Gout, a kind of inflammatory arthritis, develops due to the crystallization of uric acid in your joints. Primarily the high level of uric acid in your blood is what that may lead to this problem.
The needle-like urate crystals can build up in your joints and can give you sudden as well as severe episodic pain, swelling, and redness.
Uric acid is the product of breaking down of purines present in your body. Though this uric acid generally passes through your kidneys and ends up in urine, if your body starts producing too much of it, it may begin forming sharp crystals around your joints.
Gout is more common in men than in women, and there is no permanent cure for this form of arthritis. However, there are several natural remedies for gout, which can help in effectively control gout. These natural remedies for gout can help you to live a comfortable life providing effective gout relief.
Naturopathic Remedies for Gout
CURE 1: Foods
Food for gout, Weird isn’t it? Yes, foods could actually cure gout. Diet for gout is equally essential, along with all the medication. Food is a very crucial factor which can affect your gout attack.
Pain and swelling from gout (1) can be triggered because of the foods with high purine content like red meat, seafood, alcohol, and beer, etc. all these foods contain more than 200 mg purine per 100 gm.
That is why you should concentrate more on the foods with low purine content if you want to avoid gout pain.
1. Vegetables
Everyone knows how much we need vegetables to keep our body well functioning. They are the sources of almost all the critical nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and pigments. They help in regulate the ratio of macronutrients in your body and keep your body in a healthy condition.
[Read: Vitamins for Gout]
How does it work?
Foods low in purine is recommended for those who are suffering from gout-related issues. Vegetables are generally low in purine, and they are highly beneficial for your health. They supply all the necessary nutrients and antioxidants which your body need without being high in purine.
How to use?
Include as many vegetables as you can in your diet to avoid increased uric acid in your blood. All kinds of vegetables are low in purine, and any salads, curry, stew, soup or any other dishes made with vegetables are beneficial for you. Although spinach, mushrooms, cauliflower, and asparagus are high in purine, they do not affect gout.
How much to use?
If you have gout-related issues, you must eat at least 2-3 servings of vegetables in your lunch as well as dinner. Vegetables will not contribute to your gout attack and, moreover, will keep you healthy.
2. Fresh Fruits For Gout
Fruits are as important as vegetables. Fresh fruits are packed with vitamins, minerals as well as healthy carbs and fiber. They play an essential part in the healthy growth of our body and keep health issues away from us.
How does it work?
Lower purine content in fresh fruits makes them perfect for a gout patient. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, they can help you with inflammation as well as the overall healing process.
Cherries, specifically, are famous for treating gout due to the presence of an anti-inflammatory property named anthocyanin. They reduce the inflammation caused by this form of arthritis and offer you some relief.
[Also Read: Low Purine Diet For Gout]
How to use?
Daily 1-2 servings of fresh seasonal fruits can be a way out of gout-related issues. Include them in your breakfast diet, or you can have a bowl of your favorite fruits as your mid-day snacks. Also, try to have some cherries regularly if you have gout.
How much to use?
1-2 bowls of fruits can be consumed daily to fight gout. However, if you have some particular health condition like diabetes, then you should be cautious about choosing fruits and their quantities.
3. Lean Protein
Lean protein is the essential macronutrient which your body requires to grow. From muscles to hormones to enzymes, protein is the main component of all of those. Moreover, it provides support to your body in any health condition and boosts the healing process.
How does it work?
While you should avoid red meat, there are some lean proteins that you should consider including in your diet. They will help you with providing your body with essential amino acids and nutrients. These lean protein sources can help you fighting with a disease like gout and arthritis.
How to use?
You can consume lean protein sources like chicken breast, low-fat dairy products, whey protein, eggs, legumes, and nuts. They can help you gain the essential strength that your body needs while fighting a chronic health condition like gout.
How much to use?
Though lean proteins must be there in your diet, you need to keep an eye on the portion of serving if you are having an issue like gout. These proteins should be taken in moderation like daily 2-3 ounces of chicken is enough for a person suffering from gout.
