Restless leg syndrome goes as far back as 1672, when the first case was discovered.
However, clinical descriptions by Dr. Karl Axel Ekbom and other medical practitioners and studies that came after him have shed much-needed light on the condition. What started out as a bizarre condition that is characterized by an unnerving sensation in the legs, now has an understanding case and known symptoms.
Sir Thomas Willis, an English physician gave the world the first real glimpse into what someone suffering from restless leg syndrome goes through.
According to Sir Willis, patients suffered uncontrollable movement in the muscles and tendons that feel like leaps and contractions. This carries on unabated for a long period depriving the patient of sleep.
Because of the incredible work of the two above physicians, the condition is also known as Willis-Ekbom disease.
Contents
- Top essential oils for restless legs
- What cause restless leg syndrome?
- Symptoms of restless leg syndrome
- How to use essential oils for restless legs?
- Best essential oils for restless leg syndrome – Our top 5 review
- Essential oil recipes for restless leg syndrome
- Other natural remedies that can help with restless leg syndrome
- Conclusion
Top essential oils for restless legs
Lavender essential oil by Ola Prima
Plant Therapy Vetiver Essential Oil
Edens Garden Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil
Frankincense Essential Oil by Essential Oil Labs
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil by Healing Solutions
What cause restless leg syndrome?
To say this condition can cause a lot of distress is an understatement. It takes away control of your legs rendering them useless for as long as you are in the throes. The severity varies from person to person and it can even affect children.
Here are the known causes of restless leg syndrome:
Certain chronic diseases
Conditions like Parkinson disease and diabetes, as well as poor kidney function, can be characterized by restless leg syndrome (RLS).
In fact, the onset of these conditions may be precluded by RLS, which is why when they are managed the condition also abates.
Pregnancy
The additional weight that comes with pregnancy can cause you to experience RLS.
Because the last trimester is the heaviest, RLS will most probably be prevalent in those last months.
However, the condition completely disappears within one month of giving birth.
Medication
Some drugs can induce restless leg syndrome.
These include antihistamines that sedate you, antidepressants, drugs to combat psychotic episodes, and even some over the counter cold medicine.
Once you stop using the drugs, the condition dissipates.
However, keep in mind that professional medical intervention is necessary for certain conditions under treatment, so you may have to put up with RLS during the course of treatment.
Excessive alcohol use
Binge drinking can trigger RLS even in people who have never experienced it before or do not have conditions that cause it.
Avoiding alcohol will see the condition disappear.
Sleep deprivation
Going for days without sleep throws your nervous system out of whack, so it is not surprising that you become more susceptible to RLS.
Luckily, just like excessive alcohol consumption, once you remedy the situation by sleeping the condition disappears.
Symptoms of restless leg syndrome
- Pins and needles sensation in your legs when at rest, especially in the evening or at night
- An almost uncontrollable urge to move your limbs, because the condition can also be experienced in the arms as well
- Crawling sensation in your limbs that prevents sleep
How to use essential oils for restless legs?
Because the condition affects both men and women and even children, the treatment with essential oils is more general than specific.
However, the elderly tend to deal with the more severe form of the condition.
Essential oils for RLS really help to manage the condition while keeping everything natural.
Massage oils
Make a blend of essential oils that treat RLS and make sure to include carrier oil. Apply generously to your legs and gently knead the blend into your legs.
Infuse in lotion
Including essential oils for restless leg syndrome in your lotion is a sure way to always make ensure you have the condition under control.
Hot or cold compresses
You can place essential oils in a bowl of cold or hot water, squeeze out the excess water and apply the compress to your legs, leaving it on for five minutes at a time.
In a foot soak
Add the essential oil in a bucket of warm water and soak your feet in the water until the water becomes tepid. In case you are experiencing RLS in other parts of your body you can opt for full immersion in a bath.
Add the oils in warm bath water, along with a moisturizing carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil.
