Last updated on October 21st, 2025 at 12:44 pm
Zinc does a body good — really good! In fact, it’s an essential nutrient found throughout the cells in our bodies to support many different functions that go unseen. But do you know what zinc can do for you in homeopathic form?
A Mighty Mineral
People need zinc to stay healthy. As a trace mineral, the body only needs small amounts, and yet it plays a big role in a wide range of processes, including the immune and nervous systems, the creation of DNA, and wound healing, among others.
Your body doesn’t make or store zinc, but you can get plenty of it through your diet. Oysters are rich in this mineral, as well as other seafood, red meat, and poultry. Additional sources of zinc include beans, nuts, and dairy products.
Homeopathy’s Link to Zinc
Zincum metallicum (Zing-kum meh-tal-li-kum) is a homeopathic dilution of zinc. As an over-the-counter medicine, it relieves painful leg cramps as well as fidgety, restless legs, especially after drinking wine or spirits.* To use, dissolve 5 pellets of Zincum metallicum 6C under the tongue twice a day. If pain or restless legs occur at night, take 5 pellets before bedtime. You can also find this medicine in Boiron’s Leg Pain Relief Kit, which includes Cuprum metallicum and Hypericum perforatum.
To learn more about the homeopathic uses of Boiron Zincum metallicum, click here to watch this video featuring Gary Kracoff, NMD, RPh.
*Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.
18 thoughts on “Leg Cramps or Restless Legs? Think Zinc!”
The notes about how to handle leg cramps was so inspiring, I want to start taking zinc, because I really feel pain in my legs and my waist, it’s on and off, I don’t know whether the ART treatment am on is the cause of the pain. Will give you feedback soon
Hi Linda, we’re so glad to help inspire you. Let us know how it goes!
Can you tell me the difference between your two leg cramp pellets please. I use zincum Metallica but now see you also sell Cuprum Metallica. Thank you I suffer with chronic leg cramps
Hi Debbie, Cuprum relieves sudden and sharp pain from muscle spasms and cramps, occurring either at night or in the calves. However, Zincum is useful for restless legs. Oftentimes, restless legs can bring about cramps at night, so we offer these medicines together in our Leg Pain Relief Kit. Hope that helps!
Hello, Please expound on the difference between Zincum metallicum and Zincum oxydatum 3C. Thank you.
Hello PCA, the raw substances used to make the medicines are different. Zincum metallicum is made from metallic Zinc, while Zincum oxydatum comes from zinc oxide. Both medicines have similar uses for leg cramps, but have other indications as well. Hope that helps, or feel free to give us a call at 1-800-BOIRON-1 to chat more.
I’ve been using Zincum Metallicum for sudden, severe leg cramps, but just read Cuprum Metallicum is better for those. I get them both when I’ve been sitting to long and when walking too much. They seem to be exacerbated by dehydration, due to not drinking enough water and/or drinking alcohol, but not necessarily always white wine. What do you recommend, Zincum or Cuprum? Thank you!
Hi Kim, great question. Both medicines are indicated for leg cramps. Zincum may also help when legs are restless or fidgety. If you’ve had success with Zincum, there is no need to change, but you can certainly try Cuprum and see how you respond.
Hello, first of all thank you for your homeopathics and all the information. I’m not sure you can help with this. I am 65 years old.
I have recently had lots of hair loss. It seems to be all over my head. Can you suggest what to use? I’ve been using Phosphorus 30c for about 2 weeks. Thank you for your blog!!
Hello Trudy, as a manufacturer, we offer over-the-counter medicines with clear indications for acute conditions that can be safely relieved with self-medication. Each medicine is labeled with the most common acute condition it relieves. However, health care professionals may instruct their patients to use the medicine for other conditions not listed on the label. There may be a homeopathic treatment that addresses your condition, but we recommend consulting a practitioner knowledgeable in homeopathy. Be well!
How much doses to be taken.
Hi Navinchandra, please use according to the label instructions unless directed by your health care professional.
I am 62 years old and started having leg spasms at night in 2022.
I can’t find zincum metallicum or cuprum metallicum in my local health food stores–only
rhus tox, sulphur, pulsatilla and lycopodium (there is a product with these ingredients by another company
for “restless legs”, but so far it doesn’t seem to have any effect for nighttime leg spasms).
Hi Bentje, your local health food store should be able to assist you in ordering these medicines. If not, you can purchase them at BoironUSA.com or Amazon.com. We also offer this Leg Pain Kit, which contains contains Cuprum, Zincum, and Hypericum. Hope that helps!
I’m finding success with using zincum metallicum for severe leg cramps.
I had 6c and then for some reason I decided to go to 30c. How do you know which one do do? Is 30c stronger? I’ve read a bit on it but it seems to be hard to know which one to use. I do 5 pellets every night. Thanks for your answer.
Hi Hilary,
Most single homeopathic medicines are available in several dilutions. The letter indicates which dilution process was chosen, while the number indicates how many times that dilution process was used, and consequently, which symptoms the medicine is meant to treat. Here’s a quick guide to using homeopathic medicines: Low dilutions, such as 6X or 6C, will relieve local symptoms— symptom you can point a finger at (i.e., an insect bite or bruise). Medium dilutions, such as 12X, 9C or 12C, will relieve general symptoms—more than one symptom in more than one location (i.e., muscle aches and pains). High dilutions, such as 30X or 30C, will relieve general symptoms—more than one symptom in more than one location with possible behavioral or emotional symptoms (i.e., a very high fever and chills, accompanied by agitation or sleeplessness). If a person has the right medicine, no matter what the dilution, he will see a lessening of symptoms. For most medicines, choosing the right dilution is merely fine tuning.
Thanks!
I have restless legs when I go to bed at night – sometimes restless, sometimes jerking which keeps me awake. I’ve purchased Zincum 30 ch and am wondering if it is okay to take it most nights or is it better to onlt take it once in a while. I have fatigue and exhaustion as well so this sounds like a good remedy for me.
Hi Gini,
For Zincum metallicum, the length of use is 3 days. We recommend that you consult with your health care professional on any medicine that you intend to take for a longer period of time.
Thanks!