4. Whole Grains
Whole grains are complex carbs, and as such, they are more beneficial as opposed to the simple carbs. Whole grains help you to maintain your blood sugar level, keeps you full for a more extended amount of time and supply you an adequate amount of fiber.
How does it work?
Whole grains do not seem to affect the uric acid level in your body and, thus, do not promote gout attack. Instead, they are excellent sources of fiber and energy, which helps your body to tackle all the stress caused by gout.
How to use?
You can start consuming whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice, whole grain bread, and barley even if you have gout. Oats can be a perfect meal option to start your day, and you can use brown rice as well as barley in various recipes.
How much to use?
A bowl of oatmeal in breakfast or a serving of brown rice in your lunch will not leave any harmful effects in your gout condition. Moreover, whole grains can prove to be an excellent food option while suffering from gout.
CURE 2: Supplements
Supplements for gout that could go a long way in helping you keeping them in check. When foods fail to supply enough nutrients, then supplements come in. They add all those required nutrients in your diet and help your body to overcome the deficiency.
1. Vitamin C For Gout
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin which is known as a healing agent, and it boosts your immunity system. It is readily available in natural sources as all kinds of tangy fruits and green vegetables contain it in ample amount.
How does it work?
Vitamin C is highly beneficial when it comes to the treatment of gout. It is said to reduce the levels of uric acid in the blood of the people who already have gout. Moreover, vitamin C is also useful in preventing gout in people.
How to use?
Vitamin C is readily available as supplements, and you can consume them regularly. Also, fresh fruits and vegetables contain an ample amount of vitamin C. Therefore. They can be eaten to increase your vitamin C consumption.
How much to use?
Daily one tablet of vitamin C supplement can be taken if you are fighting with gout. At the same time, increase the intake of fresh seasonal fruits and green vegetables, which will supply adequate vitamin C in your body.
2. Omega 3 Fatty Acid
Omega 3 fatty acids are among those essential elements which our body needs for proper growth. They provide us healthy cholesterol and reduce the amount of bad cholesterol that our body has. Not only that they have many other roles to play in our body functions, which make them valuable for us.
How does it work?
Omega 3 fatty acids are beneficial in most of the health conditions, including gout. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) present in omega 3 fatty acids help with inflammation caused by gout or arthritis. These desirable properties fast forward your healing process to a very great extent.
How to use?
Fish oil supplements are first class sources of omega 3 fatty acids. You can take those fish oil capsules or can consume fish oil to increase omega 3 intakes. The natural sources of these fatty acids are fatty fishes like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and trout as well as nuts like walnuts.
How much to use?
If you are thinking about taking fish oil capsules, then take 1-2 daily, or you can take one tablespoon of fish oil daily. Also, increase the fatty fish consumption along with eating walnuts or flaxseeds regularly as snacks.
3. Folic Acid for Gout
Folic acid is generally known as a supplement which helps in cell growth in our body. It is a part of the vitamin B group and, thus, essential for our body, and it becomes more critical during pregnancy. Leafy vegetables like spinach; legumes and whole grains are some of the natural sources of folic acid.
How does it work?
Folic acid can be beneficial if you have gout attacks. Folic acid can help in reducing the levels of homocysteine in your body. A high level of this homocysteine is directly linked to high levels of uric acid and gout.
How to use?
Many companies manufacture and sell folic acid tablets, and you can take them to treat gout. Dark green vegetables and legumes etc. also rich in folic acid and that is why they should be included in your diet.
How much to use?
400 micrograms of folic acid or 1-2 folic acid tablets daily while suffering from gout may decrease the risk of a gout attack. However, you should consult your doctor before you start taking any dose.
4. Omega 6 Fatty Acids
Just as omega 3, omega 6 fatty acids are among those nutrients which play a big deal in your overall growth. It is a kind of polyunsaturated fat which can be found in vegetable oils and nuts. These possess anti-inflammatory properties and can be helpful with gout.
How does it work?
Along with omega 3 fatty acids, omega 6 fatty acids are equally crucial for the treatment of gout. It contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which is a compound known for reducing inflammation and helping in pain caused by a gout attack.
