Gout, or medically termed gouty arthritis, is a form of arthritis that results due to high uric acid build up in the bloodstream. This uric acid accumulates as crystals deep within joints (i.e., big toe), causing painful gout attacks, or flare ups, marked by inflammation, pain, and mobility issues that can last from 5- to 10-days in length.
Most gout patients are already taking doctor-prescribed medications (i.e., Corticosteroids, Allopurinol, Pegloticase, ect.) to treat gout. Yet many incorporate the following natural remedies into their regimen to help soothe the sudden and intense pain of a gout flareup:
1. Cherries
Cherries are already a long-used natural treatment for gout. Cherries are what’s known as natural anti-inflammatory foods. In particular, gout patients often turn to tart cherry juice to ease gouty arthritis symptoms. HOwever, if you’re eating the fruit, half a cup to one pound a day is recommended to significantly reduce gout symptoms. Tart cherry extract can also be used diluted in water.
2. Ginger
Ginger is another long utilized food for it’s natural anti-inflammatory benefits. Many gout patients either steep ginger root in boiling water to sip as a hot tincture or tea several times daily. Or ginger can be minced and applied directly to the big toe or other affected gouty joints for relief.
3. Water
Good old fashioned H2O naturally helps soothe inflammatory conditions, like gout. Drinking water regularly throughout your day helps the body flush out excessive fluids and reduce swelling via the kidneys. You can easily incorporate more water in your diet by sipping broth based soups and herbal teas while avoiding excessive alcohol, coffee, and soda.
4. Elevating the affected joints
Legs up the wall, or even legs up on a stool can help naturally reduce inflammation associated with gout by moving blood and fluid from the affected joint and back towards the heart. Try putting your feet up and using an ice pack to reduce swelling.
5. Diet
Diet greatly affects gout symptoms, both for good and bad. For instance, excess uric acid production is often a diet rich in purine foods, such as alcohol, refined sugar, red meat, and seafood. Yet many gout patients incorporate anti-inflammatory foods (i.e., nuts, whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies) to soothe gout inflammation.
