Home Remedies and Herbs for Muscle Cramps

Muscle cramps occur when a muscle contracts--or tightens--on its own and will not voluntarily relax.1 Though muscle cramps are typically harmless, they can be painful. Muscle cramps can occur in a single muscle or a group of muscles, and the most common areas to feel them are in the legs, including in the calf, hamstring, and quadriceps. Other areas you might feel muscle cramps include in the arms, hands, feet, and abdomen.¹ Muscle cramps are often temporary and can be relieved by gently stretching the muscle.¹ Remaining properly hydrated and taking muscle cramp herbs can prevent the chance of experiencing cramps. If you’ve had a cramp, muscle cramp home remedies include using heat packs to relax the muscles and ease the pain and ice packs as the pain improves.

What Causes Muscle Cramps?

Muscle cramps are usually a symptom of another condition. Just some muscle cramp causes include:

• Alcoholism
• Hypothyroidism
• Certain medications
• Menstruation
• Kidney failure
• Pregnancy¹

Long periods of exercise can also cause cramps, as can nutrient deficiencies and rhabdomyolysis.^2,3,4 Muscle strain, overuse, dehydration, inadequate blood supply, and nerve compression can also be muscle cramp causes.⁵

Muscle Cramps Symptoms

Muscle cramps symptoms include:

• A sudden, sharp pain in the muscle
• Inability to move a muscle
• Hard, lumpy, or bulging muscle⁵

More serious muscle cramps symptoms may occur, in which case you should consult a doctor. These symptoms can include severe discomfort, leg swelling, redness, and muscle weakness.⁵ Also see your doctor if you experience muscle cramps frequently.

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Muscle Cramps

If you experience muscle cramping, it can often be treated through muscle cramps home remedies. Start by stretching and massaging the muscle or applying a hot or cold pack--whichever feels best for you. If that doesn’t help with muscle cramps treatment, consider these muscle cramps herbal remedies:

• Apple Cider Vinegar - Apple cider vinegar helps improve blood circulation to ease muscle cramps symptoms. You can take it orally by mixing a spoonful with a glass of water and drinking it throughout the day.
• Magnesium - Your body uses minerals like magnesium to operate your muscles. Having too little magnesium in the body can affect your muscle’s abilities to contract and relax properly. If you’re taking diuretics, which are often prescribed for high blood pressure, you may be at risk for low mineral levels.⁵ Take a magnesium muscle cramp supplement orally to help relax muscle contractions.
• Potassium - Potassium is another mineral used by your muscles. It’s a natural electrolyte that aids in nerve and muscle function. You can take potassium by tablet or eat high-potassium foods like broccoli and bananas to get this mineral into your diet and treat muscle cramps.
• Blackstrap Molasses - Blackstrap molasses is packed with essential minerals your body uses in muscle contraction, such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Take a blackstrap molasses muscle cramp natural remedy orally by eating a tablespoon plain or by adding it to your black coffee or water.
• Coconut Oil - Coconut oil can be applied topically to a muscle ache since it acts as an anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxant. Massage it into the muscle cramp site to help increase blood flow and ease the pain.

References

1. http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/muscle-cramps
2. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/home/ovc-20186047
3. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/11/03/nutrient-deficiency-signs-symptoms.aspx
4. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/dxc-20186052
5. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/dxc-20186052