Effective Natural Remedies for Restless Legs Syndrome Relief

Poppy Seeds

Posted by Katherine (Tokyo, Japan) on 04/05/2013
★★★★★

I have tried endless things to find a solution to my RLS that I've had for over 20 years.... I came across some information on Wikipedia that poppy seeds are an effective treatment due to their codeine, morphine and paperverine (a smooth muscle relaxant) conent. I tried it and couldn't beleive how effective poppy seed tea is! I use about 60 ml of seeds (4 tablespoons) and add 200 ml of hot water and juice of a lemon and shake it then leave it for about 20 minutes.. Then I strain it and drink the liquid. I sleep right through the night for the first time in years and years. It's truly amazing.. although I am a little worried about the long term effects of the small amounts of opiods.

Poppy Seeds

Posted by Karsten (Canada) on 10/12/2013
★★★★★

Cold water extraction actually works better to extract from the seeds. My doc said that that's why I used to like it so much, because it helped my rls so well. That is at such a low dose, you have nothing to worry about!

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.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Carolyn (Fort Myers Fl) on 10/17/2013

I have been a sufferer of severe RLS for almost 10 years and have tried almost everything that is homiopathic and nothing has EVER worked. I also find it frustrationg when people say, try this, this worked for me... I HAVE tried. If you think about it, how is a bar of soap supposed to help nerves?? And magnesium isn't the solution either... Been taking it for a long time and nothing. Only thing that has worked is medication from my Dr.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Timh (KY) on 02/09/2015 2048 posts

Thanks for the tip Oscar, and it is good to hear from you again as I have been wondering how you'r doing lately.

I'll second the observations and studies proving the psychological element of many diseases. From old school, classical thinking, or particularly eastern religions, detachment is regarded as essential in a healthy mind. Without the power of detachment many people internalize pain or painful events which get tucked away in the unconscious and manifest as unresolved issues, hang-ups, phobias, etc.

When I was a child, my family was on vacation at Pine Mnt in eastern Ky. One afternoon a was tailing a group of other kids hiking down the mnt, when suddenly I was swarmed by yellowjacket bees. I totally "freaked out" and ran back up the mnt with my (fortunately long sleeve sweater) covered in bees and sustaining several stings but fortunately not too many to make it an emergency situation. I even had a minor out-of-body experience (OBE) as I forwarded or leaped up the mnt in time or "out-of-time" in non-linear event. I didn't understand what happened exactly and looking back on it months or yrs latter seemed like a surreal event.

Anyway, someone helped me out of the infested shirt and I returned to my family and got stable in an hr or so. But that event stayed with me for several yrs and resurfaced (flashback) every time I heard & saw a "buzzing bee" (panic attack). Given enough positive or virtuous elements in my upbringing, and with a little personal effort, I overcame that traumatic event in my early teens.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by James (Portsmouth, Hampshire ) on 01/14/2013

Restless legs syndrome... put legs up on a wall for 10 to 20 minutes a day or more. You will find this will alleviate the symptoms if you can try this.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Sailorsue (Wny, Ny) on 01/18/2013

I have been taking magnesium supplements both in am and pm and do not have them anymore; it's been just over 2 years now.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Lucio (Lages, Santa Catarina / Brazil) on 01/13/2013
★★★★★

If you suffer with RLS [restless leg syndrome] don't drink any kind of liquid at least 4 hours before bed nor eat any food with sodium.

I use to put frozen pulp fruits and honey in a blender and eat or drink 5 hours before bed. It works for me.

Liquid reflux and sodium are like poison for RLS suffers.

Avoid Sugar

Posted by Kathleen (Pitt Meadows, B.c. Canada) on 11/26/2012
★★★★★

RLS - I find I get this awful sensation in my legs within 1 hour of consuming anything with sugar if I'm not active. Usually it hits in the evening while I'm sitting around and then in the night.

Even one candy is enough to trigger it so try to find something else to snack on in the evening and see if it helps.

Magnesium

Posted by Cate (Melbourne, Australia) on 09/21/2012
★★★★★

When I was pregnant with my first son I was still exercising like a maniac in the pool. My legs were so restless I was up 3/4 of the night stretching them out beside the bed. My husband couldn't stand the interruptions and even slept next door. At the time I took a synthetic supplement of magnesium, postassium, sodium and one other, forgotten which. It had heaps of sweetness so was of negligible use.

