Another round of Q&A for you today.

The topics for this email are:

• Nighttime Leg Cramps
• Joint Stiffness at Night
• NASH Liver Disease and Arthritis

Let’s dive in…

Q: Is there an herbal supplement that will prevent nighttime leg cramps?

A: Nighttime leg cramps can be a sign of various deficiencies, including magnesium, potassium, and calcium. I would look at supporting these, even before herbs. (Stay tuned for an upcoming mega article on Magnesium).

B-vitamins may be useful here as well, as they are sometimes in restless leg syndrome.

You may look for two different herbal actions, muscle relaxants and antispasmodics. Kava is a great one for the muscle relaxant action, and can definitely be helpful for sleep as well. Black cohosh or cramp bark are two antispasmodics worth checking out.

Q: my toes when i lay down at night feel stiff and sore are there any herbs that might help

A: Stiffness and soreness in the toes at night can be symptoms of underlying issues such as poor circulation or inflammation. Herbs that improve circulation and reduce inflammation, such as ginger and turmeric, may provide some relief.

Ginger increases blood flow and has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help alleviate soreness and stiffness.

Turmeric, as mentioned earlier, contains curcumin, which is a potent anti-inflammatory agent.

Cayenne pepper is another herb known for its circulatory benefits. It contains capsaicin, which not only relieves pain but also improves blood flow. These herbs can be used in cooking or taken as supplements. Additionally, regular gentle stretching and massage can further help in reducing stiffness and improving circulation in the feet.

Prickly Ash is another one that comes to mind. Its diffusive action is useful to reach the ends of the extremities.

Q: I just had ovaries/tubes removed 6 months ago and have NASH (liver disease). Recently I’ve been experiencing sore joints in my hands and am not sure if it’s hormone or liver (a deficiency) causing. Curious recommended herb(s) for arthritis symptoms but also liver.

A: Yeah, it’s hard to say for sure what exactly is the root cause without collecting a lot more information. So what follows are just some general blanket approaches to investigate.

Managing joint pain after such significant surgical and health changes can require a multifaceted approach. For joint pain and potential arthritis symptoms, see the anti-inflammatory herbs mentioned above. In addition, Boswellia, also known as frankincense, has been used traditionally for inflammatory conditions like arthritis.

For supporting liver health, particularly in the case of NASH, milk thistle is a renowned herb. It contains silymarin, a compound that has hepatoprotective properties, which can help in managing liver diseases by supporting liver cells and reducing liver inflammation.

Dandelion root is another herb that supports liver detoxification and overall liver health, though milk thistle is the main one..

As always, especially when dealing with disease, it’s important to coordinate with your healthcare provider.

(While we don’t have any of those herbs publicly available, Turmeric, Milk Thistle, and Kava are all some we have available for VIP members. If you’re not already a VIP, here are the details of the program.)