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Some home remedies seem logical. Soaking fungus-infected toes in a footbath containing dilute vinegar and old-fashioned amber Listerine makes some sense. After all, fungus hates acid and the herbal oils and alcohol in Listerine may also have anti-fungal activity.
Using soap to combat leg cramps, on the other hand, makes no sense at all. We don’t know where the idea came from to put soap under the bottom sheet to prevent leg cramps. Regardless of its origins, many readers of The People’s Pharmacy are excited about its benefits.
One reader testified: “I have had a bar of soap under my sheet for almost six months and never once have I had any more cramping in my toes, feet and legs. It may be an old wives’ tale, but I can say that it works great because I get a good night's sleep!”
Another one cheered, “I have tried many home remedies, and this is the first that is absolutely effective. I have always experienced moderate to severe leg and foot cramps, and also RLS [restless leg syndrome]. I read about the soap remedy and have used it for nearly two years. I’ve had only a few cramps that lasted only a minute or two until I got the soap on my leg or foot. Even better--NO RLS! This is an amazing home remedy. No exaggeration, no kidding!”
Not everyone is so enthusiastic about soap in bed. One told his story: “It’s a placebo. It only works if you believe it will. My mother-in-law told my wife to try it. I told my wife, ‘it’s just a placebo. If you want to try it, wait until I’m not expecting it.’ She waited a few weeks, slipped the soap under the sheet and I still suffered from leg cramps. If you don’t believe in it, it won’t work either.”
Another wife did a similar experiment but got different results: “I put a bar of soap under my husband’s sheets without his knowledge. It worked. So this proves that it is not all psychosomatic.
“When he saw the soap, he couldn't believe it had helped. It probably wouldn't have worked if he had known in advance that I’d put it there.”
One reader doesn’t care if the effect is psychosomatic: “I suffered from calf muscle cramps (charley horses) at night for years. I read about the soap trick and thought, what the heck. I put several motel soap bars under the sheets. A couple of weeks later, I suddenly realized I had not had any charley horses for quite a while. When I changed the bed, I would put the soap in a cup while I washed and dried the sheets.
“About two weeks ago, I started having those damned cramps again. I figured, ‘Well, that soap stuff is all just suds.’ I had cramps for several nights, and then I found the cup with the soap sitting out. I had forgotten to put it back in the bed. Back it went pronto, and I have not had a cramp since. If it's psychosomatic, so be it, as long as I don't have those charley horses any more.”
Anyone who would like to learn more about remedies for leg cramps or restless leg syndrome may want our Guide to Leg Pain.
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I lived in St. Louis for about 6 years and read the Dr. Donohue column in the Post-Dispatch regularly. At some point I began to get extremely painful foot cramps at night. I read about the soap remedy in Dr. Donohue's column and thought that it sounded ridiculous. However, after seeing it reprinted in the column several times after that, I decided to go ahead and give it a try. I didn't expect it to work so well, but it has! I have kept a bar of soap under the sheet for several years now and haven't had a cramp since the first night I gave it a try. Also, as far as I can tell, there does not seem to be a difference in the type of bar soap used.
I tried it on my husband and myself and it has worked wonders. I then told a friend about it. He was skeptical but now, he wont go to bed without his soap. I thank you for all the marvellous tips you give us.
I am a pharmacist myself. My mother-in-law also swears by this remedy. I have a theory why it might be effective. Is it possible that the bar of soap is somewhat of an annoyance or irritant that causes the person to move or stir in their sleep. The increased movement perhaps improves circulation to the extremities and minimizes the leg pain. Just a thought!
I took quinine sulfate for 12 years due to charley horses every night. I read about the soap remedy & decided to give it a try. (It is much cheaper than prescriptions.) I have not taken one pill since putting the soap in my bed.
I too put the soap under my sheets 5 days ago! I was VERY skeptical even though my father was an Osteopath and used some alternative treatments. I could not and still can not believe the difference. I am using Coast soap and it works great! I was brave enough the past few nights to not even take my muscle relaxer that is prescribed but didn't work. With this treatment I get a good nights sleep and I don't have to worry about being sleepy all day because of the drugs.
My husband has to sleep in a recliner and has nearly nightly leg cramps, so where would I put the soap?
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE:
YOU COULD TRY PUTTING CHIPS OF SOAP IN HIS SOCKS. (WE SELL THEM AS LEG SOAP.)
My 79 year old mother's doctor prescribed this as part of a remedy for her excruciating toe and foot cramps. After one night she experienced immediate relief. We "get" taking magnesium and potassium supplements, drinking a glass of tonic (which, by the way worked really fast for relieving my "dancing" nocturnal legs). We didn't "get" the soap. I propose it's the ingredient of magnesium sulfate in pure soap that assists in elevating the body's serotonin level and providing a general soothing quality. Placebo or not, if it works? I say, "Great!"
If you can stand one more comment about using soap for cramps, all my life I've had problems with foot cramps, those awful, toe-curling kind that you can't do much about. I don't have them at night. I have them when I'm sitting and watching TV, usually. I used to blame it on wearing high heels, but I don't wear heels anymore.
My doctor told me, nearly 40 years ago, to take calcium, but that takes a while to work. Recently, I starting slipping slivers of Ivory soap into my socks. The cramps stop, almost immediately. I noticed that you suggested that for the guy who sleeps in a recliner, and I'm here to say that it will work.