Natural Treatment for Edema

Written by Institute for Natural Medicine Staff

Medically Reviewed by Sarah Daglis, ND, MS

Published March 20, 2025
Last Updated March 20, 2025

We’re all made of water, with H₂O constituting more than half of the average person.¹ Three regulatory systems—cardiovascular, endocrine, and urinary (renal)—work together to maintain a healthy fluid balance. It’s natural to retain water from time to time. But fluid can accumulate in different parts of the body, especially when we eat too much salt, sit or stand for long periods, or during menstruation or pregnancy. This kind of water retention or “edema” is usually temporary. Long-lasting edema is more serious and can indicate problems like blood clots, heart failure, kidney disease, or cirrhosis.²

What are the different kinds of edema?

What causes edema depends on where fluid retention occurs in the body. Treatment options differ depending on the area of edema and specific symptoms.

Peripheral edema

Peripheral edema is the most common type. Excess fluid builds in the tissues of hands, arms, legs, ankles, and feet. Common symptoms include the following:

Heavy, puffy, or swollen arm or leg
Pressing down on skin leaves a mark
Clothes or jewelry feel tight
Warm, tight, and possibly painful skin surrounds the swollen area
Affected joints are difficult to move

Venous insufficiency is the most common cause of edema in people over 50. In this condition, the veins are not healthy enough to move blood between the feet and heart. Blood accumulates in the legs, leading to swollen calves, feet, and ankles.³

With heart failure, the heart is too weak to pump blood throughout the body. Blood pools in the heart, causing edema in the legs.²

Kidney disease affects the body’s filtration systems, preventing proper elimination of salt and water. Blood pressure can spike, and edema may affect the legs and eye area.⁴

Pulmonary edema

Pulmonary edema results from fluid build-up in the lungs, which leaks into the air sacs. This serious condition affects breathing and oxygen flow and may lead to respiratory failure. Seek immediate medical attention with any of the following symptoms⁵:

Difficulty breathing or feeling suffocated
Wheezing, noisy, or quick, shallow breathing
Coughed-up sputum that’s frothy and pink (a sign blood is present)
Pale or bluish skin
Sweating
Confusion, anxiety, disorientation
Swollen feet or ankles

More than one million patients with pulmonary edema related to heart failure are admitted to the hospital each year.⁶ When the left side of the heart fails, fluid enters the lungs too quickly and is redirected to the air sacs, which are only meant to hold air.

Pulmonary edema can also be caused by lung damage (from toxin exposure or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Every year, about 200,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with ARDS.⁷

Macular edema

Macular edema is a build-up of fluid in the macula (part of the retina).

Blurry and worsening vision are common symptoms. Some people report only mild bluriness, while others experience more serious vision loss. Objects may appear wavy (especially when staring straight ahead), distorted (from one eye to another), or faded.

The most common cause of macular edema is diabetic retinopathy, which causes vision loss. This condition has become so widespread that it has its own name: diabetic macular edema. Macular edema can also be caused by age-related macular degeneration, eye inflammation, blocked retinal veins, eye surgery, or certain medications (such as glaucoma treatments).⁸

Cerebral edema

Edema can also occur in the brain, causing high intracranial pressure. Conditions that result in low oxygen in the brain, such as injury, abscesses, or tumors, can cause cerebral edema, which is often fatal when untreated.⁹

Lymphedema

Blood and water aren’t the only fluids that accumulate with edema. Lymphatic fluid carries white blood cells, nutrients, and other life-sustaining substances through the body. The lymphatic system also collects waste, toxins, and extra fluid for the lymph nodes, where it’s filtered and returned to the bloodstream.

Lymphedema occurs when the lymphatic system is damaged and cannot properly transport lymph throughout the body. Swelling may affect the arms, legs, genitals, face, neck, chest wall, mouth, and joints, restricting movement and causing skin discoloration, and limb swelling.¹⁰

Although lymphedema is typically linked with cancer (specifically breast) or cancer treatment that involves radiation or surgical removal of lymph nodes, it is sometimes caused by a genetic mutation affecting the structure of the lymphatic system.¹¹

Medication-induced edema

Three types of medicine may contribute to edema¹²:

Hormone-based treatments including estrogen, testosterone, and steroids
Treatments for type 2 diabetes, which address insulin resistance
Blood pressure–lowering medications including calcium channel blockers and drugs that widen the blood vessels

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The risk of blood clots

Blood clots that form deep in the veins (deep vein thrombosis) typically develop in calves or thighs. If a blood clot dislodges and reaches the lung arteries, it can block blood flow, leading to pulmonary embolism, lung damage, and lower blood oxygen levels in the blood. Swelling, pain, warmth, and redness in the legs may be indicative of a clot.

