Muscle Cramps
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Muscle Cramp Remedies

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.
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Coconut Water
Posted by Detail Guy (Portland, Oregon) on 07/31/2020
 ★★★★★

Due to cancer treatment, I've had excruciating muscle cramps... the kind that are rock hard and hurt for several days after the cramping goes down. Magnesium helps, but oncologist explained that magnesium is "contra-indicated" for cancer. She suggested Coconut water... it has a lot of potassium. This really helped a lot. I still get occasional mild cramps... no big deal. Hope this helps.

Culinary Argan Oil
Posted by Tatiana (Boston, Ma) on 06/29/2020
 ★★★★★

Culinary Argan Oil cured my muscle cramps and the muscle crams of 2 other people in my family.

I was getting terrible muscle cramps - sometimes as bad as 10X a day - I was afraid to go anywhere because I didn't know when I would unexpectedly get them and they were extremely painful and scary - I didn't know what was causing them & still don't.

I started taking 2 teaspoons a day of culinary Argan oil (one teaspoon at lunch, one at dinner), and within a few weeks, I realized the cramps were occurring less & less - it's been about 2 months since I started taking the Argan oil, and the cramps that I experienced for about 6 months are finally gone! I can't believe it and wanted to share on this site, which has helped me to find natural solutions for other health issues. Two family members who also started taking the Argan oil also noticed their cramps were went away - they did not get them as bad as I did, and I think that's why their results were more immediate. I highly recommend this amazing oil that not many people know about!!

There are two forms of it - the topical Argan oil and the lesser known culinary Argan oil. You can't ingest the topical kind - only the culinary kind. Argan oil is from Morocco and Israel.

Magnesium
Posted by Teena (Melbourne Australia) on 09/26/2017 233 posts

Hi Grace I would still suspect a mineral requirement not being met. Add some Trace minerals to your daily water or more easily add 1/4 tsp sea salt (with it's 84+ essential minerals) to your daily water. And make sure you are drinking enough water for your body weight, so many of us are not. Also see watercure. Best to you

Magnesium
Posted by Lisa D (South Dakota) on 07/04/2020
 ★★★★★

You need to try mag. oil spray. You can get it at a health food store. I tried the pills. Got nothing so I tried the oil spray and I'll never try anything else. I have been awakened to some horrific leg cramps and spray it on and within minutes it's gone. I've even sprayed it on like half way down my leg and I got a cramp and it stops where the spray ended it's the weirdest thing but the best ever. My spray is a mandatory item on my night stand.

Salt
Posted by M in m (Md) on 05/31/2021
 ★★★★★

To Cindy: your suggestion to use a few grains of pink salt for cramps works like a charm for me...in just seconds! Thank you!

Mustard
Posted by Stuman (Oceanside, Ca) on 12/29/2016
 ★★★★★

Mustard provided immediate relief for my night time finger cramp. 2 teaspoons of mustard at the time of the cramp has given me relief within 10 seconds of ingestion.

I am still looking for a preventative solution to my overnight, middle, finger cramp.

Magnesium
Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 07/21/2016
 ★★★★★

Magnesium is essential for a host of bodily functions. Muscles depend on magnesium a great deal. The modern Western diet mitigates against adequate magnesium balance in the body. The average, modern person lacks enough magnesium and this can often lead to a miriad of problems, the cause of which (inadequate magnesium in some/many cases), is frequently over-looked. Even if our food choices contained adequate magnesium (very doubtful these days because of soil depletion), then we are still left with the problem of the difficulty of the body being able to ABSORB whatever magnesium is available. Magnesium is not easily absorbed internally!! What to do? Well, I have found that Magnesium Chloride is the most easily absorbed and it fixed my severe, leg muscle cramps in a flash! Really ... very quickly. I was so impressed. Other people favour other types such as the Citrate form but for actual severe cramping I would stick with liquid Mag. Chloride as I know it worked for me at least. Having said all of the above, spraying on just a little Mag.Gel to the affected site and giving a QUICK, brief rub will help greatly, as will Epsom Salts 15 minute bathing, as Magnesium is often best absorbed through the skin (trans-dermally).

