Natural Diuretics: What Are They and Are They Safe?
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
A pharmacist explains how specific herbs and foods can reduce fluid build-up.
Medically reviewed by Melissa Nieves, LND
A diuretic is also known as a water pill. It decreases swelling caused by fluid retention by increasing water and salt loss through the urine.
Some supplements suggested to have diuretic effects include the following:
This article discusses some herbal supplements and foods with potential diuretic properties.
Natural Diuretic Herbs
Explainer
Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
Certain herbs act like water pills by increasing urine production to get rid of excess fluids and sodium. Besides herbal supplements, caffeine and pamabrom (an over-the-counter water pill used to relieve bloating related to menstrual symptoms) also have diuretic effects.
Herbal supplements might interact with prescription drugs, worsen certain medical conditions, or might not be suitable for pregnancy or breastfeeding.
It's important not to replace standard medical treatment with natural diuretic supplements. Avoid abruptly stopping standard medical treatment without consulting with your healthcare provider.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a flowering shrub of the rose family, well-known for treating heart problems like heart failure, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It's been reported to have diuretic effects. However, better studies done in humans are needed to confirm the results.
Hawthorn Benefits
Researchers have proposed that hawthorn has specific heart-protective qualities, like blocking an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). This decreases blood pressure. While ACE plays a role in fluid retention downstream, it is unclear how hawthorn causes a diuretic effect.
Is Hawthorn Safe for Me?
Possible side effects of hawthorn are dizziness, nausea, and digestive symptoms.
Hawthorn interacts with particular heart and blood-thinning medications. For example, hawthorn increases the effects of Lanoxin (digoxin), an antiarrhythmic medication (a drug that treats irregular heart rhythm).
Since hawthorn has blood-thinning properties and thus increases the risk of bleeding, caution should be taken if you are taking blood thinners or undergoing major heart surgery.
Due to hawthorn's blood pressure–lowering effect, caution should also be taken if you take other medications that lower blood pressure, such as blood pressure drugs or phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction).
Dandelion
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), a garden weed, has been used as a medicinal herb for various conditions, including infections and digestive symptoms.
It also has the following properties:
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Antihyperglycemic (blood sugar–lowering)
Choleretic (promotes bile secretion by the liver)
Laxative
Liver-protective
Diuretic (increases urine production)
How To Use Dandelion
Dandelion extracts are available as a dietary supplement. The roots (used as substitutes for coffee or tea), leaves (used as a salad ingredient), and flowers (used to make wine and syrup) may be eaten raw or cooked.
It is essential to not exceed 4 grams or 12 grams per day for the plant's aerial parts (parts above ground) or 1 gram or 3 grams per day for the root.
Dandelion Benefits
The German Commission E approved the use of dandelion for increasing urine production.
Dandelion's diuretic activity may be due to its high potassium content.
Unlike water pills, which deplete potassium levels, the high potassium content in dandelion replaces the potassium lost in the urine.
It is proposed that using dandelion with prescription diuretics may help minimize electrolyte imbalance due to dandelion's high potassium and magnesium content.
Should I Use Dandelion?
The FDA has placed dandelions on the list of safe products for people with rare allergies.
However, if you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies, it is best to avoid dandelion as you may be more likely to have allergic reactions.
Dandelion might interact with the following medications:
Diuretics: Since dandelion has both diuretic properties and is high in potassium, taking a water pill with dandelion might increase the risk of electrolyte imbalance and dehydration.
Blood thinners: Test tube studies have shown that dandelion leaves and roots slow blood clotting time, increasing the risk of bleeding. Taking dandelion while concurrently taking blood thinners such as aspirin, Jantoven (warfarin), or Plavix (clopidogrel) may increase such a risk. However, further studies done in humans are needed to clarify the result.
Lithium: In general, diuretics may increase lithium levels and increase the risk of kidney toxicity. Therefore, diuretic herbs such as dandelion should be avoided if you are taking lithium (mood stabilizer).
