Has anyone tried dandelion root tea for edema?

Hi, me again. Don has terrible all over swelling and has been given Lasix again. Doc says it appears that he's got at least 20lbs of fluid in his body. (He started swelling after receiving steriods and has never gotten over it). He's to have a chemical stress test Monday to check his heart, but I've been researching the internet and it appears that danelion root tea is a natural diuretic without side effects. I know Lasix is on the list of drugs that can potentially lower platelets. Doc said if Lasix pills don't work over the weekend, he wants him in the hospital to hit him hard with diuretics to reduce fluids. Anyway, just spending time trying to come up with reasonable treatments that won't affect his platelets. Oh, and I told him that exercise was also a way to get the body working to rid itself of fluids, so he's dust mopping the floor!

I've read that lemon is a diuretic. I'm not sure how quickly it works.

When I was pregnant (in July and August) with much swelling, my ob told me to immerse in tepid water (about the same temp as the body, maybe a little warmer or cooler) up to my neck, and stay there until the fingertips and toes get wrinkly. The immersion somehow forces fluids from tissues into the vasculature, to be filtered by the kidneys and eliminated. As the water gets too cold, let some out and put some more warm water in to maintain the comfort level. This takes a while, so take a book or magazine. The ob suggested staying in there even if you needed to pee, and just peeing in the water. I found that thought disgusting, and got out to do that, and then got back in. It did help my poor feet and legs. I don't usually have a pool available, but recently on vacation, I found the swelling in my feet after a day in the theme parks was relieved by relaxing in the pool. (And, no, I didn't pee in there, either!) Good luck helping him get relief.
Norma

Dandelion root is an excellent diuretic. It can be steeped for 10 minutes in hot water for a good mid-range amount of the herb (not too much, not too little). Do NOT microwave it. It is fairly bitter so a little honey added to it will go a long way. I wouldn't suggest he drink more then a large cup or two in a given day until you see how much fluid it takes off of him. Since he's on lasix you will want to be careful he doesn't lose so much fluid it throws his electrolytes off (thus causing its own heart issues). One or two cups should be fine but make sure you gauge how much fluid he's losing (maybe measure his output). Once you've gone through 8-10hrs with a cup or two you should have a good idea how much or little you need to add in or take away to get the desired effect. I definitely recommend its use over lasix but since he's on lasix I would use it with caution until you see how his body responds.

*note* we don't do lasix/drugs so for our family we would use 6-8 mugs a day. You cannot do that much while using lasix.

Donswife, i like your style, if the excersize is not enough he can come over here & ill give him a huge list lol, keep him at it!
When i read it i remembered someone who was told to pee in the bath & lie in it, can't remember who tho, then when hes finished he can clean the bathroom. Hope it gets sorted.
Julia

Thanks for the good advice everyone, and thanks for the laugh Julia. Patti, thank you for the info on the tea, have you every used the prepared tea bags? I'll not try it until after this weekend since he needs to see the doc on Monday. Then if things look OK in the heart dept, and the doc says he can cut back on Lasix, I'll try the suggestions to see if that won't help keep him less bloated. I read where lasix etc can have a rebound effect, once you stop taking it, the fluid retention comes back. Also read that you need to be off it for at least three weeks before the rebound swelling goes down.

donswife48 wrote:

Thanks for the good advice everyone, and thanks for the laugh Julia. Patti, thank you for the info on the tea, have you every used the prepared tea bags? I'll not try it until after this weekend since he needs to see the doc on Monday. Then if things look OK in the heart dept, and the doc says he can cut back on Lasix, I'll try the suggestions to see if that won't help keep him less bloated. I read where lasix etc can have a rebound effect, once you stop taking it, the fluid retention comes back. Also read that you need to be off it for at least three weeks before the rebound swelling goes down.

Yes, I've used the tea bags. Same protocol. If the doc takes you him the lasix then give him 3-6 cups a day depending on his water retention and it should work very well. One thing about dandelion tea is he won't over lose water. It's only when you add in the lasix that it becomes a problem because the lasix doesn't help the body self regulate. The tea will only take off what he needs to take off. It'd be tough to dehydrate oneself with the tea (you'd have to drink A LOT) alone.

This may also have somethng to do with Don's diet. More salty foods cause water retention. Regardless of what medication he is taking, i suggest youtake a look at the diet and see if eating habits needs an overhaul.
Keep us posted.