Muscle Cramp Remedies

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.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Ms Peggy (Sacramento, Ky) on 10/03/2013
★★★★★

I don't know why it works, but read some where about using peroxide for muscle spasms. After suffering from them nearly every night for many years, I decided to try it. Rubbed a small amount of peroxide on the area of the charlie horse, and praise be it worked. They didn't come back the rest of the night. While pickle juice, and mustard do tend to help, I have to repeat fairly often. Now I keep the peroxide close by.

Hydrocortisone Cream

Posted by Anna (Philadelphia) on 08/06/2013
★★★★★

Hydrocortisone Cream for sufficient temporary relief of spasms and overworked joints/muscles

I was rear ended in a car accident when I was 24. Since then I have been dealing with sharp stabbing burning pains in my neck. After 2 years of pain management my doctor has exhausted all techniques. Until one day he put his finger in the dip in my shoulder. INCREDIBLE PAIN surged, I felt like I lost the ability to stand or sit upright. After finding this out there isn't much that is able to be done about the horrible sensations that start in my shoulder and shoot to my neck. No prescribed external topical applications have been successful.

One day I was in so much pain I just started throwing different creams on myself. Surprisingly, I found that hydrocortisone cream temporarily relieves these neck spasms long enough to "forget" about it and move on to something else. I would say it's an aid to help me relax.

At first I had to apply frequently because I was so stressed from the pain itself. But used less eventually. Keep in mind that a hot shower stream of water beating on my neck caused "white light" ten out of ten pain that took me to the ER because I freaked out.

So I suggest applying this to a very sensitive painful area of the body due to deep debilitating muscle spasms. It really helped me get past the pain long enough to distract myself with normal activities.

Hydrocortisone Cream

Posted by Judy (Arizona) on 08/01/2015

Have you ever seen a chiropractor, massage therapist, acupuncturist or "trigger" therapist. The right professional will release that place in your neck. May take several treatments since you'd had it so long.

Blackstrap Molasses

Posted by Ky Mama (Clinton, Ky) on 07/26/2012
★★★★★

My husband does construction work. In the heat of the summer when he works outside, no matter how much water he drinks, he still ends the day somewhat dehydrated and missing minerals. One night he woke up with a cramp in his leg. He took a tablespoon of Blackstrap molasses. (It has to be Blackstrap! ) It helped within minutes and he had no trouble the rest of the night. Now whenever his leg feels twitchy, like it is getting ready to cramp, he takes 1-2 tablespoons of blackstrap. (He is a 230lb man. A smaller person could take less. I take 1 Tablespoon when I need it and I am half his size.) When my children have had fevers they have had leg cramps, probably from dehydration. In the future, I will try Blackstrap. However, many find it unpalatable, in which case a banana might be better. (But my husband has done bananas for cramps and, though they help, he doesn't think they help as much or as fast as the blackstrap.)

Blackstrap Molasses

Posted by Timh (Louisville, Ky, Usa) on 07/27/2012 2042 posts

Ky Mama, I use one spoon Blackstrap M in my coffee as a sweetener, and as we all know it is a sweetener and beyond. Any form of Magnesium is best for cramps. In your husband's severe case, try him w/ an Epsom Salt warm footbath when he gets home and plunks down on the couch. Both the Magnesium and the Sulphur of the E-salt will do wonders on the body and also helps one to sleep.

Tonic Water with Quinine

Posted by Norm (Menifee, Ca, Usa) on 04/19/2012
★★★★★

I take one swig of Schwepps if have a leg cramp and it goes away immediately. It's the quinine that does it. It doesn't matter how old the tonic is or even if it has been opened. The drug stores sell quinine tablets for the same purpose but I find Schwepps works just as well. Besides you can always use Schweppes to make vodka tonics.

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 Asg01 (Ventura, Ca) on 01/16/2012

After some years of severe leg cramps at night and, occasionally other odd times, I discovered that Pickled Ginger was not a cure for this sleep depriving problem, but actually a cure.

I acually eat about two or three ounces several time each week (three or four portions) and have virtually eliminated all muscle cramping. I now never awaken at night. In the past three years, when I have failed to remember or traveled without access, the problem returns until I can restart the regimen.

Unbelievably, for urgent relief of an acute cramp, a few ounces of Coca Cola work like magic. However, should I need quick relief in the future, I will certainly try ACV or Pickle Juice.

