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.
Baking Soda
Posted by Yvie Fern (Lancashire ) on 05/06/2016
★★★★★
RLS - I'v suffered with in my legs and recently started in arms so I tried this bicarbonate of soda. It worked a treat. I usually wake up in the night. First time I've tried this. Best night sleep. I thank you for this. xx
Baking Soda
Posted by Cynthia (NS) on 07/16/2024
★★★★★
I found a blog from an MS patient with restless legs. He suggested making a slurry with baking soda and water and coating your legs. It is by far the best remedy. No more opioids to sleep. Lots of boxes of baking soda later, and I stand by this.
Methyl Folate
Posted by Sandra (Seattle, Washington) on 03/13/2015
★★★★★
I have suffered from restless legs for the past two years and it had gotten steadily worse. I tried everything I read about on this site and nothing worked for me. Then, I saw a posting on People's Pharmacy about Folic Acid, so I went to the supplement store to get some. The lady there suggested Methyl Folate, which she said is a more absorbable form of Folic Acid. I took one 400 mcg at dinner, and another 400 mcg at bedtime. It has done wonders for my restless legs. I still get them, but much less often and much less severely. I wanted to share this so that others can benefit from it. I love this site.
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Pam E. (SouthWestern California) on 11/15/2023 175 posts
Removing the wrapper will likely allow the energies in the soap to be much more effective ...
Mustard
Posted by Dancerdeb (Langley, Bc) on 09/17/2013
★★★★★
I saw an old timer naturopath (he was at least in his 80's) & asked about my RLS, & he said just to take a little mustard to stop it. I told a friend who has the same problem & she swears by it also! I now sleep with a mustard squeeze bottle by my bedside! I take about 1/2 - 1 teaspoon & it works within a few minutes! I hope this will help others as well!
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Pam (Clinton, Nj) on 06/04/2013
★★★☆☆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.
Poppy Seeds
Posted by Joy (Battleground, Wash) on 05/05/2013
My people perish for lack of knowledge. Thank you for your informative post. I did not know these things. My compassion goes out to you as a former addict to many substances. Most people try this and try that, sugar, coffee, salt, tobacco, herbs, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Whatever..... trying to feel better and that is how it all begins.
I love the flowers of the poppy and also enjoy poppyseed lemon treats. I haven't gotten into it much since it is usually a treat that is overly sugary with fats, like a doughnut. For me doughnuts are poison.
I commend you for the post and the bravery to hang it out there.... Blessings JOY
Poppy Seeds
Posted by Donna (Qld) on 07/31/2015
★★★★★
I drink half a cup of poppyseed tea early in the evening. Have done for years. Health benefits for me to numerous to mention here. Staying on the subject, restless legs is a distant memory, and I have peaceful childlike sleep every night. I am in my late fifties and would like to suggest anyone over 50 try it. Quality of life improved immensely. I shall be having my evening tipple till the day I take my last breath.
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Johanna (Canberra, Australia) on 09/08/2015
I have been reading all the comments above and believe me RLS is very debilitating, I have had this problem since 1963, I have tried everything and I can tell you magnesium is not the problem or the cure, neither is sugar.
I have been placed on a medication called Sifrol and this really does help( it is used for Parkinson disease ) and it works but it must be taken every day at the same time other wise my legs start up again.
If you want to try, you will need to speak with your medical practitioner.
Good Luck
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!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jennie B. (Sarasota, Fl) on 03/20/2017
Yes, PLEASE, PLEASE have your Ferritin tested. You would be surprised at how people and doctors are uneducated as to the effects of iron overload. It is a hereditary disorder with simple treatment! Restless legs syndrome is a warning...be diligent in finding solution.
Avoid Sugar
Posted by Michele (Los Angeles, California) on 04/13/2024
★★★★★
After decades, I finally found the solution to no longer have these sensations in my legs and to be able to sleep: eliminating sugar.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Jon (Australia) on 11/03/2014
★★★★★
Yes, I have found that Molasses does remedy restless leg symdrome, numbness/tingling etc because molasses is a very good source of IRON.
Low iron seems to be a common cause of nerve issues, RLS, numbness/tingling in hands, arms or legs, etc.
Note: Abilify medication has iron deficiency on it's list of possible side effects - which is why it can cause RLS (restless leg syndedrome.
Yes, I also agree that it's a good idea to Stop eating DAIRY.
Many people get relief from restless leg syndrome by stopping dairy. This is because dairy products and eggs decrease iron absorption. Caseins from milk and certain forms of calcium inhibit iron absorption.
Magnesium
Posted by Terri (Spooner, Wi) on 06/10/2012
★★★★★
Amazing! I have been soaking my feet in a 50/50 magnesium flake to water ratio for seven days. On the second night my legs got restless during the middle of the night, though not in the evening as they always had as well. I have had this for YEARS!! I can't believe that all I had to do was soak the bottoms of my feet for half an hour. (Magnesium supplements did not have this effect.)
Niacin
Posted by Anne (Seattle, Wa) on 05/23/2012
★★★★★
I have used 500mg of Niacin twice a day for years to fight insomnia and RLS. When I ran out of Niacin for a week my insomnia and RLS returned with a vengence. I dug through my cupboards, found some and was asleep 30 minutes later.
Niacin deficiency is pinpointed as the culprit in many neurological issues by Dr Hoffer including ADHD There is rumors of a toxicity issue with long term high doses but many people have taken up to 3000mg daily long term.
