There are several potent over the counter natural diuretics for water retention that can remove some of the excess fluid that causes swelling. You may be retaining fluid due to PMS symptoms, menopause bloating or you wake up with excess fluid. You can eat the fresh roots, flowers and leaves of the herbs or use them to make tea, or just go online or head to the health food store and buy the diuretic capsules.

OTC diuretics for water retention are often used as apposed to synthetic diuretics because they can provide the same benefits without the negative side effects of the prescription diuretics. Natural herbs have been shown to provide substantial relief from high blood pressure and water retention.

Some over the counter diuretics have similar diuretic effects as the drug furosemide (Lasix) but without the negative effect of depleting the body's reservoir of the vital electrolyte, potassium.

OTC diuretics are designed for individuals who have a problem with excess water retention and "puffiness". Mild symptoms of weight gain, swelling of extremities and overall bloating are the result of excess water for many individuals.

Many over the counter herbal diuretics have proven fluid-reducing herbs to dramatically reduce water retention, with an electrolyte blend that helps to maintain a normal body fluid balance. Some more powerful than the typical "water loss pill." individuals can see results as quickly as 12 hours!

Doctors prescribe diuretics for high blood pressure (hypretension) to prompt the body to excrete the excess water and salt which causes water retention. These syntheic drugs remove potassium from the body, which needs to be replaced with potassium rich foods. Good quality over the counter natural diuretics are effective and can be expensive so you need to know what to look for when searching for what is the best over the counter diuretic.

When buying over the counter natural diuretics for water retention or any other reason only buy herbal supplements that clearly state the labeled lists of ingredients and amounts. Reliable companies use a technique called thin layer chromatography (TLC), to scientifically identify the products compounds and verify that the correct herb is being packaged. Check for potency, the concentration of active ingredients. Low potency usually means that the product will provide you with no results.

Water retention OTC diuretics can be purchased in the form of tablet, capsule, tincture and extract. The most convenient way to take these over the counter diuretics is in tablets and capsules. Tinctures are are a water and alcohol mixture which could mean more water and alcohol than herbal material. Solid extracts are usually 40 times as potent as a tincture if produced from herbs of the same quality.