Teas are a great way to consume natural diuretics, as they contribute to overall fluid intake which results in an increased production of urine. However, there are some plants that inherently contain a stronger diuretic effect due to the substances in their composition. These teas promote the elimination of accumulated fluid, which helps to relieve swelling, bloating and water retention.
Diuretic teas are also a great, natural way to complement the treatment of many health conditions, like urinary tract infections for example. These teas increase flow through the urinary tract, which helps to clear out bacteria faster.
Ideally, if you are looking to achieve a therapeutic goal (e.g. to help treat a UTI, or to decrease fluid retention), these natural diuretics should only be taken under the monitoring of your doctor. Being open with your doctor can prevent any interactions that the tea may have with prescription medication.
Which teas are naturally diuretic?
Teas that contain natural diuretic properties include:
1. Green tea
Green tea is rich in caffeine, which is a substance that has natural diuretic properties. Even though just one cup of tea does not contain the amount of caffeine necessary for this, having three cups a day can increase your production of urine and help to eliminate excess fluid in the body.
Learn more about the health benefits of green tea and how to consume it.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of green tea leaves
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare
Place the leaves in a cup, pour the boiling water over them and allow to soak for three to five minutes. Then strain the tea and let it cool down. Drink three cups of this tea throughout the day. The greater the soaking time, the higher the caffeine content. However, keep in mind that if the tea infuses for a long time, it may taste more bitter. You are advised to allow the leaves to soak for three minutes and then taste the tea every thirty seconds until you achieve your desired flavor.
Because green tea has caffeine, it should not be taken by children. Additionally, people who have difficulty sleeping should avoid taking it, especially in the evening and at night.
2. Parsley tea
Parsley tea is one of the most popular home remedies to treat water retention. Studies done on animals show that parsley has a diuretic effect on animals, as it increases overall urine production [1].
Also, parsley contains flavonoids which are compounds that can bind to adenosine A1 receptors, as shown in another study [2]. This binding decreases the effect of adenosine, resulting in increased urine production.
Ingredients
- 1 bunch or 15 grams of fresh parsley with stems
- 1/4 lemon
- 250 ml of boiling water
How to prepare
Wash and chop up the parsley. Add the parsley to a cup with the boiling water and let it soak for five to ten minutes. Then, strain the infusion, let it cool down. You can drink this tea several times a day.
Ideally, parsley tea should not be taken by pregnant women or by people who take anticoagulants or other types of diuretics. Check out the other health benefits of parsley and how you can use it to complement treatment for other conditions.
3. Dandelion tea
Dandelion is another popular herb used to increase the production of urine and treat water retention. This plant works as a natural diuretic because it is rich in potassium, which is a type of mineral that acts in the kidneys and promotes urine excretion
Ingredients
- 15 g dandelion leaves and roots
- 250 ml of boiling water
How to prepare
Pour the boiling water into a cup and then add the dandelion. Let this soak for 10 minutes. Strain the infusion out and drink the tea two to three times a day.
This plant should not be used if you are pregnant or if you have a history of gallbladder issues or bowel obstruction.
4. Horsetail tea
Horsetail tea is another natural diuretic that is used a lot in traditional medicine and although there is not much recent research about this plant, a review done in 2017 states that the diuretic effect of horsetail can be compared to hydrochlorothiazide, which is a diuretic produced in the lab. Learn more about the health benefits of horsetail tea as well the possible side effects.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of horsetail
- 250 ml of boiling water
How to prepare
Place the horsetail in a cup with boiling water and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain and let the tea cool down. Drink this tea three times a day.
Even though it is not completely established whether horsetail increases the excretion of minerals through urine, we recommend you only ingest this herbal tea for a maximum of 7 consecutive days to prevent mineral imbalances. This tea should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
5. Hibiscus tea
Hibiscus tea seems to increase the quantity of urine produced significantly and, according to a study on mice [3]. Its effect is similar to that of synthetic diuretics produced in the lab, such as furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide.
In addition, another study [4] also completed on mice concluded that the composition in anthocyanins, flavonoids, and hibiscus chlorogenic acid seems to regulate the activity of aldosterone, a hormone that controls the production of urine.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dry hibiscus flowers
- 1 liter of simmering water
How to prepare
Put the hibiscus in the hot water, cover, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then strain the infusion and drink it throughout the day.
Even though it’s quite safe, hibiscus should be avoided during pregnancy and when breastfeeding. Read more about the benefits of hibiscus and what else this plant can be used for.
6. Fennel tea
Fennel is a traditional medicinal plant used to treat bladder problems and high blood pressure. This is because it has a diuretic effect, which leads to increased urine production and the excretion of excess fluid in the body. Learn more about the benefits of fennel and how it can be prepared.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare
Add the seeds to the boiling water and let them sit for five to ten minutes. Then strain the seeds out. Drink up to three cups of this tea per day.
This plant is quite safe and can be used in adults and children. If you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, we recommend you only take this tea under your doctor’s supervision as there is a lack of research regarding its safety.
