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.
Quinine
Posted by Holly (United States) on 08/09/2019
★★★★★
Soap etc didn't work for my RLS, but drinking 6-8 ounces of tonic water does work. May have read it on EC but been doing it so long I forget. I buy diet tonic water with "real quinine" listed in the ingredients. Good luck and sleep tight!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dana (Alaska) on 03/25/2017
★★★★☆
Apple Cider Vinegar for Restless Legs...
If I can feel the restlessness creeping into my legs as the evening moves on, I'll take a spoonful of ACV in water. (Of course then I have to rinse my teeth off... too much acid.) But another thing that is helpful is HEAT, in the form of a hot water bottle between my legs. This is usually enough to keep me comfortable so that I can sleep without having to get out of bed and go get the vinegar. It must be because it relaxes my muscles. I've heard other people have success with sea salt, but I haven't found it makes a difference for me, and I already get plenty of sea salt/ Himalayan salt in my diet...
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Julie (Devon) on 04/17/2017
Can I use this as I am a diabetic?
Dietary Changes, Magnesium
Posted by Kim (San Diego ) on 10/17/2016
What type of magnesium works best for RLS? I take Glycinate however some people say that may not be the best. Thank you
Liver (Folate)
Posted by Cate (Melbourne, Australia) on 09/29/2014
Grass-fed Liver for Restless Leg Syndrome.
I was pregnant with my now almost one year old and developed RLS in the fifth or sixth month of gestation. It was HORRIFIC. I went about three weeks without sleep, exhausted beyond words. My mood was foul, I was a mental case. I knew I'd find a cure, so spent night after night searching. Eventually I found a great site, and realised I was lacking folate. Not folic acid which is some budget man-made chemical, but genuine bio-available pure folate from clean animal sources. Being paleo helps too.
I bought some grass-fed calves liver the following morning, ate up about half a cup and slept more deeply and with the greatest relief, you will only know the bliss that accompanied that sleep if you've suffered from this evil modern curse yourself.
Grass-fed liver- beef, ox, lamb, even chicken liver in pate. Get some folate in you.
Kratom Leaves
Posted by Dave (Mojave, California) on 09/08/2013
★★★★★
I used to take prescription meds for my RLS but too many bad side effects. I found out that many supplements available online such as Kratom quiet RLS 100%. It took me years of trial and error but I was curious why during a prescription I had for Tylenol 3 that had codeine, why did this quiet my RLS? It turns out that the alkaloids in Kratom mimic the alkaloids found in opiates without the drug effects. While kratom will quiet your RLS, it also gives a nice feeling of relaxation. Do your own research but I can tell you, Kratom is safe, been used by humans for hundreds of years and impossible to overdose. As you progress in learning about kratom, you'll find the same information. I usually take 8-10 capsules 1 hour before bed, works great, no after effects and flushes out of the body within 7-8 house. Only side effects I have after using kratom for RLS for years is constipation and drowsy before bed. Kratom extracts beyond 15% are a waste, stick to the powder, capsules are my favorite, plenty of legal U.S. online suppliers.
Vitamin D
Posted by Mia B (Slough) on 06/14/2013
★★★★★
Sorry have to correct my last post... It's 50,000 iu a week not daily for therapeutic dose of d3... So I just split it up as daily doses... Have to admit that already there is a huge difference, hardly any throbbing at night and can fall asleep without any painkillers... And I soak my feet in Epsom water every other day... I have also started the half lemon juice with 1/2 tsp baking soda last thing at night, sometimes with a pinch of cream of tartar powder for the potassium.... So that along with the calcium and mag tabs... I think is doing the trick.... Now just have to fit in the Apple Cider Vinegar in the mornings!! .... Whatever it takes...!!!
Borax
Posted by Susan (Chicago) on 05/20/2013
Precisely, What kind of Borax dosage did you take before bed time ? I am afraid drinking too much water before bed time. What brand borax did you use?
