Diuretic herbs stimulate urine secretion, cleanse the body of toxins, act against bloating, and also help in the treatment of urinary tract diseases. What are the herbs that have a proven diuretic effect? Who, when and how can use these diuretic herbs? Are they safe for children and pregnant women to use? What are the contraindications and side effects?
Diuretic herbs increase urine output, which is beneficial in alleviating many ailments. Diuretic herbs are believed to cleanse the kidneys and urinary tract; This is true, but diuretic herbs are also invaluable in both the prophylaxis and treatment of many other diseases.
Most diuretic herbs also have other properties: antibacterial and antispasmodic, they promote immunity, and in addition to eliminating urine, they also remove toxins without leaching electrolytes from the body. They are recommended not only by people who work with medicinal herbs, but also by doctors.
However, it is worth remembering that, despite their valuable properties when dealing with serious diseases, diuretic herbs can turn out to be too weak and using them as the only means of treatment could make the disease worse.
How do diuretic herbs help?
Diuretic herbs are most often used in the case of:
· Kidney disease (to support treatment).
· As a support against cystitis, nephrolithiasis, inflammation of the urinary tract.
· Treatment of edema of various origins.
· During weight loss: some speed up metabolism, others cleanse the body of toxins.
· Water retention in the body, which is the result of hormonal disorders.
· Hypertension.
Diuretic herbs: are they safe?
The properties of diuretic herbs have been known for centuries. Many of them are known to be much safer than prescription synthetic diuretics, because they are much milder. However, it is worth remembering that diuretic herbs, like all other herbs, should be used with care, especially if you are also taking medication.
This is because they could interact between the two, interfere with their effects, and as a result, delay recovery or cause unpleasant side effects. An overdose of diuretic herbs can be dangerous to health, as it can lead to dehydration of the body and a decrease in blood volume. Therefore, when using them, follow the instructions on the label or packaging, or be guided by the information of your doctor.
The best diuretic herbs
The list of diuretic herbs has several dozen items, although not all are equally effective and safe. The best diuretic herbs include:
1. Silver birch leaves
These are rich in flavonoids, vitamin C, organic acids, saponins, triterpenic compounds. They are used in the form of infusion and decoction, and have a diuretic effect, disinfect the urinary tract, are good as a support against kidney failure, urolithiasis and reduced uric acid excretion.
To prepare an infusion of birch leaves, you must pour a tablespoon of leaves with a glass of water and heat for a quarter of an hour under cover. Birch juice is also used as a diuretic, which also helps to remove stones from the kidneys.
2. Nettle leaves and roots
Nettle has many valuable properties, the diuretic effect is one of them. Nettle leaves contain many vitamins and minerals, flavonoids, organic acids and roots, including lipid compounds, lecithin, silica. Nettle leaves can be prepared as a tea or added to a salad.
3. Horsetail grass
Usually this herb is associated with the effect of strengthening hair and improving skin condition, but hardly anyone knows that horsetail has a diuretic effect. This is rich in flavonoids, minerals, saponins, organic acids, vitamin C, tannins. You can drink it in the form of an infusion or decoction.
4. Goldenrod grass
Contains flavonoids, saponins, diterpene compounds, polysaccharides, mineral salts. It has not only a diuretic effect, but also antiseptic, it also improves immunity. Goldenrod is used to treat diseases of the urinary tract: pelvic inflammatory disease, ureters, and urinary retention. You can drink it as an infusion, decoction or prepare goldenrod tincture.
6. Juniper berries
They contain volatile oils, flavonoids, tannins, resins, organic acids, mineral compounds. The extract of this berry is used, among other things, against inflammation of the urinary tract. You can drink it as an infusion or prepare a tincture to counteract urinary tract infections.
7. Dandelion
Both the dandelion root and its leaves have a diuretic effect, and are rich in flavonoids, minerals, vitamin C, sesquiterpenic compounds. You can get the diuretic effect of a dandelion flower infusion and dandelion root decoction, and even a dandelion root wine. Also, add dandelion leaves to your salads.
8. Black elderberry
Its flowers are rich in a number of medicinal substances, including large amounts of flavonoids, phenolic acids, organic acids, and mineral salts. In turn, the fruits of the black elderberry contain glycosides, sugars, vitamin C, B vitamins and mineral salts.
Both elderflowers and fruits have diuretic effects. Both can be used to make a decoction or infusion, the fruit is also made from elderberry juice, which, in addition to diuretic properties, also acts as an effective remedy for colds and strengthens the body.
9. Parsley
Its roots and fruits contain essential oils, flavonoids, phytosterols and mineral salts. Both the roots and the fruits have a diuretic effect, disinfect the urinary tract and prevent kidney stones.
10. Lovage celery
The lovage root contains essential oils, organic acids, resins, mineral salts. It is a popular ingredient in some blends against bladder diseases and chronic urinary tract infections. You can also drink it as an infusion or decoction.
Diuretic herbs available in pharmacies, herbal stores, or health food stores are sold in sachets, capsules, or even ready-made juices or decoctions.
By knowing what they look like and where they grow, you can also collect them yourself and even grow them on your windowsill or in your home garden.
However, in this case you must remember that certain species of herbs must be harvested in a specific way and at a specific time; otherwise, they may lose their valuable properties.
Diuretic herbs for pregnant women and children
Can pregnant women use diuretic herbs? And could you give the kids a diuretic herbal tea too? Urinary tract infections and bloating are common problems for pregnant women, while children often suffer from cystitis and inflammation of the urinary tract. However, not all diuretic herbs are suitable for pregnant women and children.
Birch leaves and nettles are now considered safer (the latter is also considered safe for breastfeeding women), however, it is worth considering that the recommendations regarding this may change from time to time, as each New discoveries are made in the field of herbal medicine. Therefore, for current recommendations, it is worth consulting a doctor during pregnancy, or in the case of children, a pediatrician.
Diuretic fruits and vegetables
Not only herbs have diuretic properties, but also vegetables and fruits which, like herbs, stimulate urine production, support the kidneys, cleanse the urinary tract, and do not remove electrolytes from the body.
In this case, you should also remember that they can only be used as an additional support in the treatment of urinary tract diseases; they cannot replace treatment as such.
The best of these diuretic fruits include water-rich watermelons, as well as gooseberries, blueberries, pears, strawberries, wild strawberries, and blueberries.
On the other hand, diuretic vegetables are mainly eggplants, horseradish (often recommended for kidney stones), celery, tomatoes, dill, cucumbers, carrots, lettuce, onion, asparagus.
Eat five to six smaller meals during the day rather than two or three large meals. Choose nutrient-rich foods. As part of an overall healthy diet, choose whole-grain breads, pastas and cereals; fruits and vegetables; dairy products; lean protein sources; and nuts and seeds. Java Burn