Natural remedies for tired, aching and puffy legs
By Louise Belle BHSc (Nut Med)
If you spend a good majority of the day on your feet – running around after your children, working in hospitality, labouring or avidly exercising, you’re likely to experience aches and pains in your legs from time to time. If this is a regular occurrence for you, it can not only be uncomfortable but can interfere with your day to day life and even interrupt your sleep. You may have even developed varicose veins which are twice as common in women than men and can result in pain and discomfort. Try these natural remedies for tired, aching and puffy legs:
Massage
Massaging your legs will help to release lactic acid, soften tight muscles and will get the lymphatic fluid moving which can pool in your legs, causing them to appear puffy or swollen. Massage your feet and legs regularly with your hands or using a roller.
Epsom salt bath
Epsom salts are high in the mineral magnesium, which is a great muscle relaxant. Having a warm bath (or foot bath) with Epsom salts can help to reduce muscle tension and cramps in your legs. A magnesium supplement could also be beneficial.
Add some spice
Spices are fantastic for improving circulation and getting your blood flowing freely to and from your legs. Cayenne pepper, curry powder, ginger and garlic are all great spices you should add to your diet to boost your circulation.
Maintain a healthy weight
The more excess weight you are carrying, the more pressure or strain that your legs are under. It makes sense that being overweight could cause or exacerbate aching, tired legs. If your diet has gone off the rails, it might be time to pay more attention. There is a great metabolic weight loss plan and recipes in Dr Cabot’s book I Can’t Lose Weight and I Don’t Know Why.
Eat fresh herbs
Herbs like parsley, basil, coriander, fennel and dandelion have natural diuretic properties which can reduce fluid retention and swelling. If you have noticed puffy feet or ankles, adding some more herbs into your daily routine would be beneficial. Combine herbs with celery and cucumber for a refreshing, diuretic juice! You may not always have the time to wash, chop and prepare fresh salads and juices. That’s when adding Dr Cabot’s Ultimate Superfood Maintenance powder to your diet can offer immense health benefits.
Sensible shoes
If you spend a good majority of the day on your feet, wearing comfortable and supportive shoes is really important. You might even need inserts or orthotics in your shoes to correct the way you are standing/ walking. After all, your feet support your entire body- take care of them!
Stretching
If the muscles in your legs are too tight, it can cause your legs to feel tired or to ache. 5-10 minutes of stretching daily can really help to relieve the tightness and to reduce muscle tension. Consider going to a yoga class for a really good whole body stretch!
If you have joint pain or stiffness, Natural Pain Manager capsules may assist you.
what if your magnesium levels are normal ?? will a supplement make a difference??
Hi Julie,
A blood test for magnesium doesn’t accurately represent your magnesium status. Your body will leach magnesium from your bones to keep your blood magnesium within the normal limits.
More often than not, our patients benefit from supplementing with magnesium.
We have an article that outlines some symptoms you may get if you are low in magnesium and factors that deplete magnesium:
Kind regards,
Louise