Muscle Cramps
Natural Remedies

Muscle Cramp Remedies

Magnesium

8 User Reviews
5 star (7) 
  88%
1 star (1) 
  13%

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee, US) on 11/25/2014
★★★★★

My son woke up the other morning doubled over with severe abdominal pain. He said it reminded him of the pain he had a few years ago that was a suspected appendicitis. We had treated that successfully with charcoal so I immediately began to fix him a charcoal poultice. The pain was rather high, though, just under his ribcage. It seemed more the location of the gall bladder....

Meanwhile, he mentioned having had a leg cramp in the night. Then we recalled that he had been helping someone install some panels on a ceiling and had worked for several hours with his arms in the air a good bit of the time. It made us suspect that he was actually dealing with a muscle cramp. I put 2 teaspoons of Natural Calm (magnesium supplement) into a mug with water. He drank it and was 85% better in less than 5 minutes! I still went ahead and used a charcoal poultice over his abdomen for a while. An hour later he was 100% and off to work.

Magnesium would not normally be my first thought for abdominal pain (unless perhaps the pain was caused by constipation or menstrual cramps.) And I have never heard of a cramp in the location he was experiencing pain, but when we put together all the information, and the fact that magnesium worked, it seems that this pain was indeed a muscle cramp.

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Fripfrap
(Tennessee, Usa)
12/02/2014

I've have severe calf cramping and have found Natural Calm works very well. Also Epsom Salts baths. I tried Magnesium supplements in pill form and they did nothing. The absorption through these other delivery systems seem to work much better. I used to have cramps under my breast area which sound similar to your son's. They haven't been around for a while since I've increased my magnesium level.

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
12/02/2014

Dear Flipflap,

Thanks for sharing. That is fascinating! There is something new to learn every day.

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Lindainthemountains
(Creston, Bc Canada)
03/23/2015

I cannot tolerate magnesium orally, yet if I don't take it regularly I get brutal leg cramps and restless leg syndrome. I make a magnesium spray of Epsom salts dissolved in hot water and spray it on my thighs and butt after my shower (every two days. ) I put it there because it tends to sting a bit elsewhere. This regime keeps both leg cramps and RLS at bay, but if I miss just one application, the cramps are back in full force that night or the next.

Replied by Diane
(Ma., US)
03/23/2015

Do you keep the Epsom salt spray on over night or do you wash it off after a period of time? Thank you.


Magnesium
Posted by Ruth (Ct.) on 07/27/2014

I have hepatitis c and peripheral neuropathy and have terrible calf cramps...I have been taking magnesium for my cramps and getting hives. Don't understand it. I've tried several types (Chloride-citrate etc.) of magnesium except the one that the woman in Hawaii sells. Her ad sound bogus to me....

Why would I have an allergy unless my magnesium level is full and adding to it causes the hives...Any suggestions or explanations. Thank you very much. I have hives everywhere and it's terrible. Even on the bottom of my feet.

Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
07/28/2014

Ruth, have you tried Epsom Salt baths for getting magnesium?

Replied by Dave
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
07/29/2014

Greetings Ruth,

About your Hep C and hives and calf cramping...

My guess is that the hives goes back to the Hep C as the cause and not the use of magnesium. I've used Mag for decades with no hives issue. Never heard of one.

I suggest that the neuropathy that you also mention is related to the cramping. Peripheral Neuropathy is being caused by some underlying condition; often sugar issues or myelin sheath damage (MS styled problems). For that, I like to take 2Amino Ethyl Phosphoric Acid (AEP), also called "membrane integrity factor".

It comes in different forms but the most common is Calcium AEP: Read about it ...google "nutrition review calcium AEP"...this is super in dealing with the leg pain issue related to neuropathy.

So: Again my thinking is that the Hep C is causing the hives; that the Peripheral Neuropathy is caused by another underlying problem (could be liver) and the cramping might be helped by AEP.

