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Q. We tried a treatment from your column for nighttime leg cramps. My husband used to get them frequently and would have to walk them off while in pain.
He read that taking mustard would alleviate them so he tried it. Now when he gets leg cramps at night, he takes his mustard and they go away quickly.
He keeps a few individual packets of mustard in the bedroom. He thought it was just an “old wives’ tale” but now he’s a believer.
A. We are delighted to learn that yellow mustard has helped relieve your husband’s leg cramps. A retired pharmacist told us about this remedy nearly six years ago:
“A friend of ours uses plain mustard for leg cramps. She swallows a teaspoonful of mustard to relieve the pain. This home remedy works so well for her that she carries packets of mustard wherever she goes.”
Since then we have heard from many folks who use yellow mustard to relieve leg cramps. Although there is no science, we suspect that turmeric, which gives mustard its yellow color, may have a beneficial effect.
For those who don’t like mustard in the middle of the night, our Guide to Leg Pain offers many other remedies. Many readers report success with low-sodium V-8 juice, magnesium or a bar of soap under the bottom sheet.
People with leg and muscle cramps should have their potassium levels tested. Klor Kon [RX] has made a world of difference for me.
I have really bad leg cramps, and my husband had me take potassium. It works great--my leg cramps are gone in minutes.
I have had leg and foot cramps for 20 yrs. I have researched this subject on the web, and yes, I have tried magnesium, potassium, Vit. D, soap under sheet, anything that might bring me relief. I have been on Gabapentin for about six months, and the cramps are not as bad, but I still have them. Any suggestions?
I also read your article about mustard relieving foot pain. I have suffered with peripheral neuropathy for 10 years in my feet due to diabetes. Just recently I started experiencing pain in my ankles and lower legs. I take been taking Lyrica for a few years and it seemed to help up to now. After reading your article 3 weeks ago I started taking a tsp. of mustard 2-3 time daily and have quit taking my Lyrica. I have almost no pain since. Told my endocrinologist and he said if it works continue taking. There is nothing in mustard to harm me.
I HAVE A INTENTIONAL TREMOR, MY HAND SHAKES. IS THERE SOMETHING I COULD TAKE THAT WOULD HELP? THANK YOU R.EARLE
I had severe leg cramps that would begin in my thigh during the middle of the night for years. It felt like my thigh muscle was turning to stone, so painful I sometimes could not even put enough pressure to walk on it. I read about yellow mustard as a reliever in a "simple home remedy cures" book and thought it was worth a try. The first time I swallowed 2 Tablespoons yellow mustard, the cramps stop withing a minute and the muscle relaxed. Have used it every since and it has never failed to stop my cramping. WORTH A TRY for those who can get past the thought!
Folks with muscle cramps need to make sure they don't have a possibly dangerous condition called claudication, usually caused by poor circulation or nerve function. Both can be significant causes of cramping, particularly those that happen reproducibly while walking, or the night cramps.
I'm a doctor, but also am demonized by an occasional calf or hamstring cramp at night, typically after a very physical day and rehydrating with beer, unrelieved by stretching or deep massage. I've tried the mustard and can only testify that it works for me, every time so far, and it works before I can count to one hundred. Interestingly it's only the bright yellow mustard like French's that does it for me, Dijon does not. Tonic water (quinine) didn't do anything for me either for prevention.
I found the mustard cure while reviewing some Ayurvedic Medicine (Indian) treatments, where they use mostly herbs and such. A brief surf of the web shows that some athletes use it as a remedy routinely, as well as for preventing cramps. The same claims are made for pickle juice. The common ingredient is vinegar, (although the pickling spice might have some mustard seed in it).
A proposed reasoning for its effectiveness is the replenishment of acetlylcholine, a neurotransmitter, via the acetic acid in the vinegar. I haven't found any solid research on it yet, but admittedly haven't put a lot into it.
Why not just use the vinegar? I might try it some night. Can't taste much worse than nighttime dragon breath with a shot of straight mustard while hopping around the room. Mmmmm. But the darn stuff works for me and when the cramp happens I'm not much in the mood for trying new things. Especially when I have something that (Yuck) works.
Disclaimer: One needs to get checked by their doctor to make sure other causes of cramping aren't neglected, like the dehydration, electrolyte, circulation and nerve issues, before becoming too complacent with easy fixes, especially if the problem is recurrent, worsening, and/or accompanied by other symptoms.