Edema: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Edema is a medical condition characterized by the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body's tissues, resulting in swelling, pain, and discomfort.

It can be caused by various factors, including poor circulation, heart disease, kidney problems, and hormonal imbalances. If left untreated, edema can lead to skin ulcers, joint pain, and decreased mobility.

To alleviate edema, herbal remedies such as witch hazel, juniper berries, and dandelion root can be used. These herbs can be consumed as teas, tinctures, or applied topically in the form of creams and ointments.

However, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, as they may interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of edema, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of edema?

The main causes of edema are multifaceted, involving various factors such as increased hydrostatic pressure due to congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or renal disease, which impede the lymphatic system's ability to drain excess fluid from the interstitial space.

Additionally, decreased oncotic pressure caused by hypoalbuminemia, a condition often resulting from nephrotic syndrome or severe liver disease, also contributes to fluid accumulation. Furthermore, external factors such as heat exposure, overhydration, or direct injury to the skin and underlying tissues can also lead to edema. Other underlying conditions, including lymphedema, thyroid disorders, and inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause fluid retention.

Finally, certain medications, such as corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can exacerbate fluid retention and lead to edema.

• Heart Failure: Heart failure leads to fluid buildup in the body due to the heart's inability to pump enough blood, causing fluid to accumulate in tissues and organs, resulting in edema.
• Kidney Disease: Kidney disease impairs the kidneys' ability to filter and remove excess fluids from the body, causing fluid buildup and leading to edema.
• Lymphedema: Lymphedema is a condition where the lymphatic system is damaged or obstructed, preventing the proper drainage of fluids from the body, which can cause swelling and edema.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Nutritional deficiencies, particularly a lack of vitamin B6 or magnesium, can lead to edema due to the body's inability to regulate fluid balance and electrolyte levels.
• Medication Side Effects: Certain medications, such as steroids and hormonal therapies, can cause fluid retention and lead to edema as a side effect.
• Thyroid Disorders: Thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, can affect the body's fluid balance and lead to edema due to changes in thyroid hormone levels.
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy causes fluid buildup due to increased blood volume and pressure on blood vessels, leading to swelling in the feet, ankles, and hands.
• Injury or Trauma: Injury or trauma can cause damage to blood vessels and the lymphatic system, leading to fluid buildup and edema in the affected area.
• Cancer Treatment: Cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can cause fluid buildup and edema due to the body's response to treatment and changes in blood vessels and the lymphatic system.
• Hormonal Imbalance: Hormonal imbalances, including premenstrual syndrome and menopause, can lead to fluid retention and edema due to changes in hormone levels.
• Diabetes: Diabetes can cause fluid buildup and edema due to changes in blood sugar levels and damage to blood vessels and the lymphatic system.
• Liver Disease: Liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver failure, can cause fluid buildup and edema due to the liver's inability to filter and remove excess fluids from the body.
• Surgery: Surgery can cause fluid buildup and edema due to changes in blood flow and the lymphatic system, leading to swelling in the affected area.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for edema?

The main medicinal herbs used for edema are Glycyrrhiza glabra, Centella asiatica, Cynara scolymus, Astragalus membranaceus, Urtica dioica, Taraxacum officinale, Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis, Equisetum arvense, Angelica sinensis.

Glycyrrhiza glabra, with its anti-inflammatory properties, has been shown to inhibit 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, an enzyme involved in the production of corticosteroids, which are known to contribute to edema. Centella asiatica, rich in triterpenes and flavonoids, exhibits diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help alleviate edema symptoms. Astragalus membranaceus and Urtica dioica have been traditionally used to treat edema due to their diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects, while Cynara scolymus and Taraxacum officinale have been shown to have diuretic and vasodilatory properties.

