Cramps: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Cramps are intense, involuntary muscle contractions that can be caused by various factors, including hormonal fluctuations, nutrient deficiencies, and physical exhaustion.

These painful episodes can lead to discomfort, anxiety, and even nausea. If left untreated, cramps can disrupt daily life, causing fatigue, decreased productivity, and a weakened immune system. To alleviate cramps, herbal remedies like ginger, turmeric, and cramp bark can be effective when used in teas, tinctures, or topical ointments.

However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially for pregnant or breastfeeding women, as some herbs may interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of cramps, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of cramps?

The main causes of cramps are muscle fatigue, electrolyte imbalances, particularly low levels of potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which disrupt muscle function and lead to spasms.

Hormonal fluctuations, such as those experienced during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, can also cause cramps due to changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone. Dehydration and inadequate fluid intake can lead to cramp-inducing electrolyte imbalances. Medical conditions like hypothyroidism, anemia, and kidney disease can cause muscle cramps by reducing blood flow and oxygen delivery to muscles.

Additionally, certain medications, including diuretics and statins, can contribute to muscle cramps as a side effect.

• Dehydration: Dehydration is a common cause of cramps due to the loss of essential electrolytes and fluids in the body, leading to an imbalance in the levels of sodium, potassium, and calcium, which can cause muscle contractions and cramping.
• Electrolyte Imbalance: Electrolyte imbalance is a common cause of cramps due to an imbalance in the levels of essential electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and calcium in the body, which can disrupt nerve and muscle function, leading to muscle cramps.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes are a common cause of cramps, particularly in women, due to the fluctuation of estrogen and progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle, which can cause muscle contractions and cramping in the uterus and other areas of the body.
• Magnesium Deficiency: Magnesium deficiency is a common cause of cramps due to the lack of essential magnesium in the body, which is necessary for muscle function and relaxation, and its deficiency can lead to muscle contractions and cramping.
• Potassium Deficiency: Potassium deficiency, also known as hypokalemia, is a common cause of cramps due to the lack of essential potassium in the body, which is necessary for muscle function and relaxation, and its deficiency can lead to muscle contractions and cramping.
• Vitamin Deficiency: Vitamin deficiency, particularly a lack of vitamin D and B12, is a common cause of cramps due to the essential role these vitamins play in maintaining muscle function and nerve health, and their deficiency can lead to muscle contractions and cramping.
• Underlying Medical Conditions: Underlying medical conditions, such as kidney disease, thyroid disease, and anemia, are a common cause of cramps due to the underlying health issue affecting the body's ability to regulate electrolytes, fluids, and other essential nutrients, leading to muscle cramping.
• Medication Side Effects: Medication side effects, such as those caused by diuretics and beta-agonists, are a common cause of cramps due to the disruption of electrolyte balance and muscle function caused by these medications.
• Overuse and Fatigue: Overuse and fatigue are a common cause of cramps due to the physical stress and strain on muscles, leading to muscle fatigue and cramping.
• Stress and Anxiety: Stress and anxiety are a common cause of cramps due to the physical tension and muscle contractions caused by these emotional states.
• Poor Blood Flow: Poor blood flow is a common cause of cramps due to the reduced delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscles, leading to muscle fatigue and cramping.
• Genetic Predisposition: Genetic predisposition is a common cause of cramps due to inherited conditions that affect muscle function and electrolyte balance, leading to muscle cramping.
• Environmental Factors: Environmental factors, such as cold temperatures and high altitudes, are a common cause of cramps due to the physical stress and strain on muscles caused by these environmental conditions.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for cramps?

The main medicinal herbs used for cramps are Paeonia lactiflora, Angelica sinensis, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Zingiber officinale, Cimicifuga racemosa, Ginkgo biloba, Valeriana officinalis, Artemisia absinthium, Piper nigrum, and Vitex agnus-castus.

Paeonia lactiflora, a traditional Chinese herb, contains paeonol, which has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects that help alleviate cramp pain. Angelica sinensis, also known as dong quai, has a similar effect, reducing prostaglandins that cause uterine contractions, while Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice root, helps relax smooth muscle, further easing cramp discomfort. Zingiber officinale, or ginger, has anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce prostaglandins and help with pain management, as do Cimicifuga racemosa and Valeriana officinalis, which also have sedative properties that promote relaxation.

Additionally, Ginkgo biloba, Artemisia absinthium, Piper nigrum, and Vitex agnus-castus have various mechanisms that contribute to their analgesic and antispasmodic effects, offering further relief from cramp pain.

