If you suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), you know how unpleasant it can be. Something as simple as relaxing with a good book or your next binge-able show suddenly becomes a nightmare. The aching, throbbing, pulling, crawling, and creeping feelings in your legs create an irresistible urge to move them again and again. It pretty much kills any chance of actually relaxing. Perhaps even worse than RLS ruining your relaxation time is when it interferes with your sleep. Since uncomfortable feelings may happen most often when you’re trying to go to sleep, getting a good night’s rest may seem impossible [1]. As a result, disrupted sleep can lead to exhaustion, mood changes, struggles with maintaining concentration, and more.
Natural Tips for Restless Legs Relief
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for RLS. But applying certain essential oils topically, along with other natural tips, may help ease some of the discomfort. There are many essential oils that have properties known to reduce discomfort associated with spasms, cramps, and muscle pulls. Any oils that help promote mental and physical relaxation are going to add an extra bit of soothing benefits to help you relax and get a good night’s rest.
Here are just a few essential oils (or keep reading for an easy DIY Restless Legs Rub) to help settle down those restless legs. Plus, any time you spend massaging in your diluted essential oils will only help to further relax your muscles.
- Lavender
- Roman Chamomile
- Peppermint
- Frankincense Serrata
- Sweet Marjoram
- Black Pepper
- Cypress
- Vein Aid
Other things you can incorporate into your routine to help relax your muscles are hot baths, light exercise, or hot and cold compresses.
Restless Legs Rub
What you’ll need:
- 14 drops Frankincense Serrata
- 12 drops Lavender
- 10 drops Roman Chamomile
- 2 oz Unscented Body Lotion
- 2 oz Container
What you’ll do:
Add essential oils to an unscented body lotion and mix well. Gently massage onto your legs 1-2 times a day.
For a printable version, click here.
What are your favorite essential oils for helping relax your muscles? Let us know in the comments below!
Sources:
[1] Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet. (2017). NINDS NIH Publication No. 17-4847. Retrieved from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Restless-Legs-Syndrome-Fact-Sheet
omg its really good .
Can the Laid Back Legs recipe be added to a Magnesium lotion?
You could try it, but since it isn’t something we’ve used, we cannot guarantee effectiveness.
My best friend suffers from RLS and she has tried all kinds of things. I will definitely have to make her some of this or share the recipe with her. I want her to have relief without having to soak her legs in the middle of the night. 🙁
I was wondering what you can use instead of Frankincense Serrata?
It honestly depends on what you have on hand. You can use another variety of Frankincense or use this substitution guide to find the right choice for you.
I made this for my sister and she said it it the best she has ever used. I use magnesium lotion and it works great.
Plant Therapy Kidsafe Sweet Slumber mixed in a little unscented lotion works fantastic for RLS. My legs stop jumping by the time I walk back to bed!
My grandmother suffers from RLS and has a terrible time sleeping at night because of it. I can’t wait to try these oil and see if they can help her get some relief!
Thanks for this! I don’t have chamomile, so I substituted peppermint instead. This has definitely helped ease my legs!
Omg, so glad I found this! I’ve recently begun suffering from RLS again, after several years of not having it. Will definitely be trying this blend to hopefully find some relief! Thanks!
I’m going to try this for my husband
Thank you! I may have to try this blend for my husband!
Next purchase is definitely going to be Chamomile Roman so I can make this for my husband. His RLS disrupts both our sleep. I can’t wait!
Thanks for this blog post – so happy when it was featured on a live video last week. I’ve made this for my mom for christmas because she suffers from RSL and I’m hoping this will bring her some relief. Glad i have a few of the oils mentioned to make this blend.
Thank you for this! I’ve suffered from RLS and night time leg cramps my entire life. Woe was me when quinine was pulled of the market for dangerous side effects. The comments have also been helpful. Thanks to ALL of you! with gratitude…
This combination has helped my husband so much
Going to try and possibly add some marjoram? Thoughts???
I have used a 10 ml roller bottle with 5 drops Frankincense, 4 drops Marjoram, 8 Lavender, and 6 Bergamot. It worked wonderfully. If it doesn’t, you can always play around with combinations until you find one that works. It has been amazing for me. I became sensitized to Lavender, so I’ve substituted with other oils. I always dilute now. Of course, top off with Fractionated Coconut oil or other.
Thank you so much for this! I have now accumulated the oils to make this blend, and I will use it tonight. My rheumatologist offered to give me (another different) drug to help with RLS, and I said no thank you. I am going to try a natural approach!!
Awesome info! I have used marjoram sweet before but not any others. Interested to try the recipe!!
Will give it a try in carrier oil as body oil, not only for relieving RLS, but also for moisturizing the body!
I have RLS and can’t wait to try this! Thank you for always letting readers know if something is kid safe or not!
Thank you so much for this information. My aunt suffers from restless leg syndrome and has given up on how to alleviate. She had nothing to lose by giving this a try!
