25 Home Remedies for Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis that is common in men but can also affect women. Like other types of arthritis, it comes with painful and swollen joints. Some days, the pain may be mild and other days gout “attacks” can be severe.

 

Cause

Gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood. Having a high amount of uric acid in the blood is also called hyperuricemia. Not only can hyperuricemia cause gout, but it can also cause other types of arthritis, heart problems, and kidney stones. Because of this, it is best to treat this as soon as possible before the uric acid can lead to further problems.

 

Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms of gout include the joint pain and swelling that is common in all other types of arthritis. What is unique about gout is that it mostly affects the feet– the big toe in particular.

Sometimes gout will look like small balls on the feet, almost like blisters, but denser. Some people may have chronic gout, which means that they face gout and its symptoms nearly all the time. This is one of the most dangerous types of gout, as it tends to be semi-permanent and can lead to other health problems.

Another type of gout is “interval” gout. This is when gout comes in “attacks” or “flare-ups.” The symptoms may last for days or weeks at a time and then disappear without a trace. Later, they will likely appear and disappear in the same pattern.

 

Home Remedies for Gout

The home remedies in this article will both look at ways to reduce the amount of uric acid in the blood, as well as treating the symptoms of gout. Use these home remedies alongside whatever your doctor prescribes.

 

1. Avoid Injury

Injuries can both trigger gout flare-ups and make the symptoms of gout worse. People tend to want to avoid injury, and the painful triggers of gout can provide additional motivation. One way to stay safer is to wear shoes and socks. Even this little bit of covering can help to keep the feet safer.

2. Avoid Salicylate

Salicylate is an ingredient that is sometimes found in prescription medication. Taking medications containing this ingredient can raise the amount of uric acid in the blood. Since this is a major contributor to gout, it is best to avoid these medications when possible.

 

3. Lose Weight

Weight gain can sometimes lead to a high amount of uric acid in the blood. Even when it doesn’t, it is best to avoid having too much weight on your feet, as it can increase the amount of swelling that often comes with gout. This can make the other symptoms of the ailment worse. Try to stay at a healthy weight to avoid future gout flare-ups.

 

4. Stay Hydrated

Uric acid usually leaves the body through urine. The more water a person takes in, the more urine they are bound to expel. As a bonus, drinking a lot of water is generally good for your body. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to flush out excess uric acid.

 

5. Alcohol in Moderation

Drinking too much alcohol can exacerbate the symptoms of gout. However, drinking a little bit may be able to help. Red wine is one of the alcohols that can actually be good for the body– in moderation. It can fight inflammation and even lower blood pressure. Men can drink up to two glasses of wine a night while women should stick to one.

 

6. Avoid Low-Carb Diets

Low-carb diets are popular because they help people to lose weight. However, it may not be safe to use a low-carb diet if you have gout. When a person doesn’t take in enough carbs, they can go into ketosis, which is when fat cannot be properly stored. This is how the famous keto diet works. However, when fat cannot be stored correctly, more uric acid is put into the blood. This will only make the gout symptoms worse. So, for your own good, eat some carbs!

7. Avoid Some Foods High in Purines

Purines are a type of compound, which (to put it simply) make uric acid. For this reason, it is best to avoid certain foods that are high in purines. However, not all foods that are high in purines are bad for people with gout. To simplify things, here is a little list of foods high in purines to avoid: organ meats, oily fish, sweetbreads, and scallops.

 

8. Vitamin C

Taking in enough vitamin C helps to boost the immune system and reduce your gout symptoms. It is best to get your vitamin C from natural sources, like citrus fruits. However, if you cannot get enough vitamin C from food, try taking vitamin supplements.

 

9. Elevate Your Foot

Inflammation is often a symptom of gout. This can be reduced slightly if the foot is kept elevated. Simply prop your foot up on a pillow to ease