4 natural remedies to treat swollen feet and ankles

 4 natural remedies to treat swollen feet and ankles

Having swollen feet and legs can quickly become very disabling to deal with on a daily basis. This annoying and unsightly swelling, which is called edema in medical jargon, can prevent some women from wearing their favorite skirts, dresses and heels. Sometimes this symptom is accompanied by pain upon waking up or at the end of the day. Due to an accumulation of fluids in the lower extremities, the edema can be the cause of an insidious disease in some cases. Let's review the factors that can potentially cause this swelling in the feet and ankles and the natural ways to relieve it.

Very common, swelling of the feet may be accompanied by other symptoms such as tingling, the appearance of small capillaries, veins or varicose veins, discomfort when standing or redness. While this sign is usually mild, sometimes it can be caused by a specific condition. If you do not have a medical condition responsible for the swelling, you can opt for natural remedies to alleviate the inconvenience.

The different causes of swollen feet

Water retention

The first suspected cause of swelling in the feet is water retention. This is because poor blood circulation can cause blood to accumulate in the veins of the lower limbs. The veins dilate and become porous. Thus, the circulating water ends up entering the cells which fill up and swell the tissues. Generally, pregnant women are the most affected by this problem, especially in the last months of pregnancy. The uterus, which puts pressure on the blood vessels in the abdomen, can interfere with blood flow and cause swelling of the lower extremities.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. This rise in blood sugar can narrow blood vessels and affect the flow of blood to the lower limbs. Thus, people with diabetes may experience pain or swelling in the feet and / or ankles.

A diet that is too salty

Consuming frozen meals, processed foods and foods high in salt can cause water retention and the development of edema.

Premenstrual disorders

As their period approaches, some women experience water retention. Interviewed by the Journal des Femmes, Dr. Odile Bagot, gynecologist, explains that this symptom is caused by an estrogen-progesterone imbalance which causes water to stagnate in the body. As a result, women can gain weight and feel bloated.

Kidney failure

This swelling in the feet and ankles can indicate a condition such as kidney failure, especially when the kidney is unable to properly remove fluids from the body.

The heat

In some cases, the swelling of the lower extremities occurs in summer and when it is particularly hot.

Wearing unsuitable footwear

Shoes that are too narrow can cause blood vessels to dilate and cause swelling in the feet.

General practitioner Dr Handschuh should definitely see your GP "if the swelling affects only one foot, causes swelling in the calf and occurs after a prolonged period of immobilization." Indeed, it can be a symptom of phlebitis, a potentially fatal silent disease.

4 natural remedies to relieve swollen feet and ankles

If this swelling of the feet and ankles is embarrassing to bear, there are natural tips to relieve it:

The mint bath

To soothe the swelling of the feet and ankles, you can prepare a mint bath.

Ingredients :

¼ cup mint leaves

4 cups of water

Preperation :

Place the mint leaves in a saucepan containing 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil then remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes. Let cool then pour the preparation into a basin. Soak your feet in it for 25 minutes.

  Tonic water

Tonic water is an effective grandma's remedy for water retention. In a large bucket or basin, pour tonic water at room temperature. Soak your feet in this solution for about 30 minutes to reduce inflammation.

The salt water bath

You can use sea salt or Epsom salt to reduce edema. In a basin filled with water, add a handful of salt and mix. Soak your feet for 20 minutes to relax your muscles and reduce swelling.

Greater amounts of magnesium

Magnesium deficiency can cause fluid to build up in body tissues. To reduce edema, it may be helpful to check for any deficiency with a doctor. In addition, the foods highest in magnesium are spinach, dark chocolate, green vegetables, nuts and dried fruits. Do not deprive yourself of it!

8 tips to fight against water retention

Wearing compression stockings

If you are used to standing for a long time, you can wear compression stockings to compress your lower limbs and prevent or reduce edema.

Have a healthy lifestyle

The main victims of swelling in the feet are overweight people. To relieve this symptom, no secret: eat a balanced diet, neither too salty nor too sweet, and exercise regularly. Avoid fatty dishes and opt for fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals. Citrus fruits, red berries, peppers and tomatoes are good foods for the blood vessels, says Ariel Toledano, a phlebologist.

Elevate the legs

To promote venous return and allow blood to circulate in the lower limbs, lie down on your bed or sofa and elevate your feet using a cushion. You can also lie down on a mat on the floor, and place your legs against the wall to elevate them.

Do a self-massage

Edema can also be relieved with massage. Make circular movements massaging your feet and ankles and gradually work your way up to the knees.

Use a cold water jet

To alleviate the edema, you can opt for cold water. Known to improve blood circulation, this grandmother's remedy will do you good if your feet are swollen and sore. Just run a strong stream of cold water over each leg, working from the bottom up, for a few minutes.

Drink a parsley infusion

Parsley has diuretic and antioxidant properties and can promote venous return. As a shield against water retention, parsley can be used as an infusion to drink twice a day to reduce edema.

Make a sage bath

You can use various herbs to alleviate the swelling of the lower limbs. Prepare a sage infusion and pour it into a basin. When the water gets lukewarm, submerge your feet for thirty minutes.

Using essential oils

Some essential oils are known to relieve water retention. Cypress essential oil, cedarwood oil, and peppermint oil have decongestant and draining properties. Mix a few drops of essential oil with sweet almond oil and then massage your legs with this remedy.

Warning: Natural remedies are not a substitute for the advice of your doctor, especially in the presence of an underlying pathology that requires adequate treatment.