How to use?
Black currant seed oil, evening primrose oil, and borage oil are among the some of the natural sources of omega 6 fatty acids. You can take evening primrose supplements to deal with omega 6 fatty acids deficiency in your body.
How much to use?
Evening primrose supplements are readily available in the medical stores of the markets. You can take 3000 mg evening primrose supplement daily to treat the gut. Also, do talk to your medical advisor about it if you are considering using supplements.
CURE 3: Essential Oil
Wondering how essential oils will work for gout? Read on ahead to know more. The use of essential oils as a part of natural treatment dates back to ancient times. Many cultures have been using them because of their antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Treatment of any health condition is incomplete without incorporating them in the whole treatment process.
[Also Read: Top 10 Wonderful Essential Oils for Gout]
1. Frankincense Essential Oil
Made out of the resin of a tree called Boswellia, frankincense is also known as olibanum. It is a native to the Middle East, Africa, and India. From arthritis to digestion to oral health, this oil’s use is multi-dimensional.
How does it work?
Frankincense oil is famous as a healing and pain relieving oil. Its anti-inflammatory properties prevent leukotrienes, which is the reason behind inflammatory responses in your body. This makes it an effective remedy for gout and gout-related inflammation. It also soothes your mind by reducing the stress and gives you some relief from gout pain.
How to use?
You can use your frankincense oil as massaging oil by applying it to the affected joints. You can take 2-3 spoons of frankincense oil, 2-3 spoons of chamomile oil and mix them with some carrier oil like almond oil. Apply this mixture to your joints, and you will see instant relief.
How much to use?
If you have a severe gout attack, you can use this remedy regularly. However, lactating women are advised to avoid frankincense or at least speak to their medical advisors about using it.
2. Rosemary Oil
Rosemary or Rosmarinus Officinalis is a kind of evergreen shrub. Primarily known for its use in cosmetics, it has excellent uses for hair growth and skin care. However, it also acts as a pain relieving agent, which makes it perfect for gout.
How does it work?
Rosemary oil is used widely as analgesic oil for its benefits in relieving pains and aches effectively. It is also known for boosting your energy level and promoting mental health. The diuretic properties present in rosemary oil helps in lowering the level of that uric acid in your body, which is the main reason behind your gout attacks.
How to use?
Applying rosemary oil to your joints is an effective way of treating gout pain. Dilute rosemary oil using some carrier oil like coconut oil or almond oil and massage the affected area using it. You can also add rosemary oil in your bathing oil.
How much to use?
You can bath regularly using rosemary infused oil or use it as some massaging oil. This would promote gout relief along with an energized mind.
3. Ginger Essential Oil
Ginger oil is produced from the roots of the ginger plant. It is an antibacterial herb and heals skin damages as well as digestive problems.
How does it work?
Owing to its antioxidant properties, ginger essential oil detoxifies your body and eliminates those substances which promote gout pain from your body. At the same time, ginger oil contains some of the anti-inflammatory properties called gingerols and shogaols. These anti-inflammatory agents reduce the gout inflammation and offer you some relief from gout.
How to use?
You can use ginger oil for a foot soak. All you need to do is to mix 2-3 tablespoons of ginger oil with 2-3 tablespoons chamomile or lavender oil. Add this oil mixture in some lukewarm water and enjoy a soothing foot soak. You can also massage your joints with a mixture of ginger oil and coconut oil.
How much to use?
Using ginger oil foot soak daily can offer you great relief from gout in the toe. Also, apply this oil according to your requirement, and you will get to see some practical results.
4. Fennel Essential Oil
A natural laxative, fennel, or Foeniculum vulgare is also beneficial for overall digestive health. Fennel essential oil also helps in preventing gas and bloating.
How does it work?
Fennel oil can be used as a pain relieving agent if you are facing acute gout pain. The diuretic properties present in fennel oil can remove the uric acid crystals, which are behind the joint pain. It promotes a healthy joint if you are a patient of gout in the knee or ankle.
