Cramps are sudden involuntary painful contractions that occur in different muscles groups. They can be as a result of muscle overuse, stress or related to reproductive organs such as menstrual cramps in women. Menstrual cramps, also known an as dysmenorrhea, is a condition in which women experience painful sensations in the lower abdomen, the lower back, and the inner thighs. Other types of cramps include muscle cramps, hand cramps, stomach and abdominal cramps. The good news is that all of them can be alleviated with home remedies for cramps.
Compared to over-the-counter medicines, some simple home remedies for cramps can be equally effective and relieve pain faster, or even prevent cramps. Also, home remedies are very affordable, clean and easy to find. Here’s a look at some of the highly effective cramps home remedies that will get you back on the road to feeling great.
Try our simple home remedies for cramps to get back on your feet in no time.
1. Basil
Did you know nibbling on the basil you have growing in a pot on your patio could ease your muscle pain or stomach cramps? Yes, basil is a very effective herb for reducing cramps and is actually as strong as anti-inflammatory drugs! Basil contains caffeic acid which interferes with the compounds responsible for increased pain sensitivity.
Instructions
• Make a tea from the leaves – Boil a cup of water.
• Add a tablespoon of fresh holy basil and leave it to cool.
• Drink a cup of basil tea every few hours to ease the pain.
• Alternatively, roll up 10 or 12 leaves of fresh holy basil and chew them up 3 times/day.
2. Ginger
Ginger is the wonder herb that adds a unique flavor to soups and dishes. However, ginger has also been used since the ancient times to cure different ailments such as stomach problems, stomach pains, menstrual pain among others.
Other than being a great cramps home remedy, ginger also helps in fighting fatigue and of course, it doesn’t cause any of the negative side effects that medications do.
Instructions
• Add 1 tables spoon of ginger in your food while cooking.
• Eat ginger raw or suck on some ginger candies.
• Boil small pieces of ginger in a cup of water for 5 minutes.
• Strain it and add a pinch of salt and honey. Drink twice daily.
• Alternatively, add ½ a teaspoon of ginger powder in a cup of boiling water.
• Drink three times a day to relieve cramps.
3. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is one of the longest- used medicinal herbs and a well-known home remedy for cramps. This fragrant tea contains pain-relieving properties that easily relaxes smooth muscles. Chamomile also reduces muscle spasms and it’s also effective in treating menstrual disorders such as severe cramps.
Instructions
• Add a teaspoon of dried chamomile powder in a cup of boiling water.
• Steep for 10 – 15 minutes.
• Strain the tea and add honey or lemon juice.
• Drink a cup of chamomile tea twice a day.
4. Cinnamon Tea
Other than just being a sweetener that makes your desserts more palatable, you can also use cinnamon to treat cramps. Other benefits of cinnamon include being an excellent source of calcium, dietary fiber, manganese, and iron.
Instructions
• Add a ¼ tablespoon of cinnamon powder into a cup of hot water. Stir and let the tea sit for 5 minutes. Add a little honey or sugar to taste, if desired.
• Drink two to three cups of cinnamon tea twice a day to relieve cramps.
• Sprinkle cinnamon powder in your meals whether on your breakfast or daily treats.
• Alternatively, mix the cinnamon powder with essential oil (add one tablespoon cinnamon powder to 2 drops of geranium oil and clary sage oil). Apply the oil blend on the cramping area and massage gently for 10 – 15 minutes.
• Repeat this home remedy for cramps twice a day until the pain is gone!
5. Peppermint
Peppermint is one of the well – known home remedies for cramps due to its muscle relaxing properties. It also works well as an appetite suppressant, which helps ease cramps and reduce junk food cravings.
Instructions
• Add a handful of fresh peppermint leaves or 1 tablespoon of dried peppermint powder to 1 cup of boiling water.
• Let it steep for 5 – 10 minutes.
• Add sugar or honey in desired and sip slowly while it’s still toasty warm.
• Drink throughout the day for best results.
• If using fresh peppermint leaves, chew on them as well to ease your cramps.
6. Parsley
Parsley is more than just a handful of leaves that garnish your meals. The herb is not only one of the best home remedies for cramps as it also helps relax stiff joints and alleviate the pain they cause.
Instructions
• Blend a handful of parsley leaves, carrots, and beetroots to extract the juice.
• Drink a glass of parsley juice once you experience cramps.
