No Relish For Mustard Remedy

Q. Some time ago I read about a common kitchen condiment that was supposed to be good for severe leg cramps. Now I can’t recall what it was. Can you help?
A. The remedy in question involved a teaspoonful of yellow mustard, but we now have second thoughts about recommending such an approach. One reader shared her experience: “I’ve been plagued with foot and leg cramps for a few years. Last night I woke up with a tremendous cramp, and immediately thought of the mustard remedy I read in your column. First, let me say, at 1 a.m. one does NOT want to eat a teaspoon of yellow mustard. It tasted awful, and I like mustard…on food, not alone.
“Next, not only did it do nothing to alleviate my cramp, it kept me up the rest of the night with indigestion. I had to get up twice more just to take Tums. My esophagus burned all night long. Terrible remedy!”
Clearly, this remedy does not work for everyone. Others report that drinking tonic water or taking a B-complex vitamin can prevent cramps.