Chic is summer! Some people will take off the small sundress, while others are afraid because the legs or feet have doubled in size. Here are some tips to lighten your legs and enjoy summer.
How to enjoy summer with swollen legs and feet? It’s unsightly and sometimes even painful. You’ll be given several natural remedies to try and reduce this water retention.
Why do legs and feet swell?
When summer and heat arrive, your feet or legs can swell. On the one hand you will find it ugly, and it will be painful. Where did that come from? If you do not have kidney problems or serious pathology, you can try alternative medicine. On the other hand, if swelling is a side effect of treatment or a sign of a more serious problem, consult your doctor quickly.
Generally, when the legs and feet are swollen, it is a problem of water retention, excess body weight, or venous insufficiency of the lower extremities. As the heat builds up, blood vessels dilate to keep the temperature cold at all costs. The problem is that once dilated, these blood vessels have a hard time getting blood back to the heart. Water can get stuck in your swollen foot. If a vein loses its elasticity, blood can stagnate and flow to the tissue, causing swelling. You should also know that pregnancy promotes this type of restriction: the baby compresses the vena cava and disturbs circulation to some extent.
raise your legs
The first is a simple trick that requires no equipment or outside help: Elevate your feet. When you get home, lie on your bed or sofa with your head flat and your feet on the mat. This position will help blood circulate better. You can also place a cushion under the mattress to keep this slight angle in place all night. You can also lie directly on the ground with your legs against the wall during the day. Instant benefits!
Benefits of Self-Massage
To relieve swollen legs, reduce edema and improve circulation, self-massage is highly recommended. Using circular motions, massage the toes and entire foot down to the heel, then the ankle, and down to the knee. Don’t forget the back of your knees. Specifically, sit comfortably and cross one leg over the other to reach your feet; repeat several times with both legs.
jet of cold water
Here’s a grandmother’s remedy as old as the world but still works! Coming home after a hot day, my feet have doubled in size and my shoes hurt…don’t panic! In the shower, use a fairly strong jet of cool water (as cold as you can, as this shouldn’t be a torture) on each leg, squirting upwards for about five minutes. Cold water tones dilated blood vessels and stimulates blood circulation.
pay attention to diet
Swollen legs or feet are a direct result of being overweight. Get regular physical activity and watch your diet. If you need help rebalancing your menu, make an appointment with a nutritionist. Avoid fatty, salty dishes and prefer foods rich in vitamins C and E and omega-3 fatty acids (such as fish). “We must also eat foods that protect our blood vessels, such as citrus fruits, red fruits, peppers or tomatoes,” advises phlebologist Ariel Toledano.
Another natural remedy: infusing it with parsley! To prepare the parsley puree (three whole branches boiled in 500ml of water and then blended), put the parsley puree in the infusion and let it stand overnight. Strain and drink in three doses during the day! Herbal teas of red grapes, cherry stems, blackcurrant leaves, and hibiscus flowers will also help. Mix them together in the same pot and use a spoonful of this mixture to prepare the infusion when you feel the need. Let the plants soak in hot water for ten minutes before drinking.
foot bath
You can also use plants to relieve swelling in the lower extremities. Add a tablespoon of kosher salt to a basin of warm water and soak your feet in the water for about thirty minutes. Sage is also recommended: brew a small amount of sage, let it warm up, pour it into a basin, and dip your feet in it until the mixture is cold.
essential oil
Are you a fan of essential oils? Even better, they give us a variety of ways to deal with heavy and swollen legs. For example, cypress and pistachio frankincense are decongestants for the venous system, peppermint is invigorating and cedarwood has draining properties. Mix five to seven drops of each oil in your carrier oil of choice and massage into your legs from the bottom up.
