A possible cure??

[Allyp69]

A friend with RLS sent me a sample of the ginger, garlic and honey mixture he makes for himself using crushed ginger and garlic...It tastes awful but I'm finding that swallowing a teaspoon a day during the early evening has stopped my RLS completely. Early days but I've not used my Therapulse etc this week...will report again 😊

[Madlegs1]

Sounds interesting.

Might there be a recipe floating around?

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Madlegs1]

Here's one that claims to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation etc. Not tried it:

gingerfacts.com/ginger-garl...

[Allyp69 in reply to ChrisColumbus]

This recipe sounds exactly right. I'm going to try a jar of Tesco crushed garlic and ginger for £1.80 as it sounds easier, and then add honey...but thanks for sharing the recipe...😊

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Allyp69]

Great that it appears to be helping you and it will be good to hear more in time. However, like other things that help some and not others - like my taking magnesium and avoiding aspartame (neither of which helps my brother) - it won't be a universal cure, but we all have to take what help we can wherever we find it! Good luck!!

[Madlegs1 in reply to Allyp69]

Brilliant idea.

[Boldgirl45 in reply to Allyp69]

Would you mind reporting back on how it goes? This could be great for my mum and the ready idea sounds more achieveable. Thank you!

[ChrisColumbus]

I find that just staying away from too much sugar/carbs, caffeine (although that helps some) and artificial sweeteners helps me avoid dietary inflammation.

But while I've not needed to test this, there does seem to be evidence that consuming garlic and ginger can have benefits (see links from article):

healthline.com/nutrition/ga...

[Bbqsteak]

hi I am 74 and have had rls since I was 40. I’ve tried everything but it can come on anytime of the day or night. I would be so grateful for the recipe ie the proportions of each. I will try anything regardless of taste. I have liquid tramadol which I only take if I’m desperate and that taste truly awful. So I’m up for anything! Best wishesj

[Allyp69 in reply to Bbqsteak]

I'm still using the garlic/ ginger/ honey mixture that my friend sent. Next week I'll try my own but the recipe here from Chris sounds good. It's really working for me...basically it's worth a try ..

[SueJohnson in reply to Bbqsteak]

Have you tried gabapentin or pregabalin? Have you had your ferritin checked?

[Allyp69 in reply to SueJohnson]

No I'm not taking any prescription meds as there are side effects, augmentation etc...bad enough taking statins and BP meds.. I take gentle iron every other day. I'm convinced it's connected with what I eat and drink...no alcohol now, caffeine etc..But everyone must decide what's best for them. Also, my GP would not prescribe for RLS as mine isn't as bad as some people's.

[SueJohnson in reply to Allyp69]

Actually I was replying to Blbqsteak,

However since you replied. What about ferritin, have you had it checked? If so, what was it? Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. If not when you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including multivitamins that have iron in them 48 hours before the test, don't eat a heavy meat meal the night before, fast after midnight and have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45% and your ferritin to be at least 100. If they are not, post them here and we can give you some advice. You are taking gentle iron but you may not be taking enough or taking it in the correct way.

Nexlizet (Nustendi (UK) is a cholesterol lowering drug that is not a statin, but I don’t know if it exacerbates RLS symptoms. Ezetimibe (Zetia) - reduces cholesterol although It doesn't reduce cholesterol as fast as the statins, but according to Chris Columbus it didn't trigger his RLS and then there is Triglide which seems safe. You might want to discuss these with your doctor. A more difficult way to reduce cholesterol is to go vegan. My husband lowered his cholesterol from 221 to 131 this way.

Some medicines that are safe for high blood pressure are propranolol (Inderal, Hemangeol, InnoPran) a beta blocker that may help RLS, Isosorbide Mononitrate (Monoket, Imdur) which is not a beta blocker nor calcium channel blocker. Other possibilities are: Clonidine (Catapres) an Alpha-2-Agonist used to treat high blood pressure which can actually help RLS and which also treats insomnia, tenex (Guanfacine, Intuniv), prazosin (Minipress) an alpha-adrenergic blocker that is also useful in managing sleep-related problems caused by PTSD and Tadalafil a vasodilator that in one study completely eliminated RLS. . Discuss these with your doctor. And then there is reducing salt by 1 teaspoon a day nih.gov/news-events/nih-res....

[Nikos64]

I recently exchanged emails with Dr Andy Burkowski. For those who may not be aware of it, he is one of the top internationally known RLS specialists. In one of the emails, he mentioned that they currently think inflammation is a major contributing factor to RLS.

Garlic possesses potent anti inflammatory compounds. Ginger also has compounds which inhibit cytokine production. These compounds cause inflammation.

So, you are most likely onto something that works and potentially could work consistently. Thus, if you (and partner) can tolerate the garlic smell I’d continue if it works for you.

[Greekstudent]

Good news. As I reported a while back, magnesium has cured my RLS - I wonder if fhe recipe you've described happens to contain high levels of naturally occurring magnesium?

[Allyp69 in reply to Greekstudent]

I've been taking daily magnesium tablets for years ...didn't seem to help my RLS...

[doodlelove in reply to Allyp69]

I use magnesium lotion that contains magnesium chloride from the sea. Works great for me!

[Allyp69 in reply to doodlelove]

I was using Sweet Bee Magnesium butter on my legs and feet... helped but is £26 for 120ml...this mixture is cheaper!

[Rosyrestless1]

I use something similar and also experience almost immediate relief. My gut is strongly connected to the rls.

[Simkin]

Please do report back as I find every new "cure" works wonders for up to 6 months and then RLS comes back.Would love to hear after that .....

It sounds like the recipe my friend in Tasmania swears by for colds.

I have hereditary RLS which neurologists have told me is the worst to get rid of.

Will so look forward to hearing from you that it is still working in June.

Magnesium was a miracle for 6 months but everyone's make up is different.

[Allyp69 in reply to Simkin]

Will report back as agree that some ' cures' are short-lived'.

[Simkin in reply to Allyp69]

Thanks Allyp69.

[Eryl]

That's because both have anti inflammatory properties and RLS is primarily a symptom of inflammation, however it won't solve your RLS if you continue to consume inflammatory foods like refined carbohydrate and refined seed oils.

[Merny5]

So glad to hear it’s working for you. I hope it continues. I think I will give it a try. I can’t imagine it can hurt. Also, it’s most likely one of the least expensive treatments that I have experimented with in the past.

[Allyp69 in reply to Merny5]

Yes very cheap...and no augmentation, side effects etc. Hope it works for you.

[gingersmum]

very happy to give the ginger and garlic ago, but can't take the honey cause I'm vegan, so hopefully I can can some respite anyway, thank you for the hopeful tip

[Allyp69 in reply to gingersmum]

Yes, honey is optional...any flavouring or none, will do! Do hope it helps you...

[Gmc54]

I'm giving it a try tonight. Fingers crossed, nothing to lose if it doesn't work.

[Allyp69 in reply to Gmc54]

Possibly try the spoonful in 2 or 3 doses this evening? But do hope it helps. 😊

[Gmc54 in reply to Allyp69]

Thank you. I'll try it for a few days and see how I go.

[Allyp69 in reply to Gmc54]

Hope it works for you....I've just made my first batch using fresh garlic and root ginger...very pungent and needed a fair bit of honey...but it should work even better!