Muscle Cramp Remedies

Tonic Water with Quinine

Posted by Fran (01247) on 09/08/2016
★★★★★

For leg cramps, I use 1 glass of tonic water each evening! it must have QUININE as an ingredient. Polar and Schweppes, have natural quinine! I am sure other brands must have it but, some don't !!

Tonic Water with Quinine

Posted by Timothy (CA) on 04/03/2023
★★★★★

It works, keep a small bottle next to my bed and if wake up with cramps, I drink some.

Have been using for over 4 years (DR's advice). Recently flew to Europe with my wife from SFO, developed bad hand cramps. Got Quinine/Tonic water from the stewardess and it helped but relief did not last. I take (2) Shaklee OsteoMatrix daily contains 1,000 mg calcium carbonate and 40 mg Magnesum. Has anyone try Quinine supplements?

Milk of Magnesia

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.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Paulette (Celina, Tx.) on 04/05/2015

Also, try a spoon of yellow mustard. And put a bar of soap {I use Cares} under the bottom sheet on your bed down by your legs. I read about this in the newspaper and it works. Hope it works for you.

Magnesium

Posted by Ruth (Ct., US) on 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.

Tonic Water with Quinine

Posted by Bob A (Tucson, Az, Usa) on 09/22/2013
★★★★★

My mother (now 90 yo) said that HER mother told her that night-time muscle cramps are easily dealt with by an 8-oz glass of Quinine Water (also known as Tonic Water at the grocery or liquor store) just before bed. I do this whenever I have leg muscle aches and I sleep like a baby. Works much better than aspirin or ibuprophen. Tonic water contains a small amount of quinine, which is incidentally the main worldwide treatment for malaria for the past 100+ years.

Point Toes To Nose

Posted by Merrin (Mundaring, Western Australia) on 04/30/2013

Interesting! I started getting leg cramps when pregnant. Local goat dairy owner and midwife gave me raw goats milk throughout two pregnancies. This cured my leg cramps. She told of her 90 year old aunt who experienced leg cramps when on holiday as only cows milk was available. On returning to the goat dairy and beautiful raw goats milk, her leg cramps ceased. Pointing toes to nose seems so much easier.

Point Toes To Nose

Posted by Peter (Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff) on 05/05/2013

When we used to get these leg cramps we would instantly start streching the leg by pointing the toes away from the body, this would never work because you're not doing anything, try it now and point your toes hard to your nose, feel that, well I do that every now and then and I have not had leg cramps in over 10 years, taking meds for it is insane.

Quinine Water

Posted by Linda (Roscommon, Mi) on 02/12/2013

My Mom had bad leg cramping at night and her doctor told her to drink quinine water before bed.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Laura (Florida) on 10/16/2020

Thank you for letting me know about just putting apple cider vinegar on the muscle itself. I have a severe shoulder spasm so I just tried that. I also tried drinking it but the taste is pretty repulsive to me and I started coughing and had a sneezing attack afterwards! I'm hoping this works. Thank you so much for the advice!

Potassium

Posted by Vera (Beulah, Co) on 01/03/2013
★★★★★

I suffered Charley horse something awful. It would wake me at night, screaming. Getting out of bed and putting weight on the foot/leg in question would help break the spasm. But I did not discover a cure until I was at a holistic clinic. I asked them if it's lack of calcium. They tested me, and said I had plenty.

They put me on liquid potassium, drink slowly with food. There is a prescription for it. Now, if I experience just a smidgen of it again, I take some potassium for a few days, and I am blessedly free of the agony. Never again. My neighbor tried it too, and she's not had a problem since. :-)

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.

Blackstrap Molasses

Posted by Frances (Los Angeles, California) on 08/27/2012

hello mama with 5yr old with LS. Ive done all of the above, steroid creams havent helped me either and they ultimately thin the skin. I too have thyroid and hormone problems which are autoimmune diseases that some think are associated. I find that sugar is inflammatory so avoiding that helps, also eating less carbs and more plants as part of a good diet. Also I take gabapentin which has been a godsent for the itching. It works on a neurological level and works way better than any antihistamines ive tried. Just ask your doctor if its ok for kids. As for the flare ups and redness, I still have that battle. The cold compresses and cold baths with baking soda, epson salt sometimes helps. I often just put cold water on the area periodically as well. Calmoseptine helps on the anal area too and acts as a good barrier. For the vaginal area zinc oxide and aquafor are excellent. Try not to use underwear when you can. And always cotton underwear. I also use lidocaine on the area to numb it for periods of time. Hopefully you are seeing a dermatologist as well fo more options. Im a rare young case as well, not as young as your daughter, I pray she is one of the children that grows out of this. Ive also seen some promising research with regard to stem cells and regenerating the skin in the area. Ive heard great results, ill keep you posted. Having it done next month. I hope my suggestions help, your daughters story really touched my heart.

