Restless Legs Syndrome (RSL) can wake both sufferers and their partners at night, and more people suffer than realize it. Even when both continue to doze through a bout of restlessness, it hampers the quality of sleep and can cause them to begin the day fatigued. Some people only notice that a problem exists by its absence―when a vacation or business trip prompts sleeping in separate beds, the calmer partner will enjoy deeper, more restful sleep.

Other problems can follow if the syndrome is left untreated. A 2011 study by the Interdisciplinary Pain Centre at University Medical Centre, in Freiburg, Germany, reported that untreated RSL patients exhibited depression, anxiety, compulsivity and other impaired behaviors.

With topical application of appropriate herbs, oversensitive nerves in legs can be settled and the muscles can be made less responsive to such stimulation. Cramp bark, St. John’s wort and wild yam have been used for centuries to relax oversensitive nerves and relieve residual tension in skeletal muscles. Sage also has a history of medicinal use, including modern-day application as an antispasmodic. Rosemary, another essential herb, is used to increase circulation and help flush toxins built up in stagnant muscle fibers. The journal International Clinical Psychopharmacology also recently reported that peppermint and lavender work to naturally relax the body.

Combining all of these plants can prove an advantageous herbal treatment for RLS. Place a tablespoon of each herb in a cup of in hot (not boiling) water to produce a decoction that can be spread or rolled on the legs. The liquid will be absorbed into the skin within a few minutes and leg restlessness will subside and motion will cease.

For more information, call 888-465-4404 or visit NaturesRiteRemedies.com. See ad, page 31.