Skip to main content

Home remedies for muscle cramps

When a person goes through the agony of a muscle cramp, even if it is for a couple of minutes, it can be very disconcerting. Extreme cold weather, inappropriate movements during work or exercise also triggers it. We often hear elderly women and even growing children complaining of being rudely awakened from their peaceful slumber with an excruciating pain in their calves. Surely, each one of us has experienced these bothersome cramps at one time or the other.

How are these caused?
A muscle cramp is defined as an involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax. It is not known exactly why muscle cramps develop. Insufficient stretching before exercise, exercising in the heat, and muscle fatigue may all play a role in their causation. Imbalances in the levels of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and phosphate) in the blood can also lead to muscle cramps. [Source]

Home remedies
Usually a cramp disappears of its own in a few minutes. But if you experience cramps frequently and also to get over that numb feeling after the sudden spasm, you can try massaging your affected muscles with garlic oil.

How to prepare this garlic oil?
Just crush 10-20 garlic clove an add it to 50 ml of any vegetable oil and heat it over a low flame till the oil is reduced to half. Massaging with this oil can be very soothing on your muscles after the sudden spasms. Also, you can massage with sesame/gingelly (Til) oil before a bath, if your spasms are too frequent.

An interesting acupressure trick for muscle cramps, which I came to know of recently. Not sure of its efficacy, but those who have tried it swear by it. You have to just squeeze your upper lip between your index finger and thumb for a few seconds. Pressing that particular acupressure point or area probably presses your pain out. No harm in attempting this trick when a cramp strikes you unsuspectingly.

Comments

  1. DR Roopa3:05 PM

    Exposure to sun or excessive exercise releases sweat. Sweat contains fluids as well as salts and resulting in electrolyte imbalance. Electrolyte depletion can increase the incidence of muscle spasm. Such a deficiency can be corrected with intake of fluids and a high calcium (milk, yogurt) and potassium (bananas, tender coconut, potatoes) die

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dinesh5:55 PM

    A mineral deficiency involving potassium, calcium, magnesium and/or sodium.Dehydration, which can occur in athletes when they exercise hard in hot conditions and do not drink sufficient liquid.Excessive intake of fluid (drinking 2-3 litres or more of water in addition to your daily fluid intake) - this can ‘wash’ the above-mentioned minerals out of your body and lead to cramps.Lack of fitness - well-trained muscles are less likely to cramp. Although this mainly applies to athletes, people who are not fit and get too little exercise often develop cramps because their muscles are so poorly used.Wearing tight constrictive clothing, especially in bed. Try to wear comfortable, loosely fitting clothes at all times (be comfortable, rather than stylish if you are plagued by cramps), as constriction of the blood supply to muscles can cause them to contract painfully.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous5:50 PM

    Muscle cramps occur most often in the legs, arms and back. They happen due to muscle overuse or strain, injury or dehydration, or after a prolonged period of inactivity, such as sitting in the same position for too long. If you suffer from muscle cramps, If you have muscle cramps often, your body may be lacking certain minerals such as calcium and potassium. Consume high-calcium foods like skim milk and yoghurt. Additionally, include potatoes and bananas in your diet to increase your potassium levels. Consult your doctor or nutritionist for advice on a balanced diet plan. Dehydration is a common cause of muscle cramps. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to continuously replenish lost fluids.Mustard and pickle juice have acetic acid, which helps produce acetylcholine, a stimulant for your leg muscles. Take a spoonful (15 ml) of mustard or a few ounces (grams) of pickle juice to prevent leg cramps. Apple cider vinegar is rich in potassium. Mix one teaspoon (5 ml) of honey and two teaspoons (10 ml) of vinegar in a glass of warm water and drink this mixture.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Chandrakala10:43 AM

    What I've been doing to cure my cramps is to stay hydrated and drink a lot of water.

    ReplyDelete
  5. For muscle cramps my grandma makes bags filled with rice out of hand towels. Stick it in the microwave for 3-4 minutes and drape on the affected area. Works great for cramps too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Vandita9:49 AM

    eat a banana or something with potassium is what my mom always tells me. also when you get a cramp and want it to stop fast...POINT YOUR TOE!!!! trust me! it works, it will stop the cramp.

