# Natural/OTC diuretics **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 28, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085 "2008-03-28T18:59:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/1 "2008-03-28T18:59:45Z")
Are there any safe, natural or over the counter diuretics available? I have PMS and medication-related water retention issues from time to time, and all the Midol-type things out there seem to use caffeine as the diuretic component nowadays, which is the last thing I need when I’m PMS-ing. (I used to take Midol/Pamprin, etc. when I was a teenager and I’m pretty sure the formula used to be different.) Any ideas? (Don’t say alcohol. I have to work sometimes, too.) ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/2 "2008-03-28T19:33:01Z")
Grapefruit, but you have to make sure it doesn’t interact with your other medications/botanicals. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/3 "2008-03-28T19:44:49Z")
Chamomile, same caveat. ---
**Author:** ![Solfy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Solfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Solfy)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2008, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/4 "2008-03-28T19:45:14Z")
It may seem counterintuitive, but make sure you’re drinking enough water. Water itself acts as a diuretic. And it doesn’t interfere with your ability to work! (but it probably also doesn’t make you quite as fun at parties, either) ---
**Author:** ![Melkor28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Melkor28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melkor28)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/5 "2008-03-30T10:29:19Z")
Prunes, and prune juice. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/6 "2008-03-30T10:47:20Z")
Juniper berries, although some are toxic so if you try them don’t pick your own or be sure to research which ones are safe. The berry is used as a spice. Gin was flavored with juniper berries originally for use as a diuretic medicine. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/7 "2008-03-30T14:00:17Z")
Herbalist checking in: My favorite natural diuretic is fresh dandelion leaves. That’s because one of the things you risk doing with diuretics is throwing off your potassium levels, and dandelion leaves have a lot of naturally absorbable potassium to replace what you urinate out. If you don’t treat your lawn, chances are good you’ll find free medicine for the taking in the spring - just pick some baby leaves and nibble away or throw them in a salad. They can also be cooked like spinach - stir fried with a little garlic, and/or sesame. Later in the season, the leaves get too bitter, but you can usually find them at Whole Foods or some large megamarts in the produce section. About 1/2 cup a day of the fresh stuff is about how much I need to see results, but YMMV. There are some dandelion leaf extracts available, but I haven’t researched them, because I make my own for the off season. Dandelion root is also good, and may be easier to find in pill or capsule form, but its diuretic properties aren’t quite as strong as the leaf. If you can’t get down with the dandelion, then lots of parsley would be my next rec, but you’ll need LOTS of parsley to see the same effect. About 1 cup a day. Both dandelion and parsley should be avoided in medicinal doses if you have kidney disease or failure, or if you’re pregnant or trying to become pregnant. There are no known drug interactions with either of them, but that doesn’t mean one won’t be discovered tomorrow. Disclaimer section: Information here is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The FDA does not regulate herbal therapies or guarantee the safety or effectiveness of any herbs. I am not a doctor, and even if I were, I am not \*your \*doctor. Herbalists aren’t licensed in my state; for all you know I’m making this up. Free advice is worth every penny you paid for it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/8 "2008-03-30T14:44:53Z")
**Solfy** - water does not act as a diuretic in the way that you mean. If you drink water that your body does not require you will usually excrete it, so yes if you drink more you will urinate more. However, you will not in some way “flush out” any water you are retaining in your tissues by drinking extra water, in fact you could make the problem worse. I would suggest limiting your caffeine and salt intake, and not drinking excessive amounts of water. A herbal diruetic as **Whynot** suggests may be helpful. Personally I start craving all the things that exacerbate the problem (chinese food, pretzels, chips with salt and vinegar, pickled chillies) just at the time when I shouldn’t. Personally I have decided to go down the “wearing a supportive bra and elasticated waistband and eating what I damn well feel like eating” road when I have PMS, but I know that is not for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Bacillus\_Cereus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@Bacillus\_Cereus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bacillus_Cereus)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/9 "2008-03-30T21:03:53Z")
You might think about going to see your gyno. I’m currently taking Yasmin birth control and the progesterone in it acts as a diuretic. It really cleared up my bloating/water retention problems. It’s been wonderful for me. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/10 "2008-03-30T21:16:01Z")
[QUOTE=irishgirl] **Solfy** I would suggest limiting your caffeine and salt intake, and not drinking excessive amounts of water. A herbal diruetic as **Whynot** suggests may be helpful. [/QUOTE] Why would this be helpful? Caffine is an effective diuretic. ---
**Author:** ![Rhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/59ef9b/32.png) [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2008, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/11 "2008-03-30T21:37:53Z")
I have heard that watermelon seeds are a diuretic. I did a bit of Googling to see if it was just a wive’s tale, but the [results are inconclusive](http://books.google.com/books?id=-tg7R4hU8hkC&pg=PA134&lpg=PA134&dq=watermelon+seeds+diuretic&source=web&ots=38CWQHRUKC&sig=jUerj4rrewl-ambpbaaX3uBW2bk&hl=en). ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/12 "2008-03-31T05:53:03Z")
