Edema - Supplements

Add save! | | |
 
Edema
Puffiness in your legs or other limbs may be caused by a buildup of excess fluid underneath the skin. What can you do to remedy water retention? According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
  • Try a diuretic

    Pick up an over-the-counter remedy containing ammonium and caffeine, or an herbal diuretic containing goldenrod, corn silk, horsetail, juniper, or dandelion

  • Fill up on flavonoids

    Try these natural plant pigment supplements to reduce symptoms of edema associated with venous or lymphatic conditions; take 2,000 mg a day of hydroxyethylrutosides or a daily combination of diosmin (900 mg) and hesperidin (100 mg)

  • Check out butcher’s broom

    For edema caused by venous or lymphatic disorders, take 300 to 450 mg a day of this plant extract in combination with hesperidin and vitamin C

Also indexed as:
  • edema,
  • lymphedema,
  • water retention
Alternative Treatments

About this treatment

What Are "Star" Ratings?

a7_3star Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.


SupplementAmountWhy
Diosmin and Hesperidin
900 mg diosmin and 100 mg per hesperidin daily2 stars A combination of the flavonoids diosmin and hesperidin may be effective for treating a variety of venous circulation disorders.
Selenium
230 mcg daily2 stars People with lymphedema of the arm or head-and-neck region who were treated with selenium saw an improvement in quality of life and edema symptoms in one study.


2 stars Selenium

230 mcg daily

In a preliminary study, individuals with lymphedema of the arm or head-and-neck region were treated with approximately 230 mcg of selenium per day, in the form of sodium selenite, for four to six weeks. A quality-of-life assessment showed an improvement of 59%, and the circumference of the edematous arm was reduced in 10 of 12 cases.4


SupplementAmountWhy
Cleavers
Refer to label instructions 1 star Cleavers is one of numerous plants considered in ancient times to act as a diuretic. It was therefore used to relieve edema and to promote urine formation during bladder infections.


1 star Cleavers

Cleavers is one of numerous plants considered in ancient times to act as a diuretic.5 It was therefore used to relieve edema and to promote urine formation during bladder infections.


SupplementAmountWhy
Corn Silk
Refer to label instructions 1 star Corn silk has long been considered to have diuretic properties, which are beneficial for treating edema.


1 star Corn Silk

Herbs that stimulate the kidneys were traditionally used to reduce edema. Herbal diuretics do not work the same way that drugs do, thus it is unclear whether such herbs would be effective for this purpose. Goldenrod (Solidago cnadensis) is considered one of the strongest herbal diuretics.6 Animal studies show, at very high amounts (2 grams per 2.2 pounds of body weight), that dandelion leaves possess diuretic effects that may be comparable to the prescription diuretic furosemide (Lasix®).7 Human clinical trials have not been completed to confirm these results. Corn silk (Zea mays) has also long been used as a diuretic, though a human study did not find that it increased urine output.8 Thus, diuretic herbs are not yet well supported for use in reducing edema.


SupplementAmountWhy
Dandelion
Refer to label instructions 1 star Dandelion leaves have diuretic effects that may be comparable to the prescription diuretics used to treat edema.


1 star Dandelion

Herbs that stimulate the kidneys were traditionally used to reduce edema. Herbal diuretics do not work the same way that drugs do, thus it is unclear whether such herbs would be effective for this purpose. Goldenrod (Solidago cnadensis) is considered one of the strongest herbal diuretics.9 Animal studies show, at very high amounts (2 grams per 2.2 pounds of body weight), that dandelion leaves possess diuretic effects that may be comparable to the prescription diuretic furosemide (Lasix®).10 Human clinical trials have not been completed to confirm these results. Corn silk (Zea mays) has also long been used as a diuretic, though a human study did not find that it increased urine output.11 Thus, diuretic herbs are not yet well supported for use in reducing edema.


SupplementAmountWhy
Goldenrod
Refer to label instructions 1 star Herbs that stimulate the kidneys (diuretics) theoretically should help reduce edema. Goldenrod is considered one of the strongest herbal diuretics.


