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There are no studies to prove the efficacy or safety of most complementary and alternative therapies. It is important to notify your health care provider if you are using any alternative therapies, no matter how insignificant or benign they may seem.

Some of the herbal remedies mentioned in the literature that show promise for the treatment of lymphedema include:

• Horse chestnut extract - Studies with a small number of patients suggest that horse chestnut extract may strengthen walls of blood vessels and, thereby, reduce leakage of fluid into interstitial spaces.

• Some women with lymphedema have reported obtaining relief from:

  • cayenne pepper
  • juniper berries
  • goldenrod
  • parsley

It is very important to determine if any dietary supplements or herbal preparations may interact with other medications that you may be taking. Your physician must know of any complementary remedies you are employing, regardless of how benign they may seem.

Though there is no diet that is effective for the treatment of lymphedema, it is important that the patient eat a healthy diet in order to promote optimum functioning of the various body functions and to optimize the lymphatic and immune systems to their maximum potential.