Three or four years later I'm on a 'primal' (aka paleo/ancestral/caveman) diet which has been a MASSIVE boon to my whole body and mind, the legs are fine, no problem there at all now.

I do also have a pretty serious magnesium (and vitamin C) bath every week. I look forward to it after a full-on week because I sleep like a baby, my body is so thoroughly relaxed.

I use organic vege, meats, fruit and coconut oil/good fats. I soak my nuts and seeds in brine till they start to ferment, and the magnesium is mag. Chloride, 450grams, and very pure. I've also used cheaper epsom salts which are fine too.

Power to ya. : )

Avoid MSG

Posted by Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, Usa) on 09/19/2012
★★★★★

Not eating MSG stopped my leg jerks. When I eat MSG, the twitching starts again. I have been avoiding it for several weeks now and my legs have been quiet.

Blackstrap Molasses

Posted by Jon (Australia) on 11/03/2014
★★★★★

Yes, I have found that Molasses does remedy restless leg symdrome, numbness/tingling etc because molasses is a very good source of IRON.

Low iron seems to be a common cause of nerve issues, RLS, numbness/tingling in hands, arms or legs, etc.

Note: Abilify medication has iron deficiency on it's list of possible side effects - which is why it can cause RLS (restless leg syndedrome.

Yes, I also agree that it's a good idea to Stop eating DAIRY.

Many people get relief from restless leg syndrome by stopping dairy. This is because dairy products and eggs decrease iron absorption. Caseins from milk and certain forms of calcium inhibit iron absorption.

Quinine

Posted by Bess (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 07/30/2012
★★★★★

Hi Jo from Surrey - I'm not Dolly, but my Dad uses tonic water for restless leg syndrome. He uses either Schweppes or Canada Dry tonic water - 4 ounces at noon and 4 ounces about one hour before bed. You may not need as much (his is quite severe). You also may want to check out magnesium (most people are deficient in magnesium). I have RLS to a lesser extent (not as severe as Dad's) and I find that taking magnesium citrate (about 1 teaspoon in 2 or 3 ounces of water) nightly helps. I use a magnesium citrate powder called "Calm" but there are other good products available in health food stores. I find powder or liquid is better than a tablet because it gets into the bloodstream faster. Transdermal magnesium also helps (60% magnesium chloride to 40% water) rubbed into the legs before bed. It does tend to leave an oily film on the sheets though if you don't rub it in thoroughly. Good luck! Bess

Quinine

Posted by Share (Il) on 03/01/2014

Hi I have had Restless Leg for at least 20 years. I have tried several types of over the years and I found Quinine worked for a short period of time. I even had a prescription for quinine capsules however as anyone who has had this illness long enough understands that something that is associated with it is called the phenomenon meaning at anytime the symptoms may reappear. These are the things I have tried and that have been prescribed

Neurontin, 1-2mg of anti psychotics, these minuscule doses worked for years so well that several doctors couldn't reason why! Mirapex, Chamomile, Valerian capsules, Passion flower, Teas, kava Kava, Melatonin Alcohol removed wines, Borion under the tongue pellets, Total blood cleanser, water, exercising, Hylands restless leg product, peppermint, cold applications soap vinegar etc....

As you might can see my restless leg symptoms are quite severe early on when I started suffering with the illness I also went to Mayo clinic after being told I might be a little batty however Mayo stated contrary to others belief it was not a fact however they could actually see the physical manifestation of the illness but however they couldn't come up with a illness they could recognize. However they did find a somewhat of a solution after a week of testing me. That was years ago and I no longer use that method because I became a herbalist .

So these are the ones I found to be helpful to a small degree Borion allergy salts pellets at one time worked like a charm. As well as another one that begins with a M however I have not seen it in a while. The teas still work however since my symptoms are flare up during the day, and the teas cause sleepiness as well as the Melatonin I choose to be without them at certain times because otherwise I couldn't function . Alcohol removed wines actually helped moved my gut around, and afterwards I would get a little relief. Ivory soap, helps a lot, but it worked better when I smoked cigarettes!! Herbal cleansers aggravated my condition severely. Mirapex worked for 10 minutes, water aggravates my symptoms, so does wheat, grape juice, chocolate, peach, and green tea. peppermint gum helps as well as keeping the sheets off my legs my legs, as well as my arms need to be cool. Riding the train causes my symptoms to flare up severely. Lastly vinegar does not work for me. Neurontin does work, however its effectiveness wears down after time.

