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Articles categorized as Leg Cramps

Article imageTerry Graedon - October 28, 2024
Article imageTerry Graedon - August 14, 2024
Article imageJoe Graedon - November 13, 2024 - 81 comments

Busting Myths and Offering Unique Leg Cramp Remedies

What causes muscle cramps? Hint: They're NOT brought on by dehydration or electrolyte imbalance. Triggering TRP channels with leg cramp remedies might help.

Terry Graedon - August 12, 2024

How to Prevent Foot Cramps with Lavender Oil

Terry Graedon - July 1, 2024

How to Use Soap in Bed for Nighttime Leg Cramps

Joe Graedon - June 20, 2024

Is Quinine in Tonic Water Safe?

Joe Graedon - May 13, 2024

Can Soap Chips in Your Socks Ease Leg Cramps?

Terry Graedon - March 25, 2024

Pickle Relish Will Do in a Pinch Against Leg Cramps

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Terry Graedon - February 22, 2024

Show 1375: The Science Supporting Home Remedies

Hockey player Oliver Peer uses pickle juice against leg cramps. Joe and Terry discuss the science supporting home remedies.

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Joe Graedon - September 11, 2023

Home Remedies or Drugs? A Surprising Smackdown!

Health care is as divided and polarized as politics. For many people it's herbs and home remedies or drugs. Why not both...when appropriate?

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Joe Graedon - September 4, 2023

What to Do When Quinine in Tonic Water Doesn’t Ease Leg Cramps

What is it about quinine in tonic water that eases leg cramps? Can we explain this benefit? We think the bitter taste stimulates TRP channels!

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Terry Graedon - June 12, 2023

How Can You Find Quinine for Leg Cramps?

You will not find pills with quinine for leg cramps. But you may be able to use tonic water or pickle juice to get rid of the cramp.

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Terry Graedon - May 7, 2023

How to Ease Leg Cramps with Mustard

Active people sometimes suffer from muscle cramps. Many report that they ease leg cramps with a spoonful or two of yellow mustard.

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Terry Graedon - November 5, 2022

Why Does Mustard Relieve Muscle Cramps?

Have you ever wondered how could mustard relieve muscle cramps? We have a probable explanation that works through nerves and their receptors.

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Joe Graedon - October 25, 2021

The Best Soap Story Ever!

We've heard from many people that they get relief from night-time cramps by slipping a bar of soap under their bed sheets. Why are skeptics so angry?

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Terry Graedon - October 4, 2021

Will Soap Under Sheets Help Your Leg Cramps?

Many readers find that a bar of fragrant soap under the bottom sheet can prevent or stop painful nighttime cramps. Will this remedy banish your leg cramps?

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Terry Graedon - August 16, 2021

Can You Really Control Blood Pressure With Dandelion Extract?

Some readers report that dandelion extract lowers blood pressure without strong side effects. Clinical studies are lacking.

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Joe Graedon - July 12, 2021

Mustard For Cramps Has Amazing Scientific Explanation

Skeptics often dismiss remedies that they cannot explain. Such is true for mustard for cramps. But now there is an explanation and it is incredibly elegant!

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Terry Graedon - June 28, 2021

Can Coenzyme Q10 Control Severe Muscle Cramps?

Coenzyme Q10 supplements appear to prevent painful muscle cramps, including those associated with statin cholesterol drugs.

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Joe Graedon - November 9, 2020

Are Statins and Leg Cramps a Neglected Challenge?

Many people complain about statin side effects, such as muscle pain and weakness. Statins and muscle cramps seem to be ignored complications.

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Terry Graedon - May 4, 2020

Will Soap Under the Bottom Sheet Ease Foot Pain?

One reader found that keeping soap under the bottom sheet of the bed reduced the unbearable pain caused by tarsal tunnel syndrome.

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Terry Graedon - April 20, 2020

Should You Take Calcium Supplements for Leg Cramps?

A reader reports that taking calcium supplements for leg cramps at night has worked for three decades. Others prefer magnesium or other minerals.

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Terry Graedon - December 23, 2019

Can You Prevent Leg Cramps With Hot Soup?

Enjoying a bowl of spicy hot soup might be just the ticket to prevent bothersome nighttime leg cramps. The pungent flavors could be responsible.

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Terry Graedon - October 28, 2019

Could Pomegranate Juice React Badly with Crestor?

You might worry about whether pomegranate juice will react badly with your medication, but it should not create problems with rosuvastatin (Crestor).

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Terry Graedon - October 28, 2019

Do Selenium Supplements Cause Leg Cramps?

Could selenium supplements cause horrible muscle cramps? Animal research suggests that an excess of the mineral can affect muscles and nerves.

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Terry Graedon - October 14, 2019

How Liquid Soap Gives Quick Relief from Leg Spasms

A reader reports that smearing liquid soap on the legs can stop muscle spasms quickly.

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Terry Graedon - September 2, 2019

Can Magnesium Relieve Muscle Cramps at Night?

