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Herbal Wisdom:  Leg Cramping and a natural remedy?  |
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Norskema
True Blue Farmgirl
98 Posts
Candace
Central Indiana Area
USA
98 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 23 2006 : 5:52:42 PM
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Does anyone know what causes a 'charlie horse' and if there is an herbal or nutritional solution? I do a lot of sitting during the day so I suspect that circulation could be part of the problem. Overall, it just seems like I must be missing something in my body that causes me to wake up in the night with a calf or foot bound up with muscle cramps. I'd go to the doctor but that gets so frustrating. Seriously, if my arm fell off they would tell me this is a natural part of aging. HA! I'm not in the grave yet, darn it! Any suggestions farmgals?? I thank you, my calves thank you and my dog who wonders why I am hopping around the bedroom at 3 a.m. going 'ow, ow, ow!' thanks you as well.
Every way of a man seems right to himself but the Lord is the tester of hearts. Proverbs 21:2 |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2006 : 6:16:04 PM
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I suffer from these too, since I had bariatric surgery five years ago. I have heard that they are from 1) not enough calcium 2) not enough potassium but my experience is that they seem to be less when I just remember to take multivitamins (now prescribed for me for the rest of my life due to the surgery...) When I forget my vitamins my iron and B-levels seem to go low, so maybe it also has something to do with that. Eat a banana split and get calcium and potassium and chocolate all at once!
http://www.webmd.com is a great resource for all kinds of medical resources,(in the interests of full disclosure: it is hosted by my company...LOL) there is an article on charley horses http://www.webmd.com/content/article/9/1665_53642.htm
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
Edited by - brightmeadow on Oct 23 2006 6:16:59 PM |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2006 : 6:46:34 PM
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Candace, if you have to sit a lot, you may have need of a lot of gentle stretching. Try standing on a stair step on the balls of your feet, then letting your heel of one foot drop, knee straight. Then bend the knee and stretch a different calf muscle. This helps me. I also drink milk for minerals and eat chocolate: minerals and happy woman. Do the stretches several times a day, and also before bed, and then rub (as in massage) your calves. I hope it helps! Cramps, especially during the night are so miserable. I used to have them several times a night.
XO,
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2006 : 7:03:30 PM
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My husband gets these in the summer if it is really hot and they are working in the heat all day. Potassium deficiency is what seems to cause his and we keep him stocked up on electrolyte balancing drinks. He also usually has a bag of apples with him as they are actually higher in potassium than bananas. Be careful and don't over do it, too much is as bad as too little.
with a happy heart |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Oct 23 2006 : 9:24:37 PM
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We have an old Doc that has a column in our local newspaper. His name is Dr. Gott. I believe he is from the NE. He has a tried and true method for jumpy lags or leg cramps at night. He says he doesn't know how it works but numerous readers have written in and said it works wonders. You put a bar of soap between the sheet and mattress at the foot of the bad and voila! no more cramps. He has great remedies that are old wives/down home type remedies and they work for some and of course not for all. I tried the bar of soap and yes it does work. Any soap but Dove. (?)
Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance! |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2006 : 04:25:30 AM
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My father gets charlie horse cramps when he doesn't drink water during the day--he likes iced tea so gets dehydrated.
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2006 : 05:42:08 AM
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I've also heard about the drinking water thing. This summer was the first time I've had leg cramps at night and I read/heard about drinking more water(I'm bad about that, anyway). So I made a point of drinking lots of water and it worked for me.
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
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Norskema
True Blue Farmgirl
98 Posts
Candace
Central Indiana Area
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - Oct 24 2006 : 6:52:12 PM
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Thanks for the suggestions - all of which are helpful,including the one about the soap. I am going to try that too just as an experiment. However, the reminder to up my nutrients, particularly calcium were good reminders. I probably should get in the habit of walking too and some stretching. Good common sense advice, ladies. Thanks much!
