Restless Leg Syndrome
Natural Remedies

Home Remedies for Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

| Modified on Sep 11, 2023
Add New Post Comments

What Is Restless Leg Syndrome?

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is effectively a sleep disorder but is more directly considered a neurological disorder where nerve endings in the legs signal pain, throbbing, tingling, or other sensations without external stimulation. Those nerve signals trigger an uncontrollable urge for movement in the legs. RLS symptoms occur principally upon laying down for sleep or when you are at rest, though the condition is likely to keep you from easily falling asleep or relaxing entirely. In fact, the only thing that sometimes relieves restless leg symptoms is to get up and walk around.

RLS typically can affect the feet as well as the upper and lower legs with a variety of sensations, all pushing the sufferer into moving their legs. Your legs may twitch spontaneously as well (something called periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)). Unfortunately, the cause of RLS is not well understood, though it can occur alongside pregnancy, and risk of enduring the condition rises with age. Furthermore, iron deficiency may at least worsen restless leg syndrome.

Find a Natural Treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome!

Where modern medicine fails, a number of home remedies for restless leg syndrome may help you relieve your RLS symptoms, get some sleep, and get back to your normal life. However, the most popular (very popular!) is to place a bar of soap between or near your legs as you sleep. You have to read about it to understand! Baking soda and a few other home cures have helped others relieve restless leg syndrome as well, and you can find all the details below.




A Bar of Soap

40 User Reviews
5 star (33) 
  83%
3 star (1) 
  3%
1 star (6) 
  15%


Posted by Lana (British Columbia) on 03/30/2021
5 out of 5 stars

Bar of soap for RLS

I was searching around 2 or 4 am for something to help me.. the sensations were in my legs and my hands. I realized it was intense probably because I ate a bunch of brown sugar syrup earlier [craving] So won't do that again. Grabbed a bit of cashew as I was hungry...and grabbed a bar of soap. Incredible that it worked!! I noticed some on the thread put this to "placebo" affect which I find ridiculous. My whole body was going nuts and this put an end to it immediately. Had no idea if this would work or not but pretty grateful I have a go to now. Thanks Bar Soap!! [ It was just some bulk bar I get from the bulk store..maybe primrose or something which probably makes no difference at all.]


A Bar of Soap
Posted by Angela Marie (United States San Diego, CA) on 03/29/2020
5 out of 5 stars

Soap worked for me too! Just put some ivory soap in the fitted sheet at the bottom of the bed and no RLS!


A Bar of Soap
Posted by legalmumbojumo (Minneapolis) on 02/19/2020
1 out of 5 stars

Thank you for all the advice on RLS. I ate a banana earlier b/c I was hungry. I didn't know about it helping for rls. I have a magnesium spray that I am going to try in a few mins.

The bar of soap is a total myth and ACV is not that great for you as many people seem to think. Very acidic. I think it can burn away tissues in your throat and stomach. Anyway, my rls comes and goes and lately it has been so bad that I feel it in my arms down to my fingers and my legs down to my toes. Walking helps, but it just comes back. I'm going to try the tonic water too.

Replied by Susan
(Chapin, SC)
07/20/2022

If that's the best you have got, we are in the boat-all of us-without a paddle. I have yet to try the baking soda, although I Will. I have always thought RLS was something that my body lacked, as I thought I was the only one who suffered from this! Bar of soap is not a cure. I promise.

Replied by TBizz
(Arizona)
08/11/2022
5 out of 5 stars

The bar of soap most definitely works and is not a myth! Just be sure the soap is NOT a product of Dial.


A Bar of Soap
Posted by Athena (New Jersey) on 06/08/2019
5 out of 5 stars

SOAP -

I had an incident last night ..my legs just wouldn't stop moving. I've had RLS in the past. So, last night while in bed trying to sleep I just could not get to sleep because of my legs ... how horrible this thing is. Well around 4:15 a.m. I got up and came to my computer,,,opened Earth Clinic, looked up RLS and saw how so many people were getting unbelievable results with SOAP ??? So, I opened a new bar of Dove,, put it under the sheets by my feet,,,and.....dozed off in no time. Just cannot believe what a miracle with such a simple, clean, solution - oh dear Mother Nature how we love you. Everyone has cancer in this country (including me) because they have destroyed and contaminated You all for money!!! God bless you all and sleep well.


