What kinds of natural substances might I take for ankle swelling. I am a medial transcriptionist and sit for 8 hours a day transcribing. I do try to get up and walk about at least once every hour, or more. But, I still have some swelling. Is there something I can use to assist?
Fluid retention, causing ankle swelling, can be a result of heart, kidney, bowel or other disease. Some drugs may cause fluid retention. It is important to consult your health care provider to determine the cause.
Drinking lots of water helps to flush out wastes that are fluid retaining. A diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables discourages fluid retention because these foods are low in water-retaining sodium. Meat, fish and cheese require large quantities of fluid to digest.
Salt is fluid retaining and should be avoided.
Herbs that can be added to cooking to promote fluid elimination are Ginger, Fennel seed, Parsley and Turmeric.
Dandelion root is effective in elimination of excess fluid, and it provides potassium that is lost with the use of most diuretics (agents that help to excrete excess water from the system). It can be taken as a tea, three times a day, by simmering a teaspoon of the dried root in a cup of boiling water for fifteen minutes. Dandelion coffee, a powder made from the roasted root, is available at health food stores.