Ginger would probably work in any form. The pickled variety I discovered while eating lots of Sushi and have not bothered to try other forms of the plant. Good luck to all.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Madelyn (Idaho) on 05/17/2024

@Veropie13, I'm familiar with the product. The brand is actually called Trace Minerals.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Veropie13 (Reche Canyon, California) on 11/11/2013

I agree with Timh, after taking trace minerals as well, I feel profoundly better. I haven't had consistant bed vacating episodes in weeks. When I do get one it isn't as painful and diminishes quickly. I have tried ACV in these times and it works too.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Crampless (Pittsburgh, Pa) on 04/08/2011
★★★★★

The vinegar works. I knew of this remedy from a friend whose son used get leg cramps. I got a Charlie horse last night. My husband massaged it out but everytime he stopped massaging, it would knot back up. He could feel the muscle knot up like a brick. I told him to get the vinegar. I was in so much pain I drank it straight and the muscle relaxed immediately. My husband could even feel it relax. Caution - stick to a tablespoon or 2. I gulped down so much, the vinegar messed up my stomach, but it was worth not having that pain.

Niacin

Posted by Ss (Santa Barbara, Calafia) on 01/09/2011
★★★★★

Niacin is EXTREMELY effective for leg cramps. Unlike magnesium, it does NOT result in muscles becoming so relaxed your body's energy levels appear to be reduced.

Acupressure

Posted by 2q&learn (Southern California) on 10/02/2020 171 posts

The H. Pylori was gone? (I'm reading your post in the section about Muscle Cramps, so not sure what you are referring to.)

EC: Yes, taking mastic gum for 2 weeks appears to have cured her H. Pylori.

Bar of Soap

Posted by Rooster (Apple Valley, Minnesota) on 08/09/2009
★★★★★

A bar of bath soap placed at the end of the bed have cured my foot cramps that I had for many years. Whenever my wife changes the bed linen and forgets to include the bar of soap, my foot cramps re-appear.

Horseradish

Posted by Ken (Saint Louis, MO) on 07/17/2009
★★★★★

Horseradish works great for Muscle cramps, headaches, and ulcers. I eat a spoonfull with a glass of water and the cramps go away in a minute and do not return.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Bobeena (Los Angeles, Ca) on 08/18/2011

the tooth pain is a result of the acv. Vinegar will strip the enamel from your teeth very fast. you should try drinking it with a straw to minimize tooth contact.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Kerri (Nj) on 08/24/2016

Yes, it most likely is the ACV. ACV erodes tooth enamel. When taking ACV it is best to mix it in water and sip through a straw.

Mustard

Posted by Flo (Segamat, Johor, Malaysia) on 05/25/2009

Hello! I've been reading Earth Clinic since yesterday. When I came across this Muscle Cramps.... I just had to tell about this "Cramp Keep Away" remedy. No medication, No explanation as to why it works BUT IT WORKS. Not only for me but for my friends who tried it.

What is needed is a cake of soap - any brand. Keep it close to you - in your pocket, on your table, bed, chair etc. You don't even have to take it out of its wrapper. Cramps leave fast and stay away! I found it in a Korean lady's blog a year ago.

By the way I'm going to start on ACV to lower my HBP.

Calcium

Posted by Luvdplanet (Gainesville, Fl) on 09/11/2013

Hello Kathy, I hope you're doing well. I was wondering how many milligrams of the calcium were you taking. My leg cramps at night are really killing me ;o( Thanks! Good Life :o))

Supplements

Posted by David (Paradise, CA) on 04/23/2008
★★★★★

I have had truly excellent results using a product found in some health food stores called Ionic-Fizz Calcium Plus by Pure Essence Labs. It is a little hard to find so I mentioned the product name. Thank goodness I always have some in my kitchen cabinet. After working in the garden all day yesterday I took a nice long shower, changed into my "comfy" clothes and sat down in front of the fire to relax. Within a very few minutes I was seized by a painful leg cramp. I attempted to get up and the cramp got worse...a lot worse. I immediately started to deeply massage it to get the blood flowing and the pain just escalated as the cramp continued to increase in intensity. I managed to hobble into the kitchen bent over nearly double with the pain and got down the container of Ionic-Fizz. The whole time I was scared to death that I would fall to the kitchen floor and would not be able to reach the container or the phone. I quickly mixed a little Ionic-Fizz with regular tap water, drank it and within 30 seconds the pain was completely gone...and did not come back. This has happened three times in the past few months and I just thought that I would pass the information along. No one wants to be in pain and this easy way of eradicating the pain, nearly instantly, is wonderful. You might try it.

Supplements

Posted by Prioris (Fl) on 10/29/2013

I'm just adding my personal experience with fibrolytic enzymes. Whenever I don't take my Nattokinase, I will experience cramping in toes while sleeping or swimming. Cramping may be related to blood flow issues to feet. If other things fail, this may be worth a shot.

Hydrogen Peroxide Inhalation

Posted by Ramona (Greater Boston, MA) on 10/18/2008
★★★★★

Muscle spasms/leg cramps

In the middle of the night, I am often awakened by horrific leg cramps (calves). I, too, remembered the Bill M. peroxide inhalation....took out my handy-dandy nasal spray bottle with 3% peroxide, and inhale about four sprays at once, and hold my breath as long as I can. The pain disappears within ten seconds. This works for me, and might help someone else.

