Home Remedies for Water Retention

A tendency toward water retention indicates a weakness in the adrenals/kidneys, the circulatory system or possibly the heart. Fluid retention or bloat that seems to be a menopausal and premenstrual problem is easily remedied, says Susun Weed. She notes “If you tend to bloat, the kidneys must work very hard, and become fatigued. In this circumstance optimal fluid intake should be limited to a quart/liter of fluids daily.”

Edema once known as dropsy is an evident case of swelling of your organs or tissue due to collection of fluid. It mainly happens in the feet, ankles and legs because it is the most affected part due to gravity which is also known as peripheral edema which affects your face and hands too. There are two kinds of enema pitting edema and non-pitting edema. Pitting edema causes an indentation when you press your fingers on the swollen areas; non- pitting edema leaves no indentation. Women are more susceptible to this kind of condition in comparison to men.

Bananas:

Go ape and grab a few bananas. Slice ’em on your cereal, make a smoothie, or just peel and eat them plain. Bananas contain high amounts of potassium, which helps eliminate fluid retention. Not a banana fan? Gobble down a handful of raisins instead.

Avoid Diuretics:

Though diuretics are effective for the flushing out of excess water in the people with the heart, kidney or liver disease, they can also cause rebound edema. Continuous usage will activate the salt and water retaining hormones and when stopped, these hormones are activated and cause water retention.

Water:

When you feel waterlogged, guzzling a glass of H2O might be the last thing on your mind. But it may be the best thing for you. Water flushes out the system better than anything else and can reduce premenstrual bloating. Drink 8 to 10 glasses a day; more when you exercise. (NOTE: This advice is only for PMS bloating. If your water retention is caused by any other medical condition, be sure to ask your doctor before drinking extra water — it may not be good for you.)

A Good Diet:

A good diet combined with equal amount of exercise can make things very easy for you. Include cucumber and watermelon in your daily diet for good dose of potassium.

Exercise:

Exercise has been shown to reduce the water retention by flushing out the water and salt through sweating, higher respiration and increased urine flow. If you have been sitting for a long time, walk up and down or climb stairs every hour. You can also try the following exercise: point the toes downward, then raise them up as high as possible which pumps up the calf and foot muscles. You can also raise your hands up overhead.

Essential Oils:

Essential oils that may help fluid retention include cypress, geranium, juniper, lavender and rosemary. Essential oils may be used in a number of ways including inhalation, baths, vaporizers, mouthwashes and gargles, compresses and massage.

Lie Down with Feet Up:

Recline with feet up in the raised position. This will allow the fluid collected in the legs to go to the circulatory systems and from there to the kidneys for excretion.

The Author:

Trikatu – Natural Appetite Supressant.