Cipro (ciprofloxacin): A rat study showed that dandelion, specifically Taraxacum mongolicum, interacts with ciprofloxacin. The high mineral content in dandelion might decrease the intestinal absorption of ciprofloxacin and, therefore, its efficacy. Whether or not such interaction applies to humans is unclear.
Blood sugar–lowering medications: A laboratory study indicated that inulin (a prebiotic) in dandelion root helped to normalize blood sugar levels. Based on another laboratory study, dandelion extracts have also been shown to stimulate insulin release in pancreatic beta-cells (pancreatic cells that produce insulin), decreasing blood sugar levels. Further studies in humans are needed. Taking dandelion with antidiabetic drugs might cause blood sugar levels to drop too low.
Horsetail
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is a medicinal plant with antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
The German Commission E approved the use of horsetail for the treatment of edema (swelling due to fluid retention) and as a diuretic for bacterial and inflammatory disease of the urinary tract.
Horsetail Benefits
In a study consisting of 36 healthy male volunteers, horsetail produced a diuretic effect that was comparable to that of 25 milligrams of Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide), a water pill, and was more effective than that of placebo or an inactive substance (starch).
However, the study is not generalizable as it was conducted in healthy male subjects—further, more extensive studies looking at other types of research subjects with various medical conditions.
The mild diuretic activity of horsetail is due to high concentrations of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and mineral salts.
Is Horsetail Safe for Me?
Because horsetail acts like a water pill, it might lower potassium levels in the blood. Caution should be taken if you are at risk for potassium deficiency.
Headache was commonly reported in study participants.
Some horsetail products contain thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down thiamine (vitamin B1), which can lead to thiamine deficiency. People with alcohol use disorder are generally deficient in thiamine, and horsetail might worsen such deficiency.
Horsetail should be avoided if you are allergic to carrots or nicotine.
Caution should be taken if you take the following medications:
Medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): Horsetail might reduce the effects of antiviral drugs such as efavirenz, a drug used to treat HIV.
Lithium: Since horsetail decreases how well the body gets rid of lithium, the risk of lithium side effects increases.
Diabetes medications: Taking both blood sugar-lowering drugs and horsetail might cause blood sugar levels to drop too low.
Diuretics: Taking a water pill such as Lasix (furosemide) and horsetail concurrently can cause potassium levels to drop too low.
Moringa
Moringa (Moringa oleifera ), known as the miracle tree or drumstick tree, is a small, nutrient-dense plant with the following properties:
Anti-inflammatory
Analgesic (pain-relieving)
Antipyretic (fever-reducing)
Antimicrobial
Antioxidant
Anticancer
Antihypertensive (lowers blood pressure)
Antidiabetic
Antiasthmatic
Liver-protective
Anti-ulcerative
Antifertility
Diuretic
Moringa Benefits
A study done in rats found that moringa had a dose-dependent diuretic effect greater than the control (normal saline) but lower than hydrochlorothiazide, a water pill. However, further human research is needed to determine if moringa also has a diuretic effect in humans.
The diuretic activity of moringa is due to the following chemical compounds found in it:
Campesterol
Stigmasterol
Βeta-sitosterol
Avenasterol
Is Moringa Safe for Me?
No adverse effects were reported in human studies using whole moringa leaf powder at up to a single dose of 50 grams or in a study using eight grams per day for 40 days.
Despite the high iron and calcium content in moringa leaves, moringa should be avoided in people who are pregnant due to its antifertility properties.
Furthermore, moringa has severe toxic effects and can cause abortion when taken in large quantities.
Moringa might interact with some medications, such as the following:
Thyroid medications: A study conducted in rats suggested that moringa blocks the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3), the active form of thyroid hormone. However, one study conducted in humans suggested that moringa was effective in managing primary hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Please consult with your healthcare provider before starting moringa supplements to avoid interference with your thyroid drugs.
