Potassium, in the correct amount, is wonderful for you. It regulates blood pressure, fluids and mineral balance in the body. However, hyperkalemia, or the condition of having too much potassium in the body, can be caused by medications, hormone deficiencies, supplements or impaired kidney function. If any of these factors spike your potassium levels, don't fret -- there are ways to treat the condition naturally.
Reduce the amount of foods you eat that are high in potassium, which include apples, milk, potatoes, spinach, bananas, fish and carrots. Instead, opt for foods that are low in potassium like grapes, mandarin oranges, blueberries and green beans.
Another natural treatment for hyperkalemia is reducing salt substitutes and potassium supplements. Salt substitutes can be dangerous if you have high potassium levels because they replace sodium chloride with potassium chloride. So it's best to replace these substitutes with other herbs and spices.
Take 150 mg. of licorice per day to help bring down potassium levels. Avoid alfalfa, nettle, dandelion and horsetail. Each one can boost potassium levels, making the condition worse.
Kidney failure is a leading cause of high potassium levels, so treat yourself to a Swedish massage and acupuncture, which can stimulate proper kidney function. If kidney disease is causing a spike in potassium levels, marshmallow tea and cranberry may help cleanse the kidneys and kill unwanted bacteria.
Drink plenty of water and exercise. If you become dehydrated, high potassium levels can rise. Exercising may be a natural treatment of hyperkalemia, so make sure to get in 30 minutes each day, five days per week to help lower potassium levels.
Tip
Because hyperkalemia may not have severe symptoms, it's important to get a blood test to check your potassium levels if you have an irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing or fatigue.
Warning
High potassium levels can be a serious condition and should be treated immediately under the supervision of a health specialist.
References
Writer Bio
Allison Westbrook is an experienced writer of three years with a passion for creating relevant articles for a wide readership. She attended Kilgore College and majored in English. Allison's articles have appeared on such websites as eHow and Trails.com. Her reflective writing angles deliver focused and consistent content.