Multiple Remedies
Posted by Kay (Fl) on 05/31/2014

Spasms are both muscle and nerve related often relating to mineral deficiencies (and dehydration or fluid-transmission problems). Worse, yet, it is very common that when you treat one deficiency, you create an imbalance in the other(s), in a constant see-saw action. Mineral deficiencies are very common in people habitually taking meds/foods/drinlk that deplete certain minerals; also in athletes, outdooor laborers in hot climates, and in habitual drug/alcohol users (esp crack/meth).

The minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium and zinc MUST be kept in proper balance with each other in order for muscles/nerves to work properly. (Simply put: Calcium controls contraction of muscles, Magnesium controls relaxation of a contracted muscle, Potassium and Zinc controls many necessary adjunct functions, including the uptake of fluids and minerals into muscle tissue, and transmission nerve signals).

One of the easiest/fastest/affordable ways to rebalance your mineral levels (without paying for extensive testing/measuring and dosing) is by purchasing a homeopathic mix of "tissue salts" (aka "cell salts") available at most good health food stores. Since you dont know your mineral levels, and your problem is ongoing for awhile (and could be from several causes and/or multiple imbalances), I would choose the bottle that contains all the basic cell salts; one of several choices is named "Bio-Plasma" made by Hylands ($18 for 1000 tabs; which will last you 6months or years). Take as directed (under tongue; several times a day) until you get relief, then stop. Since they are homeopathic, they will balance themselves out properly over time (as long as you stop taking them each time you get relief). If/when you have a relapse , start taking them again as directed (until you get relief, then stop; then restart them if/when you relapse; stopping & starting over & over again). This will slowly/surely reload both your tissues and body fluids to the proper levels, correcting any deficiencies (which takes more time in deep/damaged tissue).

Hylands has a great laymans website for more details explaining the theory & practices of homeopathy, and cell-salts, and the particular function/workings of each salt (which can all be bought separately, and in different "combos").

Although the Bio-Plasma combo works slower than single salts, it is much more thorough in re-balancing your entire system; adequately replenishing (and eventually helping to repair) muscles, tissues, nerves, transmitters, etc. Otherwise, using a single salt may just be putting a small bandaid on a much more extensive problem.

When you no longer have any relapses at all (over a much longer period then previously), then put your cell-salts away and be sure to take a (high-quality) multi-vitiamin/mineral supplement dialy; and eat a healthy/balanced diet with lots of fresh (or fresh-frozen) colorful veggies and fruits, and plenty of water daily. Do not eat canned foods; do not drink sodas or exceed 2 caffinated drinks per day (if that)! Stay hydrated!

If cell-salts don't solve your spasms, then at least you know your minerals levels are probably not the primary issue. (Good Luck & Best Wishes! )

PS: Bottle/can "Tonic Water" has similar features/functions as Quinine (in minute doses), so it may be handy in-a-pinch (but not to be used as a substitute for re-balancing your minerals! ).

Magnesium
Posted by Julie (Melbourne) on 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.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ky Mama (Clinton, Ky) on 02/21/2013
 ★★★★★

My husband gets leg cramps at night sometimes. Usually he takes Blackstrap molasses and that helps immediately. (1 T. ) Well, he was out of town and dind't have any Blackstrap. He woke up with a cramp. He thought... "Well, my wife would tell me to take Apple Cider Vinegar." So, her drank a glass of water with a T. or so of Apple Cider Vinegar in it. It worked! He wasn't surprised as he has seen how well it works for so many things.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kortni (Sonora, Ca) on 05/09/2011
 ★★★★★

My grandma taught me this trick. Both she, my dad and I get horrible cramps (doubling over) and within minutes of taking a shot (or making a hot lemon, apple cider vinegar, honey tea) the cramps usually go away. Sometimes I have to do it every 30 min but my body is pretty out of whack because I have lyme and cirrhosis so I am just thankful to have relief. It helps my dad, he only needs to take it one time.

