Natural Duiretics

What Are Natural Diuretics?

A diuretic cleanses the body of toxins, and excess fluids by means of urination. Natural diuretics are foods and herbs that are all natural with no chemical agents. Natural diuretics are good for you and will not cause as many harmful side effects. They stimulate the kidneys, and help to reduce the amounts of water and salt absorbed back into your blood stream. This not only helps cleanse your body of toxins, but can also help you to lose water weight, and improve organ health.

Are There Any Harmful Side Effects?

Even though natural diuretics are all natural there is still some risk to using them. When urination is increased there is a chance that essential vitamins and minerals could also be cleansed from your system. Natural diuretics can disturb the balance of electrolytes in your body. This happens when too many ions are lost. It is very important to maintain a healthy, balanced diet to ensure that your system is not depleted of these essential vitamins and minerals. A daily vitamin supplement can help to counteract this effect.

Corn Silk…

Corn silk is a natural diuretic that also has additional health benefits. Corn silk is high in potassium, and helps to enhance kidney function. Corn silk contains active phytochemicals such as cryptoxanthin, and tannis. These phytochemicals work as dehydrating agents to gently, effectively force excess water and waste fluids out of tissues and intercellular spaces. Researchers from Phytochemical Journal investigated a study of the effects of corn silk as a diuretic on a group of rats. It was concluded that corn silk indeed is an effective diuretic and did increase urine output without causing harm to the test subjects.

Cucumber…

Cucumbers are also a natural diuretic due to their high water content, and to phytochemicals such as silicon and sulfur. Silicon and sulfur both help to aid in the removal of water trapped in tissues, and waste fluids. They help the kidneys to release more uric acid which has a very cleansing effect on your entire system.

Cucumbers also contain phytochemicals such as ascorbic acid, and caffeic acid. The combination of these two phytochemicals along with the high water content of the cucumber helps to stimulate the production of urine which eliminate swelling and water weight. Cucumbers have additional health benefits due to the antioxidants they contain as well. Alpha, beta carotene, vitamins A and C, zeaxanthin, and lutein all help to protect blood vessels and your body’s cells.

Dandelion…

Dandelions are yet another all natural diuretic. They are also good for you in many ways. Dandelion leaves contain high amounts of iron, potassium, magnesium, and other vitamins and minerals. Dandelions have been used for hundreds of years to treat many health problems such as digestive issues, liver disease, and water retention. Dandelion leaves contain sesquiterpene lactone which give them their diuretic properties. Dandelion increases urinary function and helps to aid in the release of toxins, and excess water, which reduces swelling and water weight.

Dandelion also helps to improve gallbladder health, liver function, and can help reverse high blood pressure, and edema. The popular health journal Alternative and Complimentary Medicine published a study in which 17 individuals were given ethanolic extract from dandelion leaves. Urinary function and output was observed both before and after the extract was given. The end result showed without doubt that dandelion was indeed an excellent diuretic.

Green Tea…

Green tea is known for it’s cleansing health benefits. It is also a great diuretic. Green tea has been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. It is made from the oxidized leaves of the camellia sinesis plant. Green tea prevents water retention which makes it a great diuretic. It contains several phytochemicals such as epigallocatechin gallate, flavonoids, tannins, caffeine, and polyphenols.

Caffeine is especially helpful as a diuretic because it increases plasma renin activity. Plasma renin plays a significant role in water retention. Caffeine also helps to increase the body’s metabolism. This not only helps to keep us alert, but also helps the body to break down fatty deposits. Green tea increases urine output and forces excess waste water out of tissues. It is becoming more and more popular as a weight loss aid all over the world.

Talk To Your Doctor First…

It’s important to talk to your doctor before beginning any type of diet, and before taking any type of herb. This article has been written to educate you on the benefits of natural diuretics but does not serve as medical advice. Only your doctor will be able to tell you if any of the herbs you are considering taking will interfere with other medications you take, or if they will affect any health conditions you have.