Consumer Health: Do natural diuretics work?

Health & Wellness

Consumer Health: Do natural diuretics work?

By
Laurel Kelly

March 16, 2021

a wooden table with fresh ginger root and a bowl of ground ginger

Some herbs and dietary supplements have diuretic properties and may help with sodium and water retention. Examples include dandelion, ginger, parsley, hawthorn and juniper.

But proceed with caution before taking any products that have a diuretic effect. Because fluid retention can be caused by a number of medical conditions and some medications, it's important to talk with your health care provider about possible causes before you try to treat it yourself. Also, some herbs and supplements can worsen medical problems or interact with medications.

Learn more about the effects of natural diuretics from Katherine Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic registered dietitian nutritionist.