Herbal Diuretics: Edema, Water Weight
Fluid retention, bloating, swollen feet, dropsy, or edema all are caused by the retention of excess water - often in the feet and ankles. Herbs that are diuretic in action stimulate the elimination of fluid, without the depletion of minerals that is a common side effect of prescription drugs. Diuretics are often included in weight loss and cellulite treatment formulas, however excess water weight is easily regained and does not represent real weight loss. If edema is a chronic problem, look for those herbs that are tonic to the kidneys and liver and well as diuretic. Cleavers and Horsetail are good examples.
See Also: * Depurative
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Agrimony, Agrimonia eupatoria L. -
Alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. -
Anise Seed, Pimpinella anisum -
Artichoke, Globe, Cynara scolymus -
Ashwagandha root, Withania somnifera -
Asparagus, Asparagus spp -
Benzoin Resin, Styrax benzoin -
Black Cohosh root, Cimicifuga racemosa -
Black Pepper, Piper nigrum -
Blessed Thistle, Cnicus benedictus -
Bogbean, Menyanthes trifoliata -
Borage Seed Oil, Borago officinalis -
Boswellia (Frankincense), Boswellia thurifera -
Buchu, Agathosma betulina -
Bugleweed, Lycopus spp. -
Butcher's Broom, Ruscus aculeatus -
Butterbur, Petasites vulgaris -
Cacao, Theobroma cacao L. -
Calamus root, Acorus calamus -
Camphor, Cinnamomum camphora -
Cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum -
Cedarwood, Atlas, Cedrus atlantica -
Celandine, Chelidonium majus -
Celery Seed, Apium graveolens -
Chamomile, Matricaria recutita -
Chanca Piedra, Phyllanthus niruri -
Chicory root, Cichorium intybus -
Cleavers, Galium aparine -
Coriander, Coriandrum sativum -
Corn Silk, Zea mays -
Couch grass, Agropyron repens -
Cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon -
Cumin, Cuminum cyminum -
Cypress Oil, Cupressus sempervirens -
Dandelion Root, Taraxacum officinale -
Elecampane, Inula helenium -
Elm, Slippery, Ulmus fulva -
Epazote , Chenopodium ambrosioides -
Epimedium, Epimedium grandiflorum -
Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus globulus -
Fennel Seed, Foeniculum vulgare -
Figwort, Scrophularia nodosa -
Forsythia Fruit, Forsythia suspensa -
Fumitory, Fumaria officinalis -
Geranium , Pelargonium graveolens -
Hibiscus, Hibiscus sabdariffa -
Holy Basil, Ocimum sanctum -
Honeysuckle, Lonicera periclymenum -
Hops, Humulus Lupulus -
Horseradish root, Armoracia rusticana -
Horsetail, Equisetum arvense -
Hyssop, Hyssopus officinalis -
Joe-pye weed, Eupatorium purpureum -
Juniper Berries, Juniperus communis -
Kava-Kava, Piper methysticum -
Lavender, Lavandula spp -
Lovage, Levisticum officinale -
Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria -
Motherwort, Leonurus caridica L. -
Mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris -
Oolong Tea, Camellia sinensis -
Papaya, Carica papaya -
Parsley, Petroselinum crispum -
Periwinkle, Vinca minor -
Plantain, Plantago major ,lanceolata L. -
Raspberry Leaf, Rubus idaeus -
Red Clover, Trifolium pratense -
Rehmannia root, Rehmannia glutinosa -
Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis -
Sandalwood Oil, Santalum album -
Saw Palmetto, Serenoa serrulata -
Sheep Sorrel, Rumex acetosella var. vulgaris -
Shepherd's Purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris -
Spearmint, Mentha spicata -
Stinging Nettle, Urtica dioica -
Sunflower, Helianthus annuus -
Tribulus terrestris L, Tribulus terrestris, -
Uva Ursi, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi -
Violet Leaf, Viola spp -
Watercress, Nasturtium officinale -
Wild Ginger, Asarum canadense
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