A Bar of Soap
Posted by Bob (Denver, Co) on 09/30/2018
5 out of 5 stars

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! A small piece of soap in each sock ended the restless leg almost immediately. Did not help me get back to sleep, but what a wonderful cure for the restless legs!


A Bar of Soap
Posted by Joe Balke (La Palma, Me) on 02/05/2018
5 out of 5 stars

Restless leg sufferer for 35 years. For the past five years I have had complete and total success with one or more of the following:

1. Bar of soap under the sheets in bed.

2. Rub the bar of soap on your legs, just gently stroke the bar on the legs a couple of times.

3. Aloe Vera on the legs. Sometimes this might take up to 3 applications.


A Bar of Soap
Posted by Edgrolvr (Nantes, France) on 05/20/2017
5 out of 5 stars

I can't believe that this works, but it does. My husband often gets restless legs at night and after checking this site and seeing the soap suggestion, I figured "why not, " especially because we had two fresh unwrapped bars of Dove soap (it happens to be shea butter scented but I don't think it matters). My husband put one bar each in a pair of ski socks (ha, lots of room for a bar of soap) and put the socks on while he reclined on the couch. He said it worked within a couple of minutes. He's now used this remedy about 5 times since then and it works every time. He leaves the socks on for about 15 minutes and even after removing them, he has no problems for the rest of the night. Bizarre.

Replied by Tracey
(Texas)
03/12/2018
5 out of 5 stars

OMG thank you! I seriously never thought to put it in my sock while I'm relaxing. It worked in seconds!


A Bar of Soap
Posted by Joe B. (Reno, Nv) on 12/23/2016
5 out of 5 stars

I have had RLS for 30+ years. The following have worked for me, and my RLS will recur without one of these very convenient and inexpensive "cures":

1. Bar of soap in the bed by my legs...sometimes 2 bars. Brand doesn't seem to matter.

2. Massage calves with aloe vera or any type of body lotion(I prefer coconut oil). For some reason, icy hot doesn't work. Also massage small amount of lotion into lower back.

3. Carbonyl iron.


A Bar of Soap
Posted by Sonia (Cohutta) on 07/30/2016
5 out of 5 stars

Soap absolutely works, my husband has suffered with RLS for years, I read about soap and thought I'd give it a try without his knowledge to avoid the placebo effect. That was almost four weeks ago and he has not had an episode since. He filled his prescription for Requip on 7/8/16 and hasn't taken the first pill. He's NEVER gone this long, in fact he was taking a pill EVERY night. First I placed one bar of dial under the fitted sheet at the foot of the bed, the soap was YEARS old so after two days I added a fresh bar of Dove with it...they're both still there and working like magic. I was very skeptical and assumed it would NOT work but to my surprise it work even better than the Requip!!! So don't count this one out....it truly works and believe me I'm just as surprised as you are!!! I finally told him about it and he too was skeptical but it's still working so we're going with it!!!! There's a lot more to these old wives tales than we know or understand!!

Replied by Maureen
(East Sussex)
10/18/2016
5 out of 5 stars

I tried Dove and it didn't work as it is a cream. So I tried something else and yes, it works. I too have suffered for many years and actually had a lie in this morning. Try it.

