Water retention (edema) occurs when fluid builds up in body tissues. This preferably takes place under the skin, for example on the face, but especially on the legs. This being the case, it is ideal to know some home remedies to cure leg edema effectively.
When you have edema, your legs swell. They can also cause pain, itching, rashes, and blisters. Water on the legs is especially common in women during pregnancy. But obesity, hypothyroidism, heart failure, alcohol, can cause fluid retention in the feet and legs.
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How to cure edema in the legs
So, what can you do about it? A good option would be to look back at Grandma’s old home remedies. Believe me, you will find good recipes to treat fluid retention in the legs.
Edema: causes and symptoms
The most common causes of leg edema are:
- The heat in the summer reduces the outflow of fluids from the legs.
- Prolonged standing.
- Burns, including sunburn.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal changes affect water balance).
- Protein and vitamin B1 deficiency.
- Medications for high blood pressure, corticosteroids, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- High salt intake
Symptoms of water retention in the legs are:
- Swelling of the ankles, calves, feet, and thighs.
- Swelling of the stomach
- Rigidity
- Pain
- Weight fluctuations
These are the natural home remedies for water retention in the legs and feet:
1. Drink lots of water
A simple but very effective home remedy for leg edema is to drink more water. It sounds illogical, knowing that we want to remove excess water from the body, but it has an explanation:
When the body receives little water, it begins to reserve in the tissues, for example, of the legs. In addition, the increase in water consumption increases the excretion of urine, thus preventing its accumulation in the body.
It is recommended to drink 2 to 3 liters of water per day. If your urine is yellow and thick, then you need to drink more water because the urine should be clear.
2. Restrict salt intake
The sodium content in salt is one of the main reasons for water retention in the body.
Avoiding salt is one of the best home remedies for treating edema. So, you should avoid salty snacks, canned food, and fast food.
3. Dehydration of food
The diuretic foods help the body excrete more urine. Thus, toxins are expelled and blood pressure drops naturally.
These diuretic foods should be consumed daily to avoid fluid retention. The following foods are highly recommended for the treatment of edema during pregnancy:
- Grapes
- Watermelon
- Green leaves
- Leeks
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Salads
- Celery
- Lemon
- Pineapple
- Cranberries
- Tomatoes
- Pumpkin
- Asparagus
- Artichoke
- Onion
- Beet
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
4. Regulate potassium level
Potassium is an electrolyte that, along with sodium, regulates the normal water balance in the body. The potassium deficiency is another cause of water retention in the body. Therefore, it makes sense to provide the body with this mineral.
The following foods are rich in potassium:
- Plantain
- Apricot
- Blackberries
- Paprika
- Avocados
- Sunflower seeds
- Peaches
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Oranges
- Raspberries
- Spinach
- Mushrooms
5. Garlic, Grandma’s Powerful Remedy
Garlic is a natural diuretic widely used by grandmother to eliminate stored water in feet and legs.
Eating raw garlic daily is a good habit to drain swollen calves and legs, as well as other benefits. If you can’t eat a raw garlic clove every morning, you can add garlic to soups, salads, and other dishes.
6. Parsley, another old acquaintance
Parsley is another natural diuretic that can be used as a remedy to treat leg edema. It is widely used in the treatment of kidney stones, urinary tract infections and swelling due to water retention. If you have a bloated stomach, parsley could help you quickly.
To treat leg edema with parsley, you have to do the following:
- Add a handful of fresh parsley to 1 liter of boiling water
- Let stand 15 minutes.
- Drink the preparation throughout the day.
Alternatively, you can use 2 teaspoons of dried parsley in a cup of water and drink four cups a day.