Diabetes medications: Since moringa lowers blood sugar levels, taking it with drugs that also lower blood sugar might cause blood sugar levels to drop too low.
Blood pressure medications: Taking moringa with drugs that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to drop too low.
Anderson Coelho / Getty Images
Female taking medication with waterStinging Nettle
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioicai) is a plant that has been medicinally used for the following conditions:
Allergic rhinitis Inflammation of the nose caused by an allergen)
Benign prostate hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
Stinging Nettle Benefits
A diuretic effect of stinging nettle extract was observed in a study done in rats.
While more rigorous research is needed in humans to confirm the diuretic effect, one study showed that consuming stinging nettle juice for two weeks in 32 people with heart and blood vessel problems increased urine output.
As a diuretic, stinging nettle has been shown to help clear more toxins linked to urinary tract infections.
Should I Use Stinging Nettle?
Some of the side effects of stinging nettle include the following:
Keep the following precautions in mind:
Antidiabetics: Stinging nettle might increase the effects of medications used to treat diabetes.
Sedatives: The use of stinging nettle with sedatives such as Ativan (lorazepam), phenobarbital, Klonopin (clonazepam), and Ambien (zolpidem) might increase the risk of sleepiness and drowsiness.
Diuretics and kidney disease: Because of their diuretic effect, caution should be taken with conventional diuretic therapy and in people with kidney disorders.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Although the antifertility effect of stinging nettle is unclear, stinging nettle should be avoided during pregnancy or breastfeeding and in children.
Juniper
The berries and extract of juniper (Juniperus), an evergreen aromatic shrub, have been used traditionally as the following:
Diuretic
Anti-arthritic (relieve or prevent symptoms of arthritis)
Antidiabetic
Antiseptic (disinfectant)
Juniper Benefits
The essential oil and extracts of juniper have been suggested to possess the following properties:
Antioxidant
Antibacterial
Antiviral
Antifungal
A study done in rats showed that juniper oil increased urine output. However, it is unclear if such a diuretic effect is observed in humans. Human studies are needed to confirm such a result.
The diuretic activity of juniper is due to the terpinol-4-ol, an active component in juniper oil.
Terpinol-4-ol is known to irritate the kidneys.
Is Juniper Safe for Me?
Consuming juniper by mouth for a long time or in high doses can be unsafe and cause kidney problems and gut irritation.
The ingestion of juniper essential oil in higher doses can be toxic, resulting in the following signs and symptoms:
Diarrhea
Stomach ache
Kidney ache
Hematuria (blood in the urine)
Albuminuria (protein in the urine)
Increased heart rate
Juniper oil for external use must be diluted to prevent irritations or blisters in the skin. Dermatitis (skin inflammation) and nasal congestion or blisters have been observed in people sensitive or allergic to juniper essential oil.
Keep the following precautions in mind:
Blood pressure: Because juniper berries could affect blood pressure, you should avoid them if you have blood pressure problems.
Blood sugar: Juniper berry extract might cause blood sugar levels to drop too low. It should be avoided if you take medications for diabetes.
Pregnancy: In a rat study, juniper extract was found to cause abortion and affect fertility. While more research on the safety of juniper in humans is needed, it should be avoided during pregnancy.
Explainer
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements like prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
When choosing a supplement, look for third-party tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Natural Diuretic Foods
Besides herbal supplements, certain foods also have been claimed to possess a diuretic effect.
Celery Seed
The diuretic effect of celery seed (Apium graveolens) is due to one of the active components of celery called NBP (3‐n‐butylphthalide), which decreases blood pressure.
Besides the seed, celery root has been suggested to have a diuretic effect.
Celery Seed Benefits
One clinical trial reported the following side effects of NBP:
Elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) enzyme
Mild gastrointestinal reaction
Should I Use Celery Seed?
Celery seeds should be avoided if you:
Are pregnant (due to uterine stimulant activity)
Are allergic to them
Take blood-thinning medications
Celery seeds may interact with other medications. Please consult your healthcare provider before adding celery seeds to your diet.