Ramona

Aspirin and Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc

Posted by jeanne (wpb, fl) on 12/02/2007
★★★★★

i've tried several of these remedies .. the one that works within 15 min is taking one aspirin . . also , i read on the net'' afew yrs ago that taking magnesium would help . .so i take it religiously everyday . 3 in 1 calcium, mag, and zinc . that took care of the horrible calf cramps .. but i still get a little one in my feet . . and i dont' have to be sleeping to get one either .. it can happen at any time . not every day .but a few times a wk . well, thanks for all the remedies .but try that aspirin the next time you're woken up by one . it works!!! really ..

Aspirin and Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc

Posted by Anna (Philadelphia, Pa, Usa) on 03/14/2010

calcium, magnesium, zinc (all in one) also healed completely my calf cramp (no aspirin tried though), but then I run out of it, got another brand and... it didn't work that well... So I checked the bottles: the working one has copper! Now I have only those!

Vitamins C, D and E

Posted by Irene (Hermosa, South Dakota) on 10/31/2007
★★★★★

Sometimes I wake up at night with one or both feet cramping and sometimes it is my ankle or leg cramping. Sometimes if I am in bed for 1/2 hour or so before going to sleep my feet will cramp. Someone said stretching your feet and legs will help but it didn't. Usually I will walk around for awhile and usually take Vit C, D and E. Within 5 minutes the cramping sometimes stops. During the time I was healing my liver from jaundice I was taking 45-60 ounces of carrot juice a day and then I had a lot of cramps.

Horse Chestnut Root

Posted by Christopher (Copper Center, Alaska) on 10/16/2007
★★★★★

My Mom had painful leg cramps all of her life. I started getting them in my early 40's. I have tried most of the other remedies with varying success but what works best for me is "Horse Chestnut Root" extract. It is preventive, not for immediate relief. If I start to feel them coming back, I just take two pills a day for a couple days. Sometimes no cramps now for 1-2 months at a time.

The String Method

Posted by Pam (Mississippi) on 05/13/2016
★★★★☆

Been using string around ankle for many years. I also suffer from nerve damage in my leg feels like stinging and burning - the string helps.

Dietary and Herbal Suggestions

Posted by Gabby (Dallas, TX) on 07/01/2007
★★★★★

I suffered over 20 years from nighttime toe, foot and leg cramping. It would usually start at around 3am and go on until I got up.

Instead of just treating the symptoms I tried to find an actual cure and I found out the following: Don't drink alcoholic beverages (a glass or two per week is fine), don't eat much sugar or sweetened food, don't drink caffeine especially no sodas with caffeine. Caffeine free sodas work okay but keep in mind that it is not healthy anyway. Stop smoking if you do (that wasn't a hard one, was it?), drink plenty of water, at least 2 quarts (liters) per day and make sure it is good water (not tap water) and finally the most important: Go to bed before midnight! I believe this is especially true because our organs regenerate themselves during the night. I am not sure but I believe that at 3am the liver starts to regenerate which would mean that this is the weak spot of us "crampers". To support the liver, one can also use the herbal supplement "Milkthistle" (in german Mariendistel) which can help tremendously. If I follow this rigorous regimen, I am cramp free!

Dietary and Herbal Suggestions

Posted by Sandra (Entiat, W) on 10/22/2009

I agree with the sugar (sweets, simple carbs) If I eat to much I have learned that I get terrible leg and foot cramps. Just to be sure :) I keep testing it out. Some things are harder to accept as a lesson learned than other lessons.

Cayenne Pepper

Posted by Vince (Philadelphia, PA) on 09/21/2006
★★★★★

I make up a plaster with cayenne and salt to cure muscle strains and pains. I wet a paper towel and sprinkle just a little of both on it, and apply. The salt is rough being crystals, and irritates the skin a bit, so I make a saline solution and wet the paper towel with that. The cayenne may irritate some peoples skin, but it is used for irritated skin, so isn't a big problem. I even heard of using it on sunburn.) It usually takes 20min to cure pains or strains. I once had a Really strained back and leg. The back came from working under a car, laying on concrete, and the leg was sciatica from siting on a wooden bench after it. My back hurt from my neck to my foot, and my thigh would hurt SO bad I could only walk about 75' before I had to sit down. I decided to do the cayenne plaster, and I was SO Bad I felt I had to Really heat it up. I used a piece of paper/plastic drop cloth, since I was going to add a heating pad, and didn't want it to dry out or wet the pad. I cut a piece to reach from my neck to my butt, applied it and heated it up. The regular plaster usually only needs to stay in place till the heat of the cayenne dissipates. I kept this on a while longer, and after I removed it the pain was gone.