Restless legs syndrome, or RLS, is a condition in which you experience an almost overpowering urge to move your legs, particularly when sitting or lying down. The urge to move the legs is usually triggered by sensations of itching, creeping, crawling, burning, aching or tingling that are temporarily relieved once you've moved your legs, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. But the scenario soon repeats itself. Herbal remedies can help relieve the symptoms of RLS.
The Consequences of RLS
If you've been spending seven or eight hours in bed each night but waking up feeling tired and unrefreshed, or if you've been having trouble getting to sleep, RLS could well be the culprit. RLS is "often an unrecognized cause of insomnia," according to Dr. Jay Lombard, co-author of "The Brain Wellness Plan" and assistant clinical professor of neurology at New York City's Weill Cornell Medical College.
The cause of RLS is usually unknown, although it can be a symptom accompanying certain medical conditions and illnesses, such as anemia or pregnancy, according to MedlinePlus. The conventional approach to treatment is usually conservative, consisting largely of lifestyle modifications, including, for example, establishment of a routine exercise regimen, use of relaxation techniques and adherence to regular sleep habits. It also helps to avoid or minimize your intake of caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.
Natural Remedies
If the conservative approach to easing your symptoms of RLS hasn't worked, there are some nutritional supplements and herbs that might offer the relief you're seeking. In the former category, Dr. Ross Hauser observes that "a lack of calcium, potassium and magnesium can make the large muscles in the legs hyperirritable," which manifests as the annoying jumpiness associated with RLS. Hauser recommends bedtime doses of 800 to 1,000 mg of calcium, 300 mg of potassium and 500 mg of magnesium.
If those minerals don't do the trick, consider another supplement recommended by Lombard, who theorizes that RLS might be caused by the failure of your brain to fully shut down muscle movement for the night. To remedy this problem, he suggests that you take 100 mg of a nutritional supplement called 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, at bedtime. The supplement increases serotonin levels, says Lombard, which migt help the brain to shift fully into nighttime mode, avoiding the annoying symptoms of RLS. If the 100 mg dose hasn't done the job after a couple of weeks, Lombard recommends that you increase the dose to 200 mg nightly.
Another remedy that could relieve your symptoms of RLS is horse chestnut, used widely in Europe to promote venous health. Hauser believes that taking 400 mg of standardized extract of the herb twice daily should stabilize vascular membranes, allowing extra blood flow to the legs to prevent sensations of itching or burning. However, he warns that this herb is not for everyone and should be avoided by pregnant women, people with gastrointestinal sensitivities and patients on blood-thinning medications. Naturopathic physician Chris Meletis recommends that you take Tarentula hispanica 12C three times daily until RLS symptoms disappear.
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