Muscle Cramps and Spasms: Ayurvedic Treatment, Causes & Natural Remedies

While running, walking, riding a bicycle, standing up for a long time, doing yoga stretches incorrectly, or even sleeping, a person can get muscle cramps. Any muscle—upper arm, forearm, leg, calf, or even a toe or the baby finger—can undergo sudden spasm. Muscle cramps and spasms have numerous causes. They may be due to insufficient blood supply to the muscle or, in some cases, to excess blood supply, as in the case of “writer’s cramp.” Muscle spasms can be due to lack of calcium in the diet or malabsorption of calcium, since calcium plays a significant role in relaxing the muscle. A related problem is hypoparathyroidism (underactive parathyroid), in which the person loses calcium; this may also cause the muscles to undergo spasm. Exposure to cold and poor circulation may also be responsible. The Ayurvedic understanding is, in simplest terms, that muscle spasms are caused by vata dosha. Vata, increased by mobile, cold, or rough qualities, makes a muscle stiff and hard, and it undergoes spasm.

While running, walking, riding a bicycle, standing up for a long time, doing yoga stretches incorrectly, or even sleeping, a person can get muscle cramps. Any muscle—upper arm, forearm, leg, calf, or even a toe or the baby finger—can undergo sudden spasm. Muscle cramps and spasms have numerous causes. They may be due to insufficient blood supply to the muscle or, in some cases, to excess blood supply, as in the case of “writer’s cramp.” Muscle spasms can be due to lack of calcium in the diet or malabsorption of calcium, since calcium plays a significant role in relaxing the muscle. A related problem is hypoparathyroidism (underactive parathyroid), in which the person loses calcium; this may also cause the muscles to undergo spasm. Exposure to cold and poor circulation may also be responsible. The Ayurvedic understanding is, in simplest terms, that muscle spasms are caused by vata dosha. Vata, increased by mobile, cold, or rough qualities, makes a muscle stiff and hard, and it undergoes spasm.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF . Whenever a muscle is under spasm

• Grab hold of it. • At the same time, press your index finger deeply into the “belly” of the muscle (the bulging central part of the muscle) for 15 to 20 seconds. A marma point (like an acupressure point) is located in the center of the muscle; pressing on it helps the muscle relax. • Take a few deep breaths. This procedure will increase circulation, and the muscle will relax.

. A marma point is located at the midpoint of both the lips. If there is

ANOTHER PRESSURE POINT REMEDY

a spasm in the upper body, such as in the arms or fingers, grab hold of your upper lip, in the middle, between your thumb and index finger. If the spasm is in the legs or the lower part of the body, grab the lower lip. These energy points on the lips send messages to the brain, which in turn relays a signal to the motor system to relax the muscles. Just grabbing the lips for 30 seconds should help relieve the spasm. Press fairly strongly, but not hard enough to be painful.

. Repeatedly alternate contraction and relaxation of the muscle.

CONTRACT AND RELAX THE MUSCLE

This will improve circulation and help to release lactic acid, which will relax the muscle.

. Another approach is to apply a little oil to the muscle belly and gently massage.

MASSAGE

Mahanarayan oil is best if you have it; otherwise, some sesame oil or other oil will do. Gentle massage of the painful cramped muscle will relax the muscle fibers, improve the circulation, and pacify the vata. That will help relieve the spasm.

After rubbing in the mahanarayan oil, apply a little heat. For best results, use a hot water bottle (not an electric heating pad). Winter, with its dry, cold weather, is vata season. During winter season, when vata individuals get exposed to the cold, their muscles may cramp. Rubbing the muscle with mahanarayan oil (or sesame oil) and hen applying heat will be soothing and healing.

. For a cramp in your foot, soak the foot in a bucket of warm water that contains salt

SOAK IT

(1 or 2 tablespoons). A hot ginger powder-baking soda bath (2/3 cup baking soda and ¼ cup ginger per tubful of water) is also effective for muscle relaxation.

. Make yourself a cup of chamomile tea, jatamamsi tea, or comfrey tea. Or,

HERBAL RELAXANTS

even better, you can make a tea using equal amounts of all three of these herbs (⅓ teaspoon of each per cup). It will help to relax your muscles.

. As a preventive measure against future cramping, drink some dashamoola tea—

FOR PREVENTION

½ teaspoon of dashamoola powder steeped for a few minutes in 1 cup hot water. Have a cup or two of dashamoola tea every Saturday.

. Getting repeated muscle cramps suggests that you either have a calcium

MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS

deficiency or are not absorbing enough of the calcium in your food. First, take some supplements of calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Your formula should contain approximately 1,200 mg. calcium, 600 mg. magnesium, and 60 mg. zinc. Take these supplements at bedtime. Second, to improve absorption, take triphala every night or in the very early morning. Use about ½ teaspoon triphala powder per cup of boiling water.

. Yogaraj guggulu tablets (200 mg. per tablet), taken 2 or 3 times a day for 1

YOGARAJ GUGGULU

month, are effective for pacifying vata in the muscles, which is the root cause of muscle cramps.

. Muscle cramps and cramps in the stomach may be

EFFECTIVE HOME TREATMENT FOR ABDOMINAL CRAMPS

related. Muscle pain can happen anywhere in the body, in the skeletal muscles as well as in the smooth muscles of the abdomen. As with spasm in the arm or leg, abdominal cramps may have many causes, such as eating too big a meal, or lifting too heavy a weight, which strains the abdominal muscles. Gases in the stomach, constipation, or acid indigestion can also create cramps in the stomach or abdomen.

