6 Natural Ways to Fight Swollen Limbs
Swollen feet, ankles, and legs are
incredibly uncomfortable ailments to be afflicted with. Yet, they are
not so easy to deal with, as they seem to make us do the very thing that
often causes them: remaining stationary and sedentary. These days many
of us find ourselves rooted to our desk chairs and car seats, making
swollen limbs very common. Though, perhaps because the ailment is so
common, there is now a wealth of useful information out there to help
you deal with it.
Here are 6 natural solutions you can easily
apply to assuage and relieve your swollen limbs.
Note: Swollen limbs could be a symptom of a bigger health problem. So,
to be on the safe side, consult your doctor if your feet, ankles or legs
are experiencing swelling of any kind.
1. Prop up your legs
You don’t have to be injured to reap the
benefits of putting your feet up. Make a habit of elevating your legs
for half an hour per day. This will help drain your body of excess
fluids, which may be causing swelling.
2. Drink plenty of water
Water, and plenty of it, is one of the most
important ingredients of almost any medical remedy, and this certainly
holds for swollen feet and legs. Staying well hydrated prevents swelling
toxins from building up and maintains tissue health. It’s currently
estimated that men should drink around 13 cups (3 liters) of fluid and
women 9 cups (2.2 liters) per day. How much of this should be water is
open to conjecture.
3. Soak yourself with Epsom salts
Epsom salts will make your legs and feet
actually feel a whole lot better. To give your swollen legs this boost,
simply add some Epsom salt to your bath or foot spa.
4. Get more magnesium in your diet
Magnesium often gets forgotten about when
it comes to healthy vitamins and minerals, but it could hardly be more
important when it comes to preventing inflammation and keeping your
heart and immune system healthy. You don’t need to go straight for the
supplements either. You will find lots of magnesium in the following
foods: lean meat and poultry, dark, leafy, green vegetables, milk,
yogurt, eggs, nuts, beans, and whole grains.
5. Apply some apple cider vinegar
Apple cider makes a truly wonderful
vinegar, and perfect for fixing swollen limbs. Not only will it help
relieve swelling pains, when rubbed into your skin, but it’ll also
absorb the excess fluid from your limbs.
6. Get plenty of exercise
The last option is the easiest of all:
exercise. Nothing is better at stopping fluid build-ups in your body
than keeping yourself active with your favorite activities. Anything
that can get your heart pumping and blood moving is a great choice, but
swimming may be the most therapeutic. A special mention should also go
to walking, jogging, and – if you are curious about trying it out –
yoga.