Author: Namratha Gopal | Illustrator: Parvathi Nayanar
Fluid retention/water retention is also known as edema in medical terms. Water retention refers to excessive accumulation of fluid in body tissues. It is commonly seen in legs and feet but is also seen in other parts of body as well. Water retention is common when you are menstruating or if you are pregnant, care needs to be taken if you are not. Causes for water retention include high sodium intake, lack of body movements, vitamin deficiency, stress, kidney problems, thyroid disorders, exposure to higher altitudes, high blood pressure, heart problems etc. Water retention usually causes puffiness and swelling in the affected body parts. It may also cause stiff joints, weight change, increased blood pressure and a bloated feeling. Here are some home remedies to reduce water retention –
Home remedies to Reduce Water Retention
1. Epsom salt
Epsom salt is an excellent remedy in helping you getting rid of water retention and a bloating through reverse osmosis as it can help draw out excess fluids and toxins from your body. The relaxing bath with epsom salt helps in soothing sore muscles and calms the nerves.
How to use?
Mix 1 to 2 cups of epsom salt in a bath tub containing warm water. Mix well and soak yourself in it for good 20 minutes. Can do twice or thrice a week.
2. Lemon juice
Lemon helps in flushing out excess fluid and toxins out of your body.
How to use?
To the cup of warm water, add in some 2 tablespoon of lemon juice. You can also sweeten it with 1 teaspoon honey if you feel sour to drink it plain. Give them a good mix and drink this solution. You can continue drinking them for few days to see better improvement.
3. Jeera water
Jeera is a simple homemade concoction helps in getting rid of any water retention and improves in insulin sensitivity.
How to use?
Take a bowl and add in 1 tablespoon of jeera / cumin seeds and 1 cup of water. Cover and let it stay overnight. In the next morning, brew it for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the mixture and drink this concoction every day morning for best results.
4. Fennel seeds
Fennel seeds have diuretic properties and in turn help in flushing out increased sodium and water from kidneys. It also helps in preventing toxin build up in the body, relieves gastric symptoms and aids in digestion.
How to use?
Take a bowl and add in 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds and 1 cup of hot boiled water, cover it and brew it for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the mixture and have this concoction every day morning.
5. Cranberry juice
Cranberry is one of the popular remedy for getting rid of water retention because of its diuretic properties. It is also rich in minerals like magnesium, potassium and calcium that help in maintaining the fluid balance.
How to use?
Drinking a cup of unsweetened cranberry juice daily for relief as the first thing in the morning should be fine. You can also dilute as per the need.
6. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar helps in relieving water retention by replenishing potassium in the body to help reduce sodium levels.
How to use?
Take a glass of water and add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. This helps best in relieving bloating. If you have fluid retention in your legs, just soak your feet in a warm foot bath that is made of equal quantities of apple cider vinegar and water for about 10 minutes.
7. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy helps in stimulating lymphatic system and also encourages fluid drainage. These in turn contributes in reducing the water retention.
How to use?
To the warm water bath tub, put 15 to 20 drops of geranium, cypress and juniper essential oils. Soak in yourself for good 10 minutes. You can practice this twice or thrice a week.
8. Onion
Onion has diuretic and body cleansing properties which helps in flushing out excess toxins from the body. It also helps in preventing the formation of kidney stones.
How to use?
Take a bowl and add in some onion pieces and 4 cups of water. Boil it for few minutes and strain the solution. Add in some salt as per taste. Drink this concoction twice a day for best results.
9. Parsley
This healthy vegetable is naturally diuretic and helps in eliminating excess fluid without exhausting the body of potassium. This in turn helps in reducing the water retention and bloating.
How to use?
To the boiling cup of water, add in some 2 teaspoons of dried parsley leaves. Let it steep for 10 minutes. Have this solution. You can also add in some lemon juice for better taste.
10. Pineapple
Bromelain which is an enzyme in pineapple helps in reducing water retention. In addition to that, Vitamin C in pineapple has shown to increase the fat breakdown and improves cardio metabolic health.
How to use?
Take a blender and add 1 pineapple chopped pieces, 1 apple chopped pieces, 1 cucumber and 1 papaya chopped pieces. Blend them smooth to prepare the juice. Have this juice for instant relief from bloating and other water retention symptoms.
Disclaimer
The content in this article is for generic information only and it’s nowhere a substitute of medical opinion. If no remedies work for you always take doctor’s advice before taking any kind of supplements and medications.
