Herbs to Rid Your Body of Water Retention
Answered by: Christine Dennis
Question from: Valerie
Posted on: July 24, 2008

Please. can you help me and tell me of a herb that’ll rid my body of water retention? I do stay away from salt and salt products. I do not understand why my body holds a lot of fluid.

There are a number of different causes of water retention. Therefore, the cause must be known before a treatment can be recommended. For example, the four main water retention causes could be cardiovascular, endocrine, liver or kidney related.

For cardio vascular related issues, herbs such a lily of the valley or hawthorn may be indicated; for endocrine related water retention herbs such as nettles or partridgeberry may be indicated; for kidney related issues, herbs such as dandelion leaf or celery seed may be indicated; or for liver related water retention a herb such as mugwort may be indicated.

Diet can also be an issue aside from salt intake. Eating a diet that is high in foods that are inflammatory for you can lead to water retention.

Stress can also be a significant factor. Stress causes elevated levels of aldosterone which then reduced sodium excretion, which increase potassium loss. The end result is an out of balance sodium:potassium ratio and increased water retention.

It is best that you find out the underlying cause of your water retention so that you may get the best treatment.

Back to Medicinal Herbs and Their Uses | Q & A Index

Copyright © 1997-2024 Otto Richter and Sons Limited. All rights reserved.