The burning, itching and twitching caused by restless leg syndrome can disturb your sleep, along with that of your partner. The symptoms of restless leg syndrome, also known as RLS and Kborn's syndrome, are worse at night, causing an irresistible urge to thrash and kick your legs. It also produces an inability to sit still and feelings of numbness, pain and pins-and-needles in your legs. The exact cause is unknown, but it may be the result of an inherited imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine. Consult your doctor about taking some herbs that can help alleviate the symptoms of RLS.
Rooibos
Rooibos, or Aspalanthus linearis, is shrub native to parts of South Africa. Its needle-shaped green leaves are collected and crushed to make an herbal tea. Rooibos possesses anti-spasmodic and anti-anxiety properties and can be thus beneficial for restless leg syndrome. According to Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Herbal Healing," rooibos helps by calming leg spasms, as well as inducing sleep by reducing excessive firing of neurons that cause wakefulness. Rooibos tea reduces the absorption of iron, so don't take it you have iron-deficiency anemia.
Valerian Root
Valerian, known scientifically as Valeriana officinalis, is an ancient herb with a long history of use as a sleeping aid. Its common names include all-heal and garden heliotrope. Its spiky, black root, which has a spicy taste and an unpleasant odor, is harvested for use as an herbal remedy. When used for restless leg syndrome, valerian works to improve the quality of sleep by relaxing your skeletal muscles and reducing the time it takes to fall asleep. To mask its strong taste and odor, AltMD suggests taking valerian root in capsule form.
Passionflower
Pasionflower, or Passiflora incarnata, produces vibrant purple-tinged flowers on a creeping vine. These flowers, along with the other above-ground parts, are harvested for medicinal use. When treating restless leg syndrome, passionflower can be taken as a tea, an extract or in capsule form; it is often found in herbal preparations together with valerian root. Passionflower relaxes your muscles and promotes sleepiness, allowing you to get a good night's sleep. Do not take passionflower if you are pregnant, or if you're taking antidepressant medication or other sedatives.
Corydalis
Corydalis is a low-growing plant that is related to the opium poppy. It is native to the woodlands in parts of Japan, China and Siberia. Its hard yellow-colored underground stem, or rhizome, is harvested for use as an herbal remedy. The calming properties of corydalis make it beneficial in the treatment of restless leg syndrome. According to Balch, its sedative properties are 40 percent as strong as those of morphine, allowing you to get restful sleep. In the U.S., corydalis is often blended with California poppy to treat RLS. Corydalis can be addictive, so only use it under the direct supervision of your physician.
References
- "Prescription for Herbal Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2002
- Mayo Clinic: Restless Leg Syndrome; December 2009
- AltMD: Valerian
- AltMD: Passionflower
