The most common natural, herbal remedies for gout are black or tart cherry juice and Vitamin C. Herbal remedies for gout have become more accepted over gout medications for two reasons:
- The unpredictable side effects caused by gout drugs
- They deal directly with the root cause of gout – not just the symptoms
Understanding more about gout will shed light on how and why to use herbal remedies for gout.
About Gout
The pain of gout comes from uric acid crystallizing in a given joint, the most common being the big toe joint. Additionally, it can strike in any joint of the extremities. When levels of uric acid in the bloodstream become too high, a gout attack can occur.
Hyperuricemia is the earliest stage in the gout cycle – it is characterized by high uric acid but no initial gout attacks have taken place.
What Causes Gout
High levels of uric acid in the bloodstream signify an overly-acidic inner body condition. The kidneys are the main organ that is responsible for keeping the pH of the body chemistry in balance.
Purine is a substance that is a cellular part of every food source and the by-product of metabolizing them produces uric acid. Typically, protein sources like meat and beans are known for high purine content. However, in recent studies by Dr. Richard Johnson of the University of Colorado and author of “The Sugar Fix”, he discovered that one of the most potent ways to raise blood uric acid levels is by consuming large amounts of high fructose corn syrup.
Symptoms
The defining characteristics of gout is a joint that is extremely swollen and inflamed, red, hot-to-the-touch, and the skin is tight and shiny. However the true hallmark is the devilish pain and anguish.
Most people search in vain for some physical event or trauma to explain the intense episode, but there is none.
In addition to the health ramifications, quality of life is compromised by loss of income or opportunity, and the attacks can linger for so long that depression can become a serious concern.
Treatments
Treatments for gout relief can be identified by two distinct categories:
- Allopathic medicine and pharmaceutical gout drugs
- Holistic natural gout treatments and remedies
Allopathic measures seek only to manipulate uric acid levels and alleviate gout symptoms with synthetic substances and compounds. Holistic methods work to correct overall metabolic imbalances and correct what causes gout at the most fundamental level.
Herbal remedies for gout relief fall into the category of holistic treatments.
Prevention
The concept of gout prevention is best applied by approaching the overly-acidic condition with the understanding that alkaline is the opposite of acid. Using foods, minerals, and other health modalities to bring the pH of the body chemistry toward greater alkalinity is both the way to end the pain of a gout attack, and also the proper method for preventing future attacks.
This cure worked almost INSTANTLY!
Bert, I have had two unlikely miracles occur to me in my lifetime. One was the podiatrist who prescribed shoe inserts when I could not walk and now when I had the gout. I say unlikely because I felt that neither had a snowball’s chance in hell of working. But, this little cure worked almost instantly and the person who could not walk at all yesterday was out car shopping today. Simply unbelievable how fast this remedy works.
Thanks,
Larry
The Best Herbal Natural Remedies for Gout
Below is a listing of the most common and popular herbal remedies for gout. They can be used in different ways such as brewing them into teas, distilling them into tinctures, pulverizing them into powders and capsulizing them, and more.
Bilberry
Bilberry is much like a blueberry in appearance, and high in anthocyanins; a type or class of antioxidant that is well-known for anti-inflammatory abilities and increasing blood flow. Bilberry can be found at health food stores as a supplement or in tea form.
Check with your health care professional about bilberry if you are diabetic or on blood-thinning medications. It can decrease blood glucose levels and cause additional thinning of the blood.
Nettle Root
Nettle root is commonly used as a tea. It is a good source of vitamin C and potassium which are both helpful in reducing uric acid and helping to excrete it. Also instrumental in reducing inflammation, when using Nettle, it is important to pay close attention to staying completely hydrated.
As with all herbal remedies for gout, consulting your health care professional is advised especially if you are on medications for high blood pressure and/or diabetes.
Devil’s Claw
Devil’s Claw comes in tea, capsule, or tincture forms. It can help to relieve gout pain because it works to flush uric acid and is powerful for removing toxic wastes in general.
