1. Dropsy /Edema/Oedema

2. Medicinal Plants for Diseases “Dropsy ” A series of Lectures By Mr. Allah Dad Khan former DG Agriculture Extension KP Province and Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar allahdad52@gmail.com

4. What is Edema? Edema, also known as oedema, dropsy and hydropsy, is an accumulation of fluid in the body’s tissues, which leads to swelling. Although edema can occur in any part of your body, it usually affects the hands, ankles, legs and feet. About 4.4 million people in the U.S. suffer from edema. Common signs and symptoms of edema include swelling, puffiness, stretched or shiny skin, and dimpling of the skin after being pressed for a few seconds. Mild cases of edema may result from sitting or staying in one position for many hours, a surgical procedure, high salt intake, malnutrition, insect bites, premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy.

5. Symptoms of Edema Common signs and symptoms of edema include swelling, puffiness, stretched or shiny skin, and dimpling of the skin after being pressed for a few seconds. Mild cases of edema may result from sitting or staying in one position for many hours, a surgical procedure, high salt intake, malnutrition, insect bites, premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy

6. Edema Edema itself is not harmful, but because it can be a sign of an underlying condition, you need to have it looked by a doctor. Whatever the cause, you can get some relief from the symptoms of edema with simple lifestyle changes and easy-to- follow home remedies.

8. Fennel Seeds: Boil 500 ml of water and add a teaspoon of sugar. Add 12 gm fennel seeds to the water and allow it to steep for about 15 minutes. Strain the water and consume it every day to alleviate the swelling from your feet and ankles.fennel seeds

9. Grapefruit Essential Oil: There is nothing more soothing than a cozy, warm bath. Soaking can ease the swelling, but when you add a few drops of grapefruit essential oil, you will be in heaven. Alternatively, you can mix the oil with a little bit of olive oil and massage the affected area. Make sure you use circular motions while massaging.

10. Cucumber: Extract one glass cucumber juice and consume it every day. Not only will it ease the edema, it also will help to flush out toxins from your body.

11. Tea Tree Oil: If edema is caused by insect bites, then tea tree oil is the best method for treating it. Since the poison of the insects causes this form of swelling, you can make a mixture of neem and tea tree oil to apply on the affected area. This will heal the swelling and the pain as well.

12. Crushed Flax Seeds: Flax seeds can be a great way to relieve edema. You can crush the seeds and grind them to a powder. You can sprinkle this powder on your food and consume it directly. However, those of you who do not like the taste of the seeds can opt for another application. There is an oil made from the flax seeds which can be applied on the affected area. This is especially helpful for pregnant women suffering from it, as their tastes are more sensitive during pregnancy and the taste of flax seeds may be unpleasant.

13. Mustard Oil: Mustard oil provides a complete solution for edema. You can take some warm mustard oil in your palms and massage the affected area gently. The other way is to soak about two tea spoons of mustard seeds in water and apply the solution on the affected area

14. Butcher's Broom What it is: Butcher’s broom is a plant native to Africa and the Mediterranean area with a rigid shape and spiny leaves. The part of the plant used for medicinal purposes is typically the root, as the medicinal compounds are stronger in the root than in the other parts of the plant. Butcher’s broom has been used as a traditional healing plant for thousands of years.

15. Coriander Seeds: Coriander seeds are considered to be the best remedy for edema. Take a few tea spoons of coriander seeds and boil them with water till the quantity reduces into half of the actual amount. Filter the solution and consume the whole amount at once. This will provide an assured solution to edema

16. Apple Cider Vinegar Apple cider vinegar is a well-known remedy to reduce edema symptoms. Being high in potassium, it helps replenish potassium levels in the body and reverse fluid retention. Moreover, its anti-inflammatory property helps reduce swelling and pain.reverse fluid retention 1.Add 1 or 2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. Drink it twice daily. 2.Another option is to soak a towel in a mixture of equal amounts of warm water and apple cider vinegar. Wrap the towel on the affected area for several minutes. Do this a few times daily.