Aspirin
Posted by Kellyd (Seattle, Wa) on 08/09/2013
★★★★★
The reason aspirin is helping may be because it thins the blood, thus helping one's circulation. I've found RLS to be directly related to circulation issues...
Baking Soda
Posted by Ginny (Tampa, Fl) on 09/12/2010
★★★★★
Try an OTC pain relieving cream, usually with menthol like you would use if your muscles were sore and keep it by the bed. Apply to the base of your spinal cord and around low back area. This method works for me 99% of the time, but last night was so bad that didn't work well enough. So I looked up RLS on EC: I had my husband massage my lower body briefly (he used sides of hands in chopping motion) and then I drank a small amount of baking soda in water and that did the trick! Thanks to EC and contributors!
A Bar of Soap
Posted by M.h (Paisley, Scotland) on 08/16/2010
★★★★★
Tried the bar of soap under the sheet two years ago and it's been like a miracle. I change it for a new one every few months and it always works for me. M. H.
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Cynthia (Jacksonville, Alabama) on 04/23/2010
★★★★★
I wanted to thank you for the bar of soap idea. This is the weirdest coolest thing I've found yet. Not only does it work for restless legs, but for almost any ache and pain you can imagine, for me. Neck aches, headaches, back pain, flitting pains, on and on. I just hold the still wrapped ivory soap bar in my hand while I sleep or even hold it on the pain directly. I've even seen it help sore throats and mouth sores. It is the weirdest thing, but it is beautiful. We even have a bar in the living room so if we need it, we have it handy. It even helps my hubby and he's a hard sell. I just wish I understood it. God bless this site and all the sharing going on!
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Cynthia (Jacksonville, Alabama, Usa) on 03/24/2010
★★★★★
Well, I've tried taking just about every nutrient listed to varying degrees of success. The ivory soap bar seems to be the easiest and works the best. I tried putting it in socks, which worked well, but my feet ended up getting too hot and I had to pull them off with little crumbles of soap going everywhere. I tried a bar of soap still in it's pkg and found, rather than letting it kick around randomly in the bed, if I just held onto it it worked fine. I wake up, and I'm still holding onto the bar of soap. It's like a security blanket or something. It really does work. It's verrrry weird, makes little sense and whoever thought of it is a genius. How it works, I can not understand, but it does. Thank God for home remedies. If you havn't tried it, please do, it's strange but works for me. Thanks to everyone on this site for your help~ Namaste
Baking Soda
Posted by pro8688 (Vincentown, NJ) on 03/17/2009
★★★★★
Baking soda cured my RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome).
Up to now, I have used a 500mg magnesium tablet and it worked for several years...take a tablet and 20 minutes later no more RLS.
Lately, it isn't working as well, so I came back to EarthClinic.
I tried the baking soda... one quarter teaspoon in a half cup of water...it worked fine...30 minutes and no more RLS.
What a blessing to have this site to reference!
Baking Soda
Posted by Pat (Fredericksburg, VA, USA) on 08/07/2007
★★★★★
I have restless legs at night sometimes. Since reading about the many cures here I have tried 1/4 tsp of baking soda in a cup of water: within 20 minutes my legs are calm and I am able to sleep. I haven't found anything else that helps; won't try pharmaceutical drugs to help, don't want any side effects. The baking soda really helps me!
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 09/15/2025 563 posts
★★★★★
A bar of soap doesn't just sit there, being a bar of soap. It is constantly acting within and reacting TO the elements by which it is surrounded. The only mystery is man's lack of interest in its constantly changing state of being.
Soap is a living organism. Constantly "breathing", aging, regenerating, disintegrating and rearranging itself, becoming and unbecoming a huge variety of other "things". Other compounds. And it never stops. It may rest in the absence of other things with which to interact chemically but it doesn't "die". It simply waits. Plus it has other variables like temperature and humidity with which it can play and interact, while it's waiting.
Not all phases are pleasant but they ARE all soap. It doesn't stop being soap just because it changes to a form you don't like. It might become a soap you don't want or understand how it could be USED - given man's lack of interest in it - but it will still be soap.
A Bar of Soap
Posted by AHMET (Konya/Türkiye) on 01/07/2025
★★★★★
It is very useful to place 2-3 small hand soaps, known as hotel or travel type, under the sheets. I definitely recommend it. If the pain is severe, you can speed up the process by applying soap to your legs.
A Bar of Soap
Posted by AHMET (Türkiye) on 01/07/2025
Simply place 2-3 small hand soaps under the sheets.
Baking Soda
Posted by Christine (York PA) on 09/10/2023
I am updating on my post from last evening. After I went to bed within an hour the terrible symptoms of RLS came on with a vengeance. I was hoping the baking soda would work. I must admit I had a significant sugar intake early last evening; no, not from a dessert, but had pork barbecue that I purchased at a farmer's market which tasted sweet. I looked at the label this morning it was made with corn syrup AND sugar. This is a huge issue with me. Our society is obsessed with sugar. I do not want sugar in real food. I make most of what I eat in my kitchen. Long story short, I put ice packs on my calves and took 3 different meds. After suffering for 5 hours I finally slept for a few hours. Good luck to everyone.
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.
Cold Room, Potassium
Posted by Bogdan (Canada) on 03/06/2017
★★★★★
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.
