Urination is one way your body eliminates wastes. If your kidneys don't function properly and the frequency of urination slows, your body will retain water in your tissues, a condition known as edema or water retention. Symptoms of water retention may include puffy skin, bloated abdomen, shortness of breath and chest pain. Herbs may help reduce water retention by increasing the frequency of urination naturally. Water retention is often a symptom of an underlying disorder, so consult your health-care provider before starting herbal treatment.
Herbal Actions
Herbs to help the frequency of urination are called diuretics. They act on your kidneys in several ways. Some herbs increase blood flow to your kidneys, stimulating them to produce and eliminate more urine. Other herbs prevent water from being reabsorbed by the kidneys, enhancing the flow and elimination of urine from your body. Check with a knowledgeable practitioner for advice about dosage and preparation of herbs to help the frequency of urination.
Dandelion
Dandelion, or Taraxacum officinale, is a small, weedy herb with yellow flowers. Herbalists use the leaves and roots as an appetite stimulant and diuretic. In his 2003 book, "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," clinical herbalist David Hoffmann explains that the leaf has diuretic action comparable to the medication furosemide. He also notes that dandelion is a natural source of potassium, which is often lost when conventional diuretics stimulate your kidneys. Dandelion replaces potassium and can be used safely to increase urination if you have water retention related to heart problems, according to Hoffmann. Do not combine dandelion with other diuretics, and avoid it if you have allergies to plants in the Aster family.
Parsley
Parsley, or Petroselinum crispum, is a culinary and medicinal herb native to Europe. Traditional healers use the leaves and roots to treat gastrointestinal problems, urinary tract disorders and itchy skin. In their 2009 book "Medicinal Plants of the World," botanist Ben-Erik van Wyk and biologist Michael Wink state that the flavonoids and phenylpropanoids in parsley irritate and stimulate the kidneys, increasing urine flow. Herbalist Penelope Ody, in her 2009 book "The Holistic Herbal Directory," notes that parsley is useful for enhancing urination if you have water retention due to PMS. Do not use parsley as a medicinal herb during pregnancy or if you have a kidney disorder.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn, or Crataegus laevigata, is a European shrub and traditional remedy for heart problems. The herb is rich in procyanidins and flavonoids, which affect several enzymes and receptors throughout your body. Herbalist David Hoffmann recommends using the whole plant as a diuretic for patients with heart problems or hypertension. Hawthorn increases the strength of your heart contractions, pumping more blood to your kidneys and stimulating urine production and elimination. Do not combine hawthorn with heart medicine or other diuretics.
References
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
- "Medicinal Plants of the World"; Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink; 2009
- "The Holistic Herbal Directory"; Penelope Ody; 2009
