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.
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 Mary (Grand Forks, North Dakota) on 06/02/2008
★★★★★
I had once read that APV helped Charlie Horses. So when my husband had one after a hard day on his legs, I gave him 2 Tbsp of ACV in a glass of water. I don't know which worked best, the ACV or the shock when he drank it. Since then, we have used it many times with almost immediate relief of the Charlie Horses or cramps in the legs or groin.
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.
Wear Socks to Bed
Posted by Doris (Hamilton, AL) on 12/31/2007
★★★★★
WEAR SOCKS TO BED WILL HELP WITH LEG CRAMPS.
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.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Terri (Richmond , VA) on 10/15/2007
★★★★★
Recently my husband & I moved. Both of us are in our 50's. We were both taken by surprise at our aching muscles from the move as we are fairly active people. We didn't wish to take anything over the counter for our pain. Our Chiropractor recommended getting Epsom Salts (magnesium) to place into a tub of hot water to soak in. The directions were on the outside of the package. Place two cups into bath water and soak your body. I added a few drops of Pure Essential Oil, Lavendar to the bath as I needed a good nights rest. We slept like babies, totally pain free. We would recommend this highly to anyone able to get in and out of a tub. We repeated it nightly for several nights until the soreness had totally faded.
DMSO
Posted by Fuzzball (Nanuet, Ny, Usa) on 02/01/2012
Dmso is great for many things, including helping to turn cancer cells into good cells, but it stinks to high heaven. If you plan to use this remedy, wait about an hour then wash yourself. You can get this at most pet stores. Make sure it's 70% dmso, 30% distilled water.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Clarence (Kaiserslautern, Germany) on 12/27/2006
★★★★★
I had a leg cramp the other night. I went to my kitchen and took a tablespoon of ACV in a glass of water (4 - 6 ) ounces. It helped almost immediately.
Supplements
Posted by Deirdre ( LA)
★★★★★
My mother had been experiencing severe muscle cramps at night in her legs. Her toes too would sometimes go into excruciating spasms. She bought liquid calcium/magnesium and started taking it before going to bed. The cramps stopped right away. As long as she takes the supplement daily, she does not get the cramps.
Magnesium and Dill Pickle Every Day
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.
Magnesium and Dill Pickle Every Day
Posted by Azuresea (Singapore, , Singapore) on 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
Magnesium and Dill Pickle Every Day
Posted by Kathryn4 (Maryland) on 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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Viola (Hampton Bays, N.y.) on 03/31/2011
reply to David of Chicago, Ill. -- You tell a Doctor
Apple Cider Vinegar, Magnesium
Posted by Corva (Massachusetts) on 08/19/2025
★☆☆☆☆
Painful leg and foot cramps up to 3X/night. What works for you to prevent these? What used to work for me no longer does, chelated magnesium and ACV before bed.
Sea Salt
Posted by stephen (orlando, florida) on 06/09/2025
★★★★★
Leg Cramps
Hi, this may help. I was told buy a holistic healer, to use a pinch (couple grains) of celtic sea salt on the tongue, in the morning or when I have cramps. The glands in the mouth carry it fast into the blood stream. Let the salt dissolve on the tongue (mouth) do not chew. Peace!
Magnesium
Posted by Cris (Virginia ) on 12/17/2022
How much do you take? I bought it as well, and it was great the first couple of nights but last night I had one cramp after another.
ACV, Ginger, Garlic
Posted by Yves (QC) on 06/16/2023
what is the recipe for the heart, I've had 4 stems and an open heart surgery last year so anything that could help my condition is welcomed.
Thanks for your help!
Magnesium, Tonic Water
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.
Culinary Argan Oil
Posted by Anon (Not Canada) on 06/30/2020
How much vitamin E is in the oil?
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Faith (Alabama) on 04/05/2015
★☆☆☆☆
I have terrible leg cramps lately--they start at my shin. When I stand to work it out, it moves to my thigh. Then it spreads to my foot, curling it outward so badly that, if I stand, I am on the top of my foot. I have been using mag oil for the past 2 weeks, covering all my skin for 20 minutes 2x per day. Then I use more when it actually cramps. I also take potassium, about 300 mg per day. I use sea salt on my food, so I get that. Any other suggestions? I feel this all day long, ready to spasm if I flex my foot. Also, I walk about 2 miles + or - daily.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Faith (Alabama) on 04/05/2015
★☆☆☆☆
I have terrible leg cramps lately--they start at my shin. When I stand to work it out, it moves to my thigh. Then it spreads to my foot, curling it outward so badly that, if I stand, I am on the top of my foot. I have been using mag oil for the past 2 weeks, covering all my skin for 20 minutes 2x per day. Then I use more when it actually cramps. I also take potassium, about 300 mg per day. I use sea salt on my food, so I get that. Any other suggestions? I feel this all day long, ready to spasm if I flex my foot. Also, I walk about 2 miles + or - daily.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Steve (Nevada) on 04/05/2015
Sounds like you are on the right track. Sometimes energy healing or cold laser therapy can be very helpful with muscle cramp issues as well.
Magnesium
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 12/02/2014
Dear Flipflap,
Thanks for sharing. That is fascinating! There is something new to learn every day.
~Mama to Many~
Magnesium
Posted by Diane (Ma., US) on 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.
Magnesium
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 07/28/2014
Ruth, have you tried Epsom Salt baths for getting magnesium?
Magnesium
Posted by Debra (Parma, Ohio) on 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
