Gout – a painful type of arthritis that caused due to excess uric acid in your bloodstream, this acid is formed due to the breakdown of the waste substance called purines in the body. It thus develops into crystals on the cartilage of tendons, joints and other tissue. Then these tissues get inflamed with a sudden and severe pain on that body part.
Gout is more prone to men (above 40 years) than women and most commonly gout affected area is the big toe of the feet. The other body parts are ankles or knee, ears, wrists, elbows and fingers. Acute pain, inflammation in joints, intense tenderness, swelling, etc. are some of the symptoms experienced by gout suffer.
Acute pain, inflammation in joints, intense tenderness, swelling, etc. are some of the symptoms experienced by gout suffer.
It is also caused due to genetics, lack of exercise, more of alcohol intake, stress, certain medications, health problems like hypertension, diabetes and uric acid kidney stones, excessive intake of protein, hormonal imbalance, etc.
Ignoring the gout symptoms can result in arthritis, joint damage and other health problems. Always remember that gout cannot be cured completely but you can reduce its flare-ups and live a happy life without gout pain.
Rather than using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief or medications used to reduce uric acid buildup in your blood steam for treating your gout, just try some natural home remedies which are safe, cost effective and gives long lasting results for gout.
Home Remedies for Gout Pain:
These are the best and easy home remedies that widely used to reduce gout flare – ups and gives relief from the pain and swelling.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV):
Apple cider vinegar helps to treat gout and arthritis with its acidic nature. It balances the pH levels of the body to reduce the uric acid in the blood. Always use raw, organic and unfiltered ACV with the mother for getting quick relief from gout pain.
Steps to be followed…
- Mix 1 teaspoon of raw and unfiltered ACV in 1 glass of water.
- Stir well and drink it to get relief from gout pain. Or add a little of honey to enhance your taste.
- Regular intake of this drink for 2 – 3 times daily will definitely help you to get rid of gout pain.
Note:
- Or soak a clean cloth in a solution of apple cider vinegar mixed with a little of water. Wrap it around the affected area for 10 – 15 minutes.
- Soak your affected foot in a large bowl filled with 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and 4 cups of water. Leave it for about 30 minutes to get rid of gout flare-ups.
- If you find this remedy works for you, then increase the dose of ACV for up to 2 tablespoons.
Ginger Root:
Ginger has shogaols and gingerols which exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that relieve your pain and inflammation.
Steps to be followed…
- Mix equal quantities of dried ginger powder, turmeric powder and fenugreek powder in a bowl.
- Stir well and have 1 teaspoon of this mix along with warm water.
- Intake of this mix with warm water for twice daily will help you to reduce the problem.
Note:
- Or include ginger in your daily diet either by chewing slices throughout the day or drinking ginger tea or ale or add in your food recipes.
- Alternatively, blend ginger pieces with a little of water to make a paste and apply it on the affected area and wipe off after 30 – 45 minutes. Also, mix turmeric in this paste to get quick relief.
Baking Soda:
Baking soda lowers the amount of uric acid causing gout in your blood. It also balances the pH levels to alkalize the body and to get relief from the pain and irritation.
Steps to be followed…
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1 glass of water.
- Stir well and drink this solution for 3 – 4 times a day.
- Be sure that the dosage of baking soda should not exceed 4 teaspoons per day.
- Continue drinking it daily till you get relief from gout and its symptoms.
Note: If you’re suffering from hypertension, then avoid using this remedy for gout treatment.
Cherries:
Cherries (either sweet or sour) help a lot in treating gout due to its antioxidant property. It also has anthocyanins that reduce the pain and other discomforts by minimizing the gout flare – ups. It effectively cleanse your kidneys to remove the toxins from the body.
Steps to be followed…
- Consume 15 – 20 fresh cherries daily. For best results, start your day with cherries.
- Also, drink 1 glass of black cherry juice with few minced garlic cloves in it. Drink it daily to get rid of gout pain.
