ask your pharmacist

back to: pharmacy | ask your pharmacist

Are there any herbal or non-drug therapies for leg cramps?

Leg cramps are sudden, painful muscle spasms of the calf muscle in the leg. They bother most adults at some time in their lives, and can be completely harmless or caused by certain medical conditions. To relieve a leg cramp, stretch the cramping muscle or walk around the room. To prevent cramps, stretch the calf muscles at various times throughout the day and dangle the feet over the edge of the bed when lying down. Eating foods rich in calcium (such as milk and cheese) or potassium (including bananas, dates, figs, and orange juice) can help prevent leg cramps.

Some people try herbal treatments like Butcher's Broom and Sweet Clover. However, there's no good scientific evidence to prove that these supplements work for these symptoms.

Sources:
The Merck Manual of Medical Information: Home Edition. Merck & Co., 1997.
Mayo Clinic Family Health Book. William Morrow & Co., 1996.
Blumenthal: The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council, 1998.
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Pharmacists Letter Inc., 2000.

This answer prepared 6/12/00.

To learn more, please go to: