Fluid retention is a much more common problem than it may seem. It is manifested, more than by the slightest need to urinate, by the swelling in arms, feet and legs, but also in the abdominal area.
Why does fluid retention occur?
The causes of this fluid retention They are very varied and not always easy to determine. A sedentary lifestyle, a diet that is excessively saline and rich in processed foods, hormonal changes, pregnancy and stress are, without a doubt, situations that can explain it, but it can also be the body’s response to underlying problems such as heart, liver or kidney failure.
Therefore, when faced with persistent fluid retention, the most sensible thing is go to the doctor so that the origin of the problem can be analyzed and the most appropriate measures recommended.
Natural and effective diuretics
There is a wide range of medicinal plants that prove to be very effective in treating fluid retention and its most visible symptoms, but also for help us eliminate toxins.
Medicinal plants are a safe and valid option to treat entry edema, due to the high diuretic potential of many of them, and even more so if they are taken in liquid form as a herbal tea, syrup or drops. In this article we offer you a selection of eight plants especially recommended as home remedies for fluid retention and that you can easily find in your trusted herbalist.
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6 dietary keys to combat fluid retention
8 plants to eliminate retained liquids
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Horsetail diuretic and rich in silica and potassium
The horse’s tail (Equisetum arvense L.) grows in grasslands, marshes, riverbanks and lakes. In herbal medicine it is a recognized remedy for fluid retention.
- Properties: It is a notable diuretic and detoxifier, provides minerals and vitamins, and acts as an astringent and hemostatic.
- What is it indicated for: To enhance the emission of urine and to eliminate fluid retention and edema, but also to detoxify, in genitourinary conditions such as cystitis and as support in hypertension.
- Parts we use: Sterile stems (they emerge after the fertile ones).
- How to use: In decoction, with complementary herbs, up to 3 glasses a day, or in baths, washes and compresses. Tincture, liquid extracts, and capsules or tablets are also used. It should be avoided orally during pregnancy and lactation.
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Dandelion to purify liver and kidney
The dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber) grows in very diverse environments, such as wet meadows, riverbanks and fields. Its diuretic and cleansing properties, very useful against fluid retention, are added to its protective effect on the liver.
- Properties: Diuretic and detoxifying, hepatoprotective, aperitif, antioxidant and tonic.
- When is it appropriate: It is a first-rate remedy for edema. Due to its purifying effect on the liver and kidneys, it is included in formulas to drain the body and combat overweight due to fluid retention. It helps reduce uric acid and urea and regulate blood pressure.
- Parts we use: The leaves and roots are rich in potassium salts.
- How to take it: Three cups a day of decoction of the root or infusion of the leaves, with plants that attenuate their bitterness, before meals. It is found in liquid extract, tincture and tablets.
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Cherry tree to eliminate liquid and lose weight
From the cherry tree (Prunus avium L.), which grows both in humid mountainous areas and in the orchard, the stems of cherries are used for their diuretic properties. Diuretic decoctions are prepared with them that help eliminate retained fluids and improve the symptoms associated with fluid retention.
- Properties: It is diuretic, purifying, detoxifying, cardiotonic, analgesic and febrifuge.
- When is it appropriate: The tails have been traditionally used for genitourinary conditions. They are suitable to promote the emission of urine and combat fluid retention, as well as in natural weight loss treatments. They are used in diuretic formulas for hypertension, hyperuricemia or gout.
- Parts we use: Stems or peduncles of the fruits, and the fruits themselves in food.
- How to take it: Together with other diuretic plants, in decoction, up to three glasses a day. Also in liquid extract and fresh cherries, as is or in juice.
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Birch to relieve swelling of legs and feet
With birch (Humulus lupulus L.) very useful diuretic infusions are prepared against fluid retention in the legs and other areas of the body. This tree grows in mountainous areas and avalanche terrain and, for medicinal purposes, the leaves are mainly used.
- Properties: It is diuretic, cleansing, vitamin, remineralizing, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibiotic and healing.
- When is it appropriate: To increase diuresis and combat overweight due to fluid retention, reduce symptoms of edema such as swelling of the feet, legs or arms, in kidney and urological conditions, and against hypertension or high urea and uric acid.
- Parts we use: The leaves and buds (in yemotherapy) and more rarely the bark.
- How to take it: In infusion of the leaves, with other plants, to drink during the day; or in decoction of the yolks or bark. You have it in liquid extract, syrup, fresh juice (sap) and capsules.
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Vellosilla, the kidney tonic that eliminates retained fluids
The little shawl (Hieracium pilosela L.) stands out for its diuretic but also antibiotic properties. It is also considered a great kidney tonic. It grows in stony meadows, mountain grasslands and dry hills.
