5 home remedies for swollen feet (and how to prepare)

Some ways to eliminate swelling in the feet or ankles are to drink a diuretic tea, such as hibiscus or horsetail tea, which help combat fluid retention, or to make a foot bath with hot water and bitter salt, which is a good option for improve blood circulation and reduce swelling, pain and discomfort in the feet.

Swollen feet can be caused by poor blood circulation, pregnancy or other health conditions, such as heart failure or thrombosis, for example, and it is recommended to consult your general practitioner, especially when the swelling lasts more than 1 day or is accompanied by other symptoms. such as pain, intense redness or difficulty walking. Discover the main causes of swelling in the feet.

In addition to teas and foot baths, other ways to de-swell your feet are to drink around 2 liters of water a day, avoid standing or sitting for a long time, exercising regularly and elevating your legs at night, in order to facilitate return of blood to the heart and eliminate excess fluids.

Home remedy options

Some options for teas and foot baths to de-puff your feet are:

1. Hibiscus tea

Hibiscus tea is rich in anthocyanins, flavonoids, vitamin C and chlorogenic acid, with diuretic and antioxidant properties, which help eliminate urine and regulate the activity of aldosterone, which is a hormone responsible for controlling urine production. In this way, this tea can help to de-swell your feet.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of dried hibiscus flowers;
• 400 mL of water.

Preparation mode

Place water in a container and boil. Then turn off the heat and add the dehydrated hibiscus flowers. Strain and drink the tea warm at least 3 times a day.

Hibiscus tea should not be used without medical advice during pregnancy or lactation, or by children under 12 years of age and people with kidney or liver disease, or who use diuretic medications, such as hydrochlorothiazide. Find out which teas are considered safe and which ones you should avoid during pregnancy.

2. Horsetail tea

Horsetail tea has flavonoids, such as quercetin and apigenin, phenolic compounds, such as caffeic and cinnamic acids, with diuretic action that helps combat fluid retention, which helps to reduce swelling in the feet, legs or ankles.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of dry mackerel stem;
• 1 cup of water.

Preparation mode

Put the water to boil and turn off the heat. Add the boiling water and the dry horsetail stalk to a cup and let it rest for about 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and drink up to 2 cups a day, preferably after the main meals of the day.

This tea should not be used for more than 1 week at a time, to avoid dehydration and elimination of some essential minerals for the body.

Horsetail tea should not be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children under 12 years of age and people with heart failure, low blood pressure or kidney disease. See other diuretic tea options and how to prepare them.

3. Foot bath with bitter salt

Bitter salt is a great home remedy for swollen feet, because it helps blood return to the heart, reducing swelling in the feet and ankles.

Ingredients

• Half a cup of bitter salt;
• 3 liters of water.

Preparation mode

Place the bitter salt and approximately 3 liters of warm water in a basin and soak your feet for approximately 3 to 5 minutes.

Furthermore, you can also place marbles inside the basin and slide your feet over them during this period, as this gives a gentle massage to the soles of the feet, making it very relaxing. Finally, you should wash your feet with cold water, because this difference in temperature also helps to de-swell.

4. Scald-pes with epsom salt

Epsom salts are rich in magnesium sulfate that is easily absorbed by the skin, facilitating blood circulation and eliminating toxins, which helps relieve swelling in the feet or ankles, relax muscles and relieve foot pain. These salts should only be used for foot baths and should not be consumed.

Ingredients

• ½ cup of Epsom salts;
• 2 to 3 liters of warm water.

Preparation mode

Place Epsom salts in a container with 2 to 3 liters of warm water or enough water to cover your feet and reach at least your ankles. Dilute the salts well, stirring the water with your hand, and place your feet in the water for around 15 minutes. Then rinse your feet and dry with a clean, dry towel. This process can be done up to 2 times a week.

Foot baths with epsom salt can leave the skin on your feet dry, which is why it is recommended to use a moisturizer after use to avoid skin irritation or cracking.

This foot bath should not be done by pregnant women or people with diabetes, kidney or heart problems, without medical advice.

5. Foot bath with contrast bath

The foot bath with contrast bath is done by alternating the use of hot water, but enough so as not to burn the skin, with cold water, which promotes circulation in the legs and feet, and helps combat swelling of the feet or ankles. , especially caused by standing for a long time, wearing tight shoes during the day or by swelling in the feet during pregnancy.