Some People Swear That Putting a Bar of Soap Under Your Sheets Will Help You Sleep
Before you tuck yourself into bed, slip a bar of soap under the covers. The unproven folk remedy might cure your nighttime woes, according to its loyal adherents at least.
Snoozing with suds supposedly prevents nocturnal leg cramps, those painful muscle contractions waking you in the middle of the night. According to a Twitter poll conducted by The Doctors, 42% of people say soap does the trick. Co-host Dr. Jim Sears couldn't find any scientific evidence supporting the practice, but that hasn't deterred others.
On a 2010 episode of The Dr. Oz Show, Dr. Mehmet Oz recommended lavender soap as a "crazy home remedy" for Restless Leg Syndrome. "I know this sounds crazy, but people put it under their sheets," he said. "We think the lavender is relaxing and maybe itself beneficial."
Ann Landers also promoted the cure in her popular newspaper column, according to Snopes. "They were thrilled and grateful to be liberated from those leg cramps," Landers said of her thankful readers.
Based on personal anecdotes, not every brand does the trick. Followers advise against Dial and Dove, but seem ambivalent on the size, placement and wrapper (or lack thereof).
Ask the experts though, and they'll tell you something different. "If you are experiencing cramping, it's important to look at your hydration first," says Kim Gladden, MD. "You want to make sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day." Eating well and stretching every day can also help, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
If the spasms happen frequently or feel severe, sync up with your own GP to make sure they're nothing serious. However, sleeping with Ivory could just help with the occasional charley horse.
Before you tuck yourself into bed, slip a bar of soap under the covers. The unproven folk remedy might cure your nighttime woes, according to its loyal adherents at least.
Snoozing with suds supposedly prevents nocturnal leg cramps, those painful muscle contractions waking you in the middle of the night. According to a Twitter poll conducted by The Doctors, 42% of people say soap does the trick. Co-host Dr. Jim Sears couldn't find any scientific evidence supporting the practice, but that hasn't deterred others.
On a 2010 episode of The Dr. Oz Show, Dr. Mehmet Oz recommended lavender soap as a "crazy home remedy" for Restless Leg Syndrome. "I know this sounds crazy, but people put it under their sheets," he said. "We think the lavender is relaxing and maybe itself beneficial."
Ann Landers also promoted the cure in her popular newspaper column, according to Snopes. "They were thrilled and grateful to be liberated from those leg cramps," Landers said of her thankful readers.
Based on personal anecdotes, not every brand does the trick. Followers advise against Dial and Dove, but seem ambivalent on the size, placement and wrapper (or lack thereof).
Ask the experts though, and they'll tell you something different. "If you are experiencing cramping, it's important to look at your hydration first," says Kim Gladden, MD. "You want to make sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day." Eating well and stretching every day can also help, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
If the spasms happen frequently or feel severe, sync up with your own GP to make sure they're nothing serious. However, sleeping with Ivory could just help with the occasional charley horse.
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