Cramp Home Remedies

Acute and very painful contractions of muscles produce the feelings of cramp. It is probably most common in the calves, but can occur in any large muscles. For example, in the thighs, back, neck or abdomen. Cramp can occur suddenly, often without warning and can be frightening for children the first time it occurs.

Home remedies for Cramp

Aromatherapy - In order to improve the local circulation and so bring in more blood and oxygen to the muscles, massaging the area is often very beneficial. Firm effleurage or stroking movements, are particular helpful, always done in a direction towards the heart. To aid this action, diluted essential oils like Juniper, Lavender Marjoram, Rosemary or even Black Pepper should be used. These are all rubefacient, meaning they dilate the local blood vessels and encourage increased blood flow. The muscles become warmed and relaxed. For frequent leg cramps for instance, regular massage of the legs and thighs with one or more of these oils can help a good deal.

Herbalism - One of the most effective treatments for cramp is the aptly named Cramp Bark (European Cranberry Bush), better known to gardeners as the guelder rose. The bark is made into a tincture that is almost a specific remedy for muscle spasms, both internally in instances of, say, period pains or abdominal cramps, and used locally for leg cramps. Either make warm compress using the tincture diluted about 1:4 with hot water, or incorporate it into a cream and massage into the affected areas.

Causes of Cramp

A maior factor is inadequate circulation to the muscles, especially if cramp comes on with exercise or effort with athletes or people doing hard physical work there may also he a problem of salt deficiency from excessive sweating.

Homeopathy - Some possible remedies are:

COLCHICUM: for cramps usually in the soles of the feet.

CUPRUM MET: for severe cramps, often starting in the toes or fingers and spreading up the limb; symptoms are aggravated by cold winds, and often come on in the evening.

GELSEMIUM: for writer's cramp, especially if associated with mental exhaustion or tension.

Nux VOMICA: this is most often used for digestive problems due to over-eating. but can be helpful for night cramps.

Naturopathy - When a cramp occurs, the first self-help action needs to be to stretch the affected muscle; for example if the calf muscle has gone into spasm, it can be relieved by pushing down with the heel to elongate the muscle again, even though this initially feels very painful! If taking hard physical exercise in very hot weather, there may be a case for ensuring you have more salt in the diet, although this should be temporary and not overdone.

Using alternate hot and cold compresses on the affected areas is another way to improve local circulation in cases of repeated cramps. For long-term problems look at one the many relaxation techniques around.