he resulting excess of fluid in the tissue can cause swelling in the feet and ankles, fatigue, rapid weight gain, and stiff and achy joints. There are many causes of oedema that range from standing too long, to oral contraceptives. Women tend to experience oedema around the time of their menstrual cycles.
It is important to pay attention to your fluid levels in your body because it can be a sign of heart failure, kidney failure, lung disease, thyroid disease, and other very serious medical conditions. Oedema is also a sign of poor diet as it can be caused by a diet that is too high in salt, or deficient in certain minerals.
Although there pharmaceutical options for relieving the symptoms of oedema known as diuretics, they can have adverse effects on the body — especially the kidneys.
For the relief of occasional oedema and fluid retention, there are several safe, natural alternatives to prescription drugs that have no adverse side effects. These natural diuretics are readily available, and are also less expensive that traditional pharmaceutical options.
Natural Treatments for Excess Fluid:
Dandelion tea
Dandelion
tea is available just about anywhere you can buy tea blends, and is one
of nature’s most effective diuretics. All you need to do is steep it in
hot water like any other tea and drink to 2-3 times a day.
Green tea
Again, green tea blends are very
readily available anywhere you normally buy tea. You can even find a
wide variety of pre-made green teas, just make sure they are all
natural, and not a concentrate added to water like with some of the soft
drink-type green tea blends.
Rose Hips
Rose hip tea is a gentler diuretic,
best used for mild oedema. It is available as a blend, most commonly
with hibiscus. Rose hip tea has also been shown to be very effective at
treating certain circulatory conditions that lead to fluid retention.
Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV is a natural diuretic but
also helps support good kidney function and circulatory health. ACV is a
very potent natural anti-inflammatory compound as well, so it is great
for reducing inflammation in joints that can cause fluid to build up in
feet and ankles.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are almost 90% water, so they
naturally help flush excess fluid from our bodies. It seems
counteractive to add more water to your system when you are already
retaining fluid, but the water content in cucumbers works to expel extra
fluid and toxins that has built up in our bodies.