13 Best Natural Remedies For Restless Leg Syndrome

1K Shares

Restless leg syndrome is a neurological condition that causes you to have strong, sudden urges to move your legs. It affects between 10 – 15% of people worldwide and is sometimes known as RLS or Willis-Ekbom Disease. In this article, we're going to take a deeper look at natural remedies for restless leg syndrome.

What is Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)?

As I mentioned above, restless leg syndrome causes you to have an irresistible urge to move your legs.

The most common RLS symptoms include crawling, discomfort, itching, pulling, and tingling in the legs. This urge presents itself differently from person to person. Some people find it slightly uncomfortable, and others find it extremely painful.

In most cases, RLS triggers when you relax your legs. Moving your legs temporarily relieves the urge, and it doesn't come back until you rest your legs again.

Willis-Ekbom Disease also gets worse at night. In most cases, people who have RLS also suffer from a periodic limb movement disorder – a sleep disorder that causes your legs to cramp and jerk while you sleep. This makes sleeping with restless legs very difficult.

restless leg syndrome, natural remedies, cure restless leg syndrome natural remedies, natural remedies against restless leg syndrome (RLS) — Best natural remedies against restless leg syndrome (RLS)

Who suffers from Restless Leg Syndrome?

Many experts believe that low dopamine (a chemical that transmits signals between your brain and nerve cells) is responsible – although the trigger behind low dopamine levels is unknown. There are many risk factors that make you more likely to develop restless leg syndrome.

1. Age – Restless leg syndrome is much more common in older adults.

2. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – Around 25% of children who develop ADHD also develop restless leg syndrome.

3. Body Type – In Ayurveda there are three main body types or doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. From an Ayurvedic perspective, it is Vata dosha that is most responsible. If you don't know your body/mind type (or dosha), you can find out here.

4. Gender – Women are more likely than men to develop restless leg syndrome than men.

5. Kidney Disease – About 40% of people who undergo kidney dialysis develop restless leg syndrome. But, it usually disappears once they have received a kidney transplant.

6. Lack of Nutrition – People who are deficient in iron, magnesium and vitamin B9 are at a much higher risk of developing restless leg syndrome.

7. Medications – Some medications (including antidepressants, antihistamines, and antipsychotic drugs) have been linked to an increased risk of RLS

8. Pregnancy – About 20% of pregnant women develop restless leg syndrome at some point in their pregnancy. In most cases, it's temporary and disappears within the first six weeks of the baby being born.

9. Race – Restless leg syndrome is much more common in Northern and Western Europe than other parts of the world.

Natural Remedies for Restless Leg Syndrome

13 Natural Cures For Restless Legs

1. Healthy Diet

Diet affects restless leg syndrome. Eat a healthy whole foods diet of vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. If it comes from a plant, eat it. If it's made in a plant, don't. Avoid alcohol and caffeine mainly after 3 pm and any foods you know that may be difficult to digest and keep you awake at night. Drink plenty of room temperature water throughout the day. I recommend following a Vata Diet and Lifestyle.

Be aware that consuming alcohol and caffeine often makes the symptoms of restless leg syndrome worse. Also, failing to get enough iron, magnesium, or vitamin B9 in your diet can aggravate restless leg syndrome.

Foods That Help Restless Leg Syndrome

Almonds

Almonds are a high source of magnesium, (99 mg per 34.5g serving). They also provide manganese and vitamin E. They're a brilliant, healthy alternative to cookies, chips, and chocolate.

Soybeans

Soybeans also have high levels of restless leg syndrome fighting nutrients. Just a single serving gives you 8.9 mg of iron, 148 mg of magnesium, and 93 mcg of vitamin B9. They're also packed full of other health-boosting nutrients and have a thick, crunchy texture that complements almost any meal.

Spinach

Loaded with iron, spinach has 6.5 mg per cup-, magnesium 157 mg per cup, and vitamin B9 (262.9 mcg per cup). Spinach is a delicious addition to salads, but you can also saute it.

Foods That Aggravate Restless Leg Syndrome

Avoid Caffeine & Alcohol (Especially at Night) – The effects of caffeine and alcohol on RLS are much more noticeable at night. By avoiding them a few hours before you go to bed, you can reduce the impact they have.

Reduce Your Alcohol Intake

Even if you're not a heavy drinker, you may enjoy a couple of glasses of wine or beer at night. If so, start to track how much you consume each week and make a plan to reduce it. If you drink every night, try every other night instead. If you drink more than one drink at a time, try stopping at just one. Doing this will not only minimize the severity of your RLS but will also improve your overall health.

Try herbal teas and decaffeinated drinks

If you love tea and coffee, make sure to choose herbal or decaffeinated. Many taste just as good as the caffeinated version, and you won't aggravate your RLS.

2. Acupuncture and Acupressure

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat a wide range of ailments since ancient times. It involves inserting needles into specific points of the body to relieve pain and reduce the negative symptoms. The good news is that it can reduce the severity of restless leg syndrome. Here is a study published in Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion in 2008 suggesting it has a therapeutic effect on the disorder.

