The eight best natural diuretics

Natural diuretics can be found in your kitchen cupboard.

diuretics

Edited and resized image by Phuong Nguyen is available on Unsplash

Diuretics are substances that increase the amount of urine produced and help the body release excess water. This excess is called water retention, and it can cause swelling and cause legs, ankles, abdomen, hands, and feet.

Fluid retention usually appears after air travel, hormonal changes, and excessive salt intake. More serious conditions that can cause fluid retention are kidney problems, heart, liver or thyroid disease.

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When water intake is not enough, the body tends to retain water, making the person feel heavier and bloated than normal and less agile or active. Fluid retention is a common health problem and can occur daily and can be caused by factors such as diet, menstrual cycle and genetics. Some foods can serve as a natural diuretic, check out a list of the eight best natural diuretics.

1. Coffee

diuretics

Edited and resized image by Nathan Dumlao, is available on Unsplash

Coffee can provide some health benefits. It is also a natural diuretic, mainly due to its caffeine content (see study about it here: 1). High doses of caffeine between 250 and 300 mg (the equivalent of about two to three cups of coffee) have a diuretic effect (see study about it here: 2).

This means that drinking a few cups of coffee can cause an increase in urine output. However, a standard serving of coffee, or about a cup, is unlikely to contain enough caffeine to have this effect. Also, if you regularly drink coffee, you will likely develop a tolerance to the diuretic properties of caffeine and experience no effects (see studies on this here: 2, 3)

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2. Dandelion extract

Dandelion extract, also known asTaraxacum officinale, is known for its diuretic effects (see studies about it here: 4, 5). One study suggested that these effects are due to their high potassium content 6).

Eating foods rich in potassium signals the kidneys that they should expel more sodium and water (see study on this here: 7). This can be beneficial, as most modern diets are high in sodium and low in potassium, which can cause fluid retention (see study about it here: 8).

In theory, dandelion's high potassium content means that this supplement can help eliminate excess water caused by a high sodium intake. However, the actual potassium content of dandelion may vary, as well as its effects (see study about it here: 6).

A study in humans found that taking a dandelion supplement increased the amount of urine produced in the five hours after taking the supplement (see study about this: 9).

3. Horsetail

Horsetail is a plant used for years as a natural diuretic. A study of men found this herb to be as effective as hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic medication.

However it is not recommended to use horsetail in the long term. It is also not recommended for people with kidney disease or diabetes. Remember that herbal remedies may also contain varying amounts of their active ingredient, so their effects may vary. Learn more about this topic in the article: "What is the horsetail tea for".

4. Parsley

Parsley is used as a diuretic in folk medicine. Traditionally, it is taken in the form of tea several times a day to reduce water retention (see studies about it here: 10). Studies in rats have shown that it can increase urine flow and exert a mild diuretic effect. However, no human studies have examined the effectiveness of parsley as a diuretic. As a result, it is currently unknown whether it has the same effect on people and, if so, which doses are most effective. Learn more in the article "Salsa: benefits and what your tea is for".

5. Hibiscus

Hibiscus is a family of plants known for producing beautiful, colorful flowers. Hibiscus has been commonly used to make a medicinal tea called "roselle" or "sour tea". One study concluded that hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure in people with hypertension.

Hibiscus tea also works as a great natural diuretic. Some studies have concluded that it effective remedy for mild fluid retention.

Some laboratory and animal studies have indicated that it may have a mild diuretic effect (see studies here: 15, 16). However, a study in Thailand gave 18 people three grams of hibiscus in tea form daily for 15 days. However, they found that this had no effect on urine output (see study here: 14).

  • Hibiscus tea: benefits and contraindications

Overall, the results were mixed. Despite seeing a diuretic effect in animals, small studies in people who have taken hibiscus so far have shown no diuretic effect (see studies here: 14, 17).

6. Cumin

Cumin is a plant widely used in Ayurvedic medicine in India to treat digestive disorders, headaches and morning sickness (see study about it here: 18).

In Moroccan medicine, cumin is also used as a diuretic. A study in rats found that administering cumin extract in liquid form significantly increased urine output within 24 hours.

  • What is Ayurveda?

7. Green and black tea

Both black and green tea contain caffeine and can act as diuretics. In rats, black tea has been shown to have a mild diuretic effect. This was attributed to its caffeine content (see study about it here: 20).

However, as in the case of coffee, there may be tolerance to the effects of caffeine present in tea. This means that the diuretic effect is only likely to occur in people who do not drink tea regularly (see study about it here: 3).

8. Nigella Sativa

nigella sativa, also known as "black cumin", is a spice with impressive medicinal properties, including its diuretic effect (see study about it here: 21)

Animal studies have shown that the extract of nigella sativa can increase urine production and lower blood pressure in rats with high blood pressure (see studies here: 22, 23 and 24).



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