Home Remedy for Water Retention

Check out this list of home remedy for water retention. Find out what water retention is. What are the causes of fluid retention? How to reduce water retention or body fluid retention?

Fluid retention, water retention or edema is a condition that describes swelling caused by the accumulation of excess fluids trapped in body tissues. Normally the fluid in the body will be drained out through the lymphatic system and waste products are removed.

There are many possible causes of water retention. Eating foods that are high in sodium or salt is one of causes of edema. Sitting or standing in one position for too long may also cause body fluid retention. Other edema causes are pregnancy, certain medications and estrogen. Fluid retention may also indicate a serious medical condition such as a heart disorder, kidney diseases, problems with the blood vessels and liver problems.

In general, the common symptom of fluid retention is swelling at a specific part of the body. It normally affects the ankles, arms, feet and legs. One of the signs of edema is when your skin retains a dimple after being pressed instead of springing back. Other symptoms may include a bloated feeling. Many women might experience this symptom prior to menstruation.

Try any of this home remedy for water retention as a treatment for edema. But if it doesn't help reduce water retention, if the swelling affects your whole body or if it persists too long, see a doctor to find out why your body is retaining the water.

Home remedy for water retention No. 1 - Herbs for water retention

Here is a list of herbs that you might like to try as a home treatment for edema. These herbs act as natural diuretics as well as have other properties such as being carminative and anti-inflammatory. As diuretics, they stimulate and increase urine flow and thus help the body excrete water and salt. You can either make an infusion and drink the herbal tea or take the herbal extracts which are available in the form of capsules, liquid extract and tinctures.

Dandelion has the ability to support urine production and excretion. And besides removing excess water from your body by increasing the flow of urine, dandelion has many other health benefits. It is beneficial for digestive and liver health.

The seeds of wild carrot or daucus carota may also help reduce water retention. The additional benefits of taking wild carrot extract include preventing and treating kidney stones, eliminating gout causing uric acid and may help in the treatment for urinary bladder inflammation and inflammation of the prostate gland.

Unless you are pregnant, you can try parsley as a home remedy for water retention. Drinking parsley tea will also benefit if you have problems such as prostrate disorder and halitosis or bad breath.

Other herbs that have been used as natural remedy for water retention are butcher's broom, celery, cornsilk, cranberry, juniper berry, lemon and uva ursi.

Home remedy for water retention No. 2 - Reduce salt intake

Salt makes the body retains fluid. Reduce the intake of salt and you may also reduce water retention. Try to avoid processed and fast foods because they contain a high amount of sodium.

Home remedy for water retention No. 3 - Drink lots of water

If you think that drinking more water will make your body retain it, you have been misinformed. If you aren't drinking enough, your brain will give instruction to the body to retain whatever it has. Once you start drinking about 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, you will encourage your body to remove the excess.

Home remedy for water retention No. 4 - Exercise

Walking or other aerobic exercise help the leg muscles pump blood and fluids toward the heart and also strengthen the heart and leg muscles. So if your legs or hands are swollen, move instead of resting them. If that's not possible, then flex your joints by moving your arms or legs up and down.

Home remedy for water retention No. 5 - Raise your hand or leg

Elevate the swollen leg or hand by raising it above the level of your heart and hold it there for about half an hour. When you do this, the force of gravity will help drain the fluid and draw out the swelling. When you sleep, prop your arm or leg by placing a couple of pillows underneath it.

Back to Remedies for Various Conditions and Diseases

Back from Home Remedy for Water Retention to Various Home Remedies