Article: Understanding the Potential Use of Herbs in Restless Legs Syndrome

\”Restless legs syndrome  (RLS) is the most common neurological sleep disorder affecting 10 % of the Caucasian population. The disorder is characterized by painful sensations in the lower limbs, especially during the evening, at night and during rest, resulting in an urge to move the legs  and insomnia. As a result the quality of life is significantly reduced. Dopaminergic agents, opioids and anticonvulsants have proven to be effective for RLS with only the former being currently licensed\” —-Abstract of Ref.1

 Article link:  Restless legs syndrome article

Click the underlined link above to read a really interesting article on the use of herbs for Restless Legs Syndrome.  I particularly enjoyed that the author considers individual constitutions based on Western herbal medicine, as well as, Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment aspects.  Skullcap, Black cohosh, Valerian, Passionflower, St.John\’s Wort and lobelia, are all viewed as having differing, yet positive effects on the symptoms of RLS, such as improving sleep, reducing anxiety related to RLS, or acting as spasmolytic\’s (reduce muscle spasms).   Hope you enjoy this article and gain a deeper understanding of RLS and some herbal options.  Thanks for reading, and be aware and eat with care 🙂

*Black cohosh, Valerian root, Passionflower

Refs:
Picture:  http://mikaelsyding.com/stop-1-5-billion-restless-legs-kicking/
Abstract RLS description:  Krenzer, M, Oertel, W, & Trenkwalder, C 2014, \'[Practical guidelines for diagnosis and therapy of restless legs syndrome]\’,  Der Nervenarzt, 85, 1, p. 9, MEDLINE Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 3 January 2016.
Article:  Holden, E 2009, \’Understanding the potential use of herbs in restless legs syndrome\’,  Journal Of The American Herbalists Guild, 9, 1, pp. 39-49 11p, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, EBSCOhost, viewed 10 January 2016.
Herb pictures:  
Passionflower:  http://www.herbalteasonline.com/passion-flower-tea.php
Black cohosh:  http://vitaminsupplementingredients.com/ingredient-black-cohosh/
Valerian:  http://www.herbalextractsplus.com/valerian.html