Diuretics #1: Simple Definitions

Diuretics in a pharmaceutical sense are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and all work in the kidneys regardless of the class of diuretic. They reduce the volume of fluid in our bodies and alters the electrolyte balance in the body.

Diuretics have some common side effects like dehydration, muscle cramps and even gout. By reducing the fluid in our bodies, naturally the concentration of anything that was in that fluid increases. In this case, we’re talking about uric acid.

In herbal medicine, the term diuretic applies to a very long list of plants. Any plant that has action in the urinary system is deemed a diuretic. With that being said, we need to make sure we’re choosing the correct diuretic for each given situation.

Stay tuned for the next video where Stacey will cover different types of diuretics and in what situations they should be used.