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Newspaper Columns, Herb & Home Remedy Q&A July 3, 2008
Q. I read your column faithfully and have tried all the various remedies for leg cramps. Quite by accident, I discovered that drinking diet Lipton's green tea with citrus at bedtime ended the nightly painful leg cramps for me.I don't know what it contains that has caused the leg cramps to cease, but it has been a Godsend for me. I wanted to share this with others, hoping they will find the relief that I did.
A. We always appreciate readers sharing their findings. We too are not clear about what might be helping your leg cramps. The beverage has a long list of ingredients: water, citric acid, green tea, natural flavors, plus preservatives, ascorbic acid, artificial sweeteners and coloring agents.
Green tea contains caffeine, so it may keep some people awake if drunk at bedtime. We take our green tea plain, with no sweetening, but we haven’t noticed that it banishes leg cramps. Perhaps it is one of the natural flavors or other ingredients that has helped you.
Tags: Green Tea, Leg Cramps, Leg Pain
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Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
© 2008 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Reader Comments
First I'd avoid artificial sweeteners like the plague because of the excitotoxins.
What has worked for my hubby is Jigsaw Health's Magnesium. It is the fourth kind we tried, and it works! Two capsules 20 minutes before bedtime.
Posted by: fbl | July 4, 2008 10:39 AM
I started getting severe leg and foot cramps over a year ago after a very brief attempt to lower cholesterol with statin drugs. The cramps still occur even though the medication was stopped after a few doses. I have been drinking 8 oz. of diet tonic water at bedtime and that usually is successful, although lately the cramps have started again. How much green tea is appropriate for relieving leg cramps?
Posted by: Roberta R | July 4, 2008 11:15 AM
The number one remedy for leg cramps is mustard... keep a small container by bedside. Have tried it for a year. Total success.
Posted by: MAMA FAY | July 4, 2008 2:19 PM
Lipton Diet Green Tea Article for Leg Cramps: Comment: It's not the tea that is alleviating the leg cramps, it's the citric & ascorbic acid/Vit C. which could be easily taken every day (earlier than bedtime) via EMERGEN-C drink or by vitamin supplements. Best alternative is to buy ESTER-C which is not hard on the stomach. VIT C can be energizing, so I recommend taking it before 2PM each day. If cramps come at night, drink a big glass of OJ.
Thanks
Posted by: mona s. | July 23, 2008 5:20 PM