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.
Bar of Soap
Posted by Judy Mc (Springfield, Oregon) on 02/04/2013
★★★★★
I use a bar of soap to help from getting woken up by leg cramps, works great for that. Put it directly under bottom sheet and change every month or so. I am still looking for something for my constant RLS. Will be trying a couple of things from this site.
B12
Posted by Tls (Gainesville, Florida) on 01/16/2013
★★★★★
Muscle Cramps:
I have recently started taking b12 shots and suprisingly I have had cramps only a couple times, whereas I was getting them every night.
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
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!
Epsom Salt
Posted by Glitzy Feather (PA) on 06/19/2021
No tub here, ...just a shower. Does anyone know if it would help for these nighttime foot/leg cramps if I were to just soak my feet in a tub of epsom salt in the evening? Would that also help to stop the cramps? Thanks in advance for any info. I have to say how much I absolutely LOVE earth clinic. It has saved me in many instances! I TRULY APPRECIATE EARTH CLINIC AND ALL THOSE THAT SHARE THEIR CURES!
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--
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.
Pickle Juice
Posted by Pamm (Alabaster, Alabama) on 05/23/2009
The reason Pickle Juice Works is because of the Sodium content in it. One of the reasons we get muscle cramps in our legs and feet is because we are lacking sodium in our diet rather it be from sweating or diarrhea or addison's disease or urinating a lot or etc.. I have a problem with low sodium & I noticed I would have muscle spasms or cramps all over. As soon as I eat saltine crackers or peanuts they would go away within minutes. So its great that pickle juice works but its because of the sodium in it not the pickle juice itself. So for people out there that doesn't like pickle juice try anything with high content of sodium next time you have muscle spasms. And also try anything with potassium in it too. Good Luck!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Magnesium
Posted by LittleWing (Boston) on 08/20/2025
Hi Corva - I don't know if it's already been mentioned but hydrating a good amount before bed always helps me with leg and foot cramps. Mine would wake me up almost screaming in the night. The positions I've seen my feet in are freaky!! Magnesium lotion can help too, just takes a few minutes for it to sink in. Continue to massage when applying. And as always, if it's feet, cold bathroom floor tiles always helped me. :)
Apple Cider Vinegar, Magnesium
Posted by Vera (Colorado) on 08/20/2025
I forgot to add that jumping out of bed and standing up, putting weight on the leg that has spasmed, will relieve the charlie horse immediately for me.
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.
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.+
Magnesium
Posted by Art (California) on 12/17/2022 2901 posts
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.
B6
Posted by Michele (Clearwater, Florida) on 08/26/2024
Have you tired topical Magnesium get? It will get rid of ANY foot/calve cramp within 5 minutes. I keep some on my night stand.....
Bill Thompson's Protocol
Posted by Tessa (BC) on 06/01/2024
Thank you, Bill, for the saturated magnesium chloride solution for muscle cramps. As you said, the key is the saturation.
I used a glass Mason jar and filled it up half way with magnesium chloride flakes (I used Ancient Minerals last time, but I've used other brands - no difference).
I added distilled water close to the top and waited for the flakes to dissolve. If they all dissolved, I add more flakes until the bottom of the jar has a layer that remain due to saturation.
Then I pour some of the dissolved liquid into empty glass roll-on deodorant bottles (old Nivea or Ombra roll-on bottles).
Whenever I get a cramp (usually because I've eaten too much sugar), I use the roll-on over the cramp and rub it in the painful area. A short time later, the pain is gone.
I leave these deodorant bottles everywhere in the apartment since magnesium helps with headaches, sore joints and muscles, sleep problems, etc. I even use it as a deodorant but I need to really rub it in or it can sting (don't use right after shaving).
For small burns or irritated skin, I use the magnesium roll-on, then apply a light layer of aloe vera gel and gently pat that in.
Makes a huge difference! Thanks again.
Hope all is well with you and yours.
Cheers, Tessa
Magnesium, Tonic Water
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 10/01/2020
Rebecca, one more thing to try is eating a banana a day.
Avoid Cortisone Shots
Posted by Harriet C. (Florida, United States) on 10/02/2019
WARNING!
Cortisone shot are not mentioned under remedies, but I would like to post my negative experience for others who have turned to Earthclinic for remedies for leg cramps.
So, perhaps this could make a new category "Cortisone" and entered under "leg cramps" as a warning to others?
All my life I have had leg cramps like the 9th month of pregnancy. I was desperate and that's when I found Earthclinic some years back.
The remedy of taking ACV turned the tide for me. I take extra magnesium when my body tells me it needs it, but 2 Tbsp ACV and about 1/4 tsp baking soda, fill the cup with about 3 oz of cold water and drink while fizzing generally stops the leg cramps in under a minute.