Nasturtium
Nasturtium, also known as watercress, is a leafy vegetable belonging to the Brassicaceae family that grows in or around water.
In traditional medicine, watercress is used for the following:
Diuresis (increasing urine production)
Nasturtium Benefits
Human studies are lacking despite the purported traditional use of watercress as a diuretic.
Should I Use Nasturtium?
Caution should be taken if you:
Have hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid): Watercress is a cruciferous vegetable and might worsen an underactive thyroid.
Have allergies to Brassicaceae family plants: Allergic reactions to Brassicaceae plants, such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, have been reported.
Take warfarin: Cruciferous vegetables are high in vitamin K, which might interact with warfarin, a blood thinner. If you take warfarin, it is essential to maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any dietary changes.
Black Tea
Black tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. It is more oxidized than green tea, lending a darker color. It has both culinary and medicinal applications with diuretic properties.
Black Tea Benefits
One study performed in rats showed that black tea exerts a mild diuretic effect within one hour after ingestion. However, the duration of the diuretic action was short. Further research in humans is needed to clarify the result.
The catechin (a type of antioxidant) and caffeine content in black tea are thought to contribute to its diuretic activity.
Is Black Tea Safe for Me?
Because black tea contains caffeine, it is advised not to drink more than 4 cups of black tea daily. Too much caffeine intake might cause side effects, such as headaches and irregular heartbeat.
Keep the following precautions in mind:
Pregnancy: Consuming more than 300 milligrams of caffeine has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage (spontaneous loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks) and caffeine withdrawal symptoms in newborns.
Breastfeeding: Since caffeine in black tea is passed into breast milk and might cause irritability and increased bowel movements in nursing infants, it is essential not to drink more than 3 cups of black tea daily if breastfeeding.
Anxiety disorders: Caffeine in black tea can worsen anxiety.
Heart problems: Too much caffeine can cause irregular heartbeat. Caffeine should be used in moderation if you have a heart condition.
Seizures: High doses of caffeine might cause seizures or decrease the effects of anti-seizure medications. Avoid high doses of caffeine if you ever have a seizure.
The caffeine in black tea interacts with some medications, such as the following:
Ephedrine is a stimulant drug and should not be used with black tea due to the risk of excessive stimulation of the nervous system, which can cause serious side effects and heart problems.
Some medications for asthma can increase the heart rate. Therefore, the concurrent use of caffeine might cause too much stimulation and cause heart problems.
Caffeine should not be used with a class of medications for depression called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as Nardila (phenelzine) and Zelapar (selegiline), due to the risk of fast heartbeat and extremely high blood pressure.
Black tea might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bruising and bleeding if used with blood-thinning medications. However, large amounts of black tea might decrease the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of blood clotting.
Drinking black tea and water pills can cause potassium levels to drop too low.
Some medications that increase the side effects (e.g., jitteriness, headache, and increased rate) of caffeine contained in black tea include:
Quinolone antibiotics (e.g., Cipro and Levaquin, a brand of levofloxacin)
Mexitil (mexiletine): a drug that treats an irregular heartbeat
Caffeine can decrease the effects of certain anti-seizure medications and increase the risk of seizures:
Tegretol (carbamazepine)
Zarontin (ethosuximide)
Felbatol (felbamate)
Luminal (phenobarbital)
Dilantin (phenytoin)
Valproate
Black tea contains a chemical compound called tannins, which reduce iron absorption from the gut. Therefore, it is best to drink black tea between meals rather than with meals.
Fennel
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is an aromatic herb. It has a licorice flavor and scent and can be found in dishes from soups to sausage. It's also used medicinally as a diuretic and more.
Fennel Benefits
Although fennel has been shown to have a diuretic effect in rat models, some studies yielded mixed evidence. Further studies conducted in humans are needed to confirm the diuretic activity of fennel.
Should I Use Fennel?
