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Gramps Gets Relief from Cramps

Q. During a visit to an amusement park last fall I encountered severe leg cramps while walking around the park. This happened several times during the day and each time I got a little cup of mustard from a food vendor and swallowed it and washed it down with water. The cramps were gone within seconds and I enjoyed the time at the park with the grandkids.

A. Yellow mustard is a favorite People’s Pharmacy remedy for muscle cramps. Many people report success like yours. Some even keep individual serving packets on their nightstand just in case they are wakened with leg cramps.
Other people report that drinking a swallow or two of dill pickle juice can stop a leg cramp in its tracks. There are more ways to deal with muscle cramps (including a very surprising soap story) in our Guide to Leg Pain.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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