- For faster relief, mix celery and black cherry juice to your diet. Also, use a tart cherry extract supplement for your gout pain.
- Consume cherry pie, cherry jam, cherry compote, cherry tea, etc.
- Alternatively, use pineapple instead of cherries to treat gout.
Lemon Juice:
Lemon juice is very effective in alkalizing the body and neutralizing the excess uric acid in the blood stream. It strengthens the body’s immune system and other tissues for getting quick relief from gout symptoms.
Steps to be followed…
- Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon.
- Leave it till the fizzing stops.
- Then add this mix in 1 glass of water.
- Stir and drink it immediately to treat your gout.
- Regular intake will yield best results from gout pain.
Note: Or add freshly squeezed lemon juice in 1 glass of water and drink it. Repeat 2 – 3 times daily till you cleared the gout pain.
Apples:
An apple a day keeps your gout away is the new saying for gout patients. Malic acid in apples helps to neutralize the uric acid in the body and thus relieves you from gout pain.
Steps to be followed…
- Eat an apple daily after each meal for better digestion and to prevent gout attacks.
- Drink 1 glass of apple juice, if you don’t like to consume apples.
- For best results, eat 1 – 2 raw carrots along with an apple to eliminate gout.
Epsom Salt:
Epsom salt works well in treating gout and other forms of arthritis. The magnesium content in this salt will lower the high blood pressure, improves your heart condition, relieves joint pains and relaxes your body. Soaking the affected area with Epsom salt will relax aching muscles and relieves your pain.
Steps to be followed…
- Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to your bathtub filled with warm water.
- Stir well and soak your body in this water for 10 – 15 minutes.
- Continue doing this bath for once or twice a week to eliminate gout and its pain.
Note: Or simply soak gout affected body part in Epsom salt mixed warm water to relax that aching joints or muscles and also to reduce pain.
Activated Charcoal:
Activated charcoal absorbs uric acid from your bloodstream and relieves you from gout in a safe and effective manner.
Steps to be followed…
- Mix 1/2 cup of charcoal powder with enough water to make a paste.
- Then pour this paste in your bathtub and run lukewarm water over it.
- Soak yourself in this water for 30 minutes to get relief from gout in your big toe and ankle joint.
- Repeat it 2 – 3 times daily until gout symptoms has eliminated from the body.
Note:
- Or simply apply the charcoal paste (mix charcoal powder in water) on gout affected areas and rinse off with lukewarm water after 30 – 45 minutes.
- Or else, take activated charcoal capsules orally to get rid of gout and its discomforts. But be sure to check with your doctor before using capsules to know the dosage as per your health condition.
Banana:
Banana is rich in potassium that helps to convert the uric acid crystals into liquid form, which in turn flushed out of the body through urination. It has many other essential nutrients that help in managing the pain and swelling.
Steps to be followed…
- Whenever you suffer from gout pain, consume 1 – 2 bananas to get relief from the condition.
- Also, consume 1/2 cup of yogurt mixed with the pieces of 1 ripe banana will help to prevent gout and diarrhea.
- Daily intake will yield best results of relieving you from gout and its pain.
Cold Water:
Placing or rinsing the affected area with cold water will help to reduce the pain and swelling. But make sure that not to apply ice directly on the skin, as it damages the skin and makes your condition worse.
Steps to be followed…
- Place your swollen gout affected area in cold water for about 10 – 15 minutes.
- Also, place an ice pack wrapped in a towel on gout affected area for 10 – 15 minutes.
- Remember that the excessive usage of this cold compress will lead to crystallization of uric acid. So, repeat the process for once or twice daily till your pain gets cleared.
Celery Seed Extract:
Celery seed extract or celery juice helps to reduce the uric acid buildup in the body. It has antioxidants in the form of phenolic acids, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, flavonoids and quercetin that makes celery to treat joint pains, gout and other forms of arthritis.