Every way of a man seems right to himself but the Lord is the tester of hearts. Proverbs 21:2 |
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Peg Graham
True Blue Farmgirl
281 Posts
Peg
Chesapeake
Virginia
USA
281 Posts |
Posted - May 23 2007 : 7:25:39 PM
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Stay Hydrated and Stretch Regularly
miles of smiles~
Peg |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - May 24 2007 : 05:11:02 AM
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I think water is the answer, too. As we age, we really need to keep hydrated even more. I know when I have not had enough water, when I get toe and calf muscle cramps.
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
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mommom
True Blue Farmgirl
854 Posts
Susan
Lancaster
Pennsylvania
USA
854 Posts |
Posted - May 24 2007 : 11:22:47 AM
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| The bar of soap in our bed stopped my husbands charlie horses immediately. The man had suffered for years. He thought I was crazy when I told him what Dr. Gott had said. Now he believes me. Susan |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17447 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17447 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 09:13:34 AM
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mommom,
I luv Dr Gott's column. He also supports the Vick's for nail fungus treatment.
It's amazing the things people ask, but that's what he is there for.
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
www.katmom4.blogspot.com |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 10:36:53 PM
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candace .. let us know if the 'soap' trick works for you. i wonder what is 'behind' that theory?
True Friends, Frannie
CABIN CREEK FARM
KENTUCKY
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2007 : 10:49:20 PM
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candace .. i googled 'leg cramps - soap rememdy .. and came up with a site (now i have NO idea how reliable or unreliable this site might be .. and i ALWAYS ask my doctor's advice on any health issue)!!!! with that 'sed' .. here is the site i came up with that covers just about everything everyone has said in response to your question:
Google Answers: Leg cramps, cause & natural cureSincerely, Crabcakes Search Terms ============ nocturnal + leg cramps nocturnal + leg cramps + natural remedies leg cramps + alternative + remedies or cures ...
answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=707090 - 33k -
AND .. here is a mention of the 'soap' ... a 'spoon' rememdy is also mentioned that is interesting!
“Crazy Solution To Leg Cramps -- This will sound crazy. on a
medical talk show they talked about leg cramps. You use a regular bar
of soap, any face soap, small or large. Place it in the bottom of your
bed under the sheets. In only a few days it will work. My uncle, dad,
and my self use it and it works. No more quinine water. The first
night I get a cramp, I change it and throw the old bar of soap away.
IF THE REST FAILS WHY NOT TRY THIS. OUR FAMILY SWEARS BY IT AND IT
BEATS TAKING ANY PILLS.”
http://seniors-site.com/ailmentm/legcramp.html
=======
\another 'testimonial' from GOOGLE:
Soap therapy cleans up leg cramps
By DR. PETER H. GOTT
DEAR DR. GOTT: I don't know how the soap-under-the-sheet technique works for leg cramps, but it does.
I have been diagnosed with restless legs syndrome and, since using the soap therapy, have had no symptoms.
I now can sleep through the night for the first time in many years. Thank you for the tip.
DEAR READER: Since I first published this remedy for nocturnal leg cramps, I have received dozens of letters from readers who endorsed this novel approach.
Recently, I also received mail from patients with restless legs syndrome, a serious and uncomfortable disorder of unknown cause. These RLS patients have had success with the soap.
Although it would be irresponsible of me to endorse this as a cure for RLS, the initial responses have been overwhelming. I'll update you in a future column as I receive more feedback from readers.
To review the technique briefly for people who may have missed previous columns, here is what to do: Take a bar of soap (large or small, new or used, but no Dial or Dove) and place it under the bottom sheet of the bed in the area of the feet and legs. Go to sleep and see what happens. If you sleep, undisturbed by leg cramps or RLS for a full night, let me know. Of course, write me if the technique is ineffective. I'm looking for honest and objective analyses.
Dr. Peter Gott: Scientist says soap does indeed cure leg cramps
Dear Dr. Gott: You asked to hear from readers experienced with the soap cure for leg cramps.