Fennel is generally well tolerated, and its oil is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in food by the FDA. However, excessive use of herbal tea containing fennel in people who are breastfeeding has been reported to cause toxicity in some newborns.
Dried ripe fruit or fennel seeds have been shown to exert estrogenic effects that can increase menstruation. Therefore, caution should be taken if you are pregnant or have hormone-sensitive conditions.
Fennel can cause allergic reactions after being taken by mouth or used topically on the skin.
Because of the risk for cross-allergenicity, fennel should be avoided if you are allergic to carrots, celery, or other plants in the Apiaceae family.
Due to the increased risk of sunburn, excessive ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, including sunlight, should be avoided while using fennel.
Fennel extracts were known to block the activity of human drug-metabolizing enzymes, thereby causing potential interactions with other drugs.
Parsley
Parsley is frequently added to dishes to enhance recipes or as a decorative feature. However, it has also been used as a supplement for its diuretic effects.
Parsley Benefits
A study performed in rats showed that parsley (Petroselinum crispum) increased urine volume. The diuretic activity of parsley is attributed to the plant compounds called flavonoids, saponins, and organic acids. Through its diuretic effect, parsley has been shown to help with kidney stones based on a rat study.
The study also showed that, unlike conventional diuretics that deplete potassium, parsley did not have such a side effect as it is rich in potassium.
Should I Use Parsley?
Per the FDA, parsley is generally recognized as safe as a food.
Caution should be taken if you are allergic to carrot, celery, and fennel due to the risk of cross-reactivity.
Parsley has been shown to cause abortion and promote menstrual flow. Therefore, parsley in high medicinal doses should be avoided during pregnancy.
Since parsley has antidiabetic, immunosuppressant, anticoagulant (blood-thinning), estrogenic, diuretic, and hypotensive effects, caution should be taken with certain medications.
Asparagus
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a spear-like vegetable frequently featured as a side dish.
Asparagus Benefits
Although asparagus has been shown to have a diuretic effect and has been traditionally used for urinary problems, clinical evidence is lacking. Further clinical studies beyond the traditional medicinal use of asparagus are needed.
A six-week clinical trial conducted in 163 individuals showed that the intake of a mixture of asparagus root and parsley leaf caused kidney-related side effects. Therefore, such a combination should not be used in the setting of high blood pressure or kidney stones.
Should I Use Asparagus?
Because asparagus contains some vitamin K, caution should be taken if you take a blood thinner such as warfarin.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
While natural diuretic herbs or foods appear to be promising in the case of mild fluid retention that is not caused by a serious medical condition, it is important to not replace conventional diuretics with natural diuretics if you have fluid retention caused by certain medical conditions, such as heart failure.
Please consult with your healthcare provider if you have serious fluid retention, such as sudden weight gain or severe swelling of your legs or ankles.
Summary
Some herbs and foods have been claimed for their use as diuretic agents. However, human clinical studies are lacking, with research being limited to animal studies and traditional medicinal uses.
Due to the risk of electrolyte imbalance, allergic reactions, drug-herb interactions (especially with blood thinners), and miscarriage, please consult with your healthcare provider before starting any natural diuretic herbal supplements or foods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a natural diuretic?
Natural diuretics are herbs or foods that mimic the action of water pills. In other words, they increase urine output and get rid of excess fluid and sodium from the body.
What is the strongest natural diuretic?
Since no head-to-head human clinical trials compare the various natural diuretics, it is unclear which one has the strongest diuretic effect.
However, caffeine is commonly known to have a diuretic effect. Sources of caffeine include coffee and teas, such as black tea.
Of note, consuming more caffeine from coffee or tea is easier than consuming more herbs with diuretic activity.
The rapid absorption of caffeine from the stomach and intestines explains its rapid onset (within one hour) of diuretic activity.
What foods are natural diuretics?
Foods or beverages with diuretic activity include the following:
Celery seed
Nasturtium (watercress)
Black tea
Fennel
Parsley
Asparagus
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
