Diuretic

Diuretic herbs increase urine output. They can be used to lower blood pressure, resolve damp conditions in the body (edema) or for infections of the urinary system. These generally work best as a lukewarm tea.  All diuretics except the moistening herbs that increase urine indirectly by increasing moisture are drying constitutionally, unless modified by some mixed property. Diuretics function not just on the urinary tract but on the water element as a whole. Moving water through the body and removing stagnation in the water. . May act on tissues to “dump” water, instead of directly on kidney.

See also: Aquaretics & Diuretic Depuratives Draining Diuretics

Most plants used primarily for their effects on the urinary system are collectively referred to as ‘diuretics’ in many texts. This covers a broad range of traditional activities and probably very variable actual diuretic effects so the terms ‘aquaretics’ and ‘diuretic depuratives’ may be more accurate. However, the conventional terminology will be used here, as demarcation between the two categories is currently inadequate.

Plants traditionally used as diuretics:

Gravel root, couch grass, sea holly, corn silk, *Aphanes arvensis*(parsley piert), wild carrot, *Parietaria diffusa*(pellitory), dandelion, celery.

Indications for use:

• Dysuria andoliguria linked to urinary infections or stones (although simply increasing fluid intake can achieve the same flushing effect)
• Heart failure (as an adjunct to cardioactive glycosides)
• Ascites (combined with hepatic remedies)
• Noctural enuresis and other functional disturbances of micturition
• Urinary stones
• Hematuria
• Arthritis and skin disorders

Contraindications:

The use of diuretic herbs may be inappropriate and even contraindicated in renal failure and diabetes.

Traditional Insights

The traditional treatment of arthritic disease often involved using herbs otherwise considered diuretics. There’s a more modern tradition that suggests these diuretics act to increase the elimination of metabolic wastes (e.g. uric acid), factors popularly associated with arthritic disease. The precise explanation for the apparent efficacy of remedies such as birch, celery seed and nettle leaf in arthritic diseases may be more complex.

This tradition is a reminder of the wider assumption that diuretics were among the eliminative strategies applied to a range of toxic conditions associated especially with inflammatory diseases and persistent or recurrent infections. Any hint of fluid retention accompanying such conditions would be a traditional indication for diuretics.

Application;

Diuretics, when prescribed overtly as such, are best taken in relatively high quantities at any time relative to eating. However, dramatic diuresis in some cases may follow quite small doses of many herbs, perhaps directed to other ends.

Phased treatments may be appropriate, for example, early morning and lunchtime dosages as part of a strategy for treating nocturnal enuresis.

Long-term therapy with many diuretics is acceptable

Advanced:

Diuretics may also be usefully applied in some cases (depending on other factors) of;

• Osteoarthritis
• Dermatitis
• Other chronic inflammatory diseases accompanied by fluid retention
• Premenstrual syndrome

(Source -Bone & Mills)