Other names for Edema

Fluid retention
Swelling
Hydrops
Dropsy (archaic)

Synopsis of Edema

Edema is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in body tissues, leading to noticeable swelling, most commonly in the feet, ankles, legs, hands, or face. It can be localized or generalized, and may occur suddenly or develop gradually depending on the underlying cause. Edema is not a disease itself but a symptom of various medical conditions or physiological processes.

Common causes include:

• Venous insufficiency (poor blood return from the legs)

• Congestive heart failure

• Kidney disease

• Liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis)

• Injury or inflammation (e.g., from sprains or infections)

• Allergic reactions

• Pregnancy

• Medication side effects (especially calcium channel blockers, NSAIDs, or corticosteroids)

• High salt intake or standing/sitting for prolonged periods

Edema occurs when the balance of forces that control fluid exchange between blood vessels and surrounding tissues becomes disrupted. This can result from increased capillary pressure, reduced plasma protein levels, lymphatic obstruction, or increased capillary permeability.

Mild edema may be harmless and temporary, while persistent or widespread swelling could be a sign of serious illness and should be medically evaluated.

When to see a doctor:
Seek medical attention if swelling is severe, persistent, painful, associated with shortness of breath or chest pain, or occurs suddenly without an obvious cause.

Natural remedies for Edema

Elevation: Raising swollen limbs above heart level helps reduce fluid accumulation.

Compression Garments: Support socks or sleeves improve circulation and limit swelling.

Reduce Sodium Intake: Excess salt promotes water retention; limit processed foods and salty snacks.

Stay Active: Gentle movement and walking stimulate lymphatic and venous return.

Hydration: Drinking enough water helps balance fluid levels and supports kidney function.

Massage: Light lymphatic drainage massage can help shift excess fluid.

