18 Natural Home Remedies for Muscle Cramps and Spasms
Voluntary muscle movement,
such as that of our arms and legs, makes the muscles contract and relax in an
alternate manner. If a muscle contracts involuntarily, it is known as a spasm.
When the spasm becomes forceful and prolonged, it is known as a cramp. Hence, a
muscle cramp is a muscle that has been involuntarily and forcibly contracted
and does not relax. This results in a visibly hardened muscle that is palpable.
Read on to find out how you
can treat muscle spasms and cramps at home:
1. Wintergreen oil, vegetable oil
Make a mixture of
wintergreen oil (1 part) with vegetable oil (4 parts). Massage this mixture
gently into the muscle that is cramping.
Wintergreen oil consists of methyl salicylate that helps reduce pain and stimulates the flow of blood. This mixture can be used to massage the muscle many times a day, but ensure that you do not use a heating pad lest you burn your skin.
Wintergreen oil consists of methyl salicylate that helps reduce pain and stimulates the flow of blood. This mixture can be used to massage the muscle many times a day, but ensure that you do not use a heating pad lest you burn your skin.
2. Baking soda, ginger powder
Mix 2 or 3 tablespoons of
salt, ¼ cup of ginger powder and 2 cup of baking soda in warm or hot
(tolerable) water bucket and soak your foot in this water. This is a useful
technique for relaxing muscles.
3. Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea is supposed to
be very beneficial in prevention and treatment of muscle spasms. Drink chamomile
tea every day once or twice to ensure your muscular problems.
4. Hot water bath
Heat is considered to
provide relief to knotted muscles. This condition generally occurs due to
overwork and applying heat relaxes the muscles. Thus, soaking in a hot water
bath relieves cramps. If you do not have the time or the means to sit in a hot
water bath, a warm towel or a hot water bottle will also do the trick.
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5. Almond oil
Other oils that provide
relief from muscular pains is Wintergreen oil and Willow bark oil. Cramp bark
and lobella have also proved to be effective. Make a mixture of these
ingredients with extra-virgin oil or almond oil as carrier oil. Massage the
affected area with this mixture and you will find relief almost immediately.
6. Celery seeds
A very good natural remedy
for muscle cramps and spasms is the consumption of celery seeds. Not only does
it prevent arthritis-related pain, but it also forestalls muscle spasms.
7. Reduce the intake of acidic substances
Your susceptibility to
muscle spasms could be due to the interference of acids in your body with its
ability to absorb calcium. To fight this, you should reduce the intake of
acidic substances such as tomatoes.
8. Potassium rich food
Another reason for the
frequent occurrence of muscle spasms is the lack of potassium in the body. To
ensure that you get enough potassium, include foods such as bananas, soya
flour, bran wheat, potatoes and ready-to-eat apricots.
