 Gout is a condition where uric acid builds up in the joints, causing painful inflammation, redness and sometimes swelling. It is most commonly found in the big toe, particularly in men (nine out of ten sufferers are male), although it is more common in women after menopause.
It also appears to be hereditary, since 20% of those suffering from gout have a history of it in the family. Occurrences of gout are most common at night and can be quite acute. If left alone, the pain typically lasts anywhere between five and ten days, gradually subsiding, until it disappears. Effectively, the body slowly dissipates the build-up of uric acid, but the cause is still there. Western medicine recommends the use of anti-inflammatory drugs to combat the pain, and uric-acid lowering drugs for prevention.
Natural Remedies for Gout
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Quercetin
Quercetin is a naturally occurring plant pigment, found in apples, capers, broccoli and other leafy vegetables. As a preventative for gout it is highly recommended, not for its antioxidant power, but in fact for its flavonoid structure, which stops the build-up of uric acid.
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Devil’s Claw
The herb devil's claw, an extract from the grapple plant, is sometimes recommended as a pain-relieving treatment for gout, as well as various forms of arthritis.
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Celery
Medicinal plant authority and botanist, James Duke, PhD, treats his gout with 4 x 450mg capsules of celery seed extract daily. Despite the lack of evidence to support its medicinal use, Duke claims that celery is loaded with anti-inflammatory qualities, and hasn’t had an attack since he began the treatment.
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Cherries
Cherries are well known as a preventative for gout. Black, sweet yellow and red sour cherries are all effective, as are tablets of concentrated cherry juice. In the 1950’s a study revealed that eating one-half pound of cherries a day prevented the onset of gout!
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Vitamin C
It has been proven in a number of scientific tests, that 500mg taken daily of Vitamin C can significantly reduce uric acid levels, and therefore reduce the onset of gout. Taken in conjunction with other remedies, this is recommended as a very good natural preventative.
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Diet
One of the main contributors to uric-acid build up in the body is diet. Thus avoiding high purine foods such as shellfish, oily fish, red meat and poultry can considerably help to reduce outbreaks of gout. Sugar derivatives like sucrose and fructose, should also be limited.
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References:
Graphic by James Gillray
Complementary & Alternative Health by Dr Steve Bratman
PubMed. PMID: 15934094
PubMed. PMID: 6608520
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