By the way, have you checked out on this EC site all the posts of "Oscar" on Hep B and C? He uses BHT. You might want to go to EC's "ailments" and scroll to Hep B and Hep C; or to the "remedies" section and see the BHT section.

Replied by Ruth
(Ct., US)
07/29/2014

Hi Dave, Thank you for your reply. I'm quite sure my neuropathy was caused by the antibiotic Cipro. I was talked into taking 2 doses in a row from food poisoning from a restaurant. Lost 20 pounds in 20 days...Then about 1 month later I came down with SEVERE neuropathy. There must be a protocol for reversing neuropathy caused by cipro but I can't find one...I have been taking many, many supplements for neuropathy...

I have also tried BHT but can't take it...Am waiting to get approved for Sovaldi which has been curing over 90% of people with genotype 1a hepatitis c.

Is 2 amino ethyl phosphoric acid the same as Calcium AEP? I have a bottle of Calcium AEP and started to take it and it seemed like my neuropathy got worse...I stopped taking it then tried it again in a month and the same thing happened...

I have been getting phlebotomies once a month-1 pint and my enzymes are going down- one is 56 and the other is 113...I guess getting the iron out of my liver effects the enzymes...

My hives started the next day after I took magnesium...I stopped taking it and they went away...About 10 days later I took magnesium again and the same thing happened...I have tried several types of magnesium and the same thing happens...

Thanks again for your feedback. There is an answer out there.

Replied by Debra
(Parma, Ohio)
04/22/2015

Ruth, in regards to your hep c..i just finished 3 month treatment of olysio and sovaldi and am now CURED of hep c. If you haven't already..see your heptologist.. also, take 4 tsp yellow mustard and cramps in legs go away within 1 min. Take care


Magnesium
Posted by Pinkdamsel (West Orange, Nj) on 05/09/2014

I used get charlie horses in my legs at night, and would have to get up and walk them off. Then I bought a bottle of liquid magnesium, and wiping the liquid on my legs would stop the cramp even before I finished wiping. This was my solution for over a year, and I was very happy, even though the liquid mag is pricey. Then one night I was half asleep and grabbed the wrong bottle from the counter. It wasn't until the next morning that I discovered I had used Milk of Magnesia instead of the magnesium which had been put inside a cupboard - but the result was the same! I've retested both versions of magnesium several times , and both solutions work. Maybe the liquid mag is a bit faster.

Replied by Linda
(California)
07/30/2016

Hi, will you let us know the brand that works best for you? You say you take a liquid magnesium and it works pretty fast on leg cramps. There are so many kinds it gets confusing. Thanks for a reply!

Replied by Michael
(New Zealand)
07/30/2016

To Linda,

My choice here in NZ is Magnesium Chloride LIQUID by "Clinicians" (that IS the brand name here in New Zealand). Maybe you can't get it in the USA but good luck with a substitute brand if available. "Clinicians" may send their products to you (I have no vested interest in any company-I just like what I know works for me) I wish you well. That one worked a treat for me. It's not often in life you get such quick results really. Apparently if you overdo the dosage it just "loosens you up" a bit!

Replied by Kenneth Paul
(Santa Fe City, Tejas State)
07/30/2016

Give magnesium ascorbate a try for you muscular cramps. It helped mine, and boosted my immune system also.

Replied by Julie
(Melbourne)
08/29/2016
★★★★★

Liquid magnesium is actually magnesium oil. It works almost instantly when rubbed on a cramp. If you get leg cramps, they often originate in the buttocks, so rub some on there as well. Magnesium oil is far more effective than oral magnesium as it penetrates the muscle itself, releasing a spasm. It is not exactly an oil but magnesium chloride in saturation (with water) which gives it an oily feeling. If it stings your skin, just wet your hand with a little water and rub over the spot. That usually solves the problem.


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.


