Butcher's Broom
Butcher's Broom helps with restless leg syndrome. Used to work in a vitamin store and customers loved it. Take the tincture or capsules twice a day.
Calcium Lactate
My RLS has diminished about 95 percent since taking calcium.
I mix 1 tablespoon of Standard Process calcium lactate powder in my evening kefir drink. Standard Process also carries it in tablet form in which you would take six per day. It is my understanding that calcium lactate is the most absorbable form of calcium and I would only recommend taking this form from Standard Process.
I also take Dr. Berg's electrolyte powder and extra magnesium. I also used to get severe toe and foot cramps. With taking these supplements, all cramps are gone too.
Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium; Alkaline Diet
I have been working with a naturopathic doctor for a number of ailments. Although I do not have RLS, this Dr. has a radio show (620am) in Pittsburgh and has commented on RSL causes. It is usually a mineral deficiency. Adding Calcium, Magnesium or Potassium is typically the remedy. However one must be aware that there is also an underlying cause depleting minerals in the body. Soda pop (pH=2.5), coffee (pH=5.0), alcohol can pull minerals from muscles (cramps) and bones (thinning) to ring the body back to alkaline (the blood is tightly regulated at a pH of ~7.4). Try cutting out such items and supplement with good quality minerals and you should see a marked improvement. Good luck!
Cereal High in Iron
I use Cream of Wheat for my RLS!! My legs have always hurt plus I've had poor circulation for as long as I can remember. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore, so I researched causes and found one reason was an Iron deficiency. I then researched foods rich in Iron and came up with Cream of Wheat, 1 cup equal to 10 mg. and Total, 1 ounce equal to 18 mg. RDA is 19 mg. per day. Don't care for Total that much but love COW. Have now been taking it for 3 weeks straight, my legs are totally cured. How long did it take? Instantly. I noticed the results after the first time I took it. Even I can't believe it, it's a miracle!!!
(Dundas, Ontario, Canada)
07/11/2012
Been taking cream of wheat for six months and it is doing nothing for my nightly restless legs. Tried the soap, no effect. Tried magnesium with and without calcium, tablets and powder (CALM), no effect. Would cutting out one or two cups of coffee in the morning really make a difference? The only sure thing which works is walking around for about two hours between 2 AM and 4 AM, plus some tylenol. Don't ask me why. Carlos.
(Iberia Parish, Louisiana)
07/11/2012
(Calgary (home Of The Stampede!), Alberta, Canada)
07/12/2012
Hi Carlos - Along with being checked for anemia as suggested by Blanche, have your thyroid checked too. Restless leg syndrome can be a problem for those suffering from hypothyroidism. Also, make sure you are not dehydrated (check out the water cure on the Internet - you add just a little bit of sea salt with your water). Although magnesium (CALM) really helped me with RLS, perhaps you need to apply magnesium oil transdermally on your legs/feet (I believe Bill's formula is 60% magnesium chloride and 40% distilled water). Good luck - I hope you find something that works! Bess
(Las Vegas, Nevada)
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:
(Il, US)
02/01/2015
UPDATE: It's been a long time since I posted my miracle cure of Cream of Wheat for my RLS. Just so you know, I still use it, but don't use it exclusively for my RLS, I use something else. The reason being, I found the root cause of my problem (from my doctor) is related to my diabetes, it's diabetic neuropathy. Although I still have it, it's now manageable and doesn't affect me like before. At least I know. Feel free to contact me about what I take.
(Florida, Us)
02/01/2015
(Fairfax, Va)
02/02/2015
(Il, US)
02/03/2015
Metformin -- dosage for me is once a day, in the morning before I eat anything. I think the mg. is 250. Honestly, if I had known my diabetes was the REAL cause of my RLS I would've taken it years ago, but I didn't have medical insurance and couldn't afford to see a doctor. It wasn't until my sister, a nurse, contacted a (medical) doctor who saw me pro bono took a lot of tests and when apprised of my family medical history diagnosed me as having Type II diabetes and telling me my RLS was related to my diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain.)
FYI, I still have foot pain, especially after walking a lot, this is where the cream of wheat comes in, but the RLS is all but gone, except for about 1%, which is almost negligible!
Also, I've started taking mustard, approx. a couple of teaspoons. I heard about this on Dr. Oz one day, he said pro football players take it for leg pain. Even though I thought it sounded a little strange I took it and it seems to help a lot. Apparently there's something it that alleviates joint pain.
If anybody else wants to chime in on this I'm all ears.
(Hope, Bc CA)
02/03/2015
If you research diabetes on EC you will be getting the truth about metformin. GreenMedInfo online will also get you the full picture.