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Edema

alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
anthocyanins
apple
apricot
arjun tree
asparagus
waterhyssop
bamboo
bearberry
beet
bilberry
bio ecolian (proprietary)
blackberry
Indian frankincense
bovine
bromelain
rice
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
butcher's broom
bасора
cabbage leaf
capsaicinoids
carrot
cat's claw
celery
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
citrus bioflavonoids
cucumber
turmeric
dandelion
endo-peptidase
exo-peptidase
fiber blend (proprietary)
fish protein
flavonols
forsythia
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fu ling
fungal protease
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
onion
greens blend (proprietary)
hawthorn
hesperidin
horse chestnut
horsetail
Japanese sophora
jujube
L-glutamine
L-methionine
lemon
lophatherum leaf
lovage
magnesium
mannitol
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
moringa
mustard seed
nattozimes
nettle
spruce
papain
parsley
pear
pine bark
pineapple
pollen
pomegranate
potassium
protease
psyllium
pumpkin
quercetin
raspberry
rutin
scrophularia root
selenium
serratiopeptidase
silicon
slippery elm bark
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
tomato
triphala
trypsin
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin B6
seaweed
watermelon
zinc
bentonite
sarsaparilla
yellow root
uva ursi
tangerine
xanthium (cockleburs)
atractylodes
capsicum
Indian bael
nut grass
alpinia galangal
punarnava
commiphora
rubia cordifolia
swertia
bee pollen
peony
Szechuan lovage
goldenrod
prickly ash
lemongrass
silk tree
juniper berries
solomon's seal
siler root
amber
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
morinda
cornsilk
buchu
birch
couch grass
sheep's sorrel
queen of the meadow
guelder rose
trace minerals
hydrangea
purslane
fulvic acid
gentiana macrophylla
cleavers
shepherd's purse
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
peach
white oak
enzymes blend (proprietary)
sea salt
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Asparagus
Aralia
Angelica archanglica
Avens
Achyranthes bidentata
Amber
Akebia
Asoka
Animal Tissue
Aerva Lanta
Alpinia
Alfalfa
African Ginger
Alpine Lily
Arisaema erubescens
Aldimine
Alpha-Humulene
Amylase
Ardisia
Angelica
Allium tuberosum Rottl.
Agrimony
Amino Acid Chelate
Ammonium chloride
Achyranthes
Arisaema amurense
Alpha-Glycosyl Isoquercetin
Antler horn
Abrus
Asoka Tree
Albizia
Antirrhinin
Aconite
Ajuga
Aucubin
Albumin
Asian Bayberry
Arisaema cum bile
Astragaloside IV
Albizia (unspecified)
Aerva lanata
Akebia (unspecified)
Allium (unspecified)
Alpinia (unspecified)
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Apricot
Anthocyanin
Algae
Ammonium salt (unspecified)
Aescin
anthocyanin
Adzuki bean
Adrenals
Actaea spicata
African Basil
Agrimonia pilosa
Acetoglyceride
Alpha-pinene
Acemannan
Apple
Apple
Atractylodes
Arjunic Acid
Anthocyanins
anthocyanosides
Amylase (mixed amylase)
Alisma
Avian (unspecified)
Ananain
Amaranthus tricolor
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Aster (unspecified)
Australian Sandalwood
Apocynin
Atractylone
Betony
Bentonite
Brassica oleracea (unspecified)
Baikal Skullcap
Blue Flag
Bengal Fig
Bergenia Pacumbis
Bee Pollen
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Baliospermum
Blackthorn
bergenin
Beta-Glucans
Blepharis
Boswellia serrata
Bromelain
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Bioflavonoid
Bioflavonoids (mixed)
Bovine (unspecified)
Big Quaking Grass
Billygoat plum
Bitter Grass
Blueberry (unspecified)
Blue-Green Algae
Beta-pinene
Boerhavia diffussa
Bioflavonoids (mixture)
Basidiomycota
Bindweed