Magnesium
Posted by Phyllis (Rockhampton, Australia) on 05/14/2007
★★★★★

I have been dealing with the pain of cramps for a lot of years now, however as I am getting older & the pain is now so painfully excruciating I am going to make sure I get a cure for this problem, NOW. I bought a bottle of "BIO magnesium" last night & out of three nights cramps I didn't get any cramping even though I can still feel the cramp lying in waiting, & I had 12 hours sleep, WOW, I feel like I need mores sleep now because I have been so badly deprived of sleep from the extremeties of the pain. I also bought ?Mersyndol" which the chemist herself said would help me get some sleep, in which it did. I will post my latest knowledge back here again soon!..


Magnesium + Potassium

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Alan M. (Oahu) on 04/06/2019
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I swim for exercise. I usually swim 3/4 mile, and I do this several times a week, and have been into this routine for decades. One chronic problem I'd been experiencing is, about half way through my swim I would begin to get slammed with painful cramps in the arches of my feet. I never understood what was causing this problem. But just last year I started experimenting with taking magnesium and potassium supplements, and my foot cramp problem went away and has not returned. I actually tried several different types of magnesium before I finally hit on one that works for me. With dinner I take 400mg of magnesium citrate, and 99mg of potassium chelate.


Magnesium and Dill Pickle Every Day

3 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  100%

Posted by Judith (Columbus IN)
★★★★★

Magnesium cured excrutiating leg cramps in mostly right leg & dill pickle relieved leg, feet, ankle cramps or "tightening" & big toe stiffening, not 'painful' exactly, but verrrrrrry uncomfortable. My podiatrist recommended Maginex magnesium supplement about 18 months ago & I have not had a BAD leg cramp since. The past several weeks, my left leg started tighening up, severely, every night, also with my big toe bending straight up & unmoveable until it decided to do it on it's own. I could not even bend it down with my hand. The tightening--that's the only way to describe it, was not nearly as bad as the cramps I use to get, but I was waking up 6-7 times a night with it & not much I could do to help it or get rid of it. My doctor suggested eating a dill pickle every day. She said she had heard it really worked & I was ready to try anything. Since the very first night after eating a Claussen dill pickle I have not had the near-cramping or tightening. A couple of times I have woke up & thought it was going to happen but I was able to "work it out" before it got very far. I have faith in the pickle juice!!


Magnesium and Dill Pickle Every Day
Posted by Sue (Phoenix, AZ)
★★★★★

Magnesium Malate is wonderful for leg cramps and muscle twitching. I take 3 in the AM. Left sided leg cramps can mean that calcium is needed. Right sided leg cramps are often an indicator that magnesium is low. But the very best all around leg cramp annihilator is a shot glass or two of dill pickle juice. If you get up in the midst of a cramp and drink this you will experience almost immediate relief and sleep through the night.

Replied by Azuresea
(Singapore, , Singapore)
05/30/2011
★★★★★

Magnesium does work. I found that out by accident when I took a cal-mag zinc supplement. Almost immediately, my cramps went away in a matter of hours. In fact, I suggest that one takes magnesium at least once a month as adequate amounts prevents body from absorbing other heavy metals like aluminium, lead, mercury etc.

http://www.mg12.info/articles/cramps.html

Replied by Kathryn4
(Maryland)
04/05/2015

Sometimes it is necessary to take a low dose 50mg of magnesium every night for persistent muscle cramps. Too much can give diarrhea.


Magnesium Phosphate

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

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.


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.


Magnesium, Tonic Water

1 User Review
1 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Rebecca (Kentucky) on 09/30/2020
★☆☆☆☆

Need a remedy for nighttime leg cramps. My husband taking Magnesium, taking Epsom salts baths & drinking tonic water, all to no avail.

Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
10/01/2020

Rebecca, one more thing to try is eating a banana a day.