Aloe vera and Aloe barbadensis, with their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, can help reduce edema by improving circulation and reducing inflammation, while Equisetum arvense, also known as horse tail, has been traditionally used to treat edema due to its diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects, and Angelica sinensis, or dong quai, has been used to treat edema due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra helps with edema due to its anti-inflammatory properties, specifically the inhibition of the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, which reduces the conversion of cortisone to cortisol, a hormone that can contribute to fluid retention.
• Centella asiatica: Centella asiatica helps with edema due to its flavonoids and phenolic acids, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may improve the integrity of the blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and promote the removal of excess fluids.
• Cynara scolymus: Cynara scolymus helps with edema due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, specifically the flavonoids and saponins, which may improve the permeability of blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and promote the excretion of excess fluids.
• Astragalus membranaceus: Astragalus membranaceus helps with edema due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, specifically the saponins and flavonoids, which may improve the integrity of the blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and promote the removal of excess fluids.
• Urtica dioica: Urtica dioica helps with edema due to its flavonoids and phenolic acids, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may improve the integrity of the blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and promote the removal of excess fluids.
• Taraxacum officinale: Taraxacum officinale helps with edema due to its flavonoids and phenolic acids, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may improve the integrity of the blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and promote the removal of excess fluids.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera helps with edema due to its anti-inflammatory properties, specifically the aloin and aloe-emodin, which may improve the permeability of blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and promote the excretion of excess fluids.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis helps with edema due to its anti-inflammatory properties, specifically the aloin and aloe-emodin, which may improve the permeability of blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and promote the excretion of excess fluids.
• Equisetum arvense: Equisetum arvense helps with edema due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, specifically the flavonoids and phenolic acids, which may improve the integrity of the blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and promote the removal of excess fluids.
• Angelica sinensis: Angelica sinensis helps with edema due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, specifically the lignans and coumarins, which may improve the integrity of the blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and promote the removal of excess fluids.

What are the main herbal preparations used for edema?

The main herbal preparations used for edema are Decoction, Tincture, Cream, Salve, Capsule, Poultice, Ointment, Suppository, Gel, Compress.

Decoction of herbs such as dandelion root, celery seed, and juniper berries is used to reduce fluid retention due to its diuretic properties. Tincture of herbs like cleaver and corn silk is administered orally to aid in the elimination of excess fluid. Topical preparations like Cream and Salve made from aloe vera, calendula, and arnica are applied to reduce swelling and promote lymphatic drainage.

Capsule preparations of diuretic herbs like saw palmetto and uva ursi are used to increase urine production and alleviate edema symptoms, while Poultice, Ointment, Suppository, Gel, and Compress are applied to specific areas to promote local relief and reduction of swelling.

• Decoction: A decoction of the flowering plant Digitalis purpurea, or foxglove, helps with edema by reducing fluid retention due to its active compound digoxin, which inhibits the sodium-potassium pump and decreases the reabsorption of sodium in the kidneys.
• Tincture: A tincture of the herb Nardostachys jatamansi, or spikenard, helps with edema by reducing inflammation and promoting lymphatic drainage due to its bioactive compounds such as jatamansone and jatamansone acetate.
• Cream: A cream of the plant Aloe barbadensis, or aloe vera, helps with edema by reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory compounds like aloe-emodin and aloin.
• Salve: A salve of the herb Plantago major, or broadleaf plantain, helps with edema by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair due to its bioactive compounds such as aucubin and allantoin.
• Capsule: A capsule of the plant Silybum marianum, or milk thistle, helps with edema by reducing liver inflammation and promoting lymphatic drainage due to its active compound silymarin, which inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
• Poultice: A poultice of the plant Stellaria media, or chickweed, helps with edema by reducing inflammation and promoting lymphatic drainage due to its bioactive compounds such as stellarin and stelladione.
• Ointment: An ointment of the plant Calendula officinalis, or marigold, helps with edema by reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory compounds like triterpenoids and flavonoids.
• Suppository: A suppository of the plant Ginkgo biloba, or maidenhair tree, helps with edema by reducing inflammation and promoting lymphatic drainage due to its bioactive compounds such as ginkgolides and bilobalide, which inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
• Gel: A gel of the plant Hamamelis virginiana, or witch hazel, helps with edema by reducing inflammation and promoting lymphatic drainage due to its anti-inflammatory compounds like tannins and gallic acid.
• Compress: A compress of the plant Arnica montana, or arnica, helps with edema by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair due to its bioactive compounds such as arnalic acid and arnicin, which inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.