Are there really effective home treatments that can ease the pain of gout? Today, we’ll examine ten potent home remedies that can be used to mitigate the pain and swelling commonly associated with gout.
To gain a better understanding of gout treatment, however, we should understand a little bit about what gout is, and why it occurs.
What Are Some Common Causes of Gout?
Gout occurs Uric acid builds up in your blood. The uric acid then crystallizes and floats around your body, until the crystals become lodged in various joints. This creates many red, tender spots–typically in the lower half of the body, especially in the feet.
It causes pain and difficulty moving much in the same way as arthritis does, hence another common name for gout: gouty arthritis. Medical News Today reports that the worst pain associated with gout occurs in the middle of the night.
Gout can be caused by a number of culprits, including certain prescription diuretics. These drugs often cause your body to up its urate production, and lower the amount of water contained in the kidneys.
Diet is another common factor that causes or exacerbates the problems presented by gout. As such, the remedies we’ll present are potent, but for maximum effectiveness, you should also make the following dietary changes to prevent gout:
- Avoid all alcoholic beverages
- Avoid most shellfish and certain seafood
- Avoid smoked and cured meats, as well as any organ meats
Luckily for those suffering from the redness, tenderness, and pain of gout, there are many home remedies that can provide effective, fast relief of the pain so commonly associated with gout.
Here are ten of our favorites:
1. Fish Oil
Although a diet that includes a lot of fish is one of the common causes of gout, the purines in seafood that cause gout are located in the meat of the fish.
The Arthritis Foundation says that fish oil is actually one of the most beneficial home remedies for those suffering from the increased tenderness, pain, and redness of gout.
2. Elderberry
Rich in nutrients known as anthocyanins, in addition to bioflavonoids and a powerful punch of Vitamin C, elderberries are an effective home remedy for the swelling and pain caused by gout.
They also possess strong diuretic properties that make them one of the first natural gout aids you should reach for.
3. Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the strongest alkaline minerals; these minerals possess many benefits, including the ability to prevent uric acid buildups throughout your body.
According to the US National Library of Medicine, this makes magnesium supplements an excellent choice for treating even severe, acute gout.
4. Nettles
Diuretics are your body’s most potent weapon against gout. This herb class helps the kidneys to properly manage water levels in your body’s tissues, and also aids in the flushing of toxins.
As we’ve examined, uric acid crystals are one of the primary causes of gout, and nettles are one of the best home remedies to prevent and break up these build-ups. It’s a bit of an extreme method, but it’s been used to fight gout for centuries.
Related: 10 Effective Home Remedies For Getting Rid Of Toenail Fungus
5. Celery Seed Extract
Celery juice and the extract of celery seeds helps to decrease your body’s levels of uric acid. In addition, celery contains more than a dozen beneficial antioxidants and phytonutrients.
It’s a good excuse to use your juicer a little more often, or to invest in one if you don’t currently own one.
6. Cramp Bark
The bark of this medicinal tree have been shown to relieve muscle spasms in the body, but it also has the ability to lower the uric acid content in your blood (the primary cause of gout). According to WebMD, it’s one of the oldest and most effective gout treatments arounds.
7. Red Cherries
Red cherries contain many phytonutrients and healthy compounds that can lower the amount of uric acid in your blood. As an added bonus, they’re a tasty treat that’s easy to fit into your diet.
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t substitute cherry juice, unless it’s all-natural and unsweetened.
8. Proteolytic Enzymes
Though they’re a little difficult to find, proteolytic enzymes such as bromelain are effective home remedies for treating and mitigating the symptoms of gout. Dr. Axe provides a more in-depth breakdown of these nutrients on their sate.
9. Arborvitae
Arborvitae is a shrub that is most commonly used as an herbal tea. However, as opposed to drinking the tea, it’s usually used to soak the affected area of the body; arborvitae is an effective home remedy to reduce swelling and even provide mild pain relief.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar on many of their lists of effective home remedies, and for good reason: this potent liquid (especially the organic variety still containing the “mother”) has been shown to fight inflammation as well as relieving some of the acute pain associated with conditions like gout.
Simply drink a diluted mixture of apple cider vinegar and water a few times each day.
Important Takeaways
Don’t let gout hold you back. Gout pain is manageable, provided you follow a few simple steps:
- Avoid sugar, alcohol, as well as cured meats and fish
- Keep a diet that’s rich in fresh fruits and vegetables
- Remember, you don’t need to try all of these remedies–find the ones that work best for you, and determine whether they work on a long-term basis, or act as simple palliative measures. Everybody’s chemistry is a little different.
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