1 star Goldenrod

Herbs that stimulate the kidneys were traditionally used to reduce edema. Herbal diuretics do not work the same way that drugs do, thus it is unclear whether such herbs would be effective for this purpose. Goldenrod (Solidago cnadensis) is considered one of the strongest herbal diuretics.24 Animal studies show, at very high amounts (2 grams per 2.2 pounds of body weight), that dandelion leaves possess diuretic effects that may be comparable to the prescription diuretic furosemide (Lasix®).25 Human clinical trials have not been completed to confirm these results. Corn silk (Zea mays) has also long been used as a diuretic, though a human study did not find that it increased urine output.26 Thus, diuretic herbs are not yet well supported for use in reducing edema.


SupplementAmountWhy
Horse Chestnut
Refer to label instructions 1 star An ingredient in horse chestnut seed has been shown to effectively reduce post-surgical edema in preliminary trials.


1 star Horse Chestnut

Aescin, isolated from horse chestnut seed, has been shown to effectively reduce post-surgical edema in preliminary trials.27 , 28 A form of aescin that is injected into the bloodstream is often used but only under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.


SupplementAmountWhy
Horsetail
Refer to label instructions 1 star Horsetail has a diuretic action that accounts for its traditional use in reducing mild edema.


1 star Horsetail

Horsetail has a diuretic (urine flow increasing) action that accounts for its traditional use in reducing mild edema. Although there is no clinical research that yet supports its use for people with edema, the German government has approved horsetail for this use. The volatile oils in juniper cause an increase in urine volume and in this way can theoretically lessen edema;29 however, there is no clinical research that yet supports its use for people with edema.


SupplementAmountWhy
Hydroxyethylrutosides
2,000 mg daily hydroxyethylrutosides or a daily combination of diosmin (900 mg) and hesperidin (100 mg) 1 star Hydroxyethylrutosides is a type of flavonoid that may help reduce symptoms of edema associated with venous or lymphatic conditions.
Juniper
Refer to label instructions 1 star The volatile oils in juniper cause an increase in urine volume and in this way can theoretically lessen edema.


1 star Juniper

Horsetail has a diuretic (urine flow increasing) action that accounts for its traditional use in reducing mild edema. Although there is no clinical research that yet supports its use for people with edema, the German government has approved horsetail for this use. The volatile oils in juniper cause an increase in urine volume and in this way can theoretically lessen edema;30 however, there is no clinical research that yet supports its use for people with edema.

Last Review: 05-11-2011

LogoCpyrt.gif

Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net

Learn more about Aisle7, the company.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

Advertisement
Care Circle

It Seems That You Are Not Logged In...

OR

Join Now

Welcome to Care Circle, an exclusive tool to help you take care of yourself and your loved ones. Here's how it works:

  1. Create profiles for yourself and your loved ones.
  2. Select the topics and conditions that interest each of you.
  3. Get customized news updates, original content, tools, and expert advice for each Care Circle member delivered directly to your personalized homepage.

The information you input is strictly private; you choose who has access to your Care Circle.

How do I add myself or someone else to my care circle?

Click on "Add someone." Fill out the short profile. Choose an avatar. Select the topics and conditions that interest this person from the pulldown menu. You can select as many as you want, but you must choose at least one. Click on "Add Someone" again. You should start getting updates immediately.

How do I save content to my Care Circle?

Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab of the person for whom you're saving content. Put your cursor over the piece of content that you want to save; a disk icon will appear in the righthand corner. Click on the disk and the piece of content will be moved to a save folder.

How do I add additional topics and conditions for someone in my Care Circle?

Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab for the person whose preferences you'd like to update. Under "Add More to Follow," select additional topics and conditions.

How do I delete topics and conditions for someone in my Care Circle?

Click on "Manage My Care Circle." Select the tab for the person whose preferences you'd like to update. Under "Follows," scroll over the topic or condition you want to delete. An "X" should appear on the righthand side. Click on the "X" and the topic or condition will be deleted from the list.

See All Boards

find discussions about...

See All Tools

See All News