Great info! Now I know what to try!!!
Thrilled to see this recipe. Had a bad time with RLS about 10 years ago which finally subsided. Just 2 nights ago had the jumping legs….I’ll make this recipe and have it ready! Thanks so much!
This is a really helpful post! I struggle with this and it makes me crazy! The comments of different blend suggestions are great too. I love the Plant Therapy community and all of the helpful tips people provide.
We hope one of the blends will be beneficial for you 🙂
Thanks for the suggestion!! I’ve got some of these oils, and look forward to putting them on my boyfriend’s legs so he (and then me!) can get a good nights sleep.
I am definitely going to tell my grandmother about this one! I am still amazed at all the things oils can do!
I have been dealing with RLS for some time now and been looking for natural ways to help sooth my legs at night. Will try these oils tonight!! Thank you!
You’ll have to let us know how it works out for you!
My mom is having a horrible time with RLS. I’m hoping to convince her to try this soon!
Going to give the Vein Aid a try for this. This blend sounds like it smells amazing and I’m hoping to reduce the appearance of clustering veins and help with RLS.
This is on my list for my next purchase. My husband has suffered for years with RLS but didn’t want to go the prescription route since it’s not an everyday occurrence.
Do you ise it as a roller? Or bath soak? If so dou you know how many drops?
I use to really suffer with RLS until I started using a mixture of your Lavender and Cedarwood EO’s….I sleep better than a baby now 😉
i have also used relax oil in a carrier and helps with restlessness in legs and mind love all the oils
Yay! I was desperately looking for a blend the other night. Had some terrible flare ups lately.
Taking a triple magnesium supplement and using a Calming the Child roller helps a lot.
Can’t wait to try this blend.
I am so going to try this, I suffer restless legs all the time, its horrible, its like you need to run around to stop it. thank you so much
I dont have issues very often. How long will this cream be good for once mixed?
Since there is no water in this recipe, you can base the shelf life off of the oil with the lowest shelf life (2-3 years) if stored in cool dark place.
Thank you so much for this. Bookmarking it so I can put something together for the next time it starts up for me!
I also love using just one drop of lemongrass in a 10 ml roller topped with fractionated coconut oil and roll it on my legs at bedtime. I swipe up the front, back, left, right sides of my leg and the top and bottom of my foot and rub it in. Works amazing for me. I also have used Tension Tamer diluted to 1% the same way!!
I have been dealing with RLS for a long time! I can’t wait to try this blend!
Our oldest daughter has RLS bad, according to her hubby. Anxious to make this for her to try; Thx for the recipe.
Very happy to see something that can be tried for RLS, many I know with MS suffer this awful sleep thief! Will be trying this blend, thank you for the tips.
Most definitely going to try these blends, I have a horrible time trying to sleep because of my legs, so im excited to try these out!
I haven’t had RLS in awhile and I wouldn’t be surprised if the oils I been using to help with muscle spasms are helping.
This is interesting! I don’t have RLS, but I know a friend who gets it, I’ll have to tell her about it.
Thanks great info going to give this a try.
This is so good to know!! I have RLS and have searched for things to settle my legs with no success. I always just thought it was a nerve problem and I wouldn’t be able to help it.
My mom and myself have suffered from RLS for many years. I’ve gotten mine under control over the years but she has not been able to do same I can’t wait to make this tomorrow and give to her!!!
I can’t wait to try this! I don’t get RLS often but I would love to try this when I do! I can’t wait to share this recipie with the other women in my family. Has anyone tried this? Does it work?
Thankfully, I don’t suffer from RLS often, but when it does appear, I am always wishing I had something more to reach for than just the Glucosamine sulfate tablets that are next to my bed. This is a definite must try! If anything, the leg massage will be a plus. 🙂 Fingers crossed!! 😀
What you’ve suggested are things I do. I can totally attest to this post!!!! Magnesium and essential oils are essential! Awesome of you to share! Have a lovely day. 🙂
Thank you, I will try this. I use medication but sometimes I have what I call ‘break through’, it doesn’t quite make it to the next dose. Make sitting, relaxing or trying to sleep just awful until the next dose kicks in!
Pinning this recipe so that I can remember to add these oils to my stash! My RLS never seems to bother me unless it is a night that I am exhausted and desperately need to get some sleep. Then of course, I can’t. Hopefully this would provide some relief! Thanks for sharing!
Is magnesium flakes the same as Epsom salts?
Magnesium Salts are Magnesium Chloride, while Epsom Salts are Magnesium Sulfate. The Magnesium Salts have a molecular structure that is more easily absorbed into the body than Epsom salts.
I have a great blend for RLS, but I’m excited to try this one too! I love Frankincense Serrata it’s my favorite frank!
what is your great blend for rls? suffering!!
Its listed towards the top of the page.