Severe cramps can occur at any time, but they most commonly occur at night. They mainly involve the legs (especially the calf muscles) and feet. Muscle cramps often affect children and adolescents in the form of growing pains. Women also suffer from menstrual cramps. Pregnant women and the elderly also commonly suffer from cramps. They can be caused by many things, including calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamin E deficiencies; anemia; dehydration; or poor circulation. For some people, cramps indicate a liver or gallbladder problem, so seek out a professional diagnosis if the cramps continue.
-Eat foods rich in calcium and magnesium (see chapter 4); B vitamins, especially B6; and vitamin E.
-Take herbs and foods rich in iron. For further information, see “Anemia,” above.
-Use equal parts of lobelia flower, cramp bark, and pasqueflower tinctures. This combination will quickly relax the individual and reduce the spasms.
-Include herbs that are rich in calcium and magnesium: black cohosh root, boneset leaf, cramp bark, nettle leaf, and red raspberry leaf; add valerian root for the first three nights to induce sleep. Chaste tree berry is also a relaxant and can beneficially balance the hormone system.
-Moderate or increased exercise will help, increasing circulation and oxygenation of muscles.
-Using a hot water bottle for womb and other cramps can help, or hot and cold showers over the affected areas.
This Cause Of Muscle Cramps article is taken from :
The complete home guide to herbs, natural healing, and nutrition / Jill Rosemary Davies.