How to use?
Fennel oil can be added in your bathing oil and that you give some relief from gout pain. Add 2-3 tablespoons fennel oil, 2-3 tablespoons celery oil and a handful of Epsom salt in your bathing water. This remedy is very much beneficial in treating gout.
How much to use?
Epsom salt bath with fennel oil can be taken regularly to see some practical results. Also, avoid using too much of fennel oil, or you can have some allergic reaction in your skin.
CURE 4: Home Remedies
Home remedies for gout that could change the way you treat it. When suffering from a severe and painful health condition, home remedies can give you quick and easy relief. They are your ultimate savior in such cases as gout as they do not have a permanent cure. Proper home remedies can help you get rid of the joint pain that gout attacks give you.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon Juice and Turmeric Water
Apple cider vinegar for gout is an effective treatment, and when combined with lemon juice as well as turmeric, it becomes a perfect remedy for gout. They are useful in lowering your blood’s uric acid level to a very significant level.
How does it work?
Apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and turmeric all three have been seen to show good results in treating gout. Apple cider vinegar gives support to your kidney and help in balancing the uric acid level in your body. On the other hand, lemon juice combined with turmeric can effectively bring down the uric acid level.
How to use?
Take a glass of lukewarm water and squeeze some lemon juice into it along with 1-2 tablespoons turmeric powder and one tablespoon apple cider vinegar. Drink this water to get rid of high levels of uric acid in your blood.
How much to use?
Drinking a glass of apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and turmeric water first thing in the morning daily can help you with your increased uric acid level and gout attack. Try this remedy regularly if you want some visible results.
2. Black Cherry and Tart Cherry For Gout
Cherry has no competition when it comes to the treatment of gout easily. Anthocyanins present in cherry juice make it a great aid in gout inflammation.
How does it work?
Cherries are famous for giving relief in gout inflammation and pain. Consuming cherry juice can reduce gout pain and flare up to a vast extent as they contain anthocyanins. Anthocyanins also contain anti-inflammatory properties and help your body to fight gout inflammation. At the same time, tart cherry juice also brings the uric acid level in your blood.
How to use?
Tart or black cherries can be used preparing your favorite deserts. You can also consume cherry juice regularly to suppress the symptoms of gout. Cherry juice cocktails are one of the few tastier versions of cherry juice, and you can also try them.
How much to use?
If you are thinking about starting consuming cherry juice for gout relief, then you should drink 8 ounces per day for four weeks. It will help you with uric acid level, gout pain, and all kind of gout-related issues.
[Read: Tart Cherry Juice for Gout ]
3. Warm and Cold Pack
A warm and cold pack is a popular home remedy, and mothers are using this remedy in any kind of pain or swelling since ages. Warmth or cold both can be effective in reducing pain, and that is why they work great in the case of gout.
How does it work?
Both warmth and cold can give you some relief you have acute joint pain due to gout inflammation. Applying cold water in your joint can give some comfort if you are suffering from a critical gout inflammation. However, a warm compress can also work in a less intense inflammation.
How to use?
If you have a mind inflammation in your joints, then you can apply warm compress using a towel and some warm water in your joints. However, if the inflammation is intense, an ice pack is recommended more often. You can also soak your toe in cold water and get some relief from gout in the toe.
How much to use?
Using warm or cold pack whenever you are witnessing a gout attack is a wise idea. It will bring some instant relief and help you to get rid of the stinging pain.
4. Keep Yourself Hydrate and Get Some Rest
Keeping yourself hydrated is not only essential for gout but also to keep your body functioning correctly. Water is needed to accomplish all kinds of bodily activities, and that makes it more important than anything else. Also, rest is something that boosts your body’s recovery process. That is why proper rest is a must while fighting any health condition.
How does it work?
Drinking plenty of water can improve your kidney function and can help you get rid of the excessive amount of uric acid build up in your body. It will prevent uric acid from accumulating in your body and throw it out of your body through urine. At the same time, giving your joints rest while having a joint inflammation is essential; otherwise, the pain will get worse.
