Can boiling litchi shells in water help reduce edema?

Generally speaking, whether boiling litchi shells in water can relieve edema depends on the specific condition of the illness. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. The detailed analysis is as follows:

If the edema is mild and caused by prolonged standing, sitting for long periods, or excessive salt intake resulting in temporary water and sodium retention, drinking water boiled with litchi shells may help promote water metabolism and increase urine output, thereby assisting in the removal of excess fluid from the body and possibly alleviating such types of edema.

However, if the edema is caused by organic diseases such as kidney disease, heart disease, or liver disease—for example, edema due to massive proteinuria caused by nephrotic syndrome or circulatory congestion from heart failure—the condition is more severe and complex. In these cases, boiling litchi shells in water will not alleviate the edema. This is because edema caused by such diseases requires standardized treatment targeting the underlying cause—for instance, improving kidney function or enhancing cardiac function. Boiling litchi shells cannot repair impaired organ function or address the root cause of the disease, thus it is unlikely to effectively reduce edema.

When attempting to relieve edema by drinking water boiled with litchi shells, it is important to first determine the nature of the edema to avoid consumption without proper understanding. Before boiling, the litchi shells should be thoroughly cleaned to ensure hygiene. Consumption should be moderate, as excessive intake may burden the body. If the edema persists, worsens, or is accompanied by other discomforts, timely medical evaluation is necessary to identify the cause and receive appropriate professional treatment. Relying solely on litchi shell water may delay necessary medical care. Additionally, in daily life, it is important to limit salt intake to avoid exacerbating edema.