Muscle spasms occur when muscles become stiff, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Conditions which make muscle spasms worse include menstrual cramps, stress, being too hot or cold, exhaustion and holding certain body positions. Having frequent muscle spasms puts you more at risk for injury. Making lifestyle changes and taking medicine and/or herbal supplements can help lessen cramps or spasms. Note that herbal medicine is not meant to replace medical advice or treatment. Herbs have not been reviewed or approved by the FDA.
Step 1
Add a few healthy-sized pinches of all of the listed herbs to a cooking pot. These herbs are known as nervines, which have anti-spasmodic qualities, according to Andrea Candee and David Andrusia in their book, "Gentle Healing for Baby and Child: A Parent's Guide to Child-Friendly Herbs."
Step 2
Pour 4 cups of water into the bot. Bring the water to boil and turn off the stove top. Cover the pot and let the herbs steep for 10 minutes.
Step 3
Strain the herbs and pour the blend into a glass jar. Sweeten with honey if desired. Pour up to 3 cups daily to help with muscle spasms. Store the unused tea in a refrigerator.
Tips and Warnings
- Visit your health food store and purchase a few ounces of each of the listed herbs. These herbs can be found in the bulk section. The University of Maryland Medical Center also suggests being physically active to prevent muscle spasms. Stretching daily can help loosen muscles. A physical therapist can help you come up with a routine that is beneficial to your body and level of physical activity needed.
- Call your doctor immediately if you are having problems moving, have skin sores or redness or your pain is getting worse. Your doctor will be able to prescribe prescriptions to help ease your pain.
Things You'll Need
- Passionflower loose herb
- Hops loose herb
- Lemon balm loose herb
- Chamomile loose herb
- Wild oats loose herb
- Skullcap loose herb
- Cooking pot
- Mesh strainer
- Glass jar
- Honey
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Caring for Muscle Spasticity or Spasms
- "Gentle Healing for Baby and Child: A Parent's Guide to Child-Friendly Herbs"; Andrea Candee and David Andrusia; 2003
