping Legs Cool

Posted by Doug (Vancouver, Wa) on 04/10/2016
★★★★★

Thank you for this website. It has proven to be very helpful.

My particular situation concerning Restless Leg Syndrome has been getting steadily worse as I have aged. (I am a 65 year old male in relatively good health)

My Dr. checked my magnesium and that was at the upper end, but still in the acceptable parameters. He suggested Benadryl and/or melatonin to help me get to sleep. These both made me sleepy, but with the RLS raging, I could never relax enough to fall off to sleep.

I tried cutting out all sugar after a certain time of day but that didn't help either. I also put a bar of Ivory soap between the sheets, to no avail.

One night recently, as I lay on top of the covers listening to music and playing games on my tablet, waiting to get sleepy, it occurred to me that my legs had not yet started to spasm. This was curious, so I made a point to stay out from underneath the covers and wait for them to start. They never did!

What I deduced was that when under the covers, (which for me included an electric blanket because I don't like getting into a cold bed! ) my legs would heat up and the spasms would start. As long as I was on top of the covers wearing a pair of sweats, if need be, they stayed cool enough and spasm-free.

Later on, after I get up to use the bathroom and return to bed, I get under the covers to finish out the night, with no spasms. I also have stopped using the electric blanket.

I don't understand it, nor can I explain it, but I can tell you honestly I have not had a case of RLS while getting to sleep ever since I have being doing this, and it is going on a month now!

I hope that this in not something that is restricted to my situation, and that other people can find relief, as I have.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Wendy (Maida Vale, W.a.) on 03/25/2016

I have used magnets to help me, they do work, I have also had my pharmacist make me up a cream, consisting of sorbelene and menthol (stops it drying out your skin.)

I have recently used Acupuncture, and a course of 7 weeks was advised then a maintanace of 1 month . This has given me a great relief, I do take 1/2 of 0.125 every night, but haven't had to increase, but have been told I have to stop taaking sifrol as my sodium level is too low.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Karen (Usa) on 02/08/2016

I too believe we can overcome with the mind. It is important to line the mind up to receive the healings.

Venous Insufficiency Cause

Posted by Kelly (Seattle) on 01/18/2016
★★★★★

Venous Insufficiency is indeed connected to RLS in studies. But surgery won't fix the underlying cause of venous insufficiency, which is typically from a high carbohydrate diet, and a lack of bioflavonoids.

Several nutritional compounds help with venous insufficiency and thus RLS:

Pycnogenol, Rutin and Diosmin, although Pycnogenol was found to be more effective than Diosmin.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Linda (Atlanta, Ga) on 01/04/2016
★★★★★

Last Night was HORRIBLE!! I read your post and applied unfiltered apple cider vinegar to my legs and in about 5 minutes, I went to sleep. Thank you so much for having the love to share.

Magnesium

Posted by Irene Ortiz (San Antonio, Tx) on 01/01/2016
★★★★★

I have suffered from RLS since I was a child. At 64 I have found a cure for me. I take 2 magnesium capsules 400 mg about 8 pm. It allows me a restful sleep. ALSO avoid sugar. Especially after noon.

Baking Soda

Posted by Len (Brandon, Mb) on 11/30/2015
★★★★★

I have suffered from RLS for about 15 years.Nearly every day whether trying to sleep, reading, watching tv, whatever.In all this time I have hardly had ONE decent nights sleep.

I tried the soap remedy and it worked for only a short while, so I needed something else.

I wondered why the soap worked at all.Was it because it's alkaline? If so then wouldn't baking soda also work?

I wrapped some baking soda in a tea towel and set it by my legs and immediately felt a surge in circulation.About two weeks and it's still working.

I would be interested to know if this works for anyone else.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Lorica (Indiana) on 10/27/2015
★★★★☆

I have suffered from rls off and on and it seems to me it can have more than one cause. A bar of soap was zero help for me. You must be sure your iron is at good levels, not just low average, but at optimal levels. It seems that having fruit juice or anything sugary after about noon, but especially if close to bed time, can aggravate the problem. Your calcium, magnesium and potassium need to be adequate and balanced. I have found daily smoothies with plenty of spinach and yams to be very, very helpful in that regard. If you are having a bad night then soaking your feet in a generous amount of Epsom salt in warm water will relax your muscles and help you sleep. Epsom salt seems also to be a good way to get magnesium.

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~

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?

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 09/08/2015

Hello Johanna,

I've suffered with RLS for over 10 years. And in my type of RLS, I found a direct relationship with consumption of sugar with leg irritation especially at night. Your RLS and mine may differ as to cause or trigger. You state categorically that sugar is unrelated to RLS but in my case and many more that I've heard of ... sugar is very much related.

Just because you can not see a cause and effect relationship is not justification for saying the same is true with everyone suffering from the condition.

By the way, I found that topical application of baking soda...one half teaspoon dissolved in a half glass of water and then the liquid applied to knees....twice or more applied in four or five minutes gives me a lot of relief.

I'm happy for you that you have found relief with the medication you mention. RLS is a frustrating and a nearly debilitating condition so any suggestion is appreciated.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Johanna (Canberra, Australia) on 09/08/2015

I have been reading all the comments above and believe me RLS is very debilitating, I have had this problem since 1963, I have tried everything and I can tell you magnesium is not the problem or the cure, neither is sugar.

I have been placed on a medication called Sifrol and this really does help( it is used for Parkinson disease ) and it works but it must be taken every day at the same time other wise my legs start up again.

If you want to try, you will need to speak with your medical practitioner.

Good Luck

Poppy Seeds

Posted by Donna (Qld) on 07/31/2015

Some people are capable of having poppy seed tea in an evening without succumbing to such a painful lifestyle. That's like saying, for God sake be careful when you have a beer, you may end up a raging alcoholic homeless and roaming the streets with cheap wine in a brown paper bag. Your scenario, although possible is highly unlikely. Like all things, moderation is the key.

Poppy Seeds

Posted by Donna (Qld) on 07/31/2015
★★★★★

I drink half a cup of poppyseed tea early in the evening. Have done for years. Health benefits for me to numerous to mention here. Staying on the subject, restless legs is a distant memory, and I have peaceful childlike sleep every night. I am in my late fifties and would like to suggest anyone over 50 try it. Quality of life improved immensely. I shall be having my evening tipple till the day I take my last breath.

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.

Compression

Posted by Nancy (Usa) on 07/19/2015
★★★★★

Hi all, I too have suffered from restless legs and sometimes arms. Two things have worked for me. One, apply pressure to legs to still the nerves. I sit with the restless leg underneath me. It will go away in about 20 minutes.

The other thing is dietary changes, eliminating sugar, grains, alcohol, legumes, dairy. I am on day 6 of a 30 day elimination diet. Try it!

Kratom Leaves

Posted by Lrogers13 (Atlanta, Ga) on 07/17/2015

I know this is two years old, but it's very broad sweeping to say that RLS is caused by sugar. I have been on a ketogenic diet the majority of the past ten years, which means I eat no sugar or refined carbohydrates, and I can assure you that my RLS is always significantly worse when I'm "on plan" than when I eat carbs - including sugar. I stick with the ketogenic diet because of the other amazing health benefits it helps me achieve, but it gets tough sometimes when I can't even work at my desk because of "the wiggles". I have RLS 24/7 in both legs, both arms, and often in my back. There are many, many causes of (and treatments for) RLS.