I have no nerve pain since using high amounts of Amala (Indian vit. C) which is for years. I take it with honey, yes, honey about three times a week with or after meal with powdered Turmeric in goats milk. Nothing else needed. This is after a lot of research.
It is in the doctors handbook that allopathic medicine causes death which is then certified to be caused by "diabetes and heart failure".
These meds. cause dehydration till the heart gives out. Inform yourself and you will benefit.
Namaste, Om
(Il)
02/05/2015
Oh... I forgot to mention, I'm now using magnesium oil for my feet when they hurt. I love this stuff, everybody and I mean everybody should get it and try it! It comes in a spray bottle and is applied topically, I use right before bedtime and boy does it help with my throbbing pain. It calms them down and makes it possible for a restful night's sleep. When I awake poof the pain is gone!
So in conclusion, for me it's cream of wheat, table mustard and magnesium oil. And of course, metformin for the RLS.
P.S. Initially I take magnesium taurate to fall asleep... which I've been taking faithfully for approx. 8 years now. Love magnesium for all its applications!
(Sunnyvale, Ca)
02/16/2015
Chinese Herbs
restless leg syndrome: try herbal teas from your acupuncturist
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil for my RLS [restless leg syndrome]
For 25 years I have had RLS, I used drugs for it every night. When I started using coconut oil the RLS stoped, I haven't taken the drugs in a month now, and am so glad to rid of them. I can still feel them coming on of the RLS if I don't take enough coconut oil so I just take some more and I'm good.(Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
11/23/2011
(Abbotsford, Bc Canada)
11/23/2011
(Abbotsford, Bc Canada)
05/24/2012
Just to ad an update. I also found that using Kombucha tea helps a lot with my RLS. I us both the coconut oil and kombucha and very seldom have any RLS problems. As for the disclaimer that you should get medical advice from a Doctor first, every time I have been to see a Doctor they try and give me a prescription. I rarelly ever waste my time with doctors any more since all they know is drugs, they have lost contact with real cures. I am far more healthy for it, and I fell 20-30 years younger. I have been curing all my health problems without the side effects of prescribed drugs. Thank you Earth clinic.
(Newport News, Va)
04/17/2013
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
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.
Cold Room, Potassium
Hi, what's working for my RLS is a cold room. I've had RLS since I was a kid till now, 50+ years.
Found a/c need to cool room 20 deg and take two potassium pills. This is it. all the best.
Compression
Hi all, I too have suffered from restless legs and sometimes arms. Two things have worked for me. One, apply pressure to legs to still the nerves. I sit with the restless leg underneath me. It will go away in about 20 minutes.
The other thing is dietary changes, eliminating sugar, grains, alcohol, legumes, dairy. I am on day 6 of a 30 day elimination diet. Try it!
(San Diego)
10/18/2016
What really works for me is also compression on my legs. You must try compression stockings. They are primarily for circulation however the pressure does definitely ease the restless legs. I'm not saying it will take it completely away but help drastically. You can look them up online and try at least 30 to 40 mm of pressure. I use 40 to 50 and they work really well. They're a little difficult to get on but definitely worth it.
Cotton Sheets
I'm a 31 year old female, and have been suffering from restless legs since I was about 14 or so. I finally think I've figured out what's been causing it, though I'm not entirely sure why - polyester bedding.
I've tried just about everything, including magnesium, potassium, massage and the good old bar of soap trick, but nothing worked. I always though it had been something that I was, or wasn't, eating.
After buying a new bedspread, I noticed that it had been a few days since I'd had my jumpy legs. Took a little while to figure it out, but for the first time in probably my life, I was sleeping with 100% cotton sheets and a 100% cotton woven bedspread. And my restless legs were GONE.
I don't know why this is... Maybe the polyester I usually use doesn't let my legs breathe, or maybe there's even something going on with static electricity. I've tested this a few times since I've noticed, and my old comforter gives me restless legs every time.
This may not work for everybody, but if it maybe helps one person, I'll be happy! I know how frustrating this condition can be.
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!
(Seattle)
01/31/2017
Polyester clothes, creates a very strong electrostatic field which affects the body which makes the body react. Polyester is the worst fabric you can wear. We purchase all organic 100% cotton sheets, blankets. We began to replace all of our clothes to cotton, wearing cotton sock is very important I can tell big difference in how I feel if I wear a cotton clothing I feel clear, light, calm I feel so much better and healthy if I wear polyester or any synthetic I feel really off and my skin body feel uneasy, uncomfortable and my legs jumpy.
Polyester is made from synthetic polymers that are made from esters of dihydric alcohol and terpthalic acid. 2. Acrylic fabrics are polycrylonitriles and may cause cancer, according to the EPA.