Readers report that they can prevent most muscle cramps at night by taking magnesium supplements. Few scientists have studied this treatment.

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Terry Graedon - April 15, 2019

Go Easy on Licorice to Avoid Leg Cramps

Anyone with concerns about heart rhythms or blood pressure should take it easy on licorice. Too much can be dangerous and even lead to leg cramps.

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Terry Graedon - February 18, 2019

Why Can You Buy Quinine in Canada But Not the US?

Canadian and US health regulatory agencies have dealt differently with quinine pills. As a result, you can't buy them in the US.

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Terry Graedon - December 17, 2018

Can Holding Your Breath Stop Painful Foot Cramps?

Can you make painful foot cramps relax by holding your breath? One reader reports this is the remedy that works best in their situation.

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Terry Graedon - October 22, 2018

Could a Magnesium Supplement Conquer Your Leg Cramps?

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Joe Graedon - September 10, 2018

Can A Bar of Soap Stop a Cough or Laryngospasm?

Are you getting tired of reading that a bar of soap can ease muscle cramps? We get it. We frequently write about this remedy. But here are some new soap stories, including laryngospasm.

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Terry Graedon - April 2, 2018

Spring Sale on People’s Pharmacy Body Care Products

Be sure to use the discount code Spring18 to get 18% off any body care purchase in our store during this spring month of April.

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Terry Graedon - March 26, 2018

Sensitive to Quinine? Beware Tonic Water!

Tonic water contains quinine. Those who are sensitive to this drug must beware tonic water, as even small amounts could trigger serious reactions.

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Joe Graedon - March 12, 2018

Stop Leg Cramps and Muscle Spasms Fast With a Simple Lip Pinch

Would you like to stop leg cramps and muscle spams really fast? We've got lots of home remedies that might do the job, including the old lip pinch technique!

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Joe Graedon - January 29, 2018

End Leg Cramps At Night (Nocturnal Leg Cramps) Fast!

Have you ever had a Charley Horse? Leg cramps at night can be incredibly painful and wake you out of a sound sleep. There are scientific reasons why strange cramp remedies work.

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Joe Graedon - October 30, 2017

Could Standing On an Icepack Cure Leg Cramps Fast?

You have read all about muscle cramp cures here at the People's Pharmacy. Have you ever heard that an ice pack could cure leg cramps? We didn't think so.

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Joe Graedon - October 16, 2017

Olive Juice Cures Muscle Cramps like Magic

Have you ever had a Charley Horse? This is a muscle cramp that is excruciating! Would you believe olive juice cures muscle cramps?

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Terry Graedon - October 9, 2017

Are You Crazy to Keep Soap Under the Sheets?

Tucking a bar of soap under the sheets can help prevent leg cramps and possibly even restless legs syndrome (RLS). How does this work?

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Terry Graedon - July 3, 2017

Celebrate the 4th of July with Big Savings!

Don't miss out on your Independence Day savings: Use the coupon Independence25 to save 25% on anything in our store, today only!

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Terry Graedon - May 4, 2017

Will Magnesium Prevent Your Painful Leg Cramps?

A randomized controlled trial showed that magnesium oxide supplements worked no better than placebo pills against painful leg cramps at night.

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Joe Graedon - May 4, 2017

How Much Tonic Water Must You Drink to Ease Leg Cramps?

People with leg cramps sometimes suffer excruciating pain, but what can be done to alleviate it? For some, home remedies like tonic water may be the answer

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Terry Graedon - January 30, 2017

How Soap Overcame a Scary Throat Spasm

Rubbing soap on the neck stopped a scary throat spasm almost instantly. We don't know how that works, but we suspect it is through neurons.

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Joe Graedon - October 31, 2016

Homemade Muscle Cramp Remedy: Ginger, Cinnamon and Paprika

Here is a homemade recipe to ease muscle cramps. The person who came up with this formula based it on research from two distinguished neuroscientists.

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Joe Graedon - October 10, 2016

Should Doctors Embrace Home Remedies?

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Joe Graedon - August 29, 2016

How Does A Teaspoon of Mustard Cure Muscle Cramps?

A Nobel prize winning scientist has come up with an explanation for why mustard, pickle juice or hot chile peppers could ease muscle cramps.

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Terry Graedon - August 13, 2016

How to Stop Cramps Instantly with Yellow Mustard

Swallowing a spoonful of yellow mustard can stop cramps within a minute or two. There is new research explaining how this works.

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Joe Graedon - May 15, 2016

What Can You Do For Hand Cramps and Leg Cramps?

Almost everyone has experienced leg cramps at one time or another. What about hand cramps? A fisherman told us about his success with soap for hand cramps.

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Joe Graedon - May 12, 2016

Why Did Abandoning Earl Gray Tea Cure Muscle Cramps?

Who would ever imagine that drinking tea could cause muscle cramps? Surprise! Earl Gray tea could be a culprit. Some people may react to green tea too.