To second WhyNot’s dandelion recommendation: a French folk term for the plant is:“pis-en-lit”,or,“pee the bed”, emphasizing it’s acknowledged diuretic properties. To add: As with any edible spring greens, gather them from a place that is free of any chemical application, and avoid roadsides, where car exhaust could accumulate on the plants. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/13 "2008-03-31T17:21:38Z")
Yep, **astro** but caffeine exacerbates the _other_ symptoms of PMS, especially. It’s not just about water retention, c’mon, I’m trying to be holistic here. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/14 "2008-03-31T18:02:43Z")
[QUOTE=irishgirl] Yep, **astro** but caffeine exacerbates the _other_ symptoms of PMS, especially. It’s not just about water retention, c’mon, I’m trying to be holistic here. [/QUOTE] Aw…you western medical types are so cuuuute when you go holistic! 😃 (Kidding, I’m kidding. I have buckets of respect for you as a poster and a doctor, **irishgirl** , I hope you know that.) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/15 "2008-03-31T18:25:45Z")
[QUOTE=astro] Why would this be helpful? Caffine is an effective diuretic. [/QUOTE] As previously mentioned, it can exacerbate other PMS symptoms. It can cause also problems for people with insomnia, and is not good for those with certain medical conditions. For those of you who don’t trust the dandelions in your lawn, by the roadside, or just don’t feel confident in picking your own… it’s becoming much more common for these to appear in regular grocery stores in the spring. In my area - on the border between rural and suburbs and NOT known for exotic tastes in foods - they appear in several of the local grocery chains. Miejer’s, for example. Just ask where the greens are. If you want to buy in bulk and freeze for later, wash the greens thoroughly, drain, bundle loosely in cheesecloth, and blanche for 30 seoncds. For those of you who aren’t cooks, “blanche” means get a big pot of water, bring it to a rolling boil, then dunk the vegee in the water for the suggested time period. After that, drain/squeeze gently to remove excess water (don’t burn yourself), then stuff into freezer bags and chuck in the freezer immediately. You can also dry dandelion leaves as you would other herbs - string up bunches in a warm, dry place, but not being an herbalist I don’t know if that would preserve the medicinal qualities or not (the nuturitional ones would certainly take a hit that way). ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/16 "2008-03-31T18:45:39Z")
[QUOTE=Broomstick] You can also dry dandelion leaves as you would other herbs - string up bunches in a warm, dry place, but not being an herbalist I don’t know if that would preserve the medicinal qualities or not (the nuturitional ones would certainly take a hit that way). [/QUOTE] Well…let’s just say it’s not a terribly traditional method of storing and using dandelion leaf (root is another matter, often used dried), which makes me skeptical of its efficacy. I don’t have spectrographic info or anything, but IME, people who found plant medicine useful over many generations generally have pretty good methods of using it. Drying is such an easy method of storing it that I would expect if it was useful, it would be more common. Yes, that’s probably\* Argumentum ad populum\* or something, but I don’t like to deviate much from traditional methods unless I’ve got a lab and a grant to do good testing of my new medicine. Mess with traditional methods and the medicine may suffer. (See: European acetone extraction of kava kava and resulting liver failure. Bad idea, that was.) It won’t hurt, (dandelion leaves don’t get dangerously strong when dried or anything) but it might just be a waste of leaves. I’d try the freezing method instead. ---
**Author:** ![Solfy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Solfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Solfy)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/17 "2008-03-31T21:41:09Z")
[QUOTE=irishgirl] **Solfy** - water does not act as a diuretic in the way that you mean. [/QUOTE] It is not a “clinical” diuretic, however it’s a common recommendation, at least for pregnant women (not that I’m implying that the OP is pregnant!) "Drink water, which helps flush the body and reduce water retention " From [here](http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/pregnancyswelling.html). ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/18 "2008-03-31T21:47:50Z")
I’ve seen dandelion sold in capsules, both alone and as part of “detox” formulas. Would those be likely to work? I do eat dandelion greens from time to time, but it would be nice to have something more convenient, especially since no one else in my family is too fond of them. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/19 "2008-03-31T21:53:50Z")
[QUOTE=cher3] I’ve seen dandelion sold in capsules, both alone and as part of “detox” formulas. Would those be likely to work? I do eat dandelion greens from time to time, but it would be nice to have something more convenient, especially since no one else in my family is too fond of them. [/QUOTE] I don’t know. As I said, I make my own medicines, so I haven’t researched supplements since I stopped working in an office that sold them about 4 years ago. The only dandelion supplements I remember carrying were dandelion _root_, which is great for other stuff, but only so-so for water retention. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085/20 "2008-04-01T06:31:33Z")
**Solfy** - Not trying to be snarky, but I’m a medical doctor. Drinking excess water does NOT flush out water that is retained in the extracellular spaces, such as the fluid retained in PMS and pregnancy. Physiologically it makes no sense for that to work. If it did work I would have all my heart failure patients drinking 3 litres a day, actually though, I fluid restrict them to 1200mls. If you are centrally dehydrated, fluid is more likely to move from the extracellular spaces back into the circulation, not less likely. However, being dehydrated is not healthy, so I don’t recommend it, but I don’t recommend drinking excess water to “flush out the toxins” either. **Whynot** , I know, I know, this is pretty much as holistic as I get, but I’m trying… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-otc-diuretics/443085.md?page=2)