Steps to be followed…
- Consume celery seed extract or fresh celery juice or just eat celery throughout the day.
- Regular intake of celery in any way will help to get rid of gout and its pain.
Diet Plan:
Planning your diet as per your health condition will play an important role to recover you from the problem. Here is the diet for the people suffering from gout.
- Drink plenty of water and other fluids to get hydrated and to flush out the excess uric acid from the body.
- Eliminate sugar (or sugary products), grains, caffeinated or carbonated beverages, alcohol consumption, caffeine intake, processed meats, anchovies, sardines, etc. from your diet, as they increase the uric acid and rise the gout flare ups.
- Consume foods that are rich in vitamin C, fiber, potassium, omega – 3 fatty acids, magnesium and bromelain to reduce the uric acid and reduce the frequency of gout attacks.
- Include more of fresh fruits (grapes, orange, gooseberry), vegetables (cucumber, French beans), fresh berries, black cherries, fish oil and organic meats along with bone broth and chicken vegetable soup in your diet.
- Intake of beet juice and nettles (in tea form) will help you to get relief from gout.
- Avoid consuming food that is high in purines like fatty red meat, small fish, peas, spinach, mushrooms, herring, asparagus, shellfish, organ meats, lentils, etc. which forms more of uric acid to prevent gout.
- Avoid the intake of fried foods, sodium rich food, refined carbohydrates and hydrogenated oils (like vegetable, soybean, corn and canola oil) which worsen the gout.
Tips and Precautions:
- The main root cause for any health or skin problem is the imbalance in the system (pH) causing acidosis. So, follow perfect diet by including alkalizing foods to return body’s normal pH level.
- Regular exercise will help you a lot in reducing the uric acid levels and thereby gout. However, exercising regularly can help to maintain proper weight which in turn prevents other health issues.
- Overweight or obesity is another main cause for gout and other health problems. So, reduce your overweight and maintain the perfect weight for your health.
- Drinking any herbal tea like devil’s claw root tea, feverfew, white willow bark, licorice, boswellia, capsicum, meadowsweet leaves and flower tops will treat gout flare ups.
- Consult your doctor if you don’t find any relief from gout pain after using these remedies for proper diagnose and treatment.
- Consume a healthy diet, reduce your stress levels, exercise regularly, sleep for 7 – 8 hours, take proper care of your skin and body parts, etc. should be included in your daily lifestyle to get relief any health problem.
- Taking gout supplements have shown a drastic improvement in reducing the discomforts and uric acid buildup. If you are unaware of which ones to take then “CLICK HERE” for accurate information.
That’s all for now about gout problem, try these remedies to get relief from gout pain. Know any other effective gout remedies, then share it with us.
liz says
I put Baking Soda in my bed just where my feet are positioned at. Two teaspoons full.
I put right where my feet are and put my foot on the baking soda where the pain is the most painful. And it helps me not to wake up in the middle of the night with pain.
I use to put the baking soda in my sock but it didn’t work as well. Weird huh’
Don Higby says
As mentioned, pure, tart cherry juice is an effective treatment for a gout attack and also an effective preventative measure. A few ounces or more once or twice per day will help keep gout away. When gout has flared up, I will drink a full 8 ounce glass of cherry juice two or three times per day.
An alternative preventative treatment is to take one or two pure cherry juice extract capsules per day, depending on your susceptibility to gout attacks. These can be purchased from GNC stores and other retail outlets and also online at the same. Very effective daily regimen.
Sruthika says
Yes, cherry juice works well in reducing the gout pain but for best results, prefer to take natural one rather than capsules or supplements.
Marriya says
Thanks for the remedies. They seem to be simple and doable
Tracy King says
Purchase the homeopathic ointment called Topricin from health food stores or online. They even have one just for feet. It works on just about any kind of muscle or nerve pain including Gout and says so on the label.