berry
Bogbean
Birch (unspecified)
Basil
Blend (Amino Acid/Protein)
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Bear Garlic
Bicarbonate (mixed)
Boswellia
Blackberry
Bioflavonoids
Brown's Lily
Beadlets
Bicarbonate (unspecified)
Buchu (unspecified)
Berries (unspecified)
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Brassica (unspecified)
Borassus aethiopum
Borage
Birch
Bamboo
banana
Bovine (not specified)
Butcher's Broom
Bupleurum
Blue Vervain
Baicalin
Bovine (unspecified)
Balloon Pea
Bupleurum (unspecified)
Blue Green Algae
Bassia scoparia
Bacopasaponin (unspecified)
Black Hellebore
Balsam pear
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
bitartrate
Borneol
cucumber
Cumin
Centella triterpenes
cherry (unspecified)
Collard
Cyperus (unspecified)
Curcuma wenyujin
Chinese Silkvine
Cinnamomum tamala
Casearia esculenta
Chinese Mountain Ant
Coral
Calotropis gigantea
Chervil
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cucurbita
Cucurbita moschata
Calcium Magnesium Citrate
Chickweed
Cortisol
Cordyceps
Coriander
Corn Silk
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cactus
Cynomorium
Citrus (unspecified)
Common Plantain
Cinquefoil
Cyathula
Chinese mugwort
Cluster Fig
Capsicum
Chinese Mallow
Chinese Quince
California Goldenrod
California Spikenard
Cereal grass
Chinese Chive
Chlorophytum
Curcuma amada
Castor
Calcium
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Cyperus rotundus
Citrus Bioflavonoids
Chanca Piedra
Curcuminoid (unspecified)
Curcuminoids
Calcium
Cabbage palm (not specifed)
Chinese Dodder
Chlorella Pyrenoidosa
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Centidepa (unspecified)
Condonopsis
Chinese pond turtle
Couch Grass
California Peony
Cassia fistula
Cayenne
Chinese peony
Chinese Sumac
Chinese Tinospora
Corktree
Cupric ascorbate
Cabbage
Cowslip
Chinese Rhubarb
Chinese Motherwort
Collagen (mixed)
Cellulose
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Carrot oil
chrysanthemum
Convolvulus prostratis
Chymotrypsin
Calamus
Citrus nobilis
Chrysantellum americanum
Copper Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Citrus reticulata
Chestnut
Chinese Pine
Cynanchum (unspecified)
celery
Coconut
Cynodon dactylon
Chinese Cucumber
Citrus Unspecified
Cystine
Collinsonia
Ceylon Spinach
Castor Oil
Carthamus
Canadian Goldenrod
citrus spp.
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
California rose
Chenopodium album
Chinese Cabbage
Curcumin
Currant
Carboxylic acid
Carbon dioxide
Duodenum
Dihydrocapsaicin
Diosmin
Dandelion
Danshen
Deer Root
Diatase
Duodenal Substance
Diatomite
Daphne
Dogwood (not specifed)
Diosmin
Dianthrone
Dogwood (unspecified)
Dioscorea nipponica
Dodder
Daylily
Dipsacus
Dipeptide
Epidermal Growth Factor
Ellagic Acid
Erythropalum scandens
Enzyme (unspecified)
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Empresstree
Evodia
Endive
Endopeptidase
Earthworm
Echinodorus
Epidermal Growth Factor
Enzyme Blend
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European Ash
European goldenrod
esters
European-Five Finger Grass
Escin
Euryale
European White Birch
Euphorbia pekinensis
elderberry
European Golden Rod
Elastase
Fruit
Fenuside
Flavanol (mixture)
Fucoidan
Flueggea suffruticosa
Free Form Amino Acid
Flavonoids
Fomes fomentarius
Fragrant Angelica
Fang-Feng
Flat-stem milk-vetch
Fat liver oil
Frog
Fungus
Flowering quince
Fatty Acid (unspecified)
Fernbush
Fish
Ficus simplicissima
Flesh-Finger Citron
Flavoglycosides
fibroblast growth factors
Field Bindweed
Flavonoid (mixture)
Five-Leaf Cassia
Fumaritory
Flavonones
fibroblast growth factor
Five-leaf akebia
Four leaved grass
Fritillary (unspecified)
Goldenrod
Guggullipid resin
