Loading...Q. I have suffered terribly over the past few years, with nighttime cramps of my inner thigh muscles. I would move wrong and then end up in excruciating pain for up to an hour, trying to stretch out my legs or walk around the house.
I read about keeping mustard in my bedside drawer. I was extremely skeptical, but I prepared and put a packet of mustard there anyway. Last night I got a cramp and the mustard worked in seconds! I tore open the packet and squeezed the mustard into my mouth, then swallowed. This seems unbelievable, even though I experienced it.
A. We are not sure why yellow mustard works so quickly against muscle cramps. Perhaps the vinegar is responsible, since some people get benefit from drinking a shot of pickle juice. On the other hand, the benefit may be coming from the turmeric that gives yellow mustard its vibrant color. Turmeric contains curcumin, a known anti-inflammatory compound.
All we know is that it often helps, doesn’t hurt and doesn’t cost much. If you would like a few more suggestions on managing leg cramps, check our Guide to Leg Pain.
Lenora
SE Florid
Last night I had a very interesting experience I felt would be of interest to you and your readers. Ever since I read about using a spoonful of yellow mustard to relieve leg cramps, I keep a bottle on hand. Lately, I’ve had frequent muscle spasms in my lower leg at night. I hobble out to the kitchen to take a spoonful of yellow mustard. Within minutes, the cramps have subsided.
The other night, however, I had a painful throbbing in my left foot near my ankle, and didn’t know what to do to get rid of it. I decided to try a spoonful of yellow mustard. Within just a few minutes, the pain was _gone_ and , thankfully, has not returned. I wanted to pass that on to you and your readers. I have no idea the cause of my foot pain, I only know that it disappeared after I had the mustard.
RJ Teich
I just tried this on a knee that nothing would help the pain. I tried sports creams, a cuff with magnets and just now I squirted some yellow mustard on and rubbed it into my knee area. Unbelievable! I was even able to go up and down the stairs with out discomfort. Thanks for this hint. Very much appreciated.
elizabeth s.
I had severe leg cramps from my feet to the groin area. Very painful and they did not go away quickly. I read the comments here about someone who had been on a salt substitute diet and it caused leg cramps. I had been on salt substitute diet (my own decision not required by my doctor but the salt caused swelling in ankles and hands). I was also eating out quite often so I could not believe that I was low in sodium until my blood work came back low in sodium.
I immediately went back to regular salt and also added iodine. The cramps were away immediately – that very day and I have not been bothered again. My ankles and hands swell but this is nothing compared to the terrible cramps. Thanks to the kind person who shared this information.
Babadarma
I drink about 1/4 cup of quinine mixer (Schweppes or any brand) I figure it has a minimum of quinine and it works for me.
Jean M
Foot and leg cramps: There are two acupressure points that work instantly. One is for foot cramping, and the other is for leg cramping. With thumb and forefinger pinch the septum (tissue separating the nostrils) right inside the opening to the nose, using 20 lbs of pressure. The other is, with a knuckle, apply 20 lbs of pressure to the spot where the septum joins the upper lip. This has always worked for me.
PP
My husband suffered with nighttime leg cramps and couldn’t take mustard a/c acid reflux, but has found that 100 mg of potassium a day have made him almost pain free! We read about someone who had a severe problem and found it was the potassium deficiency. This has been a God send!
LG
I have tried the mustard but I smeared it on. It worked quickly on lower leg calves!
fred
I would like to know where I can get those packets of yellow Mustard. Thanks
Mignon
To Bellaitalia: You eat the mustard in one or two packets (equals about a teaspoon each). It is the turmeric that stops the cramps. The packets are an expedient way of getting a fast ‘dose’ of turmeric – and it works within minutes!
bellaitalia
No one has explained what they did with the mustard! Did you eat it or smear it on your muscle cramp? Please clarify.
Thanks
Marie N.
I’m a huge fan of your show & first heard about this remedy for leg cramps on your show about 4 years ago. Unlike using pickle juice or vinegar to resolve the cramping issue, the mustard packets allow you to take it anywhere for when it’s needed–I never leave home w/o one!! I’ve suffered leg cramps in the middle of the nights in both legs, from ankle to knee, up the front of the shin. In what seems like less than a minute, the cramps are gone. Everyone knows that, if ignored, they just don’t go away immediately, & the pain can truly be excruciating.
I have shared this information with so many people & those that have used the remedy always remark on its success. I consider it to be a “miracle drug” for those awful cramps. Thanks, People’s Pharmacy, for all of the wonderful information that your share with your listeners/readers. MN
George R.
Been working for me + also helps sleeping. Let’s give Peoples Pharmacy a big thank you for this + much more.
emh
For this type of leg pain, which seems like cramps, yes the pain in AWFUL…I have tried a few thins, eating salt helps quickly but also applying a pack of ICE on my lower spine does the trick. I think these pains are from sciatic nerve irritation, moving wrong, lifting things, walking, any number of things. I keep 2 rubber gel packs in the freezer and often lay on it as I’m falling asleep. IT helps me sleep too, which weird as it sounds, slows down my active brain which can also keep me twitchy and awake!
We all find ways to treat that are non-invasive. I refuse surgery!
Enjoyed the mustard idea, I’ll cook more with turmeric now and keep taking vinegar tablets.
Cindy
I also keep packets of yellow mustard in my auto first aid kit. Every once in awhile I will get cramps in a foot they usually hung around for many minutes or longer. I would have to stop work and take my boot off. Now I take one to two tablespoons of mustard and within one to two minutes the cramp is gone, never to return.