When you have an uncontrollable urge to move the legs due to leg discomfort, you may be suffering from the restless leg syndrome (RLS). You have to move your leg around to ease the unpleasant feeling. It can happen at any time, mainly at nights or evenings. It can disrupt your sleep pattern and make you feel bad when you are traveling. However, there are some essential oils that can help you improve this condition.

Essential Oils for Restless Leg

1. Camphor

This is an excellent oil when it comes to alleviating inflammation and any symptom related to RLS. It has spasmolytic and therapeutic properties.

The best way to use it is to rub a small portion of this oil on the legs before lying down to sleep. Do this everyday to get best results.

2. Coconut

Coconut oil can improve blood flow and relax nerve, which will help make it easier to have a good night rest and deal with RLS.

To use it, you have to warm it a little bit and then massage your legs with it whenever you feel the RLS occuring.

3. Chamomile

This herb can act as a sedative which helps with relaxing your leg’s nerves and muscles.

Just massage your leg with some chamomile oil for a few minutes. Do it twice daily.

4. Peppermint

Peppermint oil is one of the essential oils for restless leg. The menthol inside the peppermint leaves can help alleviate the pain and discomfort of your legs.

Ten minutes of massage with peppermint oil can work wonders.

5. Lavender

The aromatic and the relaxing effects of this oil can help you sleep better at night with only 10 minutes of massage on your legs.

6. Other Essential Oils

There are other essential oils that also work effectively, including:

• Basil: It is a kind of spasmolytic which works wonders for pain and spams of the muscles.
• Bergamot: As an analgesic and spasmolytic, it works for muscle pains and aches.
• Black Pepper: It is a warming oil and works as an analgesic and antispasmodic, helping to relieve pains and aches.
• Clove: It has anti-neuralgic, antispasmodic and analgesic properties that work for the pains and aches of the muscles.
• Ginger: It works as a warming oil, spasmolytic and analgesic, which is wonderful for muscle pains and aches.
• Jasmine: It is also an analgesic and spasmolytic.
• Marjoram: It is a great sedative, spasmolytic and analgesic.
• Petitgrain: It has muscle spasmolytic and sedative properties which are effective in relieving muscle discomforts.

Tips

There are two ways that you can apply essential oils for restless legs:

• Aromatic: You can use a diffuser in order to better spread the oil. Just adding 3 to 5 drops of your preferred oil to the diffuser will do the job.
• Topical: Directly apply the oil to your skin and massage until the oil is absorbed. It is recommended to use a carrier oil if you have a sensitive skin.

Always consult a doctor before applying any sort of essential oils if you are pregnant.

Other Home Remedies for Restless Leg

1. Eat a Healthy Diet

Restless leg syndrome is believed to have some relationships with vitamins and mineral deficiencies as well as diabetes. You have to eat a healthy diet to improve symptoms.

• Some foods that can help with these conditions include those with high amount of calcium, magnesium and potassium, like beans, sweet potatoes, dairy products as well as avocado, seeds and nuts.
• It is advisable to have light dinners in order to avoid sleep deprivation and insomnia which are believed to worsen nervous system related problems such as RLS. Ideally, eating a light salad will help your stomach process the food better.
• Another good thing to do is to consume whole grains like quinoa, buck wheat, amaranth, wild rice and oat.
• Eat protein-rich foods such as poultry, fish, beans, lentils and beef.
• It is important to avoid artificial sweeteners, sugars, refined oils and processed food.

2. Avoid Anemia

Sometimes anemia is the culprit for RLS. The best way to avoid this is to consume lots of foods that are high in iron or vitamin B. Foods like sardines, beef, lamb, lentils and spinach can help a lot.  

You can also talk with your doctor so that he or she can prescribe you supplements of vitamin B and iron. Take them as instructed by your doctor.

3. Have an Epsom Salt Bath

Except from applying essential oils for restless leg, you can also make use of Epsom salt. You can find Epsom salt at your nearest drugstore. It can help by working as an anti-inflammatory drug for your muscles. Epsom salt is used for treating pain, magnesium deficiency and muscle spasms for a long time. Put 1 to 3 cups of Epsom salt in your tub and take a warm bath for around 30 minutes.

4. Do Exercise and Stretch

Exercise can help alleviate symptoms related to restless leg syndrome. A combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercises at least 3 times a week can help to significantly reduce pain and discomforts. Just avoid over-training.

Stretches such as quad stretches, hip stretches, heel stretches, calf stretches, etc. can also help a lot. 

5. Manage Stress

Some experts believe that there is a connection between RLS and chronic stress. Therefore, reducing your stress may help deal with RLS.

Ways to reduce stress include doing yoga, avoiding electronics, reading your favorite book, doing meditation, learning breathing and relaxation techniques and doing exercises. 

You can find more effective was to handle stress here.

4. Taking OTC Medications

Some over-the-counter pain relievers can be taken to alleviate light to medium pain. Some anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs include naproxen, ketoprofen and ibuprofen.

But it is important to know that long term use of any kind of pain medications can cause stomach related problems like ulcers, bleeding, stomach upset or an increased risk of heart diseases. Whenever the pain becomes a chronic one, it is advisable to talk with your doctor. He or she can prescribe you other alternatives.