Table of Contents
What’s this
Water retention is a common condition especially among women. It is given by a excess fluid accumulating and is retained in the spaces between one cell and another, a consequence of a slowdown in the microcirculation and lymphatic circulation.
When in fact blood and lymphatic flow they do not work efficiently, the metabolic wastes produced by the cells are not removed quickly and effectively. As a result, they remain inside the cells and then escape and pour into the extracellular spaces causing edema.
Generally the most affected areas of the body are feet and ankles, legs, thighs and buttocks, but fluid accumulation can also affect other areas including the abdomen. Among the symptoms of water retention we find the swelling in the lower limbs which can be perceived visually or only as a sensation and measurable through the scales, which will mark a few extra pounds due to theaccumulation of fluids.
Edema can then get worse in some situations, for example after a day on your feet or during the hottest times of the year. They are also compounding the problem a sedentary lifestyle and all behaviors and habits that hinder circulation.
Over time, water retention can lead to inflammation and consequent appearance of cellulite, a condition recognizable by visible depressions when the tissues are at rest.
What to do
Let’s see how to deal with the problem of water retention to deflate and prevent the appearance of cellulite.
Supply
The good habits at the table they are reflected in greater well-being and a better appearance. The ideal diet should include at least five servings of vegetables and fruit a day, as well as whole grains, legumes, nuts and nuts and seeds. In this way the body will have it available vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, water, fiber and other substances essential for their functions with an improvement in blood and lymphatic circulation.
In case of water retention it is also important limit your sodium intake as much as possible, which leads to retaining water. Pay attention not only to the salt added during meal preparation and after cooking, but also to that “Hidden” in packaged foods and processed as chips, dried fruit and savory snacks, sandwich bread, preserves, cold cuts and sausages, preserved fish and meat. Anyone with water retention could find great benefit from one low-salt diet or completely eliminating salt for two or three days a week.
Exercise
L’physical activity reactivates the circulation and helps to have light legs. In case of water retention, that’s fine brisk walking for at least thirty minutes, even every day, as well as dancing and toning exercises with raised legs. Movement can also promote weight loss, with further benefits on circulation since excess adipose tissue, “pressing” on the vessels, hinders blood and lymphatic flow.
Posture
L’foot support it is crucial for the functioning of microcirculation and lymphatic circulation. If the foot does not rest correctly, in fact, it is not only the musculoskeletal system that is affected, but also the dense network of blood vessels and lymph transport that runs throughout our body. To check the support of the foot it is sometimes sufficient to check which part of the shoe sole appears more worn out. If you notice any discrepancies, it is best to contact a podiatrist to correct the problem.
Shoes and clothing
The type of shoes you use during physical activity or everyday life obviously influences posture and, consequently, microcirculation and lymphatic flow. Choose comfortable footwear suitable for your foot (possibly using orthopedic footwear or insoles in case of posture problems) and avoid wearing heels for a long time can make a difference in case of water retention. The same thing goes for clothing: very tight leggings or skinny jeans put pressure on the legs, hampering circulation and making swelling worse.
Natural remedies
Here are the most effective natural remedies to reactivate circulation, drain fluids and fight water retention.
Draining herbs
Help against water retention can come from natural remedies that help promote circulation by acting on the trophism of blood vessels or that stimulate diuresis and drainage of accumulated fluids. Among the plants most used to counteract water retention we find:
- ivy
- Birch
- gotu kola
- blueberries
- raspberries
- cherry stalks
- bean
- horsetail
- ortosiphon
- juniper
- pilosella
- ash tree
By contacting your trusted herbalist you can find the most suitable remedy for yourself and the best form of administration between herbal teas, tinctures or other preparations such as capsules or tablets.
Mud
In addition to being taken orally, the plants we have just seen can be used to prepare sludge against retention and massage creams. Mud can be also prepared at home, in a simple way: after having prepared a concentrated infusion with one or more of the herbs indicated above, it is added to ventilated green clay until a dense and lump-free compound is obtained. The pack is then applied to the legs, thighs and buttocks for about thirty minutes. The treatment can be repeated two to four times a week.
Baths and foot baths
Footbaths and hot baths are perhaps the simplest method to help deflate the legs and abdomen. Against water retention it is sufficient to combine about five drops of juniper essential oil for each tablespoon of salts of the Dead Sea and add everything to the hot water. For the foot bath, one or two tablespoons are enough, while for the bath you will need from 300 grams of salt upwards, depending on the size of the tub. Footbaths and baths can be done two to four times a week, remaining submerged for at least thirty minutes.
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