Leg Cramps at Night? Try These Homeopathic Solutions

A very common condition, leg cramps are characterized by a sudden, painful contraction of the leg muscles. In most cases, leg cramps appear in the calf muscles but can also occur in the thighs, feet, or toes. Since the muscles of our limbs are under our voluntary control, they contract and relax alternately during movement. An involuntary contraction of such a muscle leads to its spasm which when is forcible and sustained becomes leg cramp. The affected muscle shortens and becomes tight during a cramp. Leg cramps are usually harmless and last from a few seconds to several minutes. Although leg cramps can happen anytime, they mostly tend to occur during the night.

Homeopathic medicines for leg cramps work in a gentle and effective manner to alleviate the problem in the long run. Homeopathic medicines for leg cramps help relax the muscles and offer relief. These homeopathic remedies treat the root cause of leg cramps to bring about excellent recovery. The medicines used in conventional mode yield temporary results and with their long term use, harmful effects can occur. But in homeopathy long-term relief results without any side effects.

Leg cramps can result from various causes differing from case to case. Homeopathic medicines strike at that root cause of leg cramps for excellent cures. Once the root cause is treated effectively, magnificent results follow. It also helps reduce the dependency on conventional medicines to a great extent.

There is a long list of remedies to treat leg cramps in the homeopathic system of medicine. The most suitable homeopathic medicine among them is selected individually for every given case of leg cramps after thorough case taking. Hence, it is advised to take any homeopathic medicine for leg cramps under the guidance of a homeopathic physician. Self -medication should not be done as the medicine, its potency and dosage vary from case to case.

Homeopathy prescribes medicines prepared from naturally occurring substances devoid of any harmful chemicals in it. Thereby these are very safe to use with zero side effects. They do not cause any adverse effects even with long-term use.

Top 7 Homeopathic Remedies for Leg Cramps

The top homeopathic remedies used to treat leg cramps are Cuprum Met, Magnesium Phos, Rhus Tox, Calcarea Carb, Anacardium Orientale, Causticum and Sulphur.

1. Cuprum Met – Top Medicine For Strong Cramps In Legs And Feet

Cuprum Met is a highly effective medicine for treating violent cramps in the legs and the feet. Pain in calf muscles of drawing or digging in nature may appear. The cramps and muscle contractions can be very severe. The feet may feel icy cold, along with sweating. Some other features include weakness and twitching in the legs.

When to use Cuprum Met?

Cuprum Met is a leading medicine to manage severe cramps in legs and feet with feet becoming cold and weakness in legs.

How to use Cuprum Met?

To start with, one can take Cuprum Met 30C once or twice a day and gradually reduce the dose when intensity seems to decline.

2. Magnesium Phos – Natural Remedy For Leg Ramps Appearing After Exertion

Magnesium Phos is beneficial for treating leg cramps appearing from exertion. The cramps appear in the calves and feet and may get worse during the night in bed. Magnesium Phos is highly useful for runner’s cramps or leg cramps in athletes. Acute leg cramps in the elderly are also treated well with this remedy.

When to use Magnesium Phos?

The use of this medicine is highly recommended to manage leg cramps that occur after exertion and get worse during night in bed.

How to use Magnesium Phos?

Among various available potencies, this medicine works most wonderfully in 6X potency. Magnesium Phos 6X can be taken two to three times a day as per the severity of symptoms.

3. Rhus Tox – For Leg Cramps Relieved by Walking

Rhus Tox offers great help for leg cramps that get better by walking. People who need Rhus Tox have cramps in the calves while lying in bed, sitting, or after walking. In cases needing Rhus Tox, a midnight aggravation of cramps is also well-noted. Cramps in the feet that get better by walking also indicate the need for homeopathic medicine Rhus Tox.

When to use Rhus Tox?

It proves effective for leg cramps that are felt while sitting or lying in bed and get better by walking.

How to use Rhus Tox?

It can be used in low as well as high potencies. Initially it is advised to use it in 30C potency two to three times a day.

4. Calcarea Carb – For Leg Cramps At Night

Calcarea Carb is a highly valuable medicine for leg cramps felt at night. The leg gets tightened with a hard knot in the calf muscles. Cramps may appear in the thigh, calves of legs, or the soles of the feet or toes. Extending the legs also leads to leg cramps.

When to use Calcarea Carb?

This medicine can be used for cases of leg cramps in leg occurring at night time.

How to use Calcarea Carb?

It can be taken in 30C potency once a day.

 5. Anacardium Orientale – For Cramps In Legs Due To Walking

Anacardium Orientale is well indicated for cramps in the leg felt after walking. Lying down makes one feel better. Anacardium Orientale is also helpful for leg cramps that appear on rising from a seat. Tensive pain in the calves of the legs with sleeplessness also indicates the need for this medicine.

When to use Anacardium Orientale?

This medicine works well when leg cramps are experienced when walking and gets better by lying down.

How to use Anacardium Orientale?

It works well in 30C potency. Normally, the use of this medicine is limited to once a day in 30C power. Higher potencies are not recommended until a physician asks you to do so.

6. Causticum – Homeopathic Remedy For Leg Cramps In The Morning

Causticum is suggested for leg cramps that appear in the morning while in bed. Severe tearing and drawing pains are felt in the leg. Causticum is also indicated for cramps in the foot and Tendo-Achilles, especially upon stretching the foot. A tearing, beating, or boring pain in the lower leg and feet with every movement may also be present with the above features.

When to use Causticum?

Its use can be considered for cases of leg cramps occurring in morning with severe pains in leg.

How to use Causticum?

It can be used once a day in 30C potency.

7. Sulphur – For Leg Cramps From Stretching Legs Or Feet

Homeopathic medicine Sulphur is indicated for leg cramps arising upon stretching the legs or feet. The cramps may appear in the legs, feet or toes. Cramps in the calves while dancing or when walking is also indicative of its use. A burning sensation in the soles of feet is present in most cases of leg cramps.

When to use Sulphur?

This medicine can be opted for leg cramps when stretching legs or feet with a prominent burning sensation in soles of feet.

How to use Sulphur?

Initially 30C potency of Sulphur is advised that can be taken once a day.

Causes of Leg Cramps

Leg cramps can arise from a variety of reasons. The major reasons behind leg cramps include intense exercise involving the overuse of leg muscles, fatigue, dehydration, mineral deficiencies, electrolyte imbalance, and prolonged sitting/standing.  The use of certain medications (osteoporosis drugs like raloxifene, medications used to lower B.P.) also put a person at a risk of leg cramps. Athletes, elderly people, and pregnant women are at increased risk to get leg cramps. Besides, there are some diseases in which muscle cramps are a symptom. These diseases include multiple sclerosis (an autoimmune condition in which the protective covering of the nerves is damaged out of a misdirected response), chronic kidney failure, Addison’s disease (a condition in which enough hormones are not produced by adrenal gland). The other diseases are hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), liver cirrhosis (scarring in liver resulting in liver damage), peripheral artery disease (narrowing of arteries in legs or arms), and venous insufficiency (blockage of blood flow in veins in legs). However, there is no particular reason for leg cramps in many cases.

Symptoms of Leg Cramps

The major symptom of leg cramps is intense, excruciating pain in the leg. The affected muscle also feels relatively hard to touch. The person cannot use the leg while the muscle is actively cramping. Once the cramp passes, the muscle relaxes but pain and tenderness in the leg may persist for a while.