How to use?
Gout patients should drink an adequate amount of water and keep themselves hydrated throughout the day. Eating fruits with lots of water, including watermelon and cucumber, is also a great idea. Also, you need to get rest if you don’t want to worsen the pain.
How much to use?
Drink at least eight glasses of water in a day to keep yourself hydrated enough. Along with that, stay away from hard work, exercising or lifting heavy weights if you have gout inflamed joint.
CURE 5: Herbs
Herbs for gout , Weird isn’t it? Yes, foods could actually cure gout. Herbs can contribute to several beneficial compounds present in them in treating the process of any health issue. For gout, also, there are extensive ways to use herbs. These herbs can support your healing process as well as can give you some instant relief from the pain and swelling caused by gout.
1. Celery For Gout
A plant belonging to the Apiaceae family, celery is being cultivated and consumed as a vegetable for a long time. The range of health benefits that it offers include reducing cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, promoting weight loss, and relieving arthritis pain.
How does it work?
Celery is widely famous as a treatment for urinary problems. It can also help you with your high uric acid levels in the blood. Celery is proven to lower the uric acid level in blood and, thus, it reduces the risk of developing gout attack along with gout inflammation.
How to use?
Eating raw celery sticks is a great idea if you want to treat your gout-related issues with herbs. Celery can also be used in stews, stir-fries, soups, and other recipes. Celery juice, celery seed, and celery extract, all of them are equally beneficial and can effectively be used to reduce the uric acid level in your blood.
How much to use?
You can eat celery sticks in its raw form several times a day. Also, use celery in your daily meals as per the requirement of the recipes. You can also try adding celery seed and celery juice in your diet to avoid gout.
[Also Read: Benefits of Turmeric to Treat Gout]
2. Nettle
A flowering plant, nettle is a native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. It is a famous diuretic and is used widely for joint ailments. It also offers benefits for urinary and kidney problems.
How does it work?
Nettle, a natural diuretic, is famous for giving relief in gout inflammation and pain. Its anti-inflammatory reduces gout inflammation to a very significant level. Along with that, it protects the kidney as well as urinary tract and plays a crucial role in lowering down the uric acid level.
How to use?
You can brew a cup of nettle tea to extract all the benefits out of nettle. Just add 2-3 tablespoons dried nettle in some boiling water, and your tea will be ready.
How much to use?
If you are thinking about start drinking nettle tea for gout relief, then you should drink it at least 2-3 times a day. It will help you with gout pain and all kind of gout-related issues.
3. Devil’s Claw
Devil’s claw has several names like grapple plant, wood spider and harpagophytum. It belongs to the sesame family and its native land in Southern Africa. It acts as a magic herb for those who are suffering from arthritis and osteoarthritis.
How does it work?
Devil’s claw is highly beneficial when it comes to arthritis and gout. It safeguards from any chronic inflammation as it contains anti-inflammatory compounds like iridoid glycosides and harpagoside. This harpagoside prevents cytokines, a molecule behind inflammation, from developing any inflammation in your body and offers you relief from pain,
How to use?
Devil’s claw is available as capsules, tablets, extract, and powder. You can use any of them to reduce the inflammation and acute pain caused by gout. It can also be infused in a tea.
How much to use?
Daily a dose of 600-2610 mg of devil’s claw can help you get rid of gout and arthritis. If you are in favor of having devil’s claw infused tea, then you can have a cup of it twice a day.
4. Dandelion
Dandelion belongs to Asteraceae family of plants, and there are almost 100 species of dandelion. It is a source of several vitamins like A, C, K and E; and several minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
How does it work?
Dandelion can be beneficial if you are facing kidney issues as well as gout. Dandelion supports kidney and prevents any damage. It also helps your body to get rid of excess uric acid from your body and helps to prevent uric acid build up in your joints.
How to use?
There are some dandelion supplements available in the market which can be used as a remedy for gout. However, the best use of dandelion can be as an ingredient for herbal tea. Dandelion infused tea is a very effective remedy for gout.
