Water retention, also called edema, is an accumulation of water in body tissues. It results in swelling of the ankles, thighs, or toes, and sometimes even swelling of the arms, abdomen, fingers or eyelids. If it is not a serious illness, water retention can be treated with home remedies.
How to fight against water retention?
Avoid salt
Salt is often the cause of water retention. A diet that is too high in salt leads to a accumulation of water in the tissues. Tissues, highly concentrated in salt, attract water and retain it, thus preventing its elimination. The body then begins to swell.
In principle, it is advisable to consumer between 4 and 6 g salt per day. Reducing your salt intake is not easy, however. And for good reason, the French would consume, on average, nearly 12g per day of salt, i.e. 2 times more than the daily dose indicated!
To consume less salt, it is necessary to adopt a few simple gestures. First of all, avoid salting the dishes once at the table. But that’s not all: avoid foods high in salt, such as delicatessenthe cheesethe White bread and the ready meals. Furthermore, it is important to keep in mind that salt is not only responsible for water retention. It can, in fact, intervene in the appearance of many disorders, including high blood pressureif consumed in excess.
Good to know : in external use, salt can be useful to put an end to swollen feet.
Plants against water retention
Among the plants with aquaretic properties, that is to say, which help the elimination of water in the body, we find:
- The artichoke : the leaves, once prepared in herbal tea or decoction, greatly facilitate the renal elimination of water;
- Orthosiphon : also called “java tea” or “cat’s whiskers”, it is reputed to have a fairly powerful diuretic effect. It is also often used as a boost in slimming diets;
- the dandelion : the leaves and roots have a diuretic and draining action;
- horse chestnut : by considerably increasing the permeability of blood vessels and small blood capillaries, it acts directly on water retention. Note that horse chestnut is indicated to reduce varicose veins;
- Cherry stalks : their diuretic action is ideal for combating water retention. It is better to use them in decoction.
It is worth pointing out that some plants are subject to contraindications. Therefore, it is important to seek advice from a doctor. Most plants are to be eaten in infusion or in capsulesduring cures of 2 to 3 weeks.
Perform lymphatic drainage
This is a massage that consists of stimulate lymphatic circulation. For information, the lymph is a colorless liquid which circulates in the lymphatic vessels. The goal of lymphatic drainage is simple: evacuate excess liquids ! It is therefore very useful in case of water retention.
Good to know : most institutes offer so-called “draining” massages. For a more in-depth result, however, it is recommended to go for a specialistwho knows the techniques of manual lymphatic drainage.
Essential oils against water retention
There are essential oils with circulatory, draining and tonic properties, which help to fight against the accumulation of water in the tissues. This is particularly the case with the essential oil of evergreen cypressof common juniper and of pistachio lentisk.
In case of water retention, dilute approx. 50 drops of one of these essential oils in 25 ml of macadamia carrier oil. Then, place 20 to 30 drops of mixture in the palm of your hand, then massage the areas affected by the phenomenon of water retention. Renew the application 2 to 3 times a day.
In addition, remember to find out about the contraindications related to the use of essential oils. Most of them are, among other things, contraindicated to pregnant women and breastfeeding as well as to young children.
Good to know : the essential oil of evergreen cypress and pistachio lentiscus are reputed to activate the blood circulation of the legs.
Practice daily physical activity
Water retention is favored not only by a sedentary lifestyle, but also by maintaining a static sitting or standing position for a prolonged period. To prevent the phenomenon of water retention, it is therefore necessary to move more ! All physical activities are good to take. So don’t hesitate to walk, run, swim or cycle to evacuate the excess water accumulated in your tissues!
Take care of yourself and your health;