An overworked muscle in the foot or leg may suddenly go into a spasm, causing excruciating pain. This is often referred to as a Charlie Horse.

A Charlie Horse is a well known expression in the US for particularly painful muscle spasms resulting from cramps in the muscles of the legs, especially if the body is not adequately hydrated or contains insufficient electrolytes. When that happens, it  lasts from moments to several hours. This term could also mean severe bruising in this area, which will typically end up causing a hematoma and quite often result in severe pain as well as loss of function. Here we will look at a few effective muscle cramp remedies to help you recover rapidly.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Charlie Horse and Muscle Cramp Remedies

If it is a recent injury, apart from chronic muscular aches, stiffness can be also related to a Charlie Horse. In this case do not massage the area as it could further aggravate the condition. A cold compress with German chamomile oil would be the one of the most helpful muscle cramp remedies in this case.
Older Charlie Horse injuries on the other hand would manifest as a dull ache or muscular tension, which would benefit from hot baths and massage.

Cold German Chamomile Compress

Pour 500ml water into a clean bowl, add a few ice cubes and 5 drops of German chamomile essential oil. Mix it, dip a clean cotton face cloth in it, wring out the excess, and apply it to the affected area until it becomes warm. Repeat it 3 to 5 times, adding in more ice as necessary. This should soothe the pain as well as reduce the inflammation.

Once the swelling has subsided, hot salt or vinegar baths will relax taut muscles and facilitate healing of the damaged tissue.

Aromatic Dead Sea Salt Bath

Start running a tolerably hot bath and while the water is running add 250g Dead Sea Mineral Salts. After the bath has been filled, add 5 drops of geranium essential oil, 5 drops of ginger essential oil and 5 drops of rosemary essential oil. Use this aromatic Dead Sea salt bath for 20 minutes before bedtime for 2 weeks or more, depending on the severity of your symptoms.

Aromatic Vinegar Bath for Charlie Horse

Add 15 tbsp cider vinegar and the following essential oils to a tolerably hot bath:

• 3 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops sweet marjoram essential oil
• 3 drops black pepper essential oil
• 3 drops rosemary essential oil

Cider vinegar – besides being an age-old remedy for the skin – is a well known remedy for aching muscles. In this bath recipe the added muscle-relaxant essential oils will increase the vinegar’s soothing properties.