Regular swelling of the feet and ankles is referred to as edema, which is a condition in which excess serous fluid gets accumulated in body tissue or in the gaps between cells, especially around body joints. This makes the joints tender and painful and hinders normal bodily movement. Women commonly experience this problem during their monthly cycle as well as in the fifth month of pregnancy and later. The main reasons behind this condition are anemia, malnutrition, ailments of the heart, liver or kidneys and thyroid. Overweight people are more susceptible to this problem, as are those who have a sedentary lifestyle. Sitting or standing in the same position for a long period of time often makes the problem worse.
There are quite a few simple remedies you may follow at home to solve this problem. You should massage the affected areas with mildly heated mustard oil every day, preferably before going to bed. Alternatively, you may soak a handful of mustard seeds in a large cup of water overnight and soak your feet and ankles in this water the next morning. You may also soak your feet in a solution of apple cider vinegar and water as this helps draw out excess fluid accumulated in body tissues and cavities. If the swelling is caused due to pregnancy, boil a tablespoon each of fennel seeds and molasses in a glass of water till the solution is reduced to half of its original volume. Drink this decoction twice or thrice every day to reduce swelling in the ankles and feet. Another natural remedy for this problem is to drink a glass of lukewarm water every morning into which the juice of a fresh lemon has been squeezed. This prevents fluid retention in the body joints. You may also massage the area with a mixture of a teaspoon each of cinnamon powder, olive oil and lemon juice and half a cup of milk to reduce pain and swelling. A mixture of eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils may also be applied in the same way for similar results. You may also apply warm and cold compresses alternately on the affected areas in order to relieve the symptoms. In addition, cut down on your intake of table salt, as this increases fluid retention in the body and intensifies the problem. Include plenty of natural sources of protein in your diet, such as whole grains, cereals and soy products.