Gout Remedies that Can Help Ease the Pain

Gout – a ”complex form of arthritis that can affect anyone. It’s characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in one or more joints” – definitely requires medical attention, especially if it becomes a recurring condition. However, there are numerous gout remedies that those suffering from gout can use to reduce their pain. These gout remedies run the gamut from teas and roots and specific foods to full baths in epsom salts and charcoal.

Bananas:

As we’ll explore, there are some fruits that are beneficial for those suffering from gout while others that might make things worse. Luckily for those who enjoy them, bananas definitely fall into the former category. They’re low in purines and high in vitamin C, which can lower the amount of uric acid in the blood and in-turn reduce the risk of gout attacks.

Activated Charcoal:

Someone suffering from gout would be wise to bath themselves in activated charcoal.

Seriously.

Activated charcoal is known to absorb uric acid, the main cause of gout. Specifically, “Those suffering from gout should take a charcoal bath twice or three times a week. Mix one-half cup of charcoal powder with some water until it forms a paste. Put the paste in a tub and add more water.”

Cold Water:

Cold water or ice can do wonders for gout. It certainly can’t cure it by any means, but ice or even full on cryotherapy can be used to reduce the joint inflammation associated with gout. Said inflammation is the main factor behind the crippling pain associated with gout, which many who’ve been afflicted would likely agree is the symptom they want to get rid of first.

Epsom Salt:

Believe it or not, an epsom salt bath can be incredibly beneficial to someone suffering from gout. This is because epsom salt is known to “soften skin, relieve pain, reduce swelling, relieve itchy skin, heal bruises, and relax the muscles” all of which are symptoms associated with gout attacks. So, while not a cure, a bath in some epsom salt will definitely provide some relief.

Cramp Bark:

There are two major ways cramp bark can function as a home remedy for gout. The first is that it serves as both a muscle relaxant and antiflmatory, which can help alleviate the pain associated with gout. Beyond that, cramp bark can also helps reduce uric acid in the blood, which attacks literally at the source.

Apple Cider Vinegar:

There is no direct link between apple cider vinegar and being a remedy for gout, there are many benefits from ingesting apple cider vinegar that could indirectly help with gout. This includes helping with weight loss, gut health, blood sugar control, and lowering cholesterol levels, all of which are also factors in gout. Furthermore, there’s also evidence to suggest that ACV help can alleviate inflammation, which as we’ve established, is the primary source of gout pain.

Sodium Bicarbonate:

Sodium bicarbonate, better known as baking soda, is praised by many natural health advocates as a successful gout treatment. This stems from baking soda’s ability to neutralize stomach acid, they believe that consuming baking soda will increase the alkalinity of your blood, and lower the amount of uric acid. However, ingesting baking soda should never go beyond a ½ teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in water, up to 8 times per day. Any more could result in adverse health affects including vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, dehydration, and kidney failure.

Apples:

Apples – and apple derivative foods including applesauce, apple juice, and dried apples – are allowed on many gout diets. This is because apples are naturally low in purines, which helps lessen the amount of uric acid and urate crystals present in the blood, which in-turn diminishes the chance of a gout attack.

Nettle Leaves:

Tea made from nettle leaves is well-known to reduce inflammation, which of course as we’ve established means that it could be a tremendously relieving tea to drink during a gout attack. Nettle tea can also help with hay fever symptoms, high blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.

Ginger:

If nettle isn’t quite your… cup of tea, there’s another direction you can go. Ginger, whether in the form of tea or simply in root form, has been used to reduce pain and inflammation successfully for thousands of years. So, suffice to say, it would be tremendously helpful to those suffering with gout.

Please note, these gout remedies are not meant to be a replacement for professional medical attention, and anyone suffering from gout should consult with their physician before attempting any of them.