Follow instructions carefully for dosages and/or check with your professional health advisor.
Grapeseed
Grape Seed is available in capsule or extract form at all health food stores. It falls into the category of antioxidants that work as powerful anti-inflammatory agents. In varying doses, it can be used during an attack or consistently as a preventive measure.
Turmeric
Turmeric is another spice that is also of the strong antioxidant/anti-inflammatory variety. It is one of the main components of Curry, so using it in its freshly ground form is very effective. It can also be found as a supplement called Curcumin. Ask a health professional for the proper dosage.
Yucca
Studies by NCBI.gov (National Center for Biotechnology Information) as well as historical folk medicine, speak highly of the anti-inflammatory qualities of the Yucca plant. Historically used in tea form, it can now be purchased in pill or capsule forms and as tinctures.
Celery Seed
Celery seed and celery itself is both effective in reducing uric acid production and helping to excrete it. It is also very alkalizing which helps to stabilize the overall pH of the body chemistry. Celery is convenient because you can cook with it, cut it up into snacks, sprinkle celery seeds on to salads and soups, take it as a supplement or even make it into a tea.
Celery might well me the most perfect of all herbal remedies for gout.
Chinese Fever Vine
Chinese Fever Vine should be prescribed by a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. It is reported to be effective in reducing the production of xanthine oxidase and is a common fixture in TCM for gout and rheumatoid arthritis. It usually comes in tincture or loose herb forms.
Boswellia
Boswellia is the resin from the Boswellia tree. Commonly is it used in Ayurvedic Medicine and is more well-known as the aromatic incense, Frankincense. It has been used in different forms for centuries to relieve pain and inflammation and improve blood circulation.
It comes in many different forms including essential oils, tinctures, capsules, but rarely tea.
Black Currant Tea
Black currants are a good source of vitamin C and are also loaded with anti-inflammatory anthocyanins. Generally known to be a potent health tonic in general, it is also highly regarded as an anti-rheumatic.
Tea from Cherry Stems
More common in the Middle East, brewing cherry stems as a detoxifier and for improving kidney health is typical. Because the kidneys are the main organ for balancing the pH of the body, tea from cherry stems helps to improve uric acid excretion and therefore a good remedy during an attack or as a consistent preventative measure.
Although not as easily found, cherry stems can be purchased at some health food stores and online.
Strawberry Leaf Tea
Strawberry leaf tea is especially good for gout because of its high concentration of vitamin C and its alkalizing properties. It contains a number of trace minerals that help to strengthen the blood and balance the pH of the body.
It is a very common tea for improving digestion and can easily be found at any health food store.
☆ Remember! Herbal remedies for gout should not be underestimated!
“I know your pain. Let me help you kill your gout for good! And teach you to advocate for yourself and take ownership of your gout recovery, by showing you how to live the gout-free lifestyle.” Two decades ago, Bert Middleton found himself diagnosed with gout. Like 8.3 million other people in the United States (approximately 4% of the population), he struggled helplessly with the physical, emotional, social, and financial impact that gout left unchecked can have on your life. Prescription drugs were of limited help… And the terrible pain of regular gout attacks left him unable to enjoy even the simplest daily pleasures. His marriage was suffering. His finances were spiraling due to the impact gout had on his ability to work. And maintaining a social life was often nearly impossible. Tophi surgeries left him in terrible pain. And he found himself depressed … and angry … that gout was stealing years of his life.
Until one day, after hundreds of hours of research and self-experimentation, Bert finally had a breakthrough and created a blueprint for a way of living that would prove to be “the answer” to living gout-free for nearly a decade now. Today, Bert and his “Gout Wife” Sharon devote their evenings and weekends to educating other gout sufferers on how to live the gout-free lifestyle. Showing others his 911 Emergency Response Gout Recovery Plan for getting PAINFUL gout attacks under control in as little as 4 hours. And then, how to make daily choices that keep gout under control for GOOD! So you can finally start LIVING again!