Swollen feet are generally not life-threatening, says the Mayo Clinic. This condition, called edema or fluid retention, can be caused by ordinary factors such as premenstrual syndrome, eating salty food, sitting for long periods--such as a plane ride--or even hot weather. Swollen feet may also signal a serious medical condition such as congestive heat failure or kidney disease. To make sure you get the best advice for your health concerns, talk to your doctor prior to taking any herbs for your condition.
Dandelion Tea
Dandelion tea is a natural herb with diuretic properties, says the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Steep 4 to 10 g of dried dandelion leaves in a cup of water, strain, cool and drink. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine says that dandelion is usually considered safe, but may cause diarrhea and upset stomach. Some people are allergic to dandelion. Dandelion tea is not recommended for those with gallbladder problems or blocked bile ducts.
Bilberry
Bilberry goes by another familiar name, huckleberry, and it's markedly similar to the American blueberry in taste and appearance. The UMMC indicates that the active constituents in bilberry, anthocyanosides, may improve circulation. Bilberry fruit and leaves are used to make standardized extracts that come in capsules and tablets. The UMMC indicates that 80 to 100 mg of bilberry standardized extract, taken three times daily, are used for edema. Bilberry extract may interact with blood-thinning and diabetes medications, so if you take these, speak with your physician first.
Grape Seed Extract
Grape seed extract may be beneficial for chronic venous insufficiency, a condition in which blood pools in the legs because the veins are too weak to deliver it back to the heart, and other circulatory disorders. The standardized extract is generally available in capsule and tablet form. The UMMC says that 360 mg of grape seed extract, taken twice daily, is generally advised. Grape seed extract is safe when taken for up to 12 weeks. It may interact with blood-thinning medications.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn is mentioned by Dr. Andrew Weil, integrative physician, who states that this herb is one of the strongest natural diuretics. A potent antioxidant, hawthorn is believed to have beneficial effects on the circulatory system, says the University of Michigan Health System. Generally, between 80 and 300 mg of the standardized extract--tablets or capsules--is advised two to three times daily. Hawthorn is generally considered safe, but it may interact with some heart medications, such as digoxin.
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