Natural diuretics serve a long list of benefits. Whether it is for keeping your kidney healthy or simply for regular detox, using diuretic herbs is both natural and safe. Nonetheless, not all of them are scientifically backed, therefore, we have a list of some of the most powerful diuretic herbs with proven benefits.
Diuretics are the compounds that increase your urine excretion and help eliminate the excess water your body is holding back. There can be two types of diuretics, chemical substances, and natural ones.
Chemical diuretics are the drugs that doctors prescribe to curb the impact of medical conditions like cardiac failure, liver abnormalities, and hypertension.
On the other hand, natural diuretics are the ones that would help you ease out the symptoms of these diseases, along with relieving the puffiness and bloating caused by retention.
Although natural diuretics won’t cure any diseases, they come in handy for detox, weight loss, and treating milder diseases like UTIs.
In all such cases, choosing the most effective natural diuretics is helpful over going for remedies that are slow processing or drugs that could cause side effects.
So, which herb is the strongest diuretic? Well, this blog reveals the 10 most effective herbal diuretics to try today.
60 Seconds Summary
- Natural diuretics are substances that mimic the action of diuretic drugs without side effects.
- These diuretics are not cures for diseases but relieve the symptoms by flushing out excess water and maintaining electrolyte balance.
- The best natural diuretics are herbs as they offer rich nutrient profiles with overall health benefits.
- The 10 best clinically proven natural diuretics are black cumin, roselle, horsetail, dandelion, parsley, caraway, hawthorn, garlic, oregano, and juniper.
- The best way to use herbs for diuretic effects is supplements as they have planned dosage instructions for easy usage.
Which Herb Is The Strongest Diuretic?
While nature can offer a variety of options to flush out excess water from your body, herbs have to be the best of them.
Herbs are easily available and offer versatile usage, making it easier for people to include them in their routines.
But what are diuretic herbs? Can they be as impactful as prescription medications?
Diuretic herbs are plants that can increase urine production and help the body get rid of excess water and sodium.
They are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and several nutrients that prevent the accumulation of fluids in your body.
Other than that, their nutrient profile and the bioactive compounds can also have a look at your other bodily functions to ensure an overall holistic development.
So can diuretic herbs be prescribed as medicines?
Notably, diuretic herbs just mimic the actions of diuretics increasing the production of urine to flush out those unwanted fluids.
While these can be used as temporary home remedies, one must not use them to treat any health condition without consulting a doctor.
Adding to it, since these are “diuretic herbs”, if you are dealing with frequent urination and have been searching for how to increase ADH at night, make sure you don’t take these diuretics.
However, if you want to detoxify and get rid of water retention, you can go for any of the diuretic herbs.
Moving on, not all herbs offer a strong mechanism of action, it’s important to be exclusive and pick out only the most powerful diuretic herbs.
Let us help you with that.
10 Powerful Herbal Diuretics
According to different pieces of research and clinical studies, the following herbs have been listed as the best diuretics to go for:
#1. Black Cumin
Also known as Nigella sativa, black cumin can help in flushing out excess water because of its numerous bioactive compounds.
Loaded with a rich reserve of antioxidants, they prevent kidney damage and have anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce the accumulation of fluid.
According to a study, consuming 200-400 mg of black cumin seeds for 2 months can reduce mild blood pressure, and taking a dose of 600 mg a day can ease symptoms of high blood pressure.
This proves, that it not only works for fluid retention but also reduces sodium retention, the primary cause of hypertension.
How to use black cumin?
But we suggest you start with a low dosage to check out for any allergies and better adaption of the body.
Since the dosage plays an important role here, the ideal way of using the herb is through supplements or pills.
#2. Roselle
The hibiscus sabdariffa has a nutrient profile rich in Vitamin C and several antioxidants that make it one of the strongest diuretic herbs for reducing water retention.
Studies have also highlighted its effectiveness in lowering blood pressure. For example,3 clinical trials conducted over 6 weeks, showed that taking 1-2 cups of roselle tea per day effectively lowered the moderately raised blood pressure.
Another study showed that it has a compound called quercetin that relaxes blood vessels and increases urine production by 48%.
Hence, the herb offers strong benefits as a diuretic, when used correctly.
How To Use Roselle?
Based on the above study, you can try going for hibiscus tea, keeping the dosage to one or two cups a day according to your routine.
For supplements, follow their dosage guidelines.
#3. Horsetail
Horsetail is one of the strongest diuretic herbs which possess antispasmodic activities. It has therefore been used as a traditional medicine for centuries for edema, bladder, and renal conditions.
According to studies, horsetail is a potent diuretic that can prevent the accumulation of sodium, potassium, and chloride.