Borax
Posted by Carmela (Cambridge, Ma) on 05/20/2013
Thank you so much for submitting your borax remedy! I have tried borax, but don't like drinking a liter a day so your method of just 1 teaspoon at night sounds fantastic! I immediately went and prepared a bottle last night after reading your post and took my first teaspoon before bed. It relaxed me, but didn't zonk me out. I am looking forward to providing more feedback as time goes by. Thank you again!
Borax
Posted by Precisely. (Mineral Hill, New Mexico, Us) on 05/20/2013
Hi Susan from Chicago, I started with a teaspoon from the litre bottle of water and borax. I'm up to 1 tablespoon at bedtime now. To me, it tastes like very dilute apple juice, but most folks seem to think it tastes "soapy".
After the first 10 days, my response switched from bright and wide-awake to extremely sleepy. My guess is that I was having a healing crisis response, but one afternoon, I literally fell asleep standing up. Had a split-second to grab the armchair and fall down into it, instead of somewhere else. Scared the heck out of my cats, who were in the chair until I fell there, and also scared me, too. Fainting is different -- used to faint as a teen into my 20s. This was definitely falling asleep. Over the next week I asked a friend to be my 'contact buddy' and we spoke 2-3x daily, to make sure no other sudden surprises went unnoticed.
At some point we figured out that I should only take the borax at bedtime. Maybe it would be different if I sipped a pint or so that had a teaspoon in it... But for now, all's good. I do feel more energized during the daytime, as well. Interesting nutrient.
Debating whether to boost my intake, and not sure if I feel like experimenting with another daytime dose. My body feels like it wants more.
To Carmela from Cambridge, happy my idea helped!
To Leelannee from Sussex, NJ... I love your town! Those stone sidewalks, and all the old colonial buildings, plus so close to great parks and forests. I've had the same experience as you have if I miss even one dose (= bad night).
Borax
Posted by Susan (Chicgo, Chicago) on 05/21/2013
Where do you get your Borax? Is it 20 Mule?
Borax
Posted by Precisely. (Mineral Hill, New Mexico) on 05/21/2013
To Susan from Chicago: Yes, 20-Mule Team Borax.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cindy J (Thurgoona, Nsw Australia) on 02/06/2013
★★★★★BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I found Apple Cider Vinegar for Restless Legs does work really well for me. The pain is minimal. However I have inherited a weak bladder from my father so when I have the ACV before bed, I spend the next 3 hours going to the toilet at least 5-6 times before I got to sleep and 3 times during night. ACV gets rid of toxins and my urine is now clear. So I am still having trouble sleeping, and my sleep patterns are totally messed up. I tried the soap on its own - pain all night. If I rub ACV on my legs, I am concerned about absorbtion into the body and it may still make me got to the toilet endlessly. Can I have ACV in the middle of the day and have the same effect of constant urination at night? Will it stop the pain at night if I have ACV during the day? I am wondering if Baking Soda will make me urinate alot as well.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Steve (Chicago, IL) on 02/07/2015
★★★★★
Apple cider vinegar is working for me as I type this. The pain/throbbing sensation (I get it mostly in my left arm, feet and ankles, and lower legs) has gone away immediately where I applied it topically. I applied it on my whole left arm, and I mean really got it nice and saturated, and it helped immediately and is still working as I typed this. I believe it is really working and not just a placebo effect because the throbbing, tingling pain sensation went to a part of my left hand where I didn't apply any.
Also, I did take an aleve, but I noticed the effect from the apple cider vinegar more, after giving the aleve plenty of time to kick in. I also just made a magnesium drink with about 200% of the RDA, and I will drink it just in case, but still, so far, no need after the apple cider vinegar. I would just as well like to "over-cure" rather leave it all up to the ACV. I will also apply the magnesium drink topically, at least a little, to get it absorbed straight to the problem area through the skin. Hope this helps. And if it doesn't, don't be a sociopath and write outrageous comments about how we are all evil for attempting to help ourselves and others. Thanks!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Charity (Faithville , Us) on 02/07/2015
That is interesting how you noted that your pain travelled to an area that had not been tingling prior to adding the treatment to the affected tingling area that was helped. I am reading a book that describes how the subconscious mind creates symptoms to distract us from emotions it deems we cannot cope with and as we get one pain under control it creates another.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsR4wydiIBI 20/20 segment of a success
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Oscar (Syracuse, New York) on 02/08/2015
Arthur Janov discusses all this in his many books and online at his blog. Yes, for ALL these chronic conditions the cause is unresolved feelings. People end up treating a never ending string of symptoms.
