Water retention, known as edema, is swelling in parts of your body. It’s caused by fluid buildup in body tissues. You can experience water retention in your abdomen, legs, ankles and feet as well as your face and hands.
What Causes Water Retention?
One of the main causes of this, is sitting or standing for long periods of time. When your body isn’t moving for a long period of time, the fluid will build up in your legs, feet or hands. Also, if you’re not hydrated enough your body will hold onto the water.
Making changes to your diet by reducing sodium intake also assists in reducing excess water. Processed foods, deli meats, fast foods all contain high amounts of sodium.
Water retention can also be caused by health conditions, so to rule out any health issues visit your healthcare practitioner.
Herbal Diuretics
Dandelion greens (Taraxacum officinale) are one of the best diuretics, they release excess water from your body and maintain the electrolyte balance. Dandelion greens are a general tonic for overall health. Many people eat dandelion greens in the spring to jump start their health after eating heavy dense foods during the winter. The greens support kidney function so water retention is reduced. These greens also provide your body with B vitamins, magnesium and potassium. Fresh dandelion greens can be eaten in a salad or drink as a tea, wine or tonic.
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is one of the least processed varieties of tea so it retains much of its various bioactive compounds and antioxidants. Green tea contains caffeine which increases urination thus reducing water retention. But you need to drink 3 cups of green tea a day to successfully increase your urine output.
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is renowned for its diuretic properties, helping to increase the flow of urine. By removing excess water, horsetail helps in flushing out toxins and bacteria responsible for urinary infections without disturbing the electrolyte balance in your body.
Horsetail Tea
- Use 1 to 3 tsps. of fresh or dried horsetail for every cup of water
- Pour boiling water over the herb
- Cover and steep 5 to 10 minutes
- Strain the herbs before drinking
Corn silk (Stigma maydis) can be used fresh or dried to help alleviate water retention. It’s a natural source of vitamin K and potassium. Corn silk encourages the flow of urine, removing excess water and toxins from your body. It’s most effective when taken as a tea 3-4 times a day.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is rich in anti-oxidants, iron, calcium and B complex vitamins. It helps to inhibit the re-absorption of potassium and sodium, which allows excess water to leave your body. This herb also assists in optimizing your kidney function, helping to expel toxins from your body
Parsley tea is very effective in removing excess water, kidney and urinary bladder stones. Parsley can be also sprinkled on top of salads and consumed. It can also be consumed in form of tincture and capsules.
Parsley Tea
- Add a handful of fresh parsley or 2 tsp dried parsley to boiling water for every cup of water
- Remove from heat, cover and let steep for 10-15 minutes
- Strain, pour in a cup and drink
- Repeat 5-7 times daily
The foods and drinks listed below are diuretic in nature and can help relieve water retention:
- Raspberry
- Pomegranate
- Garlic
- Melon
- Fennel
- Mustard greens
- Coffee
- Black tea
- Green tea
- Water
Doing what you can to prevent water retention is the first step, and then see a healthcare professional to keep your symptoms in check.