Which brings me to the conclusion that its seems like its the brain however I believe its the heart due to the pulsating and rapid beats twitching itching and crawling sensation surrounding the rapid beats. thus I apply pressure and sure enough given the right amount of pressure and wait time that place of sensation and others are relieved; however other areas are not relieved. But if I put pressure near the third toe on the top part of the foot from the little toe all symptoms end as well sometimes if I place pressure on the skull in certain areas Folks I have Restless Leg in majority of my body, I a mostly attacked in the inner part of my legs top part where the toes end, hands, fingers, inner arms, shoulders and back. currently I am trying magnesium and God willing a withdrawal of milk products. By way the iron use to work now its doesn't . Yes, they saw my ferritin was very low.

Light Therapy

Posted by Jbrown82 (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 05/14/2012
★★★★★

I've been using light therapy to treat my RLS for 18 months now and it's been working great. I use it for 30 minutes a night every night and if I use it faithfully I never have a problem. There's been a few times I've gone on a trip for over a week and forgot to bring my device and my RLS came back but after I get back on it it works! I bought it from this company here in Canada called Tranquilmed. Has anybody else found success with using light to treat RLS?

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Doc (Youngstown, Florida) on 03/31/2012
★★★★★

I have never tried Ivory soap, but have found that Dial (gold) or Leaver Brothers 2000 (green) works really well. They were the ones recommended by my vascular physician. I unwrap the soap and place it in a clean, somewhat thin cotton sock. It is easy to smell the soap and know when it is time to change bars. Be very careful taking additional magnesium without also taking calcium. If the magnesium/calcium ratio becomes out of balance, the result may be jerking muscles in the shoulders, etc. which can make sleep difficult.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Piper (Nashua, Nh) on 01/29/2012
★★★★★

I've had RSL for over five years now... Beginning when I turned 45. No remedies have worked until I heard from a visiting neighbor's friend that putting an unwrapped bar of soap under the top sheet at the foot of the bed reduces the episodes and for some people, even eliminates it. I tried it with a bar of goat's milk soap (no reason) and NO kicking! I don't know why it works; perhaps, it's the aroma of certain ingredients - I don't know, but I'm glad I finally found something other than drugs!

Coconut Oil

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

Coconut oil for my RLS [restless leg syndrome]

For 25 years I have had RLS, I used drugs for it every night. When I started using coconut oil the RLS stoped, I haven't taken the drugs in a month now, and am so glad to rid of them. I can still feel them coming on of the RLS if I don't take enough coconut oil so I just take some more and I'm good.

Homeopathy

Posted by Lee (New York, Usa) on 08/15/2011

Thank you Janet from Kendal, UK for your imput. I have tried tonic water and as with all the other remedies I've tried, acv, baking soda etc, I only get about 1 1/2 - 2 hours of some relief and then I'm up again. As an update on the Restful Legs remedy... It works sometimes and not as well at other times. I'm now trying it with the other remedies, tonic water, acv, baking soda, etc. I had blood test to see if I'm deficient in anything but I'm not. Many thanks to all who contribute to this site!

Eliminate Coffee

Posted by Sabrana (Newcastle, Nsw) on 07/27/2011
★★★★★

Hi,

I just wanted to share that since giving up coffee, I don't have Restless Legs syndrome anymore. Simple.

Thanks

Eliminate Coffee

Posted by David (Greenville, Sc) on 10/04/2012

Try this; worked for me. My leg agitation would drive me crazy at night and I realized that there was a corrolation between intake of sugar after six oclock or so, and the irritable leg issue.

Two solutions: First I cut way back on night time consumption of sugar products. Especially damaging is sugar late at night. That almost always caused RLS.

But, if I break down and do have the ice cream etc. And know that the irritation is likely, in fact, I usually can feel it coming on even before I am ready to sleep, I use a solution of baking soda in water; a half teaspoon in a half cup of water and apply on my knee caps... Which is where the irritation centers in on me. Then I drink the remainder of the soda/water. That combo alkalizes the body. The sugar is a terrible cause of acidic body condition, probably produced over a lifetime of too much sugar consumption and the inability to metabolize it efficently gives a side effect of acidic condition which perhaps along with insulin issues causes the RLS.