Janov does offer a true cure. He calls it: PRIMAL THERAPY. Check out Janov`s website if interested....Oscar
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Prioris (Fl, US) on 02/08/2015
There is the d-limonene supplement. d-Limonene is the major component of the oil extracted from citrus rind. It supposedly removes toxins from the body.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Denise (Skowhegan, Maine) on 01/14/2013
★★★★★
Here I am at 2 weeks now_? 8 oz. of doing the apple cider drink twice a day, Tonic water twice a day, then 2 regular water any other time. Bar of soap in the bed, 1 magnesium tablet per doc's recommendation, along with 1 calcium and Vit. E.
Hubby rubs my legs down with muscle ointment, Vicks or Castor Oil on the soles of the feet, and a couple times a day Hylands Homepathic tabs under the tongue. 1 banana a day. I drink my last liquid one hr before bed. Soak my feet or take a bath in Epsom salts when I remember to. The RLS is almost non-existent, just a few small twitching daily now-and upon waking not noticing any twitching. I have a prescription for sleeping but absolutely refuse to use it unless all else fails. I do believe most people can get this under control if they are diligent, consistent and mean business. I am now sleeping 7-8 hrs a night now. Haven't done that for 3 yrs. For the people that nothing has worked to alleviate this, its time for a "Ferritin" test to rule that out if you haven't had one.
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Ris (Dubois, Pa) on 10/12/2012
★★★★★
For everyone who tried the bar of soap (for one night). Give it some time. I was on med. for my RLS. I heard about the soap and put two bars (1 ivory and 1 dial) under my sheets, I kept taking my meds for a week before going off of them. no problems, unless I kick the bar of soap out of the bed- I don't put them under the sheets- and don't retrieve them the next night. don't keep the wrapper on the soap and don't put it in a sock. go ohh natural.
Eliminate Benadryl
Posted by Little Wing (Marshfield, Ma) on 09/17/2012
★★★★★
I find benadryl makes my restless legs MUCH worse, as does anything like this or any of the PM medicines (Excedrin PM, Advil PM, etc.).
Eliminate Benadryl
Posted by Rsw (Uniontown, Oh) on 09/18/2012
★★★★★
I have found this to be true, also. NyQuil always was a problem and kept my up all night, but as I have gotten older, Benedryl and other such OTC drugs that you mention, now cause me to be drowsy but completely unable to sleep with increased RLS symptoms.
Cotton Sheets
Posted by Kate (Raleigh, Nc, United States) on 09/16/2012 6 posts
This is a very interesting post about cotton sheets for restless legs. I don't have restless legs, but I do have trouble sleeping. Although my quilt is made of a combination of cotton and linen, my sheets have polyester in them and so does my mattress cover. I'm going to start shopping for cotton sheets and a cotton mattress cover. Sleep is so important for our happiness and well-being. I believe we should make sleep our number one priority (well, actually, in addition to nutrition). Thank you, Makayla, for sharing your experience with us!
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Jay (Jerome, Idaho) on 08/12/2012
I am 41 years old and took abilify for over a year and found thats it gives you the hateful side effect of rls. I have it so bad that my arms twitch as well and I get no sleep at all. I will try this black strap molasses and see if it will help.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by MArk (london) on 01/21/2026
Hi Cat22,
How do you get rid of up to 20 lb of fecal matter stuck to the colon walls?
Thank you
Quinine
Posted by Dolly (Brighton, United Kingdom) on 07/29/2012
★★★★★
This remedy was given to me by a friend and my husband has used it with highly successful results. It's quinine. He takes it by drinking a well-known brand of Tonic Water (not all tonic waters containe quinine) - but I know you can't advertise. I understand you can buy quinine so could be worth a go. (Hmm think it is a natural substance??).