Deodorant
The screaming crying agony I was in last night had no words. I rubbed, moved, twitched but my legs still hurt and my feet hurt. I didn't have bar soap but I tried the deodorant and it worked!!! Within seconds the agony stopped. I could sleep. I forgot to do my feet, woke up to hours later in more pain. put more on my feet and beautiful relief!!!! Thank you!!!
Diagnosing RLS vs PLMD
*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.
Dietary Changes
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.
Dietary Changes
I have had chronic RLS for 5 years. 5 years without sleep! I have tried everything, I thought, without success. Then, 3 weeks ago, I read a posting on a ME site, (I have ME as well) by someone that had been on a low oxalate diet for a year. He had not had RLS since starting the diet. I had just finished a whole 30 diet which made me feel terrible. I couldn't understand this as I was eating lots of spinach, carrots, nuts and beetroot.
I read the post about the Low oxalate diet, and he had listed the food that I had been eating, and ate a lot of before the diet. I straight away went to the low oxalate info page and read everything. Straight away stopped eating high oxalate food, but so not to start my body 'dumping', ate medium to low oxalate food. I have experienced only slight twitching, more annoying than anything, with three nights of just an awareness feeling in my legs. With pretty much three full nights of sleep. For me this is miraculous! I have by the side of my bed oils, magnesium, homeopathic remedies and creams. The only thing I have used since starting the diet is an essential oil for nerves, and I have only used it a few times.
I highly recommend this diet. Read all that you can, start slowly and persevere! There are many conditions that a low oxalate diet helps.
Dietary Changes
If you suffer with RLS [restless leg syndrome] don't drink any kind of liquid at least 4 hours before bed nor eat any food with sodium.
I use to put frozen pulp fruits and honey in a blender and eat or drink 5 hours before bed. It works for me.
Liquid reflux and sodium are like poison for RLS suffers.
Dietary Changes, Magnesium
There's a few people who seem to think others aren't taking RLS seriously all because others are on this site sharing their positive results from what they've tried. Well for those of you who haven't noticed, most of us who are suffering with some ailment or another are pretty fed up with not being helped by the doctors they see or even medication that's more lethal than the ailment itself. We have chosen to become active in helping to heal our own bodies by making decisions based on what WE feel is right for OUR bodies and everyone has that same choice rather they use it or not.
When people who have had success with a certain protocol share their knowledge, that's such a wonderful blessing to others who have RLS or any other ailment and who DO have the hope of receiving help. Even if it only helps 10% of the majority, it worked for someone, they are thankful! :-) How selfish & heartless it is when people are criticized for sharing knowledge for relief with others, regardless of how ridiculous the method may sound to those criticizing all because the method didn't work for them. So that leaves me wondering why are they even here on this website? Earth clinic is a place where people come and share their knowledge based on what they've tried and what did and didn't help them. Most of the remedies listed on this site may seem strange, weird or unexplanatory as to how they scientifically work so that just makes me more curious as to why people who criticize would even bother reading on this website. If all these wonderful testimonies weren't to my liking, I would be reading elsewhere instead of trying to discourage people who are looking and hoping for some form of relief from their ailment.
As for my own personal experience with RLS, I have symptoms off and on and like a majority of others have stated symptoms are more aggressive when low magnesium and sugar are in the picture. These 2 are the prime triggers for MY symptoms. Once I raise my magnesium levels and cut out the sugar the symptoms usually resolve rather quickly. At times I can eat sugar and a few hours later I will have full blown symptoms mostly in my legs after I fall asleep. It would also be good for others to make sure they aren't dealing with some type of anxiety disorder as well because foods do cause certain chemical reactions within the body and these chemicals sometime cause anxiety to buildup in the muscles and a person can show signs resemble RLS especially if they aren't an active person, based on MY own experience. In my case, I've been diagnosed with both disorders.
I have also gotten relief a few times from doing exercises in which I tighten all my body muscles at once and hold them for about 15 seconds, then I release them. After doing these exercises for about 10 or 15 minutes I can usually fall back to sleep most nights. This may not work for everyone but it's a lot better than not trying anything. Be your OWN critic, try anything that's safe of course or don't! Just remember, you still have nothing to lose except the faith to believe your circumstances could change from YOU not trying.
(San Diego)
10/17/2016
(New Zealand)
10/17/2016
Well Kim, I have consistently recommended Magnesium Chloride LIQUID for leg muscle issues on this Site and I hope this will help you. Follow the maker's directions. If it does indeed prove beneficial for you, it ought to show results VERY quickly indeed! That is the good news. Please let us know if it does help you.
Cheers, Michael