This formula really works. No sugar at night but if you do and the RLS starts take the baking soda in water topically and drink the rest to create an alkaline condition.

Niacin

Posted by Wendy D (Houston, Texas/usa) on 06/18/2011
★★★★★

Niacin (use the non-flushing kind) may work for some people. I read where you can take 50mg to 500mg an hour and 1/2 before bed with food can help. I had a bad couple of nights with relatively little sleep due to my legs and tried all of my usual tricks that didn't work. I bought a 250mg of niacin, opened it and sprinkled about 1/3 into a glass of water and drank it. Last night I slept like a baby.

Niacin is known to give the skin a flush for awhile. I would start off slow to see if you react to even the non-flushing kind.

Aspirin

Posted by Zoe (Seattle, Wa) on 07/12/2012
★★★★★

Yup, aspirin works for me. I read somewhere that RLS is basically the brain mis-firing low-level pain signals. Aspirin works to block just enough of those signals that RLS goes away - other painkillers work, Tylenol is the safest to take long-term (some studies show elevated liver enzymes after a few weeks, but nothing to be alarmed about and no liver damage occurs). Aspirin has side-effects like blood-thinning if taken over the long-term. I just switch 'em off, but do talk to your doctor.

Pineapple Juice, Tonic Water, Nutmeg

Posted by Tulip (Monticello, Arkansas) on 11/14/2010
★★★★★

For RLS: 3 oz. Pineapple Juice, 3 oz. Tonic Water with quinine, and a couple of shakes of Nutmeg. Mix these 3 ingredients together and drink nightly about 30 minutes before your RLS usually kicks in. I was given this recipe by a holistic doctor and it works every night.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Janet (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) on 06/07/2010
★★★★★

I am 62 and have had RLS all my life but have never used prescription meds for this. Last nite I couldn't get to sleep because of the RLS and turned on my computer and went to this website. I read about the soap and decided, why not. When I got to bed, I held the bar of soap (which I had put into a sock) and NO RLS. When I woke up this morning, the soap was no longer in my hand but it didn't matter. I never have a problem with RLS once I am asleep; it's just that period before I fall asleep. If I don't lie perfectly still during that period before sleep, I will always get RLS. So, after I was holding the soap, I moved my legs around and around and around, to see if RLS would appear and it never did. Thank you so much for this website...amazing information.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by M.h (Paisley, Scotland) on 08/16/2010
★★★★★

Tried the bar of soap under the sheet two years ago and it's been like a miracle. I change it for a new one every few months and it always works for me. M. H.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Rigger (Newtown, Ct) on 11/28/2011

I have had RLS for about 5 years, so bad that the prescription medicine doesn't even work well. There are different levels of RLS, with mine being really bad, I have tried alot of things, including a bar' of soap. For me it didn't touch it, but what has worked is a combination of magnesium glucimate (take as much as you can, until your body tells you it is enough - don't worry, you will know!) it really works! I also use a oil that is rubbed on my lower back and the area that is acting up at the time, it is called 'Night Time leg calm' from Natures Inventory. This too has been fantastic, it doesn't make it go away for good, but it allows me to rest and to sleep. I also have just discovered that my problem with RLS might be my sciatic nerve.... will keep you posted.

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Cynthia (Jacksonville, Alabama, Usa) on 03/24/2010
★★★★★

Well, I've tried taking just about every nutrient listed to varying degrees of success. The ivory soap bar seems to be the easiest and works the best. I tried putting it in socks, which worked well, but my feet ended up getting too hot and I had to pull them off with little crumbles of soap going everywhere. I tried a bar of soap still in it's pkg and found, rather than letting it kick around randomly in the bed, if I just held onto it it worked fine. I wake up, and I'm still holding onto the bar of soap. It's like a security blanket or something. It really does work. It's verrrry weird, makes little sense and whoever thought of it is a genius. How it works, I can not understand, but it does. Thank God for home remedies. If you havn't tried it, please do, it's strange but works for me. Thanks to everyone on this site for your help~ Namaste

A Bar of Soap

Posted by Blanche (New Iberia, La.) on 03/24/2010
★★★★★

Yep. I felt a little foolish doing this, but it does indeed work for RLS. I happened to use an old bar of Lifebuoy soap, and it is firm enough to have lasted for at least three years. Every now and then I use it for handwashing or something and it seems to revive the smell of it, which I happen to like.