Best essential oils for restless leg syndrome – Our top 5 review
Lavender essential oil by Ola Prima
Plant Therapy Vetiver Essential Oil
Edens Garden Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil
Frankincense Essential Oil by Essential Oil Labs
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil by Healing Solutions
Lavender Essential Oil by Ola Prima
Lavender can really help with RLS because of its relaxation of muscles and the nervous system. Because restless leg syndrome disrupts sleep, using lavender oil aids you in finding your sleep balance again.
It is also a mood booster that can combat feelings of depression which usually accompany most conditions that induce RLS.
Lavender is one of the safest and most reliable essential oils in the market. It has no toxicity and is friendly to children and elderly people as well.
While it is advisable to stay clear of essential oils during pregnancy, you can use lavender oil afterward by diffusing the oil.
What to expect?
From the package, you will receive a 4-ounce glass bottle. The bottle comes in a dark amber color and you also receive a dropper to help dispense the oil without wastage.
The company also promises a full refund or replacement if you find their product unsatisfactory.
- The quantity is substantial
- All natural ingredients
- It also provides other benefits like repelling pests
- Leaves a pleasant scent after use
- The scent is not very potent
- The lavender scent can become cloying with extended use
Final word
This is an excellent essential oil to reach for when in the throes of a restless leg syndrome episode. It will calm you and relax you enough to get you back to sleep.
Plant Therapy Vetiver Essential Oil
Vetiver essential oil is a powerful antispasmodic agent that effectively reduces the contractions and spasms that come with RLS. It promotes blood circulation which really helps as well.
Restless leg syndrome affects the nerves and that is why you feel the pins and needles sensation.
Vetiver calms your nervous system relaxing you and effectively reducing insomnia in the process.
The woody yet spicy scent is very earthy and calming and works well in any blend. The oil contains sesquiterpenols, which contribute to the grounding quality.
What to expect?
This oil has been tested and vetted by essential oil expert Robert Tisserand, as well as independent labs. The customer care is excellent with the company’s aromatherapists available to answer your questions. This is an incredibly useful resource especially if you are new to essential oils.
The 3.3-ounce bottle is amber and contains 0.8 ounces of the product. While this may not seem like much, the oil is viscous, so little goes a long way.
- 100% undiluted vetiver oil
- Gentle but fast and effective
- Versatile oil that can be applied to different uses
- The product is thoroughly tested
- The consistency is thick and viscous making it hard to apply
- The scent can be overpowering
- The plastic dropper is ineffective in dispensing the thick oil
Final word
If you want to combat insomnia, calm yourself down and improve circulation, this is a quality product that delivers on that and more.
Edens Garden Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil
The sedative action of sweet marjoram oil makes it ideal for helping you to cope with RSL.
Even as it relaxes the muscles and sedates you, there is a cool soothing in the applied area.
It works fast and effectively, whether as a standalone option or as part of a blend.
Being anti-spasmodic, it helps to control the unwanted contractions while also helping to relieve muscle pain.
What to expect?
The oil comes in several sizes, including 5 ml, 10 ml, 30 ml, and 4 ounces to cater for varied uses. Not only does it undergo rigorous testing in independent labs, but the oil also comes with GC/MS certification.
The bottles are amber in color to prevent the therapeutic properties from being destroyed.
The batches are fresh, with the company assuring you of 2-year shelf life.
- Gentle and safe
- 100% natural ingredients
- Impeccable quality assurance by the company that guarantees fresh products every time
- Works well with other oils to form blends
- Not all bottles come with a dropper
- The scent can take some getting used to for first-time users
Final word
If you are looking for a mild oil that effectively combats RLS, sweet marjoram will work for you. Apart from reducing the spasm, it will calm you enough to finally rest.
Frankincense Essential Oil by Essential Oil Labs
One of the best ways to combat RLS is by getting adequate rest, which can be tricky because the condition disrupts sleep, but try frankincense.
