An alternative to BioFreeze is
'Icy Hot'. I use the generic from Rite-aid Drugs, inc.
The only down side is that it thins out to almost a liquid
in higher heat. My bedroom is on the 3rd floor. I keep it there
to put on my feet before I put my socks on in the am when
getting dressed for work. Summertime makes it a bit runny, but
doesn't affect the cooling properties. I use it daily.

It's cheaper on ebay. Just checked it out on iherb.

I found my latest tube on Amazon for $7.00 and free shipping.

I am so glad it is filtering down to affordable levels. At one time it was only sold thru PTs and chiros.

I also found it at my gym's store, for $15.00.

My last purchase was from a discount place where you had to get 3 tubes for savings. That worked out to 6.99 each.

I paid $10 at the physical therapist's... years ago, for my first tube.

i am trying the L-theanine from the OP/]
thanks for posting

I've been trying the L-theanine too, since I first read about it. I have been able to sleep through the night until about 5:30 when I start stirring around because of the burning, but can usually go back to sleep for another hour. Beforehand, I usually had to get up between 2:30 and 3:00 to put some lotion with menthol on my feet and legs.

I've been using this "Lasting Touch" that I got at Whole Foods--it has menthol, camphor, capsaicin, MSM, Chondroitin, Glucosamine, and Arnica in it. It's made in Arlington, TX, so maybe it's only available in their stores in Texas, I don't really know. We live near Dallas. This one has a red cap, and they make another one with a blue cap, but it doesn't have menthol. I tried them both originally, but settled on the red cap. However, yesterday I ordered some Biofreeze from I-Herb to compare and to have another option. So many of you all endorse Biofreeze that I want to try it. Joan

I ordered the theanine too from Amazon and had it delivered upNorth. I didn't think it would get here in time for us to leave.

I'll report back when I return. The melatonin we use by Schiff company has 25mg of theanine in it. But that doesn't seem like much to me.

My son has been using it for about 6mos now, and I notice his mood is much less grumpy etc. I tend to wake up in the night having bad dreams, which I think is blood sugar (low) related. I hope the theanine helps with that.

Nide, could you keep the lotion in the refrigerator during the hot seasons?

Mrs. D,
Researching l-theanine online. I read somewhere ( i can't remember where) that it may decrease serotonin levels and cautioned against using it if you're taking anti-depressants which affect serotonin levels. Any thoughts on this?
Thanks, Liz

Here is the wiki on theanine:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theanine

No mention of antidepressants on this source:
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supple...tName=THEANINE

Now with SNRIs --theanine might interact with the norepi reuptake functions... but that is only a maybe.
But I did not find an interaction at "drug checker" at www.drugs.com between Cymbalta and l-theanine.

So it is looking benign except for the potential lowering of blood pressure in certain people.

Hi

I got the L-theanine. It's 100 mg each. Should I take more than one pill at 100 mg or start at 100 mg. Plus I see se take it for anxiety so is it best taken at night?

Other stuff I am taking

B12
Folic
Alpha lipoic acid 600mg
369 omega oils
Calcium/magnesium
Valerian root at bedtime occasionally

Now adding l-theanine
Is it okay to take with valerian root? Since that also has stress relief calming
effect?

Prescription:
Baclofen 20 mg (not daily)
Tramadol 50mg (not daily)

Thanksyou