Magnesium Phosphate

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.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Ronnie (Oak Island, North Carolina) on 07/07/2011
★★★★★

For leg cramps or back cramps apple cider vinegar will eliminate them within seconds, almost imediately

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Tessa (Okanagan) on 05/17/2024

Hi Misty -

I think Timh may be referring to ConcenTrace Minerals.

https://www.traceminerals.com/products/concentrace-trace-mineral-drops-8-oz

I've been using it for many years to remineralize my distilled water.

You can get it at health food stores, water supply stores that sell jugs of distilled water, Walmart used to (don't know if they still do), online, etc.

Cheers,

Tessa

Salt

Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 06/07/2011

Eating bananas and magnesium or magnesium chloride help well with cramps!

Salt

Posted by Andy (London) on 02/12/2017

Correct; Sodium is an electrolyte.

An additional side note: Magnesium is important for a myriad of processes in the body; muscle cramps are resolved with an adequate amount of bioavailable Magnesium.

Hydrogen Peroxide Topically

Posted by Nattakit (Bangkok, Thailand) on 02/26/2011
★★★★★

I woke up one night with a terrible muscle cramp at my calf. The muscle was hard as stone and caused a dreadful pain. I could only think of a small atomiser filled with H2O2 for my inhalation. I then sprayed over my calf within seconds the pain was gone and with some rubbing, the muscle was soft and the next morning I walked without any pain or stiffnes in the muscle. I used 3% H2O2. This works well in my other time.

Bar of Soap

Posted by Traveler (Santa Barbara, Ca, Usa) on 04/29/2010
★★★☆☆

WORKED TEMPORARILY

I found on the peoples' pharmacy website a recommendation for using soap for restless leg syndrome. I think any soap works well, though you could google search people's stories. All I know is that I recommended it to my father, and while it didn't work for his restless legs at night, it DID work on his leg cramps for around two months. After that, the effect, sadly, wore off. For those who want to try, just put a bar of soap (doesn't have to be expensive, I remember people writing about trying it with the little hotel soaps) under the sheets near your legs or even touching. If you start to feel a cramp coming on, put the leg into contact with the soap. My father saw results within three days. Unfortunately, it didn't last-- but it was nice to know that it worked for at least two months for him.

Epsom Salt

Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 03/27/2010

I just eat bananas.... we can't buy Epsom salts here in France. I have also looked in Germany and Switzerland (we live next door to them, quite practical) but they only sell them in small quantities for constipation so I never tried them. Bananas have helped me well all my life! I don't have the time to search now as we a leaving on a trip but there are vegetables that are also very rich on potassium.

Vitamin E, Calcium, Magnesium

Posted by Peggy Conrad (Sacramento, Kentucky) on 08/12/2009
★★★★★

After suffering terribly for years with muscle cramps everywhere ex: calves of my legs, bottoms of my feet, back, and neck. I finally discovered that Vit E 400IU, 1000mg calcium, and 1200mg of magnesuium daily, was my answer. Said it could take up to two weeks to start working, however, for me, it worked the very first night. This has worked for me for about eight years now. I have been able to cut back on magnesium to about 500mgs. a day now.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Connie (Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA) on 08/13/2009

Try mixing the vinegar in some apple juice or tomato/vegetable juice.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Dave (Friend, Ne) on 06/17/2015

ACV is actually easy to drink, easy to get used to. But everyone is different. Just keep reading posts on this great site!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Tess (Palm Beach, FL) on 02/12/2009

Hi Shelagh, not sure this will be of any help, but I found this while searching under Vitamin D3 cures:
http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec01/ch004/ch004k.html

"Symptoms and Signs:
Vitamin D deficiency can cause muscle aches, muscle weakness, and bone pain at any age."

There may be other vitamin or mineral deficiencies which can also cause intense muscle pain. I will keep looking.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Robert (Barnegat, NJ, USA) on 01/11/2009
★★★★★

I take 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar dilluted with 4oz. water for leg cramps at nite. Works very well! I used to get leg cramps 3 or 4 times at nite, no more since I've been drinking dilluted APC.

Vinegar

Posted by David (Los Angeles, California) on 09/01/2008
★★★★★

re: vinegar for night lower leg cramps... It doesn't matter what kind of vinegar you use. Mustard works if you use the kind that contains vinegar. I mix an ounce (approx) of wine vinegar (it's in the cupboard) with some water and drink. I don't measure. Cramps go away in 15 seconds.

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.

Manganese

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

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

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Jamal (Phoenix, AZ) on 02/10/2008
★★★★★

I just tried the Apple Cider Vinegar and glass of hot water. I had overdone a workout and hadn't stretched. My quads and calves were cramping up really bad. (really painful). It really worked! It worked almost immiediately, I couldn't beleive it! I'm still sore, but that's an easy alternative to constant cramping. Thanks!!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Marsh57 (Colorado) on 07/21/2020

I was having foot cramps and heart palpitations. Saw a cardiologist and all was well. She recommended a good magnesium supplement, a banana and Himalayan salt. Didn't have either for 8 years.

The foot and leg cramps are returning. Not sure if it's because I'm back at the gym but will double up on the mag and start with ACV.