Gastrodia
Goldenrod (unspecified)
Gelatin
Glutamine
Grape
gluconate / gluconic acid
Guava
Gingerol
Glycoside
Growth factors
Gotu Kola
Glutamine alpha-ketoglutarate
Glycoside (unspecified)
Greater Celandine
Glutathione peroxidase
glycyrrhizic acid
Grapeseed Oil
Galium
Glutamine (various)
Gallesia
Glechoma hederacea
Goldenrod (mixed)
Glyceride (unspecified)
Glycine-alanyl-l-methionine
Glycoprotein isolate
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Geranium
Gravel root
Great Plantain
Gluconate
Golden Shower Tree
Gland (mixed)
Galanga
Guazuma ulmifolia
Glutamine precursor (unspecified)
Hu Zhang
Heather
Heptahydrate
Horn
Heartsease
Hyacinth (unspecified)
Hesperidin methylchalcone
Honduran Sarsaparilla
Hyperoside
Haliotis
Hedyotis diffusa
Hygrophila
Hesperidin
Himalayan Fir
Hemidesmus
Hedyotis
Homalomena
Hellebore
Horsetail
Hazelnut
Hemp Agrimony
Hyacinth bean
Hesperidin methyl chalcone
Humic acid
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronidase
Hydroxypropyl starch
Horse Chestnut
Hempnettle
Himalaya Berry
Horsemint
Hesperidin
Hydrolyzed protein (unspecified)
Irish Moss
Indian Madder
Indian Sarsparilla
Isothiocyanate
Indian Frankincense
Indigo pulchra
Ilex
Indian Redwood
Ignatius Bean
Indian Kinotree
Indian mallow
Indian Chrysanthemum
Indian Rhubarb
Javanese Turmeric
Joe-Pye
Japanese Honeysuckle
Juniper
Japanese persimmon
Jungli-bean
Jalapa (unspecified)
Jamaican Sarsaparilla
Khella
Korean Angelica
Kelp (various)
Kefir
Knotgrass
Loquat
Lindera aggregata
Ledebouriella
Lilium polyphyllum
Linden
Lysimachia clethroides
Ligustilide
Licorice
Licorice (various)
Ligustilides
L-Cysteine
Lophatherum
Luffa
Lipids (unspecified)
Lesser Galangal
Lodhtree
Lindera
Luo San
Lotus (unspecified)
Ligustrazin
Lingustilides
L-Histidine
Leptadenia
Large-Leaved Linden
Lily
Little ironweed
Lymph
Loranthus
Laminaria
Lysimachia
Ligusticum
Leucoanthocyanins
Mineral Blend
Malt (unspecitied)
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Mineral ascorbate
Milk fat
mineral (unspecified)
Mineral Water
Moringa
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
Mimosa pudica
Magnesium ascorbate
Malt (Barley)
Mandarin
Madder (unspecified)
Magnesium ascorbate
Magnesium borate
Milk
maritime Pine
Metal Salt
Molluscs
Mountain pepper (unspecified)
Marshmallow
Microtea debilis
Magnesium
Marine colloids
Meadowsweet
Mountain Ash
Marigold
Mushroom
Mother of Pearl
milk
Manchurian Thorn
Maple
Maytenus ilicifolia
Microcos
Magnesium
Northern Prickly Ash
Nettle (mixed)
Nardostachys
Night jessamine
Nymphaea nouchali
Nutmeg & Mace
Night-Blooming Cereus
Nettle (unspecified)
Noni fiber
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum
Oak
Oregon Barberry
onion
Oroxylum indicum
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
Oligosaccharide (unspecified)
Oligosaccharide
Osha
Orris
Ornithine ketoglutarate
Osmanthus
Oxystelma
Oxygen
Oryza Sativa
Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Orchid tree (unspecified)
Osthol
Osthole
Omega-3
Pear
phenyl alkyl ketones
Phellodendron
Poria Mushrooms
pyridoxine-alpha-ketoglutarate (PAK)
Purslane
Potassium Chloride
Potassium Citrate
Proteolytic enzyme (unspecified)
Polysaccharide
Proanthocyanidins (unspecified)
P. nigraclens
Peach
Palmyra
Pea (unspecified)
Polymorpha
Polysaccharide
Phaeophyceae
Peptidase
Pumpkin
Polysaccharides
Pagoda Tree
Plantago
Pluchea
Procyanidol
Peony
Potato
Panax Pseudoginseng
Polygonatum (unspecified)
Polypodium (unspecified)
Poplar
Proanthocyanidins (unspecified)
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Phosphate ascorbate
Potassium
Potassium citrate malate
Proanthocyanidins
Proteolytic Enzymes
Potassium Chloride
Poria mushroom
Polypodium