Replied by Rlsheadache
(Houston)
11/22/2017

I just read your message about the soap n saw how it bothers him & me massaging n cooling his feet. So I put a new bar of Irish spring n now it's been about 10 mins he is not moving anymore! Thank you on soap idea


A Bar of Soap
Posted by Arleen (Stanton, CA) on 08/17/2014
5 out of 5 stars

The earliest I can remember having Restless Leg Syndrome is at 20. I didn't know it than. I now 36 and have found that diet has helped control the RLS. For me, egg yolk and various dairy products spark my RLS symptoms. I also discovered that taking baths or showers with lots of soap prior to retiring to my bed helped reduce my RLS. I use my husbands soap Dove for men or Zest or Irish Spring. All work. When I place a bar in my bath water and let it dissolve and stay there for 20 minutes I get better results. I also found that deodorant Secret clinical strength works when I rub it on my leg. I am sharing this because I have researched many ways to overcome this excruciating discomfort. It is not a joke to me and I can only hope that my sharing can provide someone else with some relief. I too believe that no one persons body chemistry is the same but we have to stick together to find ways to live the best quality of life that we deserve.

Replied by Jean
(California, US)
08/26/2014

I have had Restless Leg Syndrome for about 50 years and went to hosp for surg just lately. Guess what I needed IV Magnesium.

I have had rls since my first pregnancy a lot of years ago. It is definitely not funny and has kept me awake and miserable for over 50 years. I am trying the baking soda now and will try other non drugs also. Say a prayer!

Replied by Mmsg
(Europe)
08/26/2014

Jean, why baking soda if you need magnesium?


A Bar of Soap
Posted by Marcia (Lenexa, KS) on 08/10/2014
5 out of 5 stars

Hello From Lenexa Kansas!! I have been having a terrible time with this restless leg thing. I was so uncomfortable and it was already 2:30 am and so tired from not sleeping the night before for this same reason. I was beside myself and then I remembered this web site. I got out of bed and turned on the PC to look for it. I was relieved just knowing I found the site! LOL

I had read somewhere that it was a magnesium deficiency that caused this problem and even though the magnesium tabs would stop it the other side effect of the magnesium is profuse diarrhea. It (diarrhea) stops in about 24 hours when you realize that it's you who is causing the dilemma.

Anyway....I drank that baking soda and water thing and added apple cider vinegar and that didn't seem to work for very long. So here it is 4:30 am and I am frustrated beyond words. I go back to the PC....and thought about the soap testimonies for a moment. I had read the wonderful "yea's" for the soap. I thought it sounded to good to be true....but what the heck....I had nothing to lose but sleep....right?

I got up laughingly from my chair. Grabbed a fragment of a gold colored bar of Dial soap. I broke off a couple small pieces. (I didn't like the idea of soap lying in my bed with me) I put those pieces under my toes and put a light weight sock on. Did this to both feet.

I was soooo shocked that with in minutes it was as if nothing had ever happened and that whole thing was just an absurd nightmare! Boy O Boy!

I was a happy happy girl (age 58 - tee hee hee) because I could relax and just fall right off to sleep. I woke later in the morning and had to look to make sure I actually did this. LOL What a silly but powerful remedy!

Thank you Thank you Thank you for all of the wonderful testimonies!

Replied by Grace
(NH, US)
09/27/2014
5 out of 5 stars

I suffered with RLS for 12 years, for many of them I googled remedies and found that soap did work - well recently I googled and I found that not enough magnesium was the culprit! Well I have been eating foods and making shakes with all fresh veggies and fruit, nuts, seeds with high magnesium levels and this has CURED the problem. Good luck

Replied by Wendy
(Maida Vale, W.a.)
03/25/2016

I have used magnets to help me, they do work, I have also had my pharmacist make me up a cream, consisting of sorbelene and menthol (stops it drying out your skin.)

I have recently used Acupuncture, and a course of 7 weeks was advised then a maintanace of 1 month . This has given me a great relief, I do take 1/2 of 0.125 every night, but haven't had to increase, but have been told I have to stop taaking sifrol as my sodium level is too low.

Replied by Chris
(Mpls)
05/26/2016

Did the acupuncture help with the RLS?

Replied by Elle
(La)
11/08/2016

Would it help with restless arms. I have rls but at times the arms are 10x worse.

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
11/08/2016

Dear Ella,

Have you tried magnesium for your rls and restless arms?

Another great remedy for it is blackstrap molasses - 1 Tablespoon in the evening. I think it has the potential to help both of your issues.

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Stained Glass Gal
(Oregon)
09/11/2017

Restless Arms. I have that also and I haven't heard it mentioned before. Must be rare or less common that the legs. I'm going to try the soap.


A Bar of Soap
Posted by Lockamy (Salemburg, Nc) on 06/03/2014
5 out of 5 stars

New to Restless Leg Syndrome, but this morning I was so in need of relief. I came across this site. Grabbed a bar of ivory soap still in wrapper, placed between knees and on seconds the pain, tingling went from my thighs to my knees. It stayed there but it wasn't as bad as my full leg pain. I was asleep in minutes of doing this. I'm amazed! A bar of soap stood between me and some sleep, usually my husband needs the soap. lol, blessed it be.

Replied by Rls Plagued
(Oregon, US)
08/26/2014
5 out of 5 stars

Plagued with severe Restless Leg Syndrome. Tried many things. Bar Irish spring soap. One between knees and some pieces in socks under toes. Haha was shocked and so excited when I got sleep and at how fast it went away! Thank you all for your input and sorry to all of those who haven't yet found something that works for you. Good luck to those of you. Everyone should at least try soap. Doesn't hurt and so glad now that I was desperate enough to try it. Had to be, when nothing else worked ya know. Who woulda thought Irish spring soap. I was happier than I had been in a long time. And so excited. Sleep deprivation from rls is no joke. And helps also knowing that people out there understand exactly what it feels like. Support leads to coping mechanisms, often sometimes solutions and often sometimes good friends who actually get it. Thanks guys! :)


A Bar of Soap
Posted by Guri (India) on 09/14/2013
5 out of 5 stars

Yea, the bar of soap works for me. I used to apply some moisturizing lotion to my feets before sleeping and it also works.


A Bar of Soap
Posted by Taylor (Zillah, Wa, United States) on 09/03/2013
5 out of 5 stars

I'm only 18 and I've recently been experiencing RLS, I'm a student in high school trying to get into college and get some scholarships, so you can see why I need every minute of sleep I can get. One Saturday night I couldn't get to sleep till 1am and I had to work the next day. I tried everything, but nothing worked until I put a bar of Irish Spring soap under my leg. It beats me how it works but it's amazing! Plus I enjoy the minty smell :)

Replied by Karen Stropki
(W)
04/21/2017

I have tried the bar of soap and got some relief. After reading several of these posts, I am going to use the sock idea. I used to take Klonopin for years and it completely took care of the RLS. Then it went generic and the generic did not work. However, I would like to report that I tried aspercreme pain reducing Creme. I rubbed it on my calves and got total relief. You can get this at any drug store. I am puzzled that it does work. It suggests that there is some inflammation. I have always read it was a nerve problem. Unless the nerves that are involved with the muscles are so irritable that they cause the muscles in the leg to be inflamed. However, the aspercream should not work on nerves.

I guess it is just treating a symptom of RLS and not the underlying cause. I have had RLS for 30 years so hopeful that some of these new tricks will manage the problem.


A Bar of Soap
Posted by Pam (Clinton, Nj) on 06/04/2013
3 out of 5 stars

Worked Temporarily

I have been using a bar of soap successfully for RLS for some time now but recently, it seems to have lost its efficacy. At first, I thought it was because I was using a handmade bar of natural soap in place of the packaged soap from the market. But even going back to the Ivory didn't help. I will try the niacin and vitamin C.

Replied by Dave
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
06/04/2013

Hello Pam, Try a half teaspoon of baking soda in a quarter glass of water... Dissolved of course. Now put a teaspoon in your hand and rub on knees and legs. Apply twice.

If restlessness still persists, get all sugar out of your system. Especially no sugar after five pm. Sugar in anything if you are borderline could present as restless leg or other extremities pain.



NEXT 
Advertisement