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Terry Graedon - February 28, 2016

Soap and Aromatherapy Have Similar Benefit for Leg Cramps

Essential oils used in aromatherapy and to scent soap appear to have benefit for leg cramps that strike at night.

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Joe Graedon - February 8, 2016

Why Does Soap Under the Sheet Lose Its Power?

Many people report that when they put soap under the sheet (the bottom sheet) that it relieves leg cramps. But some note it can lose effectiveness. Why?

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Terry Graedon - December 7, 2015

Is Bitter Tonic Causing Your Terrible Headache?

In people who are very sensitive to quinine, just drinking a few ounces of tonic water might be enough to trigger a terrible headache.

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Terry Graedon - November 16, 2015

Marseille Soap For Leg Cramps Thanks to French Grandmothers

What did French grandmothers know about putting soap in bed to ease leg cramps? Find out the secret behind Marseille soap and why it is popular in France.

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Joe Graedon - November 2, 2015

Leg Cramp Remedy Resulted in Red Itchy Rash

For some susceptible people, exposure to soap results in a red itchy rash as well as relief from nighttime leg cramps.

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Joe Graedon - September 21, 2015

Will the Soap Remedy Really Prevent Leg Cramps?

The soap remedy for nighttime leg cramps is amusing, but it can also be helpful in keeping painful muscle spasms from disturbing your rest.

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Joe Graedon - August 17, 2015

Reader Dismisses Mustard for Leg Cramps as Junk Science

Reader is convinced that mustard for leg cramps is bogus at best and junk science at worst. Do we always need an explanation for why something works?

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Joe Graedon - July 8, 2015

A Spoonful of Mustard Makes Leg Cramps Go Away

Swallowing a spoonful of mustard can provide quick relief for painful muscle cramps in the legs or feet.

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Joe Graedon - June 22, 2015

Yellow Mustard Eases Cramps But Will It Cause Hemorrhage with Warfarin?

An large number of people insist that a spoonful of mustard eases cramps in minutes. But anyone taking a blood thinner like warfarin might get into trouble.

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Joe Graedon - April 13, 2015

Is Mustard for Leg Cramps Snake Oil or the Real Deal?

Is mustard a miracle remedy for leg cramps or an old wives' tale with no merit? There are no randomized controlled trials, but people share amazing stories.

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Joe Graedon - March 2, 2015

Dog’s Benefit from Soap Might Not Be Placebo

We have heard from hundreds of people that soap in bed prevents nighttime leg cramps. Now we learn that a dog has also benefited from soap. Bow-Wow!

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Joe Graedon - January 12, 2015

Kimchi Conquers Leg Cramps

Eating kimchi during the day may ward off debilitating leg cramps at night.

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Joe Graedon - December 15, 2014

Cayenne to Combat Leg Cramps

Hot pepper extract banishes painful leg muscle cramps almost instantly.

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Joe Graedon - December 1, 2014

Leg Soap Provides Magical Relief for Some Sufferers

Slipping a chip of soap into a sock can ease the pain of muscle cramps.

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Joe Graedon - November 17, 2014

Soap Under the Sheets Can Forestall Foot Cramps

Slipping soap into socks or under the bed sheet can help ward off leg, foot or toe cramps.

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Terry Graedon - September 15, 2014

Nighttime Foot Cramps May Yield to Magnesium or B Vitamins

Painful foot cramps at night may be prevented by taking magnesium or B vitamin supplements.

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Terry Graedon - September 23, 2013

A Spoonful of Yellow Mustard Makes the Leg Cramps Go Away

This home remedy has helped many banish excruciating leg cramps, and is a long time reader favorite.

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Terry Graedon - September 16, 2013

Tonic Water Can Help Prevent Nighttime Leg Cramps

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Joe Graedon - July 1, 2013

Leg Cramp Remedy Could Be Lethal

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Terry Graedon - May 13, 2013

Did Low-Sodium Diet Trigger Leg Cramps?

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Terry Graedon - April 29, 2013

Desperate for Relief from Leg Cramps

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Joe Graedon - July 22, 2012

Why Does Soap Soothe Nighttime Leg Cramps?

Is there a scientific explanation for why a bar of soap in bed may relieve some people's nighttime leg cramps? Research is providing some good theories.

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Terry Graedon - February 13, 2012

Tomato Juice Against Leg Cramps

Tomato juice is a simple and healthy way to prevent leg cramps. If that doesn't work we have lots of other suggestions that won't be as dangerous as quinine

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Terry Graedon - May 12, 2010

Leg Cramps

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Joe Graedon - December 3, 2007

Quinine Ban Spotlights Remedies For Leg Cramps

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Terry Graedon - August 1, 2007

Leg Cramps May Signal Celiac Disease

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Terry Graedon - January 22, 2007

FDA Bans Quinine For Leg Cramps

For years, quinine was available in drugstore products to relieve muscle cramps, but the FDA has now banned it for this use. What can people do?

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Joe Graedon - October 25, 2004

Leg Cramp Remedies Earn Boos and Cheers