Edema is the medical term for swelling and is a general response of the body inflammation or injury. Edema can affect any parts of your body, but it’s commonly noticeable in your hands, arms, feet, ankles and legs and causes when excess fluid is trapped in body’ tissues and is estimated that approximately 4.4 million people in United States are suffering from edema.
Edema can be a result of allergic reactions, burns, liver disease, heart failure, brain tumor, arthritis, kidney disease, malnutrition, heat, genes, physical inactivity, pregnancy or certain medications. There are numerous kinds of edema, but the common ones include cerebral edema, which is in and around the brain. Peripheral edema, which occurs in the hand, feet, ankles, legs and eye edema around the eyes.
Symptoms of edema include weight gain, stiff joints, puffiness in the ankles or face, weight loss, hypertension, increased pulse rate, stretched skin or increased abdominal size. If you experience any of the above symptoms, it is best to make an appointment with your doctor and he may order for some test like blood test, liver or heart function test, urine test or X-ray. Below given are few herbs helping to treat edema.
5 Herbal Remedies For Edema
Gingko Biloba
Gingko Biloba is a popular herb helping to treat edema by improving your circulation, which in turn reduces water retention in your arms, hands, feet and legs.
Gingko is available in capsules, tablets, teas and tinctures form. Avoid using this herb if you are pregnant or nursing women.
Dandelion
Dandelion is an excellent herb working as a natural tonic for the system and provides excellent relief for water retention, which is one of the main causes of edema. Dandelion herb contains diuretic properties helping to flush out excess water from the body, thereby relieving from swollen hands, feet and legs.
Dandelion is best taken in tea form, just take 1 tablespoon of dandelion root and pour over 1 cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 20 minutes and strain the liquid before drinking. Take this three times a day and it is not advise-able for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Parsley
Parsley is one of the best herb containing diuretic actions helping to treat edema. It also contains vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll providing essential nutrients to the body.
You can simply incorporate fresh parsley into your salads to consume this herb. If you wish, you can also take this as herbal tea.
Peppermint
Peppermint is another natural herbal remedy helping to cure edema. It helps to relieve swelling of your hands and foot. You can enjoy using this refreshing herbal scent while taking a footbath to relieve from edema symptoms. Peppermint not only energizes and refreshes you, but also helps in treatment of edema.
Juniper
Juniper is the best herb belonging to evergreen family, which contains diuretic, antiseptic, analgesic properties helping to make your kidney work better so as to eliminate excess fluid, thereby curing edema.
You can chew 5 to 6 juniper berries each day, increasing one more berry each day.Apart from above many other herbs, such as corn silk, horse-chaste-nut, meadowsweet, yarrow, cranberries, horsetail, nettle, cleaver, hawthorn and rosemary help to treat edema.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.