Quinine
Posted by Jo (Surrey, Uk) on 07/30/2012
To Dolly from Brighton. Wonder if you could advise about the quinine in the tonic water. When you refer to the well-known brand are you referring to the one that starts with the letter S and ends with the letter s? Also, can you please advise how often your husband drinks this for his restless leg syndrome and in what quantity? Many thanks.
Quinine
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 07/30/2012
Hi Jo, I bought the Schweppes brand a couple of years ago on recommendation from my chiropractor to take tonic water. My neck and trapezius area had completely seized up so badly, I couldn't move. I bought the well- known brand and promptly drank it. I began to then have my negative reactions that I get instantly from sugar. I avoid sugar because I am sensitive to it. I looked at the ingredients and was upset that the second ingredient was corn syrup high fructose and the second sugar. I didn't take any more after that in spite of the fact that the quinine was supposed to help the muscle spasm. I have since learned there is very little quinine in this company's tonic water.
Then, about a year later, I noticed that one of my favorite health food stores here in LA was now carrying a few brands of quinine and of very high quality. The one I chose had purified water, natural bitters, handpicked quinine, lemon juice extract and organic agave as the sweetener.
I just wanted to pass this info on to others that might have issues regarding ingredients. Hope it helps, Lisa
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Steve (Las Vegas, Nevada) on 07/12/2012
★★★★★
This Apple Cider vinegar and honey recipe cures RLS. The recipe for it is 2 qts. of water to 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/3 cup honey. Drink 8oz. 4x/day. The vinegar and water will stop restless legs in approx. 5 to 15 mins. Every time. Take as needed.
Many other benefits to drinking ACV as well:
- 1 tablespoon of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar mixed in 4 ounces of purified water after a meal has been used as a natural remedy for heartburn and as a replacement for toxic heartburn medications.
- Raw Apple Cider Vinegar may help improve bowel irregularity, thereby removing toxins from the body at a faster rate.
- Helps clear up skin conditions and blemishes giving a smoother texture and complexion.
- Raw Apple Cider vinegar may also help with joint pain and stiffness.
- Apple Cider Vinegar helps to break down fats so that your body can use them rather than store them. For this reason, many diets include ACV in their regimen.
- On a small scale, ACV was studied by researchers at Arizona State University. The preliminary study was published in the Diabetes Care journal. It reported that ACV helps reduce levels of glucose.
Light Therapy
Posted by elisabeth (MT) on 08/03/2024
Are you talking about red lights?
Hot Shower, Massage
Posted by Colin (Ajax, Ontario/canada) on 01/19/2012
★★★★★
For my RLS treatment, I usually take a very warm shower, and then I massage my legs to the sole of foot bottom for about fifteen minutes and with this procedure I do get a good night rest.
Zinc
Posted by D (Asheville, Nc) on 01/15/2012
★★★★★
I have food allergies and have Restless Leg Syndrome in the evening as well as at night in bed. I also have insomnia. What works for both my insomnia (even when the legs aren't restless) and for the RLS is zinc supplement before bed. Sometimes I wake in the middle of the night and need to take it again. Since I take it almost everyday, I only take as much as I need and try not to take more than that.
The different kinds that work for me, are zinc chelate, monomethionine zinc, zinc gluconate, combination of zinc arginate and zinc glycinate. But two zincs that work quickest for me are in liquid form: Monoatomic zinc liquid and zinc sulphate liquid. Supposedly one has to take some copper to balance the zinc or you could get a copper deficiency. I take the other minerals and all the trace minerals as well for the same reason.
Iron, Vitamin C
Posted by elisabeth (MT) on 08/02/2024
What kind of iron and how much are you taking?