• For painful cramps in the abdominal muscles, take the herbal compound shankavati (one 200-mg. tablet after dinner). • This antacid formula may also be effective: shatavari ½ teaspoon guduchi ¼ teaspoon shanka bhasma pinch

Take this entire amount once or twice a day, after meals.

• Warm milk is helpful for abdominal muscle cramps. Its alkaline property helps pacify acidity, and it is also a good source of calcium, which helps muscles to relax. One cup of warm milk taken at bedtime will help to dispel acid irritation and spasm of the stomach. • Lasunadivati (garlic compound) is effectively used for smooth muscle spasm as well as skeletal muscle spasm. Take 1 tablet after dinner for 5 days. You can also buy odorless garlic tablets; take them as directed on the package. Garlic relaxes the muscles, calms down vata dosha, and helps to take care of muscle cramps. • Hingwastak churna, ¼ teaspoon taken twice a day after lunch and dinner, will also help relieve abdominal muscle pain. It may also create some gas, however. • Triphala is very effective in relieving gases, promoting proper elimination, and facilitating absorption of calcium and other key minerals. Take ½ teaspoon of triphala daily at bedtime with warm water. It will minimize your chances of getting muscle cramps in the stomach.

• dashamoola
• garlic
• ginger
• guduchi
• guggulu
• jatamamsi
• mahanarayan
• sesame
• shatavari
• triphala

Muscle cramps and spasms are classified under Vata Vikara (वात विकार) — disorders arising from aggravated Vata Dosha. Charaka lists Akshepaka (convulsive cramps) and Dandaka (rigid spasms) among the 80 Nanatmaja Vata disorders. The core mechanism is simple: Vata's dry, cold, and mobile qualities dehydrate and destabilize Mamsa Dhatu (muscle tissue), causing involuntary contraction.

Vata Drying the Muscles

When Vata increases, it pulls moisture from the tissues. Muscles that are insufficiently lubricated — whether from dehydration, excessive exercise, or cold exposure — lose their elasticity and contract forcefully. This is why cramps are worse at night (Vata time), in cold weather, and during/after intense physical activity.

Mineral and Electrolyte Depletion

Ayurveda frames this as Rasa Dhatu depletion — the plasma tissue that carries nutrients to muscles. Low magnesium, potassium, and calcium in modern terms translates to depleted Rasa Dhatu in Ayurvedic terms. Both frameworks agree: if muscles don't receive adequate mineral nourishment, they cramp.

Poor Circulation (Rakta-Vaha Sroto Dushti)

When blood channels are obstructed or weakened, muscles don't receive adequate blood supply. This commonly manifests as nighttime calf cramps in older adults or cramps during pregnancy when blood volume demands increase significantly.

Other Contributing Factors

Chronic stress (increases Vata), excessive coffee or alcohol (depletes minerals), prolonged standing or sitting (stagnates circulation), and suppression of natural urges all contribute. Certain medications — statins, diuretics — also increase cramp frequency by depleting minerals.

For the broader approach to muscle and joint pain, see pain management.

Since muscle cramps are fundamentally a Vata disorder with a mineral-depletion component, the dietary strategy combines Vata pacification with mineral-rich foods.

Diet: Mineral-Rich, Vata-Pacifying

Daily Oil Massage (Abhyanga)

A daily massage with warm Mahanarayan Oil or sesame oil is the single best preventive measure. Focus on calves, thighs, and any area prone to cramping. The oil nourishes Mamsa Dhatu directly through the skin and pacifies Vata immediately. Follow with a warm bath.

Hydration

Drink warm water throughout the day — not ice water, which constricts channels and increases Vata. Add a pinch of rock salt and a squeeze of lemon for natural electrolyte support. Aim for 8-10 glasses daily, more during hot weather or exercise.

Stretching Routine

Gentle stretching before bed prevents nighttime cramps. Focus on calf stretches (wall push), hamstring stretches, and gentle forward folds. Hold each stretch for 30 seconds. Yoga asanas like Virasana (Hero Pose) and Supta Padangusthasana (Reclining Hand-to-Toe Pose) target cramp-prone muscles specifically.

Sleep Hygiene

Keep legs warm during sleep. Apply oil to feet and calves at bedtime. A glass of warm milk with ½ tsp Ashwagandha and a pinch of nutmeg before bed nourishes muscles and promotes restorative sleep.

Occasional muscle cramps are a nuisance, not a danger. But certain patterns warrant medical evaluation rather than home treatment alone:

• Cramps that occur daily despite adequate hydration and mineral intake — may indicate an underlying metabolic or neurological condition.
• Severe cramps with muscle swelling, redness, or skin discoloration — could indicate deep vein thrombosis (DVT), compartment syndrome, or vascular insufficiency. This needs immediate medical attention.
• Cramps accompanied by muscle weakness or wasting — progressive weakness alongside cramps may indicate a neuromuscular disorder requiring specialist evaluation.
• Cramps that started after beginning a new medication — statins, diuretics, and certain blood pressure medications commonly cause cramps. Consult your prescribing doctor before stopping any medication.
• Widespread cramps involving multiple muscle groups simultaneously — suggests systemic electrolyte imbalance that may need blood work to identify and correct.
• Cramps with numbness, tingling, or persistent pain after the cramp resolves — indicates possible nerve involvement. See pain management for further guidance.

If you're pregnant and experiencing frequent, severe cramps — especially in the third trimester — report this to your obstetrician, as it can sometimes indicate circulation issues or preeclampsia-related changes.