01 Mar Buchu leaf: the herbal remedy for fluid retention

Buchu leaf herb has been revered for generations as a tonic to help promote overall well being. It is also a powerful antioxidant and diuretic, acting as a natural herbal remedy for fluid retention.  The plant has long been an important trade commodity: in fact, according to the cargo list of the Titanic, the fated ship had eight bales of Buchu leaves aboard!

The traditional Buchu leaf herb comes from an evergreen shrub, Agathosma betulina L., which can grow up to two metres tall. The leaves are harvested while the plant is in bloom with white or pale pink flowers. It is part of the Agathosma family – a word meaning ‘good fragrance’ due to its highly aromatic scent and minty taste. Found in South Africa and South America, the herb was used historically by native African people to alleviate gastrointestinal disorders or to treat infections of the urinary tract.

Buchu leaf is rich in vitamins and minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, nitrogen and sodium, phosphate and manganese. It also contains vitamins A, B, C and E and a variety of flavonoids that are traditionally valued for their anti-inflammatory effects and for helping to support the immune system.

In western cultures, people rely on Buchu leaves to get rid of water retention as it is a natural diuretic, commonly used to help relieve the symptoms of painful fluid retention.  Although our bodies naturally consist of 70% water, storing excess fluid leaves us feeling bloated and uncomfortable.

Causes of bloating and fluid retention

For most of us, fluid retention is just uncomfortable and inconvenient, but there is always a small chance that bloating could be caused by an underlying health condition. It is well worth consulting with your GP if the problem persists, just in case your fluid retention is a symptom of a health problem such as a congenital heart disorder or poor kidney function.

Herbal remedy for fluid retention

Fluid retention is usually caused by a poor diet, insufficient hydration or as a result of a hormonal imbalance.  Many women find that menstruation can lead to bloating and people who suffer from common conditions like irritable bowel syndrome often find that they suffer from increased abdominal water retention too.

Improving your diet will help, particularly if you add more leafy green vegetables and reduce your intake of processed foods. In addition to this, taking a licensed natural herbal remedy for fluid retention that contains Buchu leaves might also help.

HRI Water Balance is a herbal medicinal product used to relieve symptoms of mild water retention, based on traditional use only. It is a licensed herbal medicine containing Dandelion root and leaf, as well as extracts of Buchu leaf and Uva-Ursi which are the active ingredients.

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