Swollen ankles and feet, puffy eyes and a general feeling of heaviness — yes, you may have edema. And no, you don’t need to be pregnant to get it!
Edema, in simpler terms, is water retention. Water tends to accumulate between cells in your soft tissue and can occur due to many conditions. Edema on its own is not a disease but is a sign of an underlying disorder that should be checked and treated. Edema can occur due to kidney disease, pregnancy, allergic reaction, lymph node tumor, liver disease and certain types of medications, such as NSAIDs and corticosteroids.
There are different types of edema affecting different parts of the body. They are categorized as:
While there are home remedies for edema, you should never ignore it. In fact, while you are using edema home remedies, make it a point to consult a doctor, so that you know the underlying cause. Home remedies can give you relief from edema but cannot cure the disease that causes it.
There are several home remedies for edema and for most of these, you require simple ingredients that are found in almost all homes. So you should not have a problem following these edema remedies.
Grind flaxseeds and sprinkle it on your food. Not only will this ease the edema, it will also provide your body with many beneficial nutrients. If you find the taste of flaxseeds not up to your liking, you can easily get flaxseed oil and apply it on the affected part.
There is nothing more soothing than a nice massage with some warm oil. So, get cracking and warm up some mustard oil and use gentle circular motions to apply it on the affected part of your body. This will stimulate blood and lymph flow, helping excess water to drain out from the soft tissue. You can also add two teaspoons of the oil in a glass of warm water and apply the water on your body.
Boil 500 ml of water and add a teaspoon of sugar. Add 12 gm fennel seeds to the water and allow it to steep for about 15 minutes. Strain the water and consume it every day to alleviate the swelling from your feet and ankles.
Many people consume apple cider vinegar as a daily tonic. It can also help with edema. You can consume it or apply it on the affected part of your body. If you are applying it, make sure you massage it for 5 minutes, so that it enters your skin. It will not only ease the swelling, but also alleviate the accompanying pain.
Add 2 tsp coriander seeds to some water and boil. Reduce the water by half and strain the liquid. Consume the entire liquid in one go. Alternatively, you can boil 100 gm of the seeds in 2 liters of water for about 10 minutes. Strain and use the liquid to soak your legs and ankles.
Extract one glass cucumber juice and consume it every day. Not only will it ease the edema, it also will help to flush out toxins from your body.
Dandelion is a natural diuretic and it can eliminate excess water from your body. To make dandelion tea, bring a cup of water to boil. Remove it from the heat and add fresh dandelion to it, about a teaspoonful. Let the dandelion steep for about 7 minutes before straining. Drink the tea. You should be looking to consume about two to three cups of the tea every day to get effective results.
Both these herbs are known to have anti-inflammatory properties and can help with water retention. Boil about four cups of water and add two teaspoons of each herb. Boil the water further for about 5 minutes and strain. Dip a washcloth into the warm liquid, squeeze out excess liquid from it and place it on the swollen part of your body. Continue doing this until the liquid gets cold. You should be looking to use this edema remedy three times a day for best results.
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