Diuretics Health Dictionary

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Diuretics: From 2 Different Sources

Agents that increase the flow of urine from the kidneys and so excrete excess fluid from the body. As well as elimination of fluid, diuretics cause potassium to be expelled. To restore the chemical balance, potassium is often prescribed. The advantage of some herbal diuretics is their ability to make good the loss without the use of synthetics, i.e., Dandelion root contains an abundance of potassium (three times as much as some). Liquorice reduces the action of a diuretic by causing fluid and salt retention.

Demulcent diuretics (Marshmallow root, Corn Silk, Couch Grass) protect the delicate parenchyma of the kidneys against irritation by gravel, stone or inflammation. All detoxifying prescriptions, as given for such chronic diseases as rheumatism, arthritis, etc, would include a diuretic to ensure complete excretion of by-products and metabolism.

Diuretics are prescribed for high blood pressure, water retention, inflammation of kidneys or bladder and oedema. They are usually combined with ‘heart’ remedies (Hawthorn, Lily of the Valley, Broom, etc) for dropsy of cardiac origin. Best taken cold on an empty stomach.

The possibility of diuretic abuse should be borne in mind when women and sportsmen seek to lose weight by such means. The following is a selection from over 300 herbs known as diuretics.

Agrimony, Bearberry, Bilberry leaves, Blue Flag root, Bogbean, Boldo, Boneset, Broom, Buchu, Bugleweed (cardio-active diuretic to increase force of the heart beat), Burdock, Celery seed, Clivers, Corn Silk, Couchgrass, Dandelion, Devil’s Claw, Elder, Fennel seed, Gravel root, Heather flowers, Juniper berries, Kava Kava, Kola, Life root, Lignum Vitae, Lily of the Valley, Lime flowers, Marshmallow, Mullein, Pai Shu, Parsley Piert, Pellitory, Pumpkin seed, Sarsaparilla, Saw Palmetto, Sea Holly, Stone root, Vervain, Wild Carrot, Yarrow, Yerba Mate tea, Garden Nasturtium.

See: POTASSIUM. DANDELION. 

Health Source: Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
Author: Health Encyclopedia
Substances which increase urine and solute production by the KIDNEYS. They are used in the treatment of heart failure, HYPERTENSION, and sometimes for ASCITES secondary to liver failure. They may work by extra-renal or renal mechanisms.

The potential side-effects of diuretics are HYPOKALAEMIA, DEHYDRATION, and GOUT (in susceptible individuals).

Extra-renal mechanisms (a) Inhibiting release of antidiuretic hormone (e.g. water, alcohol); (b) increased renal blood ?ow (e.g. dopamine in renal doses).

Renal mechanisms (a) Osmotic diuretics act by ‘holding’ water in the renal tubules and preventing its reabsorption (e.g. mannitol); (b) loop diuretics prevent sodium, and therefore water, reabsorption (e.g. FRUSEMIDE); (c) drugs acting on the cortical segment of the Loop of Henle prevent sodium reabsorption, but are ‘weaker’ than loop diuretics (e.g. THIAZIDES); (d) drugs acting on the distal tubule prevent sodium reabsorption by retaining potassium

(e.g. spironalactone).

Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary

Loop Diuretics

Drugs used in pulmonary oedema (excess ?uid in the lungs) caused by failure of the left VENTRICLE of the HEART. DIURETICS cause an increase in excretion of URINE, thus reducing the amount of ?uid in the body. Intravenous administration of loop diuretics relieves patients’ breathlessness. They work by inhibiting resorption of ?uid in the renal tubule loops of the KIDNEYS. Frusemide and bumetanide are commonly used loop diuretic drugs that act quickly and last for six hours so that they can be given twice in 24 hours without disturbing the patient’s sleep.... loop diuretics

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