How much to use?
Consumption of dandelion supplements depends upon the dose prescribed by an expert. However, dandelion tea can be consumed twice or thrice a day without any worry.
[Also Read: Baking Soda For Gout]
FAQs
1. What is Gout?
Gout is a form of complicated arthritis in which spike like uric acid crystals accumulate in your toe and joints like the knee. This condition or build up of uric acid in the joints can lead to severe inflammation along with long term flare up.
Uric acid is, actually, a product of which comes up when a compound called purine breaks down in your body. Kidneys throw this uric acid out of your body through urine, but when the uric acid production becomes excessive, the extra uric acid gets stored in your joints in the forms of needle-like crystals. This can cause redness, swelling, and stinging pain in the joints.
2. What should be the diet for gout?
Food or a proper diet is essential when it comes to managing and treating gout. Foods high in purine can give you high levels of uric acid and, thus, can lead you towards gout-related issues. That is why, when having gout attacks, you should always go for foods that are low in purine.
Foods like red meat, seafood, and alcohol have more than 200 mg purine per 100 gm and, therefore, they should be avoided in gout. You should only concentrate on foods with less than 100 mg of purine per 100 gm, which include chicken breast, eggs, fresh vegetables, seasonal fruits, whole grains, whey protein, and particularly cherries.
Suggest me some supplements for gout.
Along with a proper diet, supplements are also used in treating gout effectively. Supplements offer proper support to your body when you are suffering from gout and give you some relief from the acute pain of a gout attack. Vitamin C is a supplement which boosts your healing process and helps in reducing the level of uric acid.
Omega 3 and omega six fatty acids are equally essential as they act like inflammation preventing agents. They defend your body against inflammation caused by gout to a very great extent. On the other hand, a supplement like folic acid is extremely beneficial because it brings down the homocysteine level, which is directly associated with the high uric acid level and gout.
3. Are there benefits of essential oils for gout?
Natural treatment of any health condition is incomplete without essential oils. Essential oils are naturally packed with several anti-inflammatory properties which make them great for treating an inflammation-causing disease like gout. Frankincense oil is such oil which is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties. Massaging this oil on your affected joints can help you recover from inflammation.
Ginger oil is another essential oil which works on gout inflammation. Rosemary oil and fennel oil both can also help in gout owing to their diuretic properties, which affect the high uric acid levels in your blood and bring it down. There are also several benefits of cherry oil for gout as it promotes relieving the pain of gout attacks.
4. What are some home remedies for gout?
Besides, all the medication, diet, and other precautions, home remedies are also an essential part of treating issues. A home remedy like drinking apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and turmeric water is much natural and can also be highly effective in gout. Using tart or black cherry for gout is also another natural cure this health condition.
Cherry juice can fight inflammation as well as increased uric acid level. Along with all these, you should drink adequate water to keep yourself hydrated and help in throwing out excess uric acid from your body through urine. Taking proper rest and not doing massive works are also vita, or you will end up prolonging the period of flare up.
5. What are the uses of herbs for gout?
Treating gout naturally includes herbs. Herbs like nettle, celery, devil’s claw, and dandelion all play a vital role in gout treatment. Celery and devil’s claw both is effective in urinary and kidney problems respectively, which are linked with an issue like gout. Eating raw celery sticks can have a positive effect on the higher uric acid level in your blood.
Nettle and dandelion are also good for the health of your kidney. Drinking nettle tea can improve kidney health as well as can help with gout-related inflammation and pain.
Medication has a minimal role to play in health conditions like gout, and it is the natural cures as well as home remedies, which can help you manage the symptoms of this health issue. Gout brings a lot of pain and discomfort along with it and living a healthy life with these is not something easy to accomplish.
However, natural treatments and some lifestyle changes can make your struggle easy and help you live a more comfortable life. A proper food habit and using the right supplements are parts of that natural treatment.
Also, you can make use of several essential oils and herbs to get rid of gout pain and inflammation. Choose these natural remedies to have your share of comfort in life despite having gout.