Replied by Gertjr
(Madison)
10/02/2020

Is he taking anything? When I took statins, the leg cramps were horrific. Nothing would make them stop and then I'd be sore for days. I took statins for 3 days and I think this triggered my ongoing cramping. Not so bad anymore, years later, but still the same spot. I think it's damage. Just a thought. Good luck. I, too, tried magnesium and all sorts of things to no avail. What did help me was a heating pad wrapped around the cramping site.

Replied by Jane
(Canada)
10/02/2020

Take a potassium supplement. Had same issue and bananas and magnesium didn't help but potassium tablets did. People think muscle cramps are magnesium related, and they can be, but they can also be from severe potassium deficiency.


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.

Replied by Harriet
(Federal Way, Wa)
08/05/2009

Natural Calm is MAGNESIUM, N O T Manganese. I know. I've used it for years. Dissolves in hot water.


Milk of Magnesia

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Erica (La Jolla, California) on 06/26/2016
★★★★★

The instant and best remedy for us has been to apply milk of magnesium on the calf or wherever the cramp is.

One time while in Hawaii on vacation, I got this horrible cramp after being in a hot pool. I used to use magnesium oil at home applied generously and rubbed in the muscle at home. Since the only magnesium in liquid form found in a grocery store by the hotel was the milk of magnesium we tried it and it worked great just like the magnesium oil. Now when ever we travel we take it along just in case. This is our insurance.


Minerals and Eliminating Condensed Tannins

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Nancy (CA) on 07/25/2021
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

It took me 6 years to track down the cause of my nighttime charley-horses and foot cramps. I finally landed on a site regarding migraines and condensed tannins which was an "aha" moment for me. I had been taking calcium, magnesium, and potassium for years with modest improvement. If I didn't take the trio, the cramping did get worse. Once I cut condensed tannins out of my diet, I got complete relief.

Condensed tannins make give fruits, vegetables, legumes, beans, and grains their color. The darker the color, the more of a problem they are for me. Not surprisingly, I no longer drink red wine--full of tannins. I stopped drinking coffee, teas (decaf still has tannins); anything aged on wood (trees are full of tannins) which means cinnamon, smoked meats, ACV, balsamic vinegar, white wines aged on wood (pinot grigio is a white wine reliably not aged on wood--it is my wine of choice along with vinho verde); very dark berries and their juices (ex: cherries, blueberries); whole grains with the hull attached; dark beans (ex: kidney beans, black beans). This is not a full food list of condensed tannins in foods; it's just a list of those things that guarantee leg and foot cramps for me. I can drink black or green tea by adding cream, the protein in the cream binds with the tannins--but one cup a day is all I dare drink.

It has meant giving up some favorite foods and beverages but the sacrifice has been worth it. As long as I take the minerals and avoid condensed tannins, no leg cramps.


Multiple Remedies

5 User Reviews
4 star (1) 
  20%
3 star (1) 
  20%
1 star (3) 
  60%

Posted by John (CA) on 02/06/2022
★★★★☆

I am not reporting on the use of Acupressure but to state that after reading through all the remedies that produce results seem to have one common denominator. This is to divert the mind from acknowledging the cramp if only for a very short time. From pinching the upper lip, pressing between the toes to the point of being uncomfortable to eating a good dose of yellow mustard the result is the same. The mind's attention is diverted just enough to break the horrible feedback loop that keeps the cramp going. I get cramps very often and what works for as a male is to get up and urinate. That sensation is usually enough to knock the cramping muscle out of the cycle. This is also true of drinking pickle juice; a strong enough taste to distract your mind. The one solution I have a hard time fitting into this hypotheses is the use of a bar of soap under your fitted sheet. Placed down near the calves it is supposed to relieve nightly cramps. This did produce about a month and a half of blissful, cramp free sleep. But it seems to have lost its effectiveness. Too bad really. I thought I had finally found a solution to this issue.

Replied by Suzanne
(IN)
02/10/2022

Have you tried magnesium? Magnesium is usually what a body needs if it is cramping and has always worked for me and fast.



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