Diuretics (Herbal)

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Diuretics (Herbal)

 

Diuretics are chemicals that increase urine flow. Some act on

tubular flow in the kidneys while others such as tea and alcoholic

beverages affect ADH by inhibiting its release. It is important that

the rate of sodium loss in the urine also be increased with the loss

of water.

 

Weiss points out that " it is useful to make a distinction between

diuretics in the narrower sense, which are used to treat diseases of

the

urinary system, and diuretics in the wider sense, perhaps better

referred to as anti-dyscratic drugs with diuretic properties, their

actual indications being metabolic diseases, rheumatism and gout. "

(Weiss, pg. 234)

 

Weiss then goes on to define the difference between diuretics in the

narrower sense which include diuretics containing volatile oils and

those where the diuretic property is due to their saponin content.

 

Diuretics containing volatile oils

 

It is well understood that in general a warm or hot infusion of

herbs with volatile oils will have a diaphoretic effect and a cool

infusion will exert a diuretic effect.

 

The following herbs are used in either of

these ways:

 

Parsley (petroselinum sativum)

 

Celery fruits (apium graveolens)

 

Wild carrot (Daucus carota)

 

Lovage (Levisticum off.)

 

Cinnamon bark (cinnamomum cassia)

 

fresh Ginger (Zingiberis off.)

 

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

 

Buchu (Barosma betulina)

 

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)

 

Water Plantain (Alisma plantago)

 

Watercress (Nasturtium off.)

 

 

 

 

Diuretics containing saponins and sterols:

 

 

 

 

Horsetail (equisetum arvense)

 

Dandelion (Taraxacum off.)

 

Dianthus superbus

 

Rehmannia glutinosa

 

Goldenrod (solidago virgaurea) (directly increases renal function)

 

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus (California lilac)

 

Azuki beans (Phaseolus calcaratus)

which are diuretic because they tend to " filter sodium " .

 

Corn silk (Zea mays)

 

Guiacum off.

 

Hydrangea arborescens

 

A diuretic subcategory are herbs that have urinary antiseptic

properties and would include

 

Pipsissewa (Chimaphila spp.) also very useful for frequent

urination.

 

Uva ursi (Arctostapholos uva ursi)

 

Plantain (Plantago spp.)

 

Cleavers (Galium aparine)

 

Many herbal diuretics exert their action by directly effecting

electrolyte balance of minerals.

 

Thus, those that are high in potassium

tend to have a cooler energy and include dandelion (taraxacum Off.),

the various mushrooms including Poria cocos, couchgrass (Agropynum

repens),

probably Atractylodes alba, Some diuretics such as Dianthus superbus

promote diuretic action by stimulating more the secretion of

potassium rather than sodium.

 

Certain herbs of a demulcent or mucilaginous

character such as marshmallow root (Althea off.), Slippery elm

(Ulmus Fulva), Knotweed, (Polygonum aviculare), talcum, and

Rehmannia glutinosa inhibit the osmotic reabsorption of fluid by the

tubules.

 

The single most important diuretic that inhibits antidiuretic

hormone is water.

 

 

When large amounts of water are ingested, ADH is no longer secreted

from the supraoptico-posterior pituitary system. As a result large

amounts of urine are discharged.

 

In addition to the above, emotions can influence the volume of

urine.

 

Nervousness and stress can increase blood pressure which in turn

will increase glomerular filtration.

 

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