Acupressure

Like Acupuncture, Acupressure uses acupoints from Acupuncture but is less invasive. Both healing modalities stimulate the movement of vital energy along channels in the body connected to our vital organs.

Want to learn more about Acupressure therapy? Here's how you can “turn on” your own self-healing power.

3. Hot Baths

Many people who suffer from restless leg syndrome find that soaking their legs in a hot bath with magnesium minerals helps minimize the symptoms. Then after your bath, rub Magnesium Cocoa Butter into your legs.

Hot baths are particularly useful just before bed. So if your restless leg syndrome tends to flare up during the night, a soak in a warm tub followed by a Magnesium Cocoa Butter leg massage will likely give you the relief you need.

4. Hot & Cold Therapy

Hot and cold therapy has a similar effect to hot baths and is a great way to quickly relieve the symptoms. It involves applying a hot or cold compress to the affected part of your legs until the symptoms subside.

5. Meditation & Relaxation Techniques

Stress often triggers restless leg syndrome and makes the symptoms worse. The good news is that you can lower stress through deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga and other relaxation techniques like Yoga Nidra. Also, give yourself an abhyanga, an ancient self-massage practice to keep aches and pains away and circulation strong.

6. Exercise

As I pointed out above, lying down or sitting for any length of time triggers RLS. Here are 10 Exercises for Restless Leg Syndrome.

7. Reading

Reading may sound like an odd solution for restless leg syndrome. Many people have found that the mental stimulation takes their mind off the negative symptoms and reduces the severity of restless leg syndrome.

8. Quality Sleep

Fatigue is another factor that can aggravate restless leg syndrome and make the symptoms flare up. So, if you’re currently not getting as much sleep as you should be, start making an effort to get more. Many people who suffer from restless leg syndrome find that sticking to a sleep cycle and sleeping at the same time each night, significantly improves the amount and quality of the sleep that they get which in turn has a positive impact on their restless leg syndrome. Knowing how to get a good night of sleep can help you live a better life.

9. Probiotics

Adding probiotics like kefir and yogurt to your diet may increase beneficial gut bacteria. If you want to supplement, I recommend these organic probiotics with 34 strains of probiotics to fight bad bacteria.

Good gut bacteria help with the absorption of nutrients from the food you eat and ward off unwanted microbes. If you have a gluten intolerance, there's an increased risk of Restless Leg Syndrome, so avoid gluten foods.

10. Vitamins

People with a deficiency of vitamins D, C, E, and magnesium, are more prone to Restless Leg Syndrome. Supplementation may resolve the symptoms.

New Customers get $10 off $75 + Free Shipping Code: AFFNEW10

11. Herbal Restless Leg Calming Cream

There are a few herbal creams on the market formulated to calm the symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome… But I have a personal testimony for Miracle Plus. Both my husband and I use this cream with excellent results. It's formulated with Lavender, Chamomile, Ylang-ylang, and sage. It also has circulation-enhancing Arginine to help stop itching, crawling, and shaking.

12. Compression Socks

Compression socks encourage proper blood flow and circulation in the legs, which is why these are often also prescribed for dealing with restless legs. Proper circulation and keeping the nerves snug and held down can help lessen the sensation of RLS. Note, though, that this can take some getting used to, as we usually don’t sleep with our legs in tight-fitting sleeves.

13. Far Infrared Amethyst Mat

I'm well-acquainted with Far Infrared Healing Mats because I have used them for years for their relaxation and health benefits.

My first exposure to Far Infrared Mats was a BioMat and I know they are the best Far Infrared Healing Mat on the market. But there are a few different options on the market now and this one is considerably less expensive.

If you don't know about Far Infrared Healing Mats… The FIR light waves from an Amethyst mat can easily penetrate your skin going 6-8 inches into your body. You receive an incredible penetrating natural warmth that has profound healing and pain relief.

The far infrared radiation emitted by the BioMat is believed by some to help dilate blood vessels, leading to improved blood flow. This enhanced circulation might alleviate some of the discomfort associated with RLS and promote relaxation in the affected limbs.

My personal experience is a Far Infrared mat can give you almost immediate relief from neuropathy and restless leg syndrome. It's the amethyst crystal infrared technology that allows the healing process to occur.

Primary benefits include:

Eases muscle and joint pain
Relaxes muscles
Improves blood circulation
Reduces inflammation
Strengthens the heart
Improves sleep
Supports the immune system
Boosts energy and vitality
Soothes and relaxes

I hope these natural remedies for restless legs syndrome help you to deal with the symptoms of this neurological condition. When combined with exercise, restless leg syndrome natural treatment can be highly efficient. By following these recommendations, you can minimize the symptoms and seriously improve the quality of your life. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them for me in the comment area below.

How To Get Rid of Cellulite on Legs Naturally

Don't forget to follow us on Pinterest. Thank you for your time and reading.

The information presented here is in no way meant to serve as medical advice. It is merely information and opinion. All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or health care provider. If you are experiencing symptoms of any kind, please consult with your physician.

Share5

Pin1K