7. Linden tea
Linden is a plant that contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, like chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid. These properties have a diuretic action that promote urine production to eliminate excess fluid.
Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried linden flowers
- 200 mL of water
How to prepare
Boil the water and remove from heat once it starts to bubble. Add the linden flowers, cover and steep for 5 minutes. Then strain and drink 2 to 4 cups per day.
Linden tea is not recommended for anyone with cardiac problems, for children under 4 or for breastfeeding or pregnant women.
8. Espinheira santa tea
Espinheira santa tea has a mild diuretic action, which helps to eliminate excess fluid from the body. It may be useful to help treat fluid retention.
Furthermore, due to its diuretic effect, this medicinal plant can also be useful to help treat urinary infections, as it increases urinination which can keep the urinary tract clean.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of dried espinheira-santa leaves
- 1 cup of water
How to prepare
Add the espinheira santa leaves and water to a pot and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let it infuse for about 15 minutes. Strain and drink warm, up to 3 times a day on an empty stomach, or about 30 minutes before meals.
Espinheira santa tea should not be consumed during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is also contraindicated for children under 12 years of age and people who have a known allergy to espinheira santa.
9. Juniper tea
Juniper tea, made with the berries of this medicinal plant, has a diuretic action that helps reduce swelling. This can reduce fluid retention throughout the body, as well as increase urine production, which can keep the urethra and urinary tract clean.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 juniper berries (fruit)
- 1 cup of water
How to prepare
Boil the water, and turn off the heat when the water starts to boil. Add this boiling water to a cup with the juniper berries. Cover and let it infuse for 5 minutes. Then strain, wait for it to cool and drink a maximum of 1 to 3 cups per day for a maximum period of 6 weeks.
Juniper tea should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women nor people with nephritis. Furthermore, it should be used with caution in people taking medication for high blood pressure or diabetes, as it may increase the effect of these medications and cause side effects.
10. Chicory tea
Chicory tea helps improve kidney function and combat fluid retention, making it a great natural diuretic.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of dry chicory root
- 1 cup of water
How to prepare
Place the ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat and let it boil for about 3 minutes. Strain, wait for it to cool and then drink. You can drink 2 to 3 cups of this tea per day.
Chicory tea should not be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor by people with intestinal or bile duct obstruction, gallstones or in cases of diarrhea and fever.
11. Avocado leaf tea
Avocado leaf tea is rich in saponins with a diuretic effect that help eliminate urine and combat fluid retention and swelling in the body.
Furthermore, due to its diuretic action, this tea helps to lower high blood pressure and aid in the treatment of UTIs and kidney stones.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of dried avocado leaves or 1 tablespoon of fresh avocado leaves
- 1 cup of water
How to prepare
Bring the water to a boil and then remove from heat. Add this boiling water to a cup with the avocado leaves and let it infuse for 10 minutes. Then strain and drink while still warm, up to 2 cups per day.
Avocado leaf tea should not be consumed by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Furthermore, it is contraindicated for people using anticoagulant, antihypertensive or antidepressant medications.
12. Pineapple peel tea
Pineapple peel tea has diuretic properties that help eliminate excess fluid from the body, combating fluid retention.
Ingredients
- Peel of 1 pineapple
- 1 liter of water
How to prepare
Place the water in a pan and heat until it boils. Then add the pineapple peel and boil over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Then remove the pineapple skin, strain and drink 1 cup of this tea while cold or warm.
13. Carqueja tea
Carqueja tea is rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds with diuretic action, which help to eliminate fluids through urine. It can be taken to combat fluid retention and swelling.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of carqueja stems
- 1 liter of boiling water
Method of preparation
Place the carqueja stems in the boiling water and steep for 10 minutes. Strain and drink up to 3 cups per day.
Carqueja tea should not be taken by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Furthermore, it should be used with caution by people with diabetes or hypertension, as it may interfere with medications and increase the risk of side effects.
14. Bitter orange peel tea
Bitter orange peel tea also has a diuretic effect that helps combat fluid retention, as it increases the elimination of water through urine.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of bitter orange peel
- 1 liter of water
How to prepare
Boil the water, remove from heat and add the bitter orange, letting it infuse for about 10 minutes. Then strain, wait for it to cool and drink 1 cup, at least 3 times a day.
Bitter orange peel tea should not be consumed when pregnant or breastfeeding, nor should it be taken by people who have high blood pressure, glaucoma, arrhythmia or other heart problems. Furthermore, it should be used with caution by diabetic people as it may interfere with diabetes medications and cause hypoglycemia.
Precautions to consider
If you opt to consume a diuretic tea, you should only do it under the supervision of you doctor or a health care professional who specializes in medicinal plants.
Ideally, diuretic tea should not be consumed by patients who already take synthetic diuretics like furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, or spironolactone. Also, these teas should be avoided by patients who have kidney problems, heart disease, or low blood pressure.
It is important to avoid taking them for more than 7 days in a row, especially if your doctor is not aware. This is because some of these teas can increase the elimination of important minerals through the urine, which can cause imbalances in the body. Check out other ways you can treat water retention.