17. Tea Tree Oil You can use tea tree oil to treat edema or inflammation caused by insect bites or stings. Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties can reduce swelling and pain from edema.reduce swelling and pain According to a 2002 study published in the official journal of European Histamine Research Society, the components terpinen- 4-ol and alpha-terpineol in tea tree oil can regulate edema. 1.To treat edema due to insect bites or stings, put a few drops of tea tree oil on a cotton swab and apply it on the affected area. Wait for a few minutes, then rinse it off with warm water. Repeat as needed. 2.For mild edema cases, add a few drops of tea tree oil to any carrier oil and use it to massage the affected area using outward strokes. Follow this remedy 2 times daily for a few days until the swelling and pain are gone

18. Parsley Parsley is also helpful in reducing swelling and pain by helping your body remove excess fluids. A 2002 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that parsley has diuretic effects. It even blocks the re-absorption of sodium and potassium. 1.Add 1 teaspoon of dried parsley to 2 cups of water. Boil it for 10 minutes, then strain it. Drink it once daily, in the morning before eating breakfast. 2.Another option is to crush parsley leaves to make a paste, and apply it on the affected areas. Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water. Repeat 2 times a day. 3.Also, eat more parsley by adding it to salads, soups, sandwiches and other dishes.

19. Horsetail Horsetail is a diuretic herb that promotes urine production in your body. This in turn lowers the rate of fluid retention in patients suffering from edema. Horsetail extract is available in the form of tinctures and supplements at local health stores

20. Dandelion The herb dandelion acts as natural diuretic and thus encourages the draining of fluid. It also has potassium, which helps balance out sodium in the body. This in turn helps reduce swelling and inflammation due to edema.dandelion acts as natural diuretic 1.Mix 1 teaspoon of fresh or dried dandelion leaves in a cup of hot water. 2.Cover, steep for 5 to 7 minutes and strain it. 3.Drink 2 to 3 cups of dandelion tea every day.

21. Burdock root

22. Margosa Leaves: Margosa, also known as neem or Indian lilac, has many medicinal properties and one of them is easing edema. Toss a handful of the leaves into boiling water. Remove from heat and allow the leaves to steep for about 20 minutes. Strain and consume. The tea will be bitter, so add a little bit of honey.

23. Stinging Nettle: Stinging nettle is a natural diuretic and has been used to treat water retention from medieval times. You can brew a tea of stinging nettle and consume it two or three times a day. It helps to alleviate edema quite effectively.

24. Bitter Gourd: As unappetizing it may sound, this edema home remedy extremely beneficial in treating edema. Use a paring knife to remove the skin of the bitter gourd and remove the seeds in the center. Cut into small pieces and soak for 30 minutes in water. Add some salt to the water. It will help remove excessive bitterness. Run the bitter gourd pieces through a blender. You can add honey or salt and pepper to make it more palatable. Strain and consume the juice

25. Garlic: Loaded with antioxidants, garlic can also ease the tenderness and pain that come with edema. Munch on two cloves of garlic to reduce the discomfort. Remember, garlic also helps the body in resorbing excess fluid. So it can ease the swelling as well.

26. Cabbage: As strange as it may sound, cabbage leaves have the ability to help the body absorb excess fluid. So place a couple of cabbage leaves on the affected part of your body and secure them with a bandage. The leaves will help reduce the swelling in a jiffy.

27. Pineapple: Pineapple contains high levels of chlorine that stimulate the kidneys to flush out excess fluid and toxins from the body. So, one of the best and tastiest ways to ease your edema is to consume fresh pineapple.

28. Juniper Berries: Juniper berries improve the working of your kidneys and also have a diuretic effect on your body. You can get these berries in the form of a tincture. Add 15 drops of the tincture to a glass of water and consume three times a day for best results.

29. Buchu Buchu is a small shrub native to South Africa. The leaves are used in many herbal remedies, including as a remedy for swelling and fluid retention

30. Ginkgo Biloba Ginkgo biloba is an ancient remedy for a variety of health conditions. Ginkgo is native to Asia, and if allowed to grow, turns into a large woody tree that looks similar to a cyprus tree. The part of the plant used for medicinal purposes are the seeds and leaves

31. Horse Chestnut Horse chestnut is an herb that has been used to treat edema and a variety of other conditions for hundreds of years. Horse chestnut is used in Germany as a remedy for many conditions, including vein problemstreat edema