10 herbal diuretics to relieve edema

Bunch of parsley and chopped parsley on table

Medicinal plants have been used for centuries to help the body eliminate excess fluid. Modern research not only confirms the effectiveness of natural diuretics but also highlights the best herbs for specific conditions. For instance, one study reported Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) and horse chestnut seeds may reduce edema caused by chronic venous insufficiency.¹³

Five herbs not only help with edema but also help resolve some of its root causes. These medicinal plants can be taken as supplements, brewed into teas, or incorporated into meals.

1. Black cumin

Black cumin (Nigella sativa) may reduce edema through its natural diuretic properties.¹⁴ It has the potential to lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and protect blood vessels from oxidative stress, preventing fluid from leaking into tissues. The herb may also regulate blood sugar and cholesterol, mitigating risk factors that contribute to edema.

2. Coriander

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) has potent diuretic properties and may lower blood sugar, blood fat, and blood pressure—major factors in edema.¹⁵

3. Dandelion

Traditionally used as a diuretic and for liver and spleen disorders, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is now recognized for its strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.¹⁶

4. Parsley

Parsley (Petroselinum sativum) is helpful for managing high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular issues. Scientific studies support its ability to lower blood fat and inflammation.¹⁷

5. Hawthorn

Ancient healers valued hawthorn (Crataegus species) to treat cardiovascular diseases, including congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Modern pharmacological research supports these uses, showing that hawthorn can also protect the liver, reduce inflammation, and decrease diabetes risk. It’s also a powerful antioxidant.¹⁸

Other beneficial diuretic herbs

Hibiscus,¹⁹ horsetail,²⁰ juniper berry,²¹ and green and black tea²² may support fluid balance while promoting heart health and lowering blood pressure.

Natural vein and heart support for edema

Because heart failure is a leading cause of pulmonary edema, and diabetes plays a significant role in macular edema, improving cardiovascular health is an important first step.

Several supplements, including omega–3 fish oils, B vitamins, magnesium, CoQ10, and resveratrol, have been shown to lower blood pressure and support heart health.²³^,²⁴ These nutrients can help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and protect blood vessels from damage.

Garlic,²⁵ motherwort,²⁶ and ginger²⁵ promote optimal heart function, regulate blood pressure, and protect vascular health.

Four tips to reduce swelling at home

Person wearing sneakers props feet up on table

Wear looser clothing and shoes. Avoid too-tight clothing that feels uncomfortable, leaves marks on skin, or restricts movement. An important exception is when your doctor recommends compression garments, which are designed to be tight. Compression stockings and socks, for example, can improve blood flow in the legs.
Prop up your legs. If your legs are swollen, raise your feet when sitting or lying down, keeping them above heart level. This position uses gravity to bring blood back to the heart, giving your ticker a much-needed break.
Exercise gently. Just moving the swollen part of your body can help reduce symptoms. Stretching, swimming, yoga, tai chi, and walking work well, but check with your doctor for safe and effective exercises.
Limit salt. Sodium is a major culprit in water retention. Check food labels for salt content, and try to swap processed foods with whole foods, such as good proteins, fruits, and vegetables.²⁷

How to manage edema with blood pressure–lowering hacks

Breathing exercises are a highly effective yet overlooked way to lower blood pressure. The goal isn’t taking deep breaths but rather slowing your breathing rate. Extending your exhale longer than your inhale is a technique for shifting the body from “fight or flight” mode to a calmer “rest and digest” state. Learning to breathe more slowly can take practice, and using a guided breathing app will help pace your breathing and prevent lightheadedness.

When it comes to managing high blood pressure, diet plays a crucial role. The DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) has been proven to reduce blood pressure. DASH promotes blood pressure–lowering nutrients like potassium, magnesium, calcium, fiber, and protein while prioritizing fruits, vegetables, dairy, complex carbohydrates, and high-quality proteins. Within this framework, several specific foods have been scientifically shown to support healthy blood pressure:

Incorporating these foods into your daily routine, along with mindful breathing techniques, can be a powerful strategy for naturally lowering blood pressure and improving overall cardiovascular health—two fundamental ways to control edema.

Footnotes

1
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2
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