Proanthocyanidin
Pine
Pepper
Peucedanum
Pansit-pansitan
Phthalide
Pyrrosia
Paper mulberry
Proteolytic Enzymes (Proteases)
Provence Rose
Pentacyclic Oxindole Alkaloids
Piper nigrum
Potassium
Pineapple
Polygonatum
Pimpinella
Persimmon
Proanthocyanidin (unspecified)
Protein (unspecified)
Panax Notoginseng
polyphenols (various)
Pubescent Angelica
Porcine (unspecified)
Parsley
Pedra hume
Physalis angulata
Polygonatum cirrhifolium
Peptide (unspecified)
Pyridoxal alpha-ketoglutarate
Pyridoxine alpha-ketoglutarate
Papayotin
pyridoxine-alpha-ketoglutarate (PAK)
Pycnogenol
Placenta
Poria Mushroom
Polygonum
Pyrola
Plantago (unspecified)
Paeonia moutan
Peony (unspecified)
Pearl
Pig
Petiveria
Prickly Ash Bark
Palo Azul
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Quercetin
Qin Jiao
Rhemannia
Roe
Raspberry (various)
Red Horse Chestnut
Rugose Rose
Ruscogenin
Rutin
Rutin
Rose geranium oil
Raspberry (unspecified)
Roman Chamomile
Rhapontic rubarb
Ruscus
Rockweed
Radish
Ruscogenins
Raspberry
Rasperries (mixed)
Rubiaceae
Red Raspberry
Rosemary
Rose
Rubia yunnanensis
Rosa laevigata
Rumex acetosa
Rutosides
Red Sage
Rhubarb (unspecified)
Rhubarb
Siler
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Sichuan Pagoda Tree
Silkmoth
Sesbania
Speedwell
Spanish Needle
Stinging Nettle
Scoparia dulcis
Sete sangrias
Smartweed
Silicon
Shark Liver Oil
Sarsaparilla
Sweet Orange
Self-Heal
Sweet Annie
Serrapeptase
Sodium Bicarbonate
Southern Tsangshu
Sea water
Smilax
Sanguisorba
Safflower
Samphire
Smilax sieboldii
Spiraea
Stinging Nettle
salt
Spanish Chestnut
Salt (Himalayan)
Sage-leaf alangium
Sarivan
Sicilian Sumac
Slippery Elm
Stinging Nettle
Scordinin
salt (unspecified)
Sesame Oil
Sheep Sorrel
Seaweed (unspecified)
Short Buchu
Silk Tree
Squash (unspecified)
Sodium Nitrate
Squash
Spatholobus
Scabrous Gentian
Silicate
saponins
Serratiopeptidase
Sheep Sorrel (herb powder)
Sarsaparilla (mixed)
Shiny-Leaf Prickly Ash
Sumac
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sesame Oil
Sugarcance fiber
Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium chloride
Silicon
Spinach
Sweet Bay
Scotch Broom
Stone Root
Sarsaparilla (unspecified)
Scurfy Pea
Sargassum
Servicetree
seaweed
Sword Bean
Terminalia
Tea
Tropical Almond
Tree of heaven
Trichosanthis
Taraxacin
Tiger Lily
Thyroid
Troxerutin
Three-leaf akebia
Tayuya
Turmeric
Takuna
Taraxacum mongolicum
Thatch screw-pine
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Three Leaf Caper
Turtle Head
Thymus
Tea Polyphenol
tripeptide (unspecified)
Trametes
Tamarind
Three-Leaf-Caper
Teri Pod
Tall Kale
Taraxacum
Ursane-type triterpenoid
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal 5 phosphate)
Vitamin E (natural tocopherols)
Vitamin E (tocopherol ascorbyl palmitate)
Vitamin B5 (unspecified)
Vitamin B1 (thiamin pyrophosphate)
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol)
Vitamin B6
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate)
Vitamin E (Mixed Tocopherols and Tocotrienols)
Vitamin E (tocopherol not specified)
Vitamin E (delta-tocotrienol)
Vitamin E (mixed tocotrienols/tocopherols)
Vitamin E (not specified)
Vitamin B6 (unspecified)
Vitamin K (unspecified)
Vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate)
Vegetable Fiber (unspecified)
Viola
Vitamin E (alpha tocopheryl succinate)
Water
Water Plantain
Water Lily (unspecified)
Wax Gourd
White Heather
White Rice
White Lily
Wild carrot
Watermelon
Wasabia japonica
Water Chestnut
Winter squash
White Poplar
White Nettle
Wild Bergamot
Wulinshen
Wood Betony
Winter Begonia
Yuzu
Yerba buena
Yellow Dock
Yin Chen
Yellow Ginger
Yam (unspecified)
Zucchini
Zingiberene
Zedoary
Zeolite
Zinc alpha-ketoglutarate