Pickle Juice
Posted by T Byrd (Milan, Tennessee) on 10/04/2010

I accidentally found a "cure" several years ago. I woke up in the middle of the night with leg cramps as well as a terrible taste in my mouth. So I hobbled to the fridge to drink some dill pickle juice to chase the taste from my mouth. Lo and behold, my leg cramps went away. I now take 2 to 3 tbls of ACV with warm water and 1 tbls of local grown honey and don't have cramps like I used to. When my stomach acts up, I add 1/2 tsp of baking soda to the mixture and drink it down while it's bubbling. Works every time. If you like dill pickles, I suggest making your pickling recipe without the pickles and keep it in your fridge. I still drink dill pickle juice cause I like it.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Redhen (Euclid, OH) on 07/10/2009
 ★★★★★

Thank you so much. I took two tablespoon of ACV and followed it with a cup of hot water.The cramps stopped immediately. The cramps start in my hands and feet and then my legs. I usually use mustard, it works but not as fast as the ACV

Bar of Soap
Posted by Jennifer (Baskin, La) on 06/29/2011
 ★★★★★

I could not believe the bar of soap actually worked! I woke up last night with severe leg cramps and tried everything to get rid of them. I then saw the advice here and decided that using the soap wouldn't hurt.. I just put the soap in the bed and went back to sleep. No more cramps!

Pickle Juice
Posted by Lani (Eugene, OR) on 03/29/2008
 ★★★★★

Pickle juice cured my leg cramps - immediately! I have been having severe leg cramps (mainly at night) for months.They wake me up many times each night.Tonight, as I was watching TV,the cramps came on hard. I decided to get on internet to look for a cure. I eventually came upon pickle juice and decided to try it because I had some in the refrigerator and I like the taste.I poured a small glass (4 ounces of sweet pickle juice) and drank it.I sat down to watch TV again and the cramps were gone. It is hard for me to believe that pickle juice would work so fast and so well, but it did.I just poured another glass and put it on my bedside table to use in case the' leg cramps return tonight. Shall let you know what happens!

The String Method
Posted by kay (waco, tx) on 09/03/2007
 ★★★★★

string helps with leg cramps- i keep string tied in a circle just big enough to slip over my foot, next to my bed-when i feel a cramp starting to wake me-- i slip the string on my foot and it stops-- i have no idea how- and have been doing this for about 4 years now -- so i know it works --' a lady at work told me about it-- the cramps were so bad- they would wake me from a sound sleep -- and by the time i walked or rubbed them away -- i was wide awake and had trouble going back to sleep -- some times i put string on both ankles -- i have wore them to work when i was havng trouble with toe cramps--

Candied Ginger Slices
Posted by Hugo (E Freetown, MA) on 02/27/2006
 ★★★★★

I WAS ON A DIET SO I MADE LITE CANDIED GINGER SLICES TO SUPRESS APPETITE. I WAS ALSO SUFFERING FROM SEVERE SCIATICA AND BACK SPASMS. AFTER A WEEK BOTH DISAPPEARED. IT WAS BY ACCIDENT THAT I DISCOVERED THE TOTAL RELIEF OF LOWER BACK PROBLEMS. I AM 64 YRS OLD. I HAVE DISCONTINUED GINGER AND MY BACK HAS BEEN PAIN FREE.

Pickle Juice
Posted by Reenee (KY)
★★★★★

my sister in law had told me about pickle juice. i know it works! potassium helps but pickle juice dill stops it in its tracks.

Magnesium
Posted by MJ (The US) on 03/23/2025

Hyland's homeopathic Leg Cramps tablets, (am or pm), work all the time. I buy it at Publix but it is sold pretty much everywhere.
You can also tailor a homeopathic remedy to your specific situation, but LegCramps works for me just fine

https://www.drhomeo.com/?s=Leg+cramps

Magnesium
Posted by MJ (The US) on 03/23/2025

Hyland's Cell Salt #8 Mag Phos, Magnesia Phosphorica) relieves diverse cramps and cramping or radiating pain symptoms. Leg cramps, muscle cramps, muscle tension and soreness, abdominal cramping, and menstrual cramps can all be relieved by this natural cell salt without harmful or groggy side effects. For pain relief, Mag. Phos. specializes in cramping or radiating pain symptoms, and it is also an ideal remedy for headaches with darting pains. In general, Mag. Phos. works best for symptoms that improve with heat and worsen with cold.