It helps to call the nervous system and is a mild sedative.
While it will not knock you out it, will help you relax, especially if you have been sleeping deprived due to RLS. It also promotes great blood circulation and relieves pain.
Use it together with other oils that combat RSL for more efficient control.
What to expect?
The amber bottle holds 0.8 ounces of the oil. It comes with a glass dropper and the packaging ensures no spillage.
It also comes with a recipe book that allows you to create your own lotions and even perfumes and deodorants.
- Only a small amount needed
- 100% natural ingredients
- Works well as part of a blend
- Can be applied to many other uses
- Highly expensive
Final word
The oil is easily absorbed and makes an excellent massage oil. The customer service from Essential Oils Labs is one of the best as well.
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil by Healing Solutions
This oil has natural soothing abilities which work on your nervous system to relax you.
Combine this quality with its other ability to relax muscles and relieve the highly disturbing contractions and it effectively treats restless leg syndrome.
The scent is mild and you can blend it with other oils for a more vibrant scent.
Roman chamomile tends to have a sweeter, fruity scent compared to German chamomile.
It also has mild sedative abilities to help with insomnia.
What to expect?
The 10 ml amber bottle holds 1.6 ounces. It comes with a dropper for ease of dispensing. The company is so confident in their product that they offer you a no questions asked full refund, should you be unsatisfied with their product.
Better yet, if you are trying their oil for the first time and do not like it enough to make it your staple, they will refund your money.
The oil has been independently tested after being developed in a good manufacturing practice (GMP) facility that is FDA registered.
This ensures you only have the best batch of oil.
- 100% natural ingredients
- Works well in a blend
- Has been thoroughly tested
- The scent of chamomile can become cloying with extended use
Final word
Not only is the oil effective and gentle on users, it is also made in highly hygienic conditions. Definitely inspires confidence in users.
Essential oil recipes for restless leg syndrome
Recipe for a foot soak
Ingredients
- 3 drops of lavender oil
- 5 drops of geranium oil
- 3 drops of peppermint oil
- 2 tbs of melted coconut oil
Preparation and use
Mix the oils together and put in a bucket of warm water. Soak your feet in the water until it becomes tepid.
Recipe for massage oil
Ingredients
- 5 drops of vetiver oil
- 5 drops of cypress oil
- 5 drops of lemon oil
- 5 drops of ginger oil
- 2 tbs of jojoba oil
Preparation and use
Mix the oils together in an amber bottle and let the mixture sit for five minutes before use. Shake well before each use and pour a generous amount that can massage a wide surface area.
Recipe for bath water
Ingredients
- 5 drops of Roman chamomile oil
- 5 drops of lemongrass oil
- 5 drops of sandalwood oil
Preparation and use
Place the oils in warm bath water and soak in until the water becomes tepid.
Other natural remedies that can help with restless leg syndrome
Exercise
One of the effective ways to combat RLS is by moving your limbs. Exercise provides your limbs with movement that prevents RSL from occurring and when it does occur, moving will dissipate the restlessness. Avoid long stationary periods.
Baths
Soaking in a bath will help you get rid of RSL. As you soak to make sure to keep massaging the affected limbs or area.
Don’t overtire yourself
Fatigue encourages RSL, because it throws your nervous system out of balance. Have a sleep schedule that you adhere to on a daily basis to combat fatigue.
Avoid stimulants
Caffeine and alcohol exacerbate the symptoms of restless leg syndrome and in some cases, they may even trigger an episode. Fill up on pure fluids like water, natural fruit juice, and fiber which help with circulation.
Conclusion
Essential oils are an excellent natural avenue to control RSL. Not only are they effective, they are also very affordable and generally safe.
Are you using other methods that we haven’t mentioned above to treat restless leg syndrome?
Or have you used some of these essential oils for RLS?
Share with us your story or leave a comment telling us what you think.
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