• Alternatively, add ¼ cup of fresh parsley + roots to 1 cup of hot water.
• Let the tea steep for 10 – 15 minutes.
• Strain the tea and drink throughout the day until pain is relieved.
7. Fennel
Fennel is one of the most effective home remedies for cramps especially menstrual cramps and stomach crumps. It offers a safe, simple, effective and side effects free cramps home remedy.
In the past, fennel has been used to increase sexual drive, promote menstrual flow, aid in childbirth and to boost milk supply for nursing mothers. Fennel is also used as a natural remedy for relieving painful bloating and gas.
Instructions
• Add a teaspoon of fennel seeds to 1 cup of boiled water.
• Steep for 25 – 30 minutes.
• Strain the seeds and add a bit of honey.
• Drink the tea two times to relieve pain.
• Continue drinking the tea until pain is relieved.
8. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is widely used by cultures all over the world due to its healing properties. The plant’s juice remains one of the most commonly used herbs in the US today. This is because aloe vera juice is full on anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties which help in reducing abdominal cramps.
Aloe Vera juice is one of the quickest and healthiest cramps home remedies. Aloe vera juice will reduce the pain in the back as well as the pain in the lower abdominal area.
Instructions
• Add a tablespoon of aloe vera juice to 1 cup of water.
• Stir to mix it well.
• Add a tablespoon of honey and stir it well again.
• Sip this juice 2- 3 times a day for better outcomes.
9. Carrot juice
Carrot juice is the perfect home remedy for cramps since it includes just one ingredient which is carrots. Although carrots are mainly known for their qualities that are highly beneficial to the eyes, they are also one of the best home remedies for cramps.
Carrots are a good relaxant for cramped muscles.
Instructions
• Peel 3 – 4 carrots using a vegetable peeler.
• Slice the carrots into small pieces.
• Transfer the small pieces into a blender.
• Blend until it becomes a smoothie.
• Grate the carrots and squeeze the grated carrot using a clean muslin cloth to extract the juice.
• Transfer the juice into a tall glass and drink it.
• Repeat the process 3 – 4 times to relive muscle Spasms.
10. Hot water bottles/ Hot pads
Placing a hot water bottle or a hot pad on a cramping area to ease pain is among the oldest home remedies for cramps, being also an ideal remedy for back pain.
A hot water bottle on a cramping tummy or a cramping leg has been passed on down from one generation to the next. Placing a hot water bottle, a hot towel or a hot pad on the skin can alleviate cramps in a manner that is as effective as over the counter medicine.
Instructions
• Warm some water and pour it in a bottle.
• Wrap the bottle with a cloth or a towel.
• Place it on the cramping area.
• Slowly roll it over until the water becomes cool.
• Change the water and repeat the process again.
• Alternatively, place a hot towel on the cramping area for instant pain relief.
11. Flaxseed
Did you know that these little seeds have unique pain relieving properties that could get you feeling better in no time? If you can no longer tolerate cramping muscles, chewing on flaxseeds can be extremely beneficial in limiting cramps.
Instructions
• Chew 1 tablespoon of flaxseeds each time you experience pain.
• Repeat 4 – 5 times until cramping is over.
• Also, add 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds to a salad or a cup of yogurt and eat it.
12. Mustard
This mustard recipe is a great alternative to those who prefer tastier home remedies for cramps to other remedies such as aloe vera juice. Mustard has anti-spasmodic properties that are very helpful in relieving pain, including relief from muscular pains.
Instructions
• Heat 2 -3 tablespoons of oil in a cooking pan.
• Add a handful of mustard seeds.
• Heat until they splutter.
• Add the oil, along with the mustard seeds to your cooked food or salad.
• Alternatively, apply a mustard seed poultice to muscle cramps.
• You should feel relief within minutes.
13. Vinegar
Vinegar is a simple solution that is as easy as your kitchen cupboard, with particularly no side effects. Apple cider vinegar can have a positive impact on cramps.
Apple cider vinegar contains potassium which helps reduce cramping especially in the legs.
Instructions
• Boil 1 cup of water.
• Add 2 teaspoon of unfiltered, organic apple cider vinegar.
• Add 1 teaspoon honey to taste.
• Take this solution before meals.
Cramps are one of the most distracting run-ins you can deal with in a day. Before you head out to the drugstore for some pain killing medications, why not try these simple home remedies for cramps which will provide you pain relief fast?
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