There are numerous home remedies for edema that can ease swelling. The use of mustard oil, crushed flax seeds, and an improved diet are three of the most crucial ones. An active lifestyle and wearing adaptive clothing are some of the ways to improve blood circulation.
Edema is a condition in which a part of the body gets swollen due to the gathering of fluids in the tissue. The swelling can take place in your arms, legs, toes, feet, eyes, nose or even your entire face. The affected area can also manifest the condition by itchy skin or slight pain. [1]
If the condition is severe and hampering your mobility, consulting a doctor is probably a better idea than trying to solve it on your own. However, provided the condition is not extreme, the best way to treat edema is to cure it with home remedies.
Home Remedies for Edema
Home remedies for edema include:
Elevate Your Feet
Medlineplus suggests that keeping your feet over a pillow can help in reducing the swelling. Basically, the posture should be such that your feet should be above your heart while sleeping or lying down. [2]
Edema is swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in your body’s tissues. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Compression Clothing
The American Family Physician journal suggests using compression stockings for edema that help you reduce swelling and discomfort. [3]
Adaptive Clothing & Footwear
Regular clothing and footwear can cause a lot of discomfort for edema patients. Several adaptive forms of clothing and footwear are specially manufactured for them.
Physical Activities
If you are leading an inactive lifestyle, you are probably prone to edema. Incorporation of physical exercises and activity into your daily routine will help you to reduce edema. The best activity is swimming, which heals swelling in a non-impacting way. [4]
Restriction of Diet
The first change that you should make to your daily diet is a reduction in salt intake. You can also increase potassium-rich foods, proteins, and fats in your meals while simultaneously cutting down on carbohydrates. This is because carbohydrates enhance water retention in the body, resulting in severe swelling of edema. The more leafy and fibrous vegetables and fruits you eat, the lower your chances of edema. If you are overweight, then you should look for healthy ways to shed some extra pounds. [5]
Crushed Flax Seeds
Flax seeds can be a great way to relieve edema. You can crush the seeds and grind them to a powder. You can sprinkle this powder on your food and consume it directly. However, those of you who do not like the taste of the seeds can opt for another application. There is an oil made from the flax seeds which can be applied to the affected area. This is especially helpful for pregnant women suffering from it, as their tastes are more sensitive during pregnancy and the taste of flax seeds may be unpleasant.
Warm Beverages
In order to get fast relief from the swelling of edema, you can consume warm drinks. It can be warm water or tea but should be taken two or three times a day.
Mustard Oil
Mustard oil provides a complete solution for edema. You can take some warm mustard oil in your palms and massage the affected area gently. The other way is to soak about two teaspoons of mustard seeds in water and apply the solution on the affected area.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar removes the extra fluid from the cells of the body and results in the removal of edema.
Coriander Seeds
Coriander seeds are considered to be the best remedy for edema. Take a few teaspoons of coriander seeds and boil them with water till the quantity reduces into half of the actual amount. Filter the solution and consume the whole amount at once. This will provide an assured solution to edema.
Tea Tree Oil
If edema is caused by insect bites, then tea tree oil is the best method for treating it. Since the poison of the insects causes this form of swelling, you can make a mixture of neem and tea tree oil to apply on the affected area. This will heal the swelling and the pain as well.
Other Natural Remedies
You can soak your feet in epsom salt water for 15 to 20 minutes. This can help in reducing the swelling. Magnesium supplements may be helpful but do consult with your doctor if you are looking to include them in your diet.
