17 Effective Treatments & Remedies for Ascites

by Kiran Patil last updated -

The home remedies for ascites may include garlic, dandelion, gram, bitter gourd, fenugreek, radish, melon, onion, and adequate sleep.

Ascites is a condition where there is fluid buildup in the abdomen or peritoneal cavity. This may lead to inflammation in the arms, legs, and spleen. When the fluid moves around to the lungs, it can make breathing difficult. Ascites is technically known as peritoneal fluid excess, peritoneal cavity fluid, and hydroperitoneum. [1]

Treatments for Ascites

Key treatments for ascites include salt-restricted diets and bed rest. In addition to those two treatments, diuretics or drugs are also utilized for excreting more water from the kidneys. The process of therapeutic paracentesis is used to remove the fluid by inserting a thin needle or tube to remove excess fluid from the abdomen. Large-volume paracentesis (LVP) is the treatment used for draining large amounts of fluid from the patient’s body. A short hospital stay is required for such treatments.

Natural Remedies for Ascites

Let’s look at the best remedies and diet tips for healing ascites:

Garlic

Garlic may play a pivotal role in curing ascites. Take 125 ml of water and mix in a half teaspoon of garlic juice. Drink the garlic mixture regularly for days to see a marked improvement.

Dandelion

Dandelion, the herbal diuretic, is used for curing ascites, as it may not only drain the excess fluid but may also provide potassium to the body. Drink dandelion tea twice daily to get relief. [2]

Horse Gram

Take 25 gms of the gram and boil it in 1/4 liter of water. Let the water reduce to half. Strain the liquid. You will need to drink this for at least 3 weeks to see a noticeable change.

An X-ray film of the abdomen with ascites

Ascites refers to the abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Bitter Gourd

Drink 25 ml juice of fresh bitter gourd thrice after mixing with water to get relief. Bitter gourd juice can also be taken on an empty stomach.

Avoid Excess Water

Intake of excess water during the case of ascites may add to swelling and weight gain. Milk, carrot juice, and buttermilk can be used to replace water as they restore energy, without adding to fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity.

Radish

Radishes may be very beneficial in the treatment of ascites. Mix the juice of the leaves of the radish plant with water and consume.

Fenugreek Seeds

Soak the fenugreek seeds overnight. Strain and drink the water in the morning.

Onion

Onions are very powerful diuretics. Therefore, you may include them in your diet to help drain the excess accumulated fluid through urination. [3]

Melon

You should eat melon daily in a significant portion to stay healthy and fight ascites. It also helps in digestion and restoring the fluid balance, as well as other parts of homeostasis.

Ayurvedic Remedies

Some therapies that are helpful to treat this disease may include Patoladi Ghrita, Punarnava Churna, and Punarnavadi Kwath and Shilajatwadi Vati.

Herbs

Arjuna or white murdah has diuretic properties. Heenga or asafoetida, when dissolved in hot water, is used to foment the abdomen. Himsra or caper bush can be eaten in soups and salads. Kakamachi or black nightshade is also used in the Ayurvedic treatment of ascites. Kateli or kantakari is used to treat dropsy along with ascites.

Massage

Regular massage with castor oil or sesame oil is very beneficial in ascites as it helps drain excess fluid from the body. [4]

Avoid Alcohol

Stay away from alcohol! It is known to be the cause behind approximately 83% of all patients suffering from this disease.

Exercise

Exercise may help your abdominal muscles develop well, while also protecting against fluid accumulation.

Sleep

Try not to sleep during the day. Maintain a fixed time to go to bed at night and wake up early in the morning. This plays an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of the body.

Epsom Salt Bath

Epsom salt baths are great to detoxify the body and soothe swelling that may be a common feature of ascites.

Harmful Diet

Avoid eating too much starch like rice and wheat. Salt is also very harmful to patients suffering from ascites.

Word of Caution: A doctor should be visited if there is any doubt that you might be suffering from ascites as a proper diagnosis is a must. At times, it’s necessary to consult your doctor, even before trying any of these home remedies and foods. You should keep in mind that every individual patient is different, as is their cause of ascites, and that should be taken into consideration before taking any home remedies.

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About the Author

Kiran Patil is the founder of Organic Facts. He has a keen interest in health, nutrition, and organic living. He completed his B.Tech and M. Tech (Chemical Engineering) from IIT Bombay and has been actively writing about health and nutrition since over past 12 years. When not working he likes to trek and do gardening.

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