Last year I had a cortisone shot for what we thought was bursitis. It only helped for about 3 weeks (found out via MRI later I had 2 torn tendons causing the pain). However, the cortisone shot was followed by several DAYS of intense, repeated leg/foot cramps, often both legs at once, that simply would not respond to my remedies (Emergenc-E, powdered magnesium in water, and ACV as noted above).
I slept in a recliner so I could hop up easier. My husband had to help me when I would have an attack (one day it was every 30 minutes!). He said he had never seen me this bad (married 35 years)!
Sometimes I drank the ACV straight (ugh!) because I was so desperate--I looked like I was having a lower body seizure even falling to the floor in agony upending the kitchen chair I grabbed in the process.
I NEVER just fall down as I am a chiropractic patient and I can screw my body up if not careful. Through researching I found out that people who are prone to leg cramps sometimes find that this is a side effect.
My doctor had never heard of that as a side effect, but anecdotal information found via search engine was enough for me to support the validity of my experience! Worst week of my life and now my records are noted to never give me anything in the cortisone family again! I hope this anecdotal information is helpful to prevent someone else from suffering like I did!
Magnesium + Potassium
Posted by Alan M. (Oahu) on 04/06/2019
★★★★★
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
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 09/26/2017
Grace, try eating a banana a day for leg cramps.
Magnesium
Posted by Gord235 (Vancouver, British Columbia) on 09/26/2017
Try a Calcium-Magnesium combination for leg cramps. Has worked every time for me.
Mustard
Posted by Lily (Atascadero, California) on 12/27/2017
Reply to person with middle finger cramp... I had a severe cramp to my middle finger that caused me not to be able to move it...it was bent and I could not straighten it. A friend got me to try a parafin wax bath (In which) you coat your hand with hot wax) you cover your coated hand with plastic (a baggie will work) Immediatly after the treatment ..I was once again able to move the finger. I had the condition for approximately 2 years..and am happy to say that it has never returned even after 11 years. I now own one of those wax baths but haven't had to use it since the friend let me use hers!
Buffered Salt
Posted by Richard (Florida, US) on 04/04/2015
★★★★★
I found what works for me and a buddy of mine for muscle cramps is a teaspoon of celtic sea salt (fine ground) mixed in about 12 to 13 oz water. I usually use purified or reverse osmosis water. When the cramps start I drink half the water and they usually stop within 1 - 2 minutes. Best way I've found to avoid the cramps, is to consume the whole mixture by having sips during the course of the day and and as a result I don't have any cramps at night. I make sure I have a bottle of the salt water mix close at hand and drink some of it when I feel the onset of cramping about to start.
'Incline bed therapy' is also what I use. I find the benefits of Incline Bed Therapy on the internet most informative.
Magnesium
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 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.
Prunes
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee, Usa) on 07/27/2013
★★★★★
My husband was on a long drive under stressful driving conditions (dark, windy roads, towing a trailer, etc. ) He got a cramp in his hamstring and couldn't drive anymore. (My son was able to take a turn at the wheel. ) He would normally take blackstrap molasses for a cramp, but we didn't have any in the vehicle. We did have prunes, which are high in potassium. He ate 5 of them and his cramp went away! He did take blackstrap when he got home, before bed and woke up feeling fine! Don't eat too many prunes at once or you will end up with stomach cramps, though.
~Mama to Many~
Point Toes To Nose
Posted by Peter (Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff) on 04/29/2013
★★★★★
Instant leg cramp relief:
Point your toes to your nose as hard as you can, standing up or lying down all ways work.
Myself and my partner both sufferd with this for many years, total agony, I forget who told me this but it works every time instantly. I was swimming in the freazing cold sea once and got a leg cramp some way out, toes to nose and it went, if I had not known that then I don't think I'd be typing this now.
Oh, and no long lasting after pains :)
Mustard
Posted by Art (Mt. Marion, Ny) on 02/22/2012
Many have mentioned the effectiveness of pickle juice to relieve muscle cramps, well dill pickle juice is usually loaded with mustard seeds. Perhaps it's the salt and mustard thing working hand-in-hand.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Usa) on 01/17/2012 2041 posts
Asg01, please accept my addendum as the phrases "leg cramps" and "sleep deprivation" are flashing light alerts for Magnesium deficiency, as the body very sorely needs this as well as many other minerals. As for the Ginger, it is quite possibly not really a cure but a simply a relief as there are no known Ginger deficiencies in the human body. The Coca Cola fix is another sign of mineral deficiency as Cola is loaded with phosphorous, (but causes calcium deficiency).
A few mo ago I started a good Ionic Trace Minerals (72 known bioavailable mins) from the Great Salt Lake in Utah, and immediately (within hrs) felt profoundly better. There are tons of studies and ongoing on the importance of Minerals alone in human and animal health. In Livestock Agriculture, almost all animals in the developed world are supplemented with Minerals as a rule because intensive productivity depraves the soil and foods.
