The swelling of the feet or ankles is generally not so much of a concern. Nevertheless, if you have already tried several home remedies for swollen feet and the symptoms persist, we highly recommend you go see a doctor. The swelling of the ankles or feet in itself does not represent a disease. However, it may be a symptom associated with an underlying affection.
There are multiple causes as to why the ankles or feet start to swell up. Most common ones occur in situations where people spend most of the day standing up while working. Also, too much sitting down can also produce swelling. Hence, try to alternate between sitting and standing and do a little legwork from time to time or during breaks. You can find in this home remedies for swollen feet article some in-depth information and the best suggestions on how to keep unwanted inflammations at bay.
Magnesium is responsible for well over 300 biochemical responses in the human body. As a result, magnesium deficiency can have negative effects on one’s general wellbeing. Swelling of the lower extremities, fluid retention, edema, and many other disorders are associated with low levels of magnesium in the human body.
However, if you are currently taking any other medications, please consult with your health care provider. Magnesium supplements can interfere with other medication and make the swelling even worse. Also, people suffering from heart or kidney diseases may want to stay clear of magnesium supplements as they may produce some serious complications.
As much harm as salt can do while inside the body in large quantities, it works miracles as one of the best remedies for swollen feet. However, you do not have to prepare the bathtub just yet. You can dissolve a cup of Epsom salt or sea salt in a shallow bowl with warm water. Soak for about 20 minutes and dry yourself off with a clean towel. If you experience swelling in harder to reach parts of the body, such as the knees, we recommend adding as many as three cups of water to the bathwater. You do not have to fill the bath tub to the top.
The explanation behind this is the fact that magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin and reduces swelling. As an added bonus, your feet will smell good for longer periods of time and your skin will be much smoother thanks to saltwater baths.
As odd as it may sound, you can work with gravity to make the swelling go away. This makes for one of the most passive home remedies for swollen feet on our list. If you go for this practice, it is important that you keep your feet elevated above the heart level. This way, the fluid that causes inflammation will be drained away, absorbed or eliminated by the body through urination.
There are special inversion tables on the market that help people getting rid of the swelling in their lower extremities. Also, they help sort back problems out, as well. It is possible that this particular remedy does not work for everyone. However, there are plenty other home remedies for swollen feet on this list you can try.
What better way there is to get the blood flowing than a little exercise? You do not have to start lifting weights right away, however, if you decide to put this suggestion to the test. Instead, consider more gentle exercises, such as different yoga postures. Many of them involve extending the toes and feet as well as flexing. These practices stop the blood from pooling in areas like the feet and ankles. Also, yoga is a more active form of feet elevation that helps reduce the level of inflammation without the use of special props.
Yoga makes for one of the most common home remedies for swollen feet as well as edema. The latter causes the legs to retain fluid that results in discomfort and painful swelling, much like any other swollen feet condition. Generally, pregnant women are prone to edema. If this is your case, do not start doing exercises at home of any kind before you talk to your doctor.
The only upside of suffering from inflammation in your lower extremities is that you get to enjoy relaxing massages. Because of the fact that blood flow is restricted when either sitting down or standing for long periods of time, the blood in your feet starts to pool. This is why you need to encourage a better blood flow in the lower extremities through foot massage.
However, it is not necessary to spend hundreds of dollars on massage sessions. It is fairly easy to learn how to give a great massage. Either you learn it for yourself, your partner or a friend helps you out, it is more than enough in order to reduce inflammation. For this particular condition, light massaging of the affected area will most definitely take care of the problem.
What you are really looking for when searching for a cure when it comes to swollen feet is to reduce the water retention in your body. Ironically, the way to do that is by drinking lots of water. The main cause of inflammation is the fact that the body retains water when it isn’t sufficiently provided from external sources. Drinking anywhere between eight to ten glasses of water per day helps flush the toxins out of the body. Especially if you enjoy salty foods and drink a lot of coffee.
This makes for one of the simplest home remedies for swollen feet on our list. If it works for you, keep up the practice in order to prevent future discomfort caused by legs inflammations. However, we highly recommend you see a doctor, just to make sure everything is fine.
A holistic approach to reducing swelling and one of the most aromatic home remedies for swollen feet is this mixture of essential oils. Eucalyptus, peppermint, lemon and lavender essential oils all display anti-inflammatory properties. You can add them to your bathwater in order to reduce the swelling of the feet and relieve the pain. Also, the calming scents will help you relax after a long day at work.
Another great use of essential oils is to massage them into the skin. However, make sure that you first mix them together with a carrier oil. In this instance, extra virgin olive oil is the best example. If you try this for several days and it doesn’t work for you, consult a doctor as soon as possible.
When you are swimming, there is no need to rely on your legs for support, as you are floating through the water. Swimming is one of few activities that are not extremely demanding of the lower extremities. Competitive swimming is out of the question, of course. However, a 30-minute relaxing swim takes the pressure off of your legs and calves while reducing inflammation and relieving pain.
Also, the cool water offers some degree of relief and the action of swimming gets the blood flowing, quite literally. As a result, this will keep excess blood from pooling in the feet. If you do not know how to swim, simply standing in the water neck-deep for several minutes on end is sufficient. Another cause of swollen feet is pregnancy. Apart from reducing the levels of inflammation, swimming will also take the stress off of the back and hips of a pregnant woman.
Junk food or excess salt and coffee can be one of the many causes of inflammation in your legs. This is why one of most common remedies for swollen feet as well as for other similar conditions is a proper diet. Salt retains water in your body which in turn leads to swelling. Instead of consuming regular salt try to go for other options such as dried seaweed or sea salt. At the same time, lower your caffeine intake and drink more water instead.
Also, avoid frozen foods, as they are packed full of salt. Pay close attention to the labels and avoid products rich in sodium at all costs. Reducing the salt intake carries a series of health benefits which in turn display a positive impact on the general welfare of your heart as well as blood vessels. High amounts of salt in the bloodstream can lead to hypertension which can prove to be life-threatening in some cases.
When someone complains about swelling of the calves, feet or ankles, a doctor generally recommends support hose or compression socks to prevent inflammation and take some pressure off of the lower extremities. This is one of the most extremely effective home remedies for swollen feet, as it also prevents blood from pooling and causing painful varicose veins. The compression socks make the blood flow more quickly and increase circulation. As a result, the blood moves up the leg, instead of centering around the feet.
Also, compression socks can act as a preventive for swollen feet. When the lower extremities do swell, these special socks keeps the inflammation contained and relieves the pain and discomfort at the same time. If you do not suffer from this condition, or you are experiencing mild symptoms, consider wearing compression socks to work, just to be on the safe side.
Apart from being a natural diuretic, ginger also benefits from anti-inflammatory effects, as well. Ginger contains active ingredients that help dilute sodium, which is a major contributing factor behind feet swelling. There are two ways to treat you conditions from the comfort of your home using ginger. One of them is to massage the affected area with ginger oil until your skin completely absorbs it. Another one, and also a tasty alternative, is to make yourself some ginger tea.
Mix two cups of hot water with one teaspoon of dried ginger. Next, let it steep for about 10 minutes. You can also add raw ginger slices, lemon, and honey for better results and sweeter taste. Using these proportions, you will make two servings of tea. You can store one in the fridge for no more than 24 hours.
Another great ally in the battle against swollen feet is dandelion tea. Much like the ginger, dandelion benefits from natural diuretic properties, as well. This means that they also help metabolize the extra fluids that are responsible for the swelling in the lower extremities. Apart from treating water retention in the body, dandelion extract also helps regulate the sodium levels.
In order to benefit from its magical effects, you will need one teaspoon of either dried or fresh dandelion leaves and a cup of water. Heat the water until it reaches the boiling point and add the dandelion leaves. Let the mix steep for anywhere between five to ten minutes and then proceed to strain it. you can consume this wonderful herbal infusion up to three times a day until you start seeing some results. Also, there are dandelion supplements available for purchase at local pharmacies, as well. However, consult with your health care provider before taking any decision.
Drinking lots of water can help flush the excess toxins in our body. However, in order to make the most out of this practice, consider adding lemon to the mix. It is high in vitamins such as vitamin C and vitamin A and benefits from high levels of magnesium and potassium as well. All of these make lemon juice the perfect weapon of choice when battling with inflammation of the legs. Also, it is one of the easiest to make home remedies for swollen feet that you can consume on a daily basis.
In order to benefit from the advantages this particular remedy provides, all you need to do is follow some simple steps. First of all, add two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice to a cup of warm water. In order for the lemon juice to keep its healing properties, do not boil the water. add honey for a sweeter taste and you are all set. You can enjoy this drink every day as many times as needed without having to worry about any side effects.
One of the most popular Ayurvedic home remedies for swollen feet is characterized by the use of coriander seeds. Not only do they reduce inflammation in the lower extremities, but also improve circulation. As a result, blood will not pool around the feet any longer and there will be no more inflammation.
In order to make a benefic drink out of coriander seeds, you need to follow some simple steps. First of all, add anywhere between 2 to 3 spoons of coriander seeds to a cup of water. Boil them until the quantity of the liquid reduces by half. After you strain what is left, you can drink it as it is. Repeat the process two times a day, until you start to experience relief and then continue the practice. However, even you are in the clear for the moment, address to your health care provider if the symptoms come back.
Another product particularly rich in potassium is apple cider vinegar. Thanks to the high potassium content, it helps reduce fluid retention and relieves any pain associated with unwanted inflammation of the lower extremities. The recipe is quite simple and easy to follow.
All you need to do is to mix equal amounts of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and water. Use a clean towel to soak in this solution and wring out the excess liquid. Next, wrap the towel around the affected area or compress gently. Do this for about ten minutes every day for several days, until you start to see some obvious results. Also, you can add two tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar to a cup of water and drink it as it is. You can add honey to taste, for a better flavor.
No matter how effective these home remedies for swollen feet prove to be, you must consult with your health care provider as soon as the first symptoms start to appear. Even if swelling of the lower extremities is not a disease in itself, it may be the cause of an underlying condition that can pose a serious threat to your health.
Therefore, in order to prevent any unwanted inflammation of the legs or other body parts, take into account two important factors. A balanced and healthy diet will get you a long way and keep you safe from a wide variety of affections. At the same time, proper exercise will improve the quality of life and strengthen the immune system at the same time.