• Paeonia lactiflora: Paeonia lactiflora is believed to help with cramps by acting as a uterine relaxant, which helps to reduce uterine contractions and alleviate menstrual cramp pain.
• Angelica sinensis: Angelica sinensis helps with cramps by acting as an estrogenic agent, which helps to regulate menstrual cycles and alleviate menstrual cramp pain.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra is thought to help with cramps by reducing prostaglandin levels, which are hormone-like substances that stimulate uterine contractions and cause pain.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, or ginger, is believed to help with cramps by reducing prostaglandin levels and alleviating inflammation, which helps to reduce menstrual cramp pain.
• Cimicifuga racemosa: Cimicifuga racemosa helps with cramps by acting as an estrogenic agent and a uterine relaxant, which helps to regulate menstrual cycles and alleviate menstrual cramp pain.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba does not have a direct effect on cramps, but it is used to improve blood circulation, which may help to alleviate cramp pain.
• Valeriana officinalis: Valeriana officinalis, or valerian root, is believed to help with cramps by acting as a muscle relaxant and reducing anxiety, which helps to alleviate menstrual cramp pain.
• Artemisia absinthium: Artemisia absinthium, or wormwood, is used in some herbal remedies to alleviate cramp pain, but there is limited scientific evidence to support its effectiveness.
• Piper nigrum: Piper nigrum, or black pepper, is believed to help with cramps by reducing prostaglandin levels and alleviating inflammation, which helps to reduce menstrual cramp pain.
• Vitex agnus-castus: Vitex agnus-castus helps with cramps by acting as an estrogenic agent and reducing prolactin levels, which helps to regulate menstrual cycles and alleviate menstrual cramp pain.

What are the main herbal preparations used for cramps?

The main herbal preparations used for cramps are Decoction, Tincture, Salve, Capsule, Suppository, Gel, Cream, Poultice, Ointment, Tea.

Decoction involves boiling herbs in water to release anti-inflammatory compounds found in plants like ginger and turmeric, which help alleviate menstrual cramps. Tincture, a concentrated liquid extract, contains essential oils like peppermint and chamomile, which are applied topically or ingested to ease muscle spasms. Salve, Capsule, Suppository, Gel, Cream, Poultice, Ointment, and Tea are also used to deliver anti-spasmodic and pain-relieving compounds from herbs like cramp bark, blue cohosh, and willow bark, which contain salicylic acid similar to aspirin.

These preparations provide targeted relief from cramps by addressing their underlying causes and promoting relaxation.

• Decoction: A decoction of dried Chamomilla recutita flowers and dried Valeriana officinalis root, for example, helps with cramps by releasing the bioactive compounds, such as apigenin and valerenic acid, into the water, which can then be absorbed by the body to reduce muscle spasms and inflammation.
• Tincture: A tincture of dried Angelica archangelica root, for example, helps with cramps by dissolving the bioactive compounds, such as angelic acid and ligustilide, in a solvent like ethanol, which can then be absorbed by the body to reduce muscle spasms and inflammation.
• Salve: A salve of dried Capsicum annuum fruit, for example, helps with cramps by releasing the bioactive compound capsaicin, which can then be absorbed through the skin to reduce pain and inflammation in muscles.
• Capsule: A capsule containing dried Passiflora incarnata flowers, for example, helps with cramps by releasing the bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and alkaloids, into the digestive system, which can then be absorbed by the body to reduce anxiety and muscle spasms.
• Suppository: A suppository of dried Aloe barbadensis leaf, for example, helps with cramps by releasing the bioactive compounds, such as aloe-emodin and aloin, directly into the rectum, which can then reduce inflammation and muscle spasms in the lower abdomen.
• Gel: A gel of dried Mentha piperita leaf, for example, helps with cramps by releasing the bioactive compounds, such as menthol and menthone, which can then be absorbed through the skin to reduce pain and inflammation in muscles.
• Cream: A cream of dried Arnica montana flower, for example, helps with cramps by releasing the bioactive compounds, such as arnica acid and helenalin, which can then be absorbed through the skin to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms.
• Poultice: A poultice of dried Plantago major leaf, for example, helps with cramps by releasing the bioactive compounds, such as aucubin and platycodine, which can then be absorbed through the skin to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms.
• Ointment: An ointment of dried Hypericum perforatum flower, for example, helps with cramps by releasing the bioactive compounds, such as hypericin and hyperforin, which can then be absorbed through the skin to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms.
• Tea: A tea of dried Ilex guayusa leaf, for example, helps with cramps by releasing the bioactive compounds, such as caffeine and xanthines, into the water, which can then be absorbed by the body to reduce muscle spasms and inflammation.