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.
A Bar of Soap
Posted by legalmumbojumo (Minneapolis) on 02/19/2020
★☆☆☆☆
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Scott (Clear Brook, VA) on 10/06/2019
★★★★★
I have had bouts with RLS for many years now. I'm a 45 YO male, eat healthy, exercise often, and maintain an overall healthy lifestyle. Once in a while, I would feel the creeping in of RLS symptoms.
Somebody told me to drink 16 oz. of water before going to bed, especially if you have been drinking alcohol prior to sleep. Hydration seems to help tremendously.
I also take a gulp of ACV every night before bed. Exercise is key, ACV is good for so many things, including this, and stay hydrated. Haven't tried the soap, but haven't really had RLS since staying committed to hydration and taking my ACV each night before bed. I also swig a little in the morning. Don't forget to gargle with some hydrogen peroxide now and then:). It's very good for you!
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!
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Angela Marie (United States San Diego, CA) on 03/29/2020
★★★★★
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 Athena (New Jersey) on 06/08/2019
★★★★★
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.
B12, Folic Acid, Niacin
Posted by Kelly (Seattle) on 06/26/2019
While that's great to hear, I wonder if the B12 or folate is doing much considering you're taking such a massive dose of niacin (which would deplete the B12 and folic acid). Might be worth a try to see if it works on it's own...or...even better, increase the B12 and folate (both methyl donors).
B12, Folic Acid, Niacin
Posted by Alan M. (Oahu) on 04/06/2019
★★★★★
I had been suffering from restless leg syndrome for several years; only in my right leg. The problem would hit me in the evening, and would keep me from being able to sleep at night. I found a product which is a combo of homeopathic preps and herbs, and this works, but only for a few hours, and I think it was giving me nosebleeds too. So I spent time online looking to discover another approach to the problem.
What I came up with is three B vitamins: Vitamin B12, folic acid, and niacin, all in megadoses. Within a matter of a few days on this protocol, my restless leg problem rapidly diminished down to nothing. I now take 300mcg of B12, 800mcg of folic acid, 1000mg of niacin.
I take these amounts with each meal, so that is a total of three times those dosages each day.
Niacin (with flush) (nicotinic acid) is apparently more effective for restless leg than no-flush niacin. I discovered my body quickly adapted to the flush, and barely registers it any more. But I started at a much lower dose so my body could have time to adjust to the niacin.
Diagnosing RLS vs PLMD
Posted by John (Australia) on 09/30/2020
★★★★★
*Important note*;
RLS should not be confused with "Period Limb Movement Disorder"…
'RLS' vs. 'Period Limb Movement Disorder'…
- In RLS, there are NO involuntary movements/spasms. RLS involves uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an urge to move the limbs… all movement with RLS is voluntary.
- In PLMD, there are involuntary spasms, twitching and involuntary movements.
They are two completely different conditions…
- RLS is a nerve condition.
- PLMD is a muscle condition.
- Opiates, like morphine, help RLS but does not help PLMD.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, like Diclofenac, help PLMD but do not help RLS.
Liver (Folate)
Posted by Barbara (Indianapolis In) on 08/29/2020
While there is folate in some animal foods, mostly folate occurs in plant foods.
https://wholesomechildren.com/healthy-living/foods-high-in-folate/
And since low iron / ferritin stores can often be a nutrient-deficiency cause of RLS, the fact that you had such a positive response to eating the liver suggests that it was primarily the heme iron that helped your RLS.
The other known nutrient-deficiency cause of RLS is folate (which is the type I have). Based on research I have done (I am not medical professional or scientist), it is my understanding that RLS is not a muscular condition but a neurological condition due to faulty dopamine processing in the brain (which could be either a deficiency or malfunction of dopamine receptors in the brain). Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which, among many things, controls sensory and motor impulses (ability to feel being touched and ability to move).
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320637#causes
I resolve (not cure) my RLS by taking a folate (not folic acid) supplement, calcium folinate, because I also have the genetic variation MTHFR (diagnosed through a blood test). I say resolve not cure because if I stop taking the supplement the symptoms of RLS come roaring back.
People with MTHFR do not convert folic acid properly, so they don't get the benefit of the folic acid as well as the unconverted folic acid can build up in the body and cause problems. Calcium folinate and another fully-converted folate supplement, L-5 MTHF (Quatrefolic or Metafolin) and eating lots of cooked greens, provides the body (and brain!) with adequate amount of folate. Folate and iron are nutrient building blocks of dopamine.
Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement
Posted by Rita (Virginia) on 11/27/2018
★★★★★
I've gotten great relief from RLS by taking a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement just before climbing into bed at night (or if the RLS bothers me earlier in the evening, I'll take the supplement then). Within 15 minutes of taking the supplement, my RLS symptoms go away. This has been working consistently for several years and I'm posting this in hopes that it may help others. When I first tackled the RLS problem, I tried just taking individual supplements since I had read that a potassium, magnesium or iron deficiency could be causing the RLS, but the individual supplement method didn't help my problem. Apparently, in my case there must be a deficiency of several minerals. As long as I take the multiple vitamin and mineral supplement, I don't suffer from RLS. That's why I think that RLS sufferers get relief by taking black strap molasses since it contains many minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, etc.
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Bob (Denver, Co) on 09/30/2018
★★★★★
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!
Baking Soda
Posted by Ms (Wa) on 08/23/2018
★★★★★
I'm a very active person and would get restless legs regularly or, when doing yoga intensely, restless arms. Rubbing apple cider vinegar worked like magic for me, so I would keep it by the bed. It would immediately stop the restlessness. After changing jobs and being on my feet all day I started getting the restless legs coming down from my lower back. This time a hot water bottle on my lower back did the trick for a while, also rubbing Amol (a rubbing solution made in Poland), but I had days when these remedies didn't work.
So I desperately searched Earth Clinic (which I always do when in need for remedies) and found baking soda. AND THAT DID THE TRICK THIS TIME!
Thank you guys and thank you so much Earth Clinic for bringing so much relief, clarity, and sanity into our stressful and demanding lives.
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Alison (Uk) on 08/22/2018
@Dave from Fountain Inn: I'm relieved to read about the impact of sugar. My restless legs and arms drive me insane during full moon (and the lead up to it).... I tried magnesium and soap but both made this worse. I try to keep sugar intake down, but have recently been a bit lax. So am now going to be very strict about this, and see what happens. Thanks for the reminder!
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Mbk (Amherst, Ny) on 05/15/2018
★★★★★
I am a neuroscientist and I suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome. I've racked my brain trying to figure out why it works, but it does. About 6 months ago my wife started putting 3 bars of Irish Spring soap under the sheets next to my legs and my RLS has subsided about 90% (Ivory sop didn't work). I think the effect may be olfactory - the soap has to be strong smelling), but I haven't tested it (putting the soap next to my head instead of my legs). I am the world's biggest skeptic and I'm flabbergasted, but really, it works.
Fish Oil
Posted by Matriarch (Clinton, Nj ) on 03/30/2018
★★★★★
Restless leg syndrome was the bane of my existence until one day I was talking to a friend who is a PhD in pharmacy and she offhandedly said, "Restless legs? Take fish oil." Just like that my problem was solved. I take 2400 mg. of fish oil before bed and haven't had a problem in months. Truly a miracle as I had tried literally everything else I heard of to solve this problem. I hope this helps others have a good night's sleep.
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Tracey (Texas) on 03/12/2018
★★★★★
OMG thank you! I seriously never thought to put it in my sock while I'm relaxing. It worked in seconds!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Linda (Eugene, Oregon) on 02/19/2018
★★★★★
I've had restless legs for years and I've tried all the remedies mentioned here in EC. Many of them worked for a while and then stopped so I'd switch to another only to experience the same disappointment. Quite by accident I learned that eliminating sugar from my diet completely eliminated those darned restless legs. And by sugar I mean “blatant” sugar! I'm talking about stuff like cake, pie, cookies, syrups, candy, and anything that is loaded with it. I don't obsess over it or scrutinize every label, but so far this approach is working like magic. I hope this helps someone.
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Joe Balke (La Palma, Me) on 02/05/2018
★★★★★
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 Rlsheadache (Houston) on 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
Baking Soda
Posted by Tecumsehmo (Baltimore) on 10/06/2017
Antihistamines are known to exacerbate rls.
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Stained Glass Gal (Oregon) on 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.
Mustard
Posted by Debbie (Salem, Va) on 08/17/2017
★★★★★
Mustard for Restless Legs
Eat a spoonful of mustard before bed! It's working for me so far! It's like a miracle cure!
