Getting Over Gout: 11 Herbal and Natural Remedies

There is nothing good about gout. Essentially a short-term form of arthritis, gout is caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood stream. If not properly eliminated, this acid can form needle-like urate crystals that collect in joints and soft tissues in the body. Gout symptoms typically start as severely painful swelling and redness, usually in the joint of a big toe. Left untreated, however, gout can spread to other joints in the foot, ankle, knees, wrists, and hands. In extreme cases, this painful condition can also lead to kidney stones and damage. Even in its early stages, however, gouty arthritis can be debilitating. Attacks of pain from gout tend to happen in the middle of the night, disturbing sleep, and leading to a host of other issues during waking hours.

While there is no immediate cure for gout, there are a number of natural and herbal dietary and topical remedies that can help you relieve the pain and inflammation caused by the disease. As with any treatment, it is recommended you consult a doctor before trying the following remedies, but some of these simple solutions can offer a huge helping of healing!

1. Apples

Everyone knows the old adage “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, and in the case of gout, this saying may be much more fact than fiction. Malic acid present in apples can be a big help in neutralizing uric acid in the body, thereby relieving the pain and inflammation of gout.

Experts suggest simply eating an apple as dessert after every meal to help control uric acid. If you do not like to eat apples, apple juice can also be consumed as an alternative. Raw carrots are also recommended to boost the effects of this treatment.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Another good way to utilize the effects of apples and malic acid is with apple cider vinegar (ACV). The malic acid content will help break down deposits of urate crystals allowing your body a chance to eliminate them more easily. The vinegar also helps to further neutralize uric acid, creating an alkaline state in the body.

To treat gout with ACV simply mix a teaspoon of raw, unfiltered, organic ACV in a glass of water and drink 2-3 times per day. To sweeten the mixture and boost the body’s anti-inflammatory response to this treatment, you can also add a little bit of honey. If the treatment is effective for you, you can increase the concentration up to 2 tablespoons of ACV without risk of harm.

If you are looking for other health benefits of apple cider vinegar then check out his article. 8 Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

3. Cherries

Another simple, tasty, and vitamin C rich treatment for gout is eating cherries. With their powerful antioxidant properties and their content of the flavonoid anthocyanin, cherries can help reduce inflammation and minimize the potential of gout flare-ups.

For gout patients, the recommended treatment is simply eating 15-20 cherries a day, particularly effective if at least some are consumed in the morning. As an alternative, you can also drink a glass of black cherry juice daily if whole cherries are out of season or unavailable.

4. Bananas

The high potassium content in bananas is also highly recommended as a gout treatment, as it will help break down urate crystals into liquid form, making them easier to eliminate through normal urination. While the vitamin C content of bananas is lower than other fruits, it can also still provide a degree of assistance in controlling swelling and pain.
To help with gout, simply eat one or two bananas daily. Maximize the effects by combining bananas with the other fruits mentioned in this article. Fruit salad, anyone?

5. Lemon Juice

Rich in vitamin C, lemon juice can be a part of a simple drink that will help neutralize uric acid in the blood stream as well as helping to reduce painful swelling. Simply mix the juice of a lemon with a half teaspoon of baking soda. When the soda stops fizzing in the juice, add the mixture to a glass of water and drink immediately.

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