Herbal Treatment for Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening condition in which your blood contains too much potassium. Kidney disease is one cause of hyperkalemia. If you suspect hyperkalemia, call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital right away, where you will be treated with medication and perhaps dialysis. Once your condition stabilizes, you may consider dietary changes and herbal treatment for the underlying condition.

Licorice

• Work with your health care provider if you intend to use an herbal treatment for hyperkalemia. The only herb that the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) advocates for the treatment of hyperkalemia is genuine licorice, which you should not take if you have hypertension (high blood pressure) or heart failure. You will find licorice in health food stores under its scientific name, Glycyrrhiza glabra. UMMC recommends taking 150 mg a day orally to help decrease potassium levels. Licorice is available in the form of capsules, teas, powders and tinctures. If you prefer a tea version of licorice, use up to 1 teaspoon at a time per cup of water. Drink up to four cups a day.

  Your physician will want to monitor your potassium levels while you take licorice as well as detect any potential side effects of this herb. You can stop taking licorice once your doctor has determined that you no longer have hyperkalemia.

Herbs to Avoid

• Certain herbs can increase your potassium levels. Avoid these herbs and use caution when drinking mixed herbal products like teas. Always check the ingredient labels. Nettles (Urtica dioca), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and horsetail (Equisetem arvense) can worsen hyperkalemia by raising potassium levels.

  According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, noni, or morinda citrifola, is an herb that is commonly marketed as a health juice. Do not use noni with hyperkalemia, as this herb contains potassium.