With summer well and truly on its way, I thought I’d start the season off with water retention - otherwise known as oedema - which can be a debilitating swelling - a condition that causes too much fluid (mainly water) to accumulate in your body. Any tissue or organ can be affected, particularly the hands, feet and around the eyes. It's your kidneys' job to eliminate excess fluids from your body in your urine. If they fail to do this properly, then fluid can soon build up in your tissues and result in swelling.

Risk factors include prolonged periods spent sitting or standing (the pressure of fluid in the legs from doing either pushes it into the surrounding tissues), high blood pressure (abnormal pressure in the blood capillaries can result in the abnormal exchange of fluids to and from the tissues), heart failure (when the heart can't pump blood round fast enough to clear fluid from the tissues), or kidney problems (which can cause large amounts of protein to be lost in the urine, and cause fluid to accumulate in the tissues).

You can check whether you have oedema using a simple test. Press with your thumb on the lower part of your shin for 2 to 3 seconds. Then stop pressing and gently feel with your fingers over that area. If you notice a small hole like a dent where your thumb was pressing, then this is a sign of oedema and a sluggish circulation. If you think you might have the condition, then see your doctor for further tests.

1. Dandelion tea\tincture - dandelion not only helps remove excess fluid from the cells, it nourishes and tones the kidneys (and adrenals) and liver, increases the digestibility of food.

2. Common foods such as asparagus, corn (and cornsilk tea), grapes, cucumber, and watermelon may be used freely. Parsley, celery, black tea and coffee may be used more sparingly in order to reduce water retention. It is also essential to limit salt intake.

3. Essential oils that help fluid retention include cypress, geranium, juniper, lavender and rosemary. Essential oils may be used in a number of ways including inhalation, baths, vaporizers, mouthwashes and gargles, compresses and massage.

4. Lymphatic drainage massage stimulates the body’s lymphatic system, improving the metabolism, helping the body to eliminate waste. The lymphatic system is responsible for helping fluid and waste leave the body and for regulating the immune system. When the lymphatic system becomes blocked, fluid builds up and stagnates, causing the entire system to become toxic, making us feel sluggish and more susceptible to viral or contagious diseases.
By stimulating this system through massage, it works more efficiently, which in turn boosts the immune system, clears blockages, eliminates toxins, transports nutrients to cells and increases the metabolism.

It also has a positive physical effect, improving the appearance of the skin and reducing puffiness caused by water retention, poor circulation or pregnancy. As with other massage, it can help with pain from fractures and sprains and rheumatism, and it promotes the body’s own healing mechanisms.

If you have any questions you would like to ask me or where to find complimentary therapies please email ejvickers@hotmail.com