- Properties: It is diuretic, purifying, choleretic, hypolipidemic, demulcent and febrifuge.
- What is it indicated for: In the treatment of kidney failure, and as a kidney tonic and diuretic. It helps prevent and treat fluid retention, reduce urea and uric acid, and control blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Parts we use: The floral chapters and, to a lesser extent, the leaves and the root.
- How to take it: In infusion (the root in decoction), along with other diuretic and cleansing herbs, up to 2 glasses a day or to drink during the day. You can also find liquid extract, tincture, and capsules.
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Gatuña, a great natural diuretic
The cat (Ononis spinosa L.), a powerful natural diuretic, it is used both to treat fluid retention and urinary infections. It grows in grasslands, forest edges and roads, in dry meadows and hills.
- Properties: Diuretic, saluretic, febrifuge, astringent and antidiarrheal.
- What is it indicated for: It helps combat fluid retention or edema and associated symptoms, as well as continued difficulty urinating (oliguria), but only in discontinuous treatments due to its high diuretic value. Also in urine infections and to control blood pressure, urea and uric acid in the blood.
- Parts we use: The flowering tops and the root.
- How to take it: In infusion of the tops, up to three cups daily, or in decoction of the root. It is found in tincture, liquid extract and capsules or tablets.
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Ortosifón, a powerful detoxifier
The orthosiphon (Orthosiphon stammineus Benth.) is native to Southeast Asia and is planted in medicinal gardens and nurseries. It is a very complete medicinal plant: diuretic, cleansing and antihypertensive.
- Properties: It is a powerful diuretic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, cleansing, hypocholesterolemic and cholagogue.
- What is it indicated for: To purify the body and eliminate chlorides and uric acid, and against bacterial urinary infections. It combats edema and is indicated in the treatment of obesity, high cholesterol and hypertension.
- Parts we use: The flowering tops and leaves.
- How to take it: In infusion, with mint or lemon balm to soften its bitterness, two cups a day. It is also found in liquid extract drops, tincture, tablets and capsules. It should be avoided in heart or kidney failure.
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Levístico, a traditional remedy against fluid retention
The levis (Levisticum officinale Koch.) is originally from Iran. It has been planted in orchards and nurseries but is rare. However, its traditional use against fluid retention is well established.
- Properties: It is a powerful diuretic, purifying, renal tonic, digestive, aperitif, carminative, antispasmodic and relaxing.
- When is it appropriate: It has been used since ancient times to promote urination, combat edema, swelling of the feet or legs and treat overweight due to fluid retention.
- Parts we use: The root and the fruits with their seeds.
- How to take it: Fruits and leaves as seasoning; the root in decoction and the seeds in infusion, up to three cups a day. Also in liquid extract and tincture. It should be taken, however, in short and discontinuous periods and avoided during pregnancy and lactation.
Infusion for fluid retention
Taking an infusion that combines several of the cleansing and diuretic plants mentioned is a good way to prevent and eliminate fluid retention. We propose two different ones below, each of which enhances some effects more than others:
1. Infusion for edema (diuretic and purifying effect)
To prepare this infusion you need:
- horsetail (stems)
- birch (leaves)
- walnut (leaves)
- dandelion (root)
- orthosiphon (summities)
- lemon balm
- fennel (fruits)
How to do it: Mix in equal parts, boil 1 level tablespoon per glass of water for 2 minutes and leave covered for 10 more. Strain and sweeten.
Dose: You can drink throughout the day, even cold infusion from the refrigerator, but use it within 48 hours.
2. Infusion to eliminate fluids and reduce inflammation (powerful diuretic effect and antiseptic effect)
This infusion can also help you against overweight and urinary conditions. In this case you will need.
- corn stigmas
- cherry stalks
- dandelion
- catgirl
- cat tail
- green anise
How to do it: Mix in equal parts and separate 5 g of the mixture per glass of water. Boil for 2 minutes and let sit for another 10. Sweeten with maple syrup or similar if you wish.
Dose: Three glasses a day, on an empty stomach.
Other keys to preventing and reducing edema or swelling
Diet and exercise They are essential to avoid fluid retention and promote diuresis with water and appropriate infusions.
With a few simple changes in habits we help prevent and relieve edema. It is advisable to avoid excess salt, sugar and processed foods, and consume more foods rich in vitamin B6, B5 and magnesium.
Walking at a good pace whenever possible, taking hikes in the mountains, exercising and avoiding sitting for long periods of time, alternating with walks, is also key.
By not drinking you won’t retain less, on the contrary. Drink at least 2 liters of…
