Polydipsia means extreme or excessive thirst. It is derived from The Greek language where the word “Poly” means “much” and “dipsia” means “thirst.” It is a condition where a person feels extremely thirsty and has the urge to keep drinking water. Victims of polydipsia drink at least 100 ml of water for every kilogram of their body weight. This means that an individual weighing 70 kilograms would drink about 7 to 7.5 liters of water in a day.
Polydipsia is frequently a side effect of another health condition like diabetes. Most often, it is one of the initial symptoms a diabetic patient will experience before he/she has been diagnosed.
Humans get thirsty at different times in a day. This is normal and drinking 2 to 3 liters of water is essential to keep the body hydrated, eliminate toxins, and to maintain the various bodily functions. However, if a person is thirsty almost all the time or perhaps, the thirst is much stronger than the usual, then it is a clear sign that something is not right inside. Fortunately, the home remedies for excessive thirst (or polydipsia) listed in this article greatly help in overcoming the problem.
Causes of Excessive Thirst (Polydipsia)
- Diabetes
- Extreme dehydration (due to vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, medications, excess sweating, etc.)
- Dry mouth
- Heat stroke
- Hangover
Symptoms of Extreme Thirst (Polydipsia)
- Unexplained and persistent thirst in spite of how much a person drinks
- Passing over five liters of urine per day
- Breathing problems
- Loss of appetite and weight
5 Best Home Remedies For Excessive Thirst (Polydipsia)
5. Tinospora Cordifolia (Giloy) & Paddy (Rice)
Procedure:
- Take fresh Tinospora Cordifolia leaves (about 50 grams).
- Take Paddy (50 grams).
- Boil both the ingredients in one liter of water.
- Boil until the water quantity turns to 150 ml.
- Strain the liquid and drink two times a day.
- Repeat the procedure for a few days.
How Does It Work?
Giloy (Tinospora Cordifolia): Giloy or Guduchi is one of the rejuvenating herbs for the body. Giloy is light in nature but has hot potency. It is used in the treatment of excessive thirst, diabetes, burning sensation, cough, jaundice, anemia, leprosy, fever, bleeding disorders, worm infestation, vomiting, etc.
This herb works the best when taken in fresh form. Though dried leaves are also good, they are not as effective as the fresh ones. The reason why it is one of the best home remedies for polydipsia is due to the presence of active adaptogenic compounds, which include tinosporone, cordifolisides A – E, tinosporic acid, syringen, yellow alkaloid, Giloin, berberine, arabinogalactan polysaccharide, and crude Giloininand. The giloy leaves are enriched with proteins, phosphorous, and calcium.
Paddy (Rice): Paddy is the rice that grows before threshing. It is a good source of vitamin B1 and a great organic food to allay thirst.
The Remedy Is Not Good, If:
- You are already taking medicines for diabetes. The compounds may interact and can worsen the condition. Talk to a doctor before using.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding a baby.
4. Cumin and Chickenweed Leaves (Portulaca quadrifida)
Procedure:
- Take some fresh chickenweed leaves.
- Clean them properly using water.
- Take 1 teaspoon of cumin and grind the leaves with it.
- Eat this paste raw to get rid of excessive thirst.
How Does It Work?
Cumin: These tiny seeds have been used for multiple medicinal purposes since ancient times. It has anti-carcinogenic properties. They are well known for quenching thirst. Cumin seeds are enriched with copper, iron, zinc, manganese, magnesium, potassium, sodium, Carotene-ß, Lutein-zeaxanthin, and Crypto-xanthin-ß.
Chickenweed Leaves: These herbal leaves belong to the family Portulacaceae. They are a rich source of carbohydrates, alkaloids, and amino acids. It helps in quenching the thirst and maintaining the overall urinary health too.
The Remedy Is Not Good, If:
- You have bleeding disorders.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- You have undergone surgery recently.
- You are taking in large amounts.
3. Brown Sugar, Milk, Marsilea Quadrifolia (Water Clover)
Procedure:
- Take some fresh water clover leaves (Marsilea Quadrifolia). Dry them in sunlight and powder it nicely.
- Take 30 g of this powdered leaves and boil it with ½ liter of water for 10 minutes.
- Filter the liquid and mix it with a little milk.
- Add brown sugar to enhance the flavor.
- Drink to treat excessive thirst problem.
- Follow the remedy for a few days.
How Does It Work?
Water Clover: Scientifically known as Marsilea Quadrifolia, water clover belongs to the family Marsileaceae. These evergreen herbal leaves are a good source of proteins and beta-carotenes. Water clover leaves exhibit anti-diabetic properties. The plant is known to be effective in the treatment of diabetes symptoms, bronchitis, and bipolar disorder.
Milk: Cow’s milk is a rich source of electrolytes, calcium, carbohydrates, and proteins. Hence, they help in supplying the body the essential nutrients and hydration it needs.
Brown Sugar: It is 100% natural sucrose sugar. Unlike white sugar, the brown version does not contain harmful substances like formic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfur dioxide, surfactants, flocculants, viscosity modifiers or other bleaching agents. Just a tablespoon of brown sugar is enough to fortify the body with adequate potassium, carbohydrates, proteins, iron, calcium, folate, pantothenic acid, copper, selenium and other trace elements.
The Remedy Is Not Good, If:
- You are deficient in vitamin B. Water clover is known to contain thiaminase, which is an enzyme that steals vitamin B from the body. However, in smaller proportions, it doesn’t do any bad. Also, note that cooking the leaves will eliminate the thiaminase.
- You are already on medications for diabetes. Brown sugar might interrupt with the insulin levels.
- You have cardiovascular problems and eczema. Avoid using brown sugar. Just take milk and water clover.
2. Water Lily Petals and Water
Procedure:
- Take 200 grams of fresh petals of water lily.
- Soak them in 5 liters of water for 1 day.
- Filter the liquid and drink 2 times a day.
- Repeat the procedure for a few days.
How Does It Work?
Water Lily: Not only is this flower amazing to look at but also has multiple health benefits while the one being the ability to treat excessive thirst problem. The active compounds in water lily are tannins, glyphosate, fluridone, triclopyr, and imazamox.
The Remedy Is Not Good, If:
You are pregnant or breastfeeding. Other than this, there has been no reported side effects of using water lily.
1. Sacred Fig Leaves
Procedure:
- Take 50 grams of fresh sacred fig leaves.
- Soak them in ½ liter of water.
- Leave it overnight.
- Filter the liquid and drink two times a day.
- Repeat the process for a few days.
How Does It Work?
Sacred Fig: It is a rapidly growing deciduous tree, which is extensively found in Indian sub-continents. The leaves are heart-shaped and are well known to cure infertility. The reason they are one of the best home remedies for excessive thirst or polydipsia is due to the presence of refrigerant, laxative, and astringent properties. It is a good source of tannins, phenolic compounds, amino acids, phytosterols, saponins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, etc.
The Remedy Is Not Good, If:
There are no known side effects of using scared fig leaves. However, if you have allergies or already on diabetes medications, consult your doctor before using.
The home remedies for excessive thirst (polydipsia) given in this article are true to research. Though there are many natural ways to treat polydipsia, the herbs given here are the best and effective. If you have any suggestions or tips, which you want to, give us, feel free to drop them in the comments section.
