Q. I suffer from leg cramps. Recently while attending a basketball game, I had to leave my seat and try to walk off a severe inner thigh cramp.
A security guard, seeing that I was grimacing in pain, approached me to see if I needed First Aid. When I said it was only leg cramps, he took me to the concession stand and suggested I try yellow mustard. I asked if I was supposed to eat it or apply it. He said it was an old-time remedy his grandmother used.
I ate the mustard. By the time I walked to the end of the concession stand and to the surprise of all who were watching me eat plain mustard, my leg cramp was gone!
I have since used this remedy repeatedly, especially in the middle of the night when my cramps seem to most often occur. It works. I don't know why, but I sure am glad it does.
A. You are not the first to share the secret of yellow mustard. Some readers keep little packets of this condiment on their nightstand to ease leg cramps.
Others have complained that mustard gives them indigestion. For those, we offer our Guide to Leg Pain with remedies such as B vitamins, magnesium, pickle juice or soap under the bottom sheet. It can be downloaded for $2 from the Website: www.peoplespharmacy.com.
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.org.
© 2007 King Features Syndicate, Inc.