Medically swollen ankles is edema, also referred to as peripheral edema. Swollen feet is a condition where the muscles in the feet have excessive fluid accumulation. The fluid leaks out from your blood vessels and accumulates in the surrounding tissues. Natural remedies or age-old home remedies work best and can help relieve not just the pain and discomfort but also help reduce swelling.
Possible Causes of Foot and Ankle Swelling
-Eating a lot of salts and carbohydrates
-Overusing laxatives, diuretics and drugs
-Birth control drugs
-Pregnancy or PMS
-Sodium retention
-Allergic reactions
-Trauma
8 Natural Remedies For Swollen Feet & Ankles
Drink more water
By drinking water throughout the day, we hydrate our tissues and detox the body, it also helps dilute excess salt in the body which is a big factor in swelling. Eight to ten glasses a day should be the norm. So make sure you carry that water bottle with you. For added antioxidant value, squeeze some lime or lemon in or prepare your own flavored water.
Make a Splash
Swimming or even floating in water can help with swollen feet and ankles. The pressure from the water can help get things moving in your legs, and floating gives your circulatory system a break from gravity’s constant pull. If you don’t have a pool, check out local gyms to see what they offer.
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt works fast to reduce swelling and can help alleviate pain and discomfort, too. The magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt is easily absorbed through the skin and helps improve circulation and reduce swelling. It is also relaxing for sore, tired muscles and even helps neutralize foot odor.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar also helps reduce swelling in your feet. Its high potassium content helps reduce fluid retention, a common cause of swelling in the feet.
Molasses and Saunf Drink
Boil one or two glasses of water with a half teaspoon of molasses and a tablespoon of saunf. Boil this down to about half. Drink this 2-3 times a day and this will help to relieve foot or ankle swelling!
Coriander Seeds
Boil 2 to 3 tablespoons of coriander seeds in 2 cups of water, until the mixture reduces to half. Cool it off and soak your leg in it. This home remedy for swollen feet has proved to be very effective in reducing the foot swelling as well as the pain.
Mustard oil
Massaging your feet daily helps in boosting blood circulation and beating fatigue and tiredness. Oils like mustard help generate heat in the body and massaging it on swollen feet can relieve muscle pain. Mustard oil is also rich in selenium and magnesium and has anti-inflammatory properties
Cabbage leaves
Cabbage leaves are also good for soaking excessive liquid from our body. Placing some fresh cabbage leaves over the affected area and then covering it with a cotton cloth can be helpful in reducing the swelling and tenderness of foot.
Sources:
– http://www.searchhomeremedy.com
– http://www.healthambition.com
– http://www.top10homeremedies.com
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