Let me begin my answer by saying that I am a college graduate and a professional scientist who is naturally skeptical of unproven treatments and cures.
However, I do have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and check in periodically with the related Web sites (such as www.copd-international.com) to check on recent updates. For decades, I have been troubled by leg cramps that disrupt my sleep five to 10 times a night. All the standard therapies, including quinine pills and massage, have been ineffective. Several people on the Internet have touted the soap cure: a bar of soap placed under the mattress cover near my legs.
Did this sound ridiculous? You bet. But I gave it a try. Did it work? Yes, indeed. I haven't had a cramp since.
The proper technique is simple. Unwrap a fresh bar of soap (don't use Dove) and discard the wrapper. It doesn't need to be a huge, bath-size bar; even the small bars common in hotels work for most people. Then place the unwrapped bar directly under the bottom sheet or on the bed where the legs are usually located. That's it.
Some people may need to rub the legs with an extra bar of soap, but, in most instances, this is not necessary. The cramps are gone. Why? I haven't a clue.
Dear Reader: Nor have I. But I am publishing your letter - which is one of dozens I have received since mentioning the soap cure for leg cramps - because the therapy is, apparently, an effective preventive for a common human malady. In such circumstances, we probably don't need an explanation of how the technique works, but it does. Thanks to you, and other readers, for writing.
HA! .. "almost" makes me wanna' have leg cramps just to test it out!
ACTUALLY, i did have them a few years ago ... but it was from the ZOCOR i was taking .. got off it .. and they stopped! my doc also told me to drink lots of water and take quinine (i think she might have even prescribed it for me???)
REMEMBER .. it is probably o.k. to try the more harmless 'folk rememdies' .. but ask your doctor first!!!
xoxo,
True Friends, Frannie
CABIN CREEK FARM
KENTUCKY
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momjolly
Farmgirl in Training
12 Posts
Campbell
Cincinnati
Ohio
12 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2007 : 05:19:42 AM
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| Great suggestion about keeping hydrated! Magnesium supplement will help with leg cramps...or any other cramping. Also you can get cramp bark tea or tincture...cramp bark comes from the high bush cranberry or viburnum opulus. Can't wait to hear the soap remedy results. Campbell |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2007 : 07:52:03 AM
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i don't have 'cramping' but i do have 'plantar fascia' (hmmmmmmm .. i think i spelled that right!) my feet feel 'cramped' in the morning (and after sitting for long periods) .. soooo .. i rubbed a bar of soap on them last night and snuggled that bar between my toesies all night ... NADA .. nuthin'!!! still felt cramped when i got up to pee!!!! xoxo
anyone out there have a 'home remedy' for that? (feet problem .. not peeing! .. no prob there!)
True Friends, Frannie
CABIN CREEK FARM
KENTUCKY
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mommatracy
True Blue Farmgirl
490 Posts
Tracy
My. Olive
NC
USA
490 Posts |
Posted - May 28 2007 : 5:49:08 PM
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| Wow, I am so glad I checked out this forum. I,ve have the jimmy legs for the last five years and thought that I must be going crazy. Find out they have a name for it, restless leg syndrome. It is maddening. I have it during the day and all night. I will be putting a bar of soap under the sheet tonight. Hope I have the same great results as some of you other farm ladies. Tracy from NC |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2007 : 2:59:54 PM
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Hi Tracy-
Did the bar of soap help?
Alee |
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sewgirlie
True Blue Farmgirl
1894 Posts
Sheryl-lyn
Calverton
NY
USA
1894 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2007 : 6:25:13 PM
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There is a thread about achy, restless legs somewhere here. I have started using tea with rooibis in it and I am almost 100 percent better! Sleeping through the night without wiggly legs, and my husband says he is sleeping for the first time in 13 years!! One cup right before bed and nitey nite!
Sheryl-lyn |
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Herbal Wisdom: Leg Cramping and a natural remedy? |
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Leg Cramping and a natural remedy?
