Dealing with Swollen Feet? Try these Natural Remedies!
Swollen feet (known as edema) can often become very painful. Due to the fluid buildup in the surrounding tissues, your feet may become puffy and sensitive to touch. The most common causes are foot/ankle injuries, pregnancy, side effects from medications, heart/kidney diseases or even over-exertion of the muscles in the feet.
However, this issue isn’t usually a cause for alarm. The following natural remedies can help you relieve the pain in no time!
1. Elevate Your Feet
Gravity plays a major role in swollen feet. One of the easiest ways to reduce the swelling is to raise your feet above the level of your heart. For example if you’re lying down, just put a pillow under your feet and the water will absorb back into your body or drain out as urine.
2. Increase Your Magnesium Intake
Magnesium is known to improve blood circulation. A deficiency of this mineral is often linked to swollen feet. Adding magnesium-rich foods to your daily diet can help you tackle this problem. Bananas, fish, nuts, and leafy vegetables are high in magnesium content.
3. Parsley
Parsley is a natural diuretic. Meaning that it helps reduce fluid retention in the body by increasing the production of urine. Hence reducing swelling in the feet. Dip a tablespoon of dried parsley leaves in a cup of hot water a few times. Strain and drink two to three cups of the warm tea in a day.
4. Grapefruit Essential Oil
Grapefruits have anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties due to the presence of potassium. Massaging a bit of grapefruit essential oil mixed with olive oil or soaking your feet in water with a few drops of the essential oil can be a rather relaxing solution for this issue! However, make sure to ask your doctor if it doesn’t interact with any of the medications you’re taking.
5. Massage Your Feet
In order to reduce edema, you need to stimulate the blood flow in your feet. One of the best ways to do so is by massaging them. According to The International Journal of Nursing Practice, pregnant women who received 20 minute foot massages for 5 days experienced reduction in swelling naturally!
6. Soak In Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salts contain hydrated magnesium sulfate crystals that help reduce muscle soreness and provide immediate relief. All you need to do is grab a bucket of warm water, add half a cup of Epsom salt to it, and soak your feet in it for 15-20 minutes. Repeating this twice or thrice a week shall benefit you in no time.
7. Cabbage Leaves
Though this may sound peculiar, but wrapping cabbage leaves around your feet with the help of a bandage for 30 minutes can actually reduce the swelling. Cabbage has high water absorption and anti-inflammation properties.
8. Exercise and Stretch
Sitting idle or lack of exercise can be one of the reasons of water retention in your body. It is essential that you try to exercise for 30 minutes a day, at least five times a day. This will help boost your blood flow and reduce edema. You can also try out yoga, stretching and walking for the same purpose.
9. Stay Hydrated
Minerals and salts like sodium can cause water retention in body. In order to dilute excess salts and reduce swelling, it is imperative that we drink up to 8 glasses of water each day as it helps the body detox.
10. Ice Pack
Simple yet effective. Placing an ice pack on the swollen feet for about 10 minutes at a time can reduce the pain. The cold temperature helps in regulating the blood flow, hence making it the easiest solution for your problem!