There are 12 individual tissue or cell salt, or Bioplasma that includes all 12.

Cell salts satisfy mineral imbalances in the body, stimulating the body's natural healing process. When your body lacks these important cell salts, you are more vulnerable to common health concerns. By replenishing them, your body is better prepared to treat illnesses and enjoy better overall wellness. Mag. Phos., the star of every cramp and muscle remedy, is the essential cell salt made from magnesium phosphate, the mineral compound needed to keep muscles in sync with our brains and nervous systems.

Eliminate All Fructose
Posted by RB (Somewhere in Europe) on 12/27/2023 85 posts
 ★★★★★

Re: Muscle Cramps -- Solution: Eliminate All Fructose

After eating a ton of fruits, I started having muscle cramps that were so intense that I could not sleep, and could not walk. But all of my muscle cramps disappeared 4 or 5 days after I cut my fructose intake to zero. FYI, there is fructose in all fruits, fruit juices, honey, tomatoes, ketchup and soft drinks.

Stretches
Posted by GertJr (Madison) on 12/24/2023

I had the same problem and my chiropractor suggested checking my iron. I was very low. Still within limits the dr said was ok, but low. So, I started taking dessicated liver pills and, voila! Cramps are gone.

Stretches
Posted by Elena (Dallas ) on 12/24/2023

There's a great homeopathic medicine Hyland's brand, for legs cramps that work. Sold pretty much everywhere. Also explore Cell Salts.

Pickle Juice
Posted by lisa (idaho) on 08/29/2023

Acid ( in pickle juice) frees up the calcium, by removing it from the bones, then the muscles stop cramping.

not a good long term solution.

Probably the problem is Oxalates tying up the calcium, I would suggest adding extra calcium / mag to each meal and even extra more if lots of oxalates in the meal.+

Lemon Juice
Posted by Mister (EUSSR) on 11/04/2022
 ★★★★★

When I was doing a prolonged fast, I got serious muscle cramps in my legs at night. These became painful, kept me awake, and also persisted during the day. I drank water with a lot of mineral salts added (sodium, potassium, magnesium, chromium) but the cramps persisted.

This was not sustainable, so on the second or third night, I was about to break the fast. But first I tried drinking various herbal teas with liberal amounts of lemon juice (from concentrate, with sodium sulfite preservative). The cramps disappeared quickly and continued drinking of lemon juice allowed me to continue the fast for a total of 10 days.

The remedy must have been the lemon juice, because the herbal teas were very watery by themselves. I don't know why fasting caused such terrible muscle cramps, but I bet it's either the citric acid or vitamin C that completely relieves the symptoms.

Iodoral (Iodine & Potassium Iodide)
Posted by GertJr (Madison) on 07/18/2021
 ★★★★★

I asked about cures for leg/foot cramps and got many good responses, but nothing worked. I finally learned that thyroid can cause this problem, so I started ioderol. Fantastic, brain fog cleared with the first tablet (12.5 mg) and the cramping gradually got better. I had a dr appointment anyway and mentioned to the dr that this had helped, so he tested for thyroid (the dr who refused to test before! ) and it was low, so he started me on levothyroxine and told me to stop the ioderol.

Did that and, within 3 days, the leg and feet cramps are worse than ever. So, I added back in the ioderol, and, voila! the cramps are better. I go back in 2 weeks for a recheck of the thyroid, to see if the levo is helping.

Any thoughts? I will tell him what happened and what I'm doing for it, but I need to cover all the bases and need input. Thanks.

Magnesium, Tonic Water
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 10/01/2020

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


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