Edema (Dropsy, Swelling, Water Retention)

August 11, 2010

Edema is the build up of fluid in the body’s tissues. This happens when there is inflammation – either from an injury, or from your body retaining water in general.

For injuries, you can prevent or reduce swelling with antiinflammatory and vulnerary herbs, which will also aid in tissue repair. When your body just generally retains water, it’s usually due to issues with lymphatic drainage and kidney function, but occasionally it can be a cardiac problem.

When general water retention is an issue, using diuretic herbs are very helpful, but there are two major classes of diuretic herbs, and it is important to know which to take.

The first class stimulate the kidneys to work harder – you might say they’re irritating diuretics. These stimulating herbs include Juniper Berries, Buchu and Uva Ursi, as well as Kidney Activator, Kidney Drainage and JP-X. Do not use these herbs or herbal formulas when the kidneys are inflamed.
Then there is a class of diuretics that nourish and improve kidney function, rather than stimulating and irritating. These are the non-irritating diuretics, and include herbs like nettles, goldenrod, Horsetail and Cornsilk. These are remedies that are useful for kidney inflammation, as well as when the kidneys are not effectively filtering wastes from the body. Also, herbal formulas such as Potassium Combination, Urinary Maintenance, and KB-C are very effective.

When problems with the heart are causing swelling, Hawthorn, CoQ10 and other supplements that aid the heart are very helpful. See Cardiovascular Disease for further suggestions assisting the heart.

Additional things that can help relieve water retention are drinking more water (yes, you heard me), and detoxing the liver and bowel.

Other products that can help with edema are: Blue Vervain, Cranberry-Buchu, Dandelion, EW, FCS II, Geranium, Golden Seal, Grapefruit, Hawthorn Berries, Horsetail, Hydrangea, JP-X, Juniper Berries, Kidney Activator, Chinese Kidney Activator, Kidney Drainage, Lavender, Lymphatic Drainage, NF-X, Parsley, Patchouli, Sarsaparilla, SF, Thyme, Urinary Maintenance, Uva Ursi, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B Complex, White Oak Bark