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Sal (Fresno, Ca) on 12/04/2011
★★★★★
I've been struggling with RLS for the last 4 years and have found various things that have helped. At this point, after trying various things and reading a lot about it, I've concluded that RLS has to do with minerals/vitamins deficiency and mainly lack of iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium combination. I would recommend a healthy diet with the following additions that has really helped me:
1) Cream of wheat: eat this cereal, this is high in iron and calcium
2) Munch on pumpkin seeds: high in magnesium and other minerals
3) Drink mineral water for a few days
These will stop RLS. This is what I'm focusing right now and has stopped my RLS.
Other things that have helped me in the past:
1) warm water with 2 spoons of apple cider vinegar and honey before sleep
2) ivory soap has helped too
3) Cutting down on sodium if the intake is high
4) Eating banana (high in potassium)
Don't feel defeated with RLS, you can cure it over time. My RLS comes irregularly, so the body must be ok for a while and then all of a sudden, the minerals get depleted and then you need to boost the levels of these essential minerals and vitamins.
Hope this helps. Take care.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Diana (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) on 11/23/2011
What do you mean you started using coconut oil? Rubbing it on the legs or taking it orally?
Coconut Oil
Posted by Lardiver (Abbotsford, Bc Canada) on 11/23/2011
Sorry I mean I take coconut oil, drink it, eat it, on food any way, it stops my restless legs and has been for a few months now.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Smanke (Newport News, Va) on 04/17/2013
It's been a while now and was wondering if you are still using the coconut oil for restless legs and/or how long it worked. My mom is 87 and would like to give her some hope for these final years.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 04/18/2013
Use the following for restless leg syndrome:
1. Apply on her knees solution of half teaspoon of baking soda in half glass of water..."dab"on her knees and legs on surface of the skin, two applications in three minutes of each other - to both legs. I have found that little trick when my legs (mainly my legs around my knees) begin to be irritated at night works wonders to calm the irritation.
2. Also Calcium AEP (MUST be AEP)...two tablets to counter irritable legs, especially helpful if patient is prone to insulin resistance and finally...
3. No sugar or foods with sugar like fruit juices, cereals with sugar etc. after 3:00 pm. Again, restless leg is often associated with folks who are insulin resistant or borderline.
Homeopathy
Posted by Janet (Kendal, U.k) on 08/10/2011
Have you tried quinine for restless legs available much cheaper in tonic water a lot of other benefits too.
Eliminate Coffee
Posted by Janet (Kendal, U.k) on 07/27/2011
Also if you drink a glass of tonic water that, s good for restless legs too, but it, s the quinine in the tonic that does the trick.
Eliminate Coffee
Posted by Kratomking (Sharon, Pennsylvania) on 01/07/2017
★★★★★
I've heard from many people that giving up the coffee will help cure a lot of RLS!!!
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Surveyor65 (Jefferson City, Mo, Usa) on 07/01/2011
★☆☆☆☆
I have suffered with RLS for about 20 years now and have been taking prescription medications to help for the last 10 or so. Since I HATE the idea of having to take a pill for the rest of my life, I tried searching natural remedies for RLS, and here I am. My RLS starts in my left leg, then, if I don't start moving or medicate, it will "attack" my left forearm, them my other leg, then the other arm (I usually take something before it gets to my right leg). I also have issues when just sitting at rest. I work two jobs, and my part-time gig requires a LOT of sitting (it's at a mental hospital). It will also start in on me while trying to watch TV in the evenings.
In reading the comments on the website, I decided to try the bar of soap remedy last night. NO HELP. I used a bar of Ivory soap, still wrapped, in the sheets. First below my feet, then between my knees and feet, then unwrapped the bar, shoved it in a sock and kept it between the sheets, then held it in my hand. After an hour and a half, I broke down, took my pill, and went outside to walk it off for about 30 minutes. Finally fell asleep about 2:45 AM!! UGGGGGHHHHH!!!
Thoughts, suggestions, snide remarks?
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Blanche (Iberia Parish, Louisiana) on 07/01/2011
I read somewhere that restless legs sometimes occur if you are anemic. Just a thought.
Aspirin
Posted by Audrey Alexander (Anytown, USA) on 05/13/2026
Aspirin is an anti-viral, the salicylic acid, that is. I wonder if there's a connection to RLS having a viral cause.