Reports of the study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology showed that people who took 900 mg of the herb per day, showed results similar to the effects of a diuretic drug hydrochlorothiazide, minus the side effects.
However, the results depend on the right dosage of the product to channel the power of its silica and flavonoid content.
How To Use Horsetail?
Two of the best methods of using horsetail are tea and supplements.
Supplements make it easier to stick to the dosage.
#4. Dandelion
Dandelion or Taraxacum officinale is another strongest diuretic herb that acts on nephron units in the kidney that control salt and water levels to channel the water excretion.
As per the reports of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, the dandelion extracts had impactful results in a study conducted with 17 participants as drinking 8 ml of its leaf extracts three times a day, raised their urine output.
This is possible because of the anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory effects of the herb on your renal system.
How To Use Dandelion?
You can even opt for tinctures or supplements of dandelion easily available in the market.
#5. Parsley
Parsley or Petroselinum crispum is a bright green plant that does more than add flavors to the food. People have used its stems and leaves as the strongest diuretic herb.
The herb has limited evidence supporting its diuretic properties, with one study conducted on rats suggesting its ability to increase urination and prevent the accumulation of sodium.
It mainly works by maintaining the electrolyte balance in your body as it is rich in potassium, with several other properties like anti-inflammatory effects.
How to use Parsley?
You can use parsley as a garnish for your meals for a flavorful experience.
You can even opt for supplements containing parsley if you aren’t too sure about the tea.
#6. Hawthorn
A common manifestation of heart disease is water retention, and thus such a condition requires a strong and effective diuretic herb to support healthy function.
Hawthorn, according to a study conducted on rats is a source of flavonoids that reduce the levels of sodium in your body and also include urine production.
They also regulate the healthy functioning of your heart and improve blood circulation.
How To Use Hawthorn?
Although there aren’t many studies recording the exact dosage of hawthorn for a potent diuretic effect, many supplements offer ease of usage and guided dose instructions.
#7. Garlic
The most effective herbal diuretic coming from your kitchen is garlic. Loaded with high water content and bioactive compounds, they offer a great range of benefits.
According to studies conducted on animals, garlic can relieve blood pressure symptoms and also prevent the retention of sodium.
How To Use Garlic?
You can even opt for supplements that guide you with the best dosage.
But for people taking garlic straight from the kitchen, there isn’t a strict dose limit.
#8. Oregano
Other than being your favorite addition to pizzas, pasta, and whatnot, oregano can also support your renal health and urination.
It has flavonoids and anti-inflammatory compounds that help your excretory system flush out those excess electrolytes and water.
According to animal studies oregano can reduce the risk of kidney stones too!
How To Use Oregano?
You can use oregano in many different ways, like adding it to your meals or taking it as oil.
But you can even try out supplements that contain oregano or switch to oregano oils as per your comfort.
#9. Juniper
The herb is an age-old favorite strongest diuretic herb when it comes to relieving water retention and electrolyte balance.
Many studies prove the wide range of benefits of using juniper in your daily routine.
But it was the recent study conducted on rats fed on 10% of juniper that proved its effect on urine.
It primarily acts by maintaining a healthy kidney function through anti-inflammatory effects and smooth muscle relaxation.
How To Use Juniper?
Although there aren’t any studies suggesting the right dosage for juniper, we suggest starting from a low dose to keep out any allergies.
You can even go for juniper-infused oils, or crushed juniper berries in your meal preparations.
#10. Nettle Leaves
Nettle leaves have anti-inflammatory compounds and they can help with water retention, urine flow, and kidney functions. It accelerates the process of uric acid removal and thus prevents kidney stones.
Nettle leaves are a great strongest diuretic for removing the extra fluid. In a study, it is clearly mentioned that nettle leaf can eliminate the neutralized toxins in the body.
It can also improve nutrition uptake efficiency in the stomach and guarantee that digestive processes run smoothly, preventing the accumulation of toxic toxins. Nettle leaf also supports the lymphatic system that supports kidneys in removing toxins.
Therefore, nettle leaves are not only among the strongest diuretic herbs but also a great detox herb.
How To Use Nettle Leaf?
The dosage can be limited to one to two teaspoons of the leaves per cup.
So now you know which herb is the strongest diuretic. Well, there is more than one herb that are powerful diuretic and can be used to treat water retention issues and detoxification.
Conclusion
What is the strongest natural diuretic? Well, it is the herbs as they offer a rich source of vitamins and minerals with a great range of benefits.
They not only support a healthy excretory system but can also contribute to overall health. The best way to use herbs for their diuretic effects is either in the tea form or as supplements.
But make sure you consult your doctor before taking the herbs when on a chronic medication, as some people can be allergic to herbs.