    ReplyDelete
  7. eating a spoonful of mustard usually makes them go away.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous10:22 AM

    Lobelia is one of the best herbs for cramping. If I get Charley horses or muscle cramps I take about 10-15 drops of it and if that is not enough, I rub some into the cramps and it always, no matter, how bad it is goes away within a few minutes. Consequently, I would assume it works for menstrual cramping too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anoop8:50 AM

    cramps can be a sign of constipation. It can also be a sign of an infection in your intestines.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Somappa9:48 AM

    What can cause cramps ?

    ReplyDelete
  11. What can cause cramps besides menstrual?
    Overexercising, dehydration, and injury can cause cramps.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Pramod9:37 AM

    Centering breath can help calm your body when you're experiencing cramps.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous10:09 AM

    if you're having cramps in your legs, that is caused by low potassium, eat bananas

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Comments posted on this blog are moderated and approved only if they are relevant, on-topic and not abusive. Avoid using links to your site/blog in the body of your comment unless it is highly relevant to the post.

Popular posts from this blog

5 Emotional Sad Short Stories To Make You Cry Immediately

Today I’m going to relate a few emotional, sad short stories that will make you cry immediately. Crying – is that even good for you? Isn’t crying associated with weakness? Well…

21 Bindi Quotes That Illuminate Tradition, Spirituality, and Modern Identity

The bindi , a small yet striking dot adorning the forehead , has long been a symbol of cultural pride, spiritual devotion, and aesthetic beauty in South Asian traditions. While its visual appeal is undeniable, the bindi carries profound meanings that transcend its physical form. In this piece, we delve into the world of bindi quotes —words that capture the essence of this timeless adornment. From ancient proverbs to contemporary reflections, these quotes celebrate the bindi’s role as a bridge between tradition and modernity. (Curious about the history and styles of the bindi? Explore my previous article: The Bindi Forehead Dot: A Small Dot with Big Significance .) The Bindi as a Symbol of Feminine Power The bindi’s legacy extends beyond tradition —it is a bold declaration of feminine energy and resilience. Rooted in the concept of Shakti (divine feminine power), it symbolizes creativity, strength, and the unyielding spirit of women. Historically, the red bindi marked marital status,...

Water – some health benefits of drinking it

Staying properly hydrated is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to stay in good health. DAILY WATER CONSUMPTION For normal metabolism, a human body releases 500ml of water in the form of urine every day. Through breathing and sweating, the body releases another 500ml-800ml of water. Therefore maintaining a content of 1000ml of water in one’s body is of utmost importance at all times. IMPROVES BLOOD CIRCULATION Water helps the blood in transporting nutrients, antibodies and blood cells to infected areas when sick and it removes toxin and waste from the body. With this, it smoothens metabolism and at the same time increases the immunity of the body.

Kapalabhati Pranayam for wrinkle-free, radiant complexion

Did you know that Kapalabhati Pranayam / kriya can also be used to enhance your beauty and ward off skin aging? Done the right way,  Kapalabhati Pranayam can be used as a beauty aid - it can give you a wrinkle-free, luminous forehead and radiant complexion. Kapalabhati For Beauty   ‘Kapalabhati’ Pranayam breathing exercise is an excellent way of maintaining good health and fighting diseases. ‘Kapala’ means ‘skull’ (and ‘forehead’ also) and ‘bhati’ means ‘shining’. By doing kapalabhati, the ‘nadis’(nerves) of the brain get good exercise. This is achieved by exercising the diaphragm. There will be a glow on the forehead. After the age of 25, the tell-tale signs of ageing start making their appearance in the form of fine lines on the forehead. A regular practice of Kapalabhati for 10-15 minutes everyday will give you a tight forehead sans wrinkles for many years to come. Avoid Botox, try Kapalabhati Why resort to Botox   and other expensive chemical or surgica...

Puff out puffy eyes

A lot of people get puffy eyes during different phases of their lives. A teenager can wake up with puffy eyes after strenuous hours of studying overnight, an adult due to water retention, too much salt in the diet, improper sleep , consumption of excess liquor, certain medications or improper ventilation. Allergies, skin disorders like dermatitis are also common causes of puffy eyes. Other causes include Blepharitis, eyelid edema, swollen eyelid, glaucoma , conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers and sinusitis. Dust or other irritants could also cause flare-ups that swell the eyes. Stress can also cause problems with your eyes. Physical manifestations are common among individuals experiencing high levels of stress in their lives. Crying is a cause of puffy eye syndrome, too. You can also get bags from genetics or heredity as well. Age is no barrier , so don’t lose heart over this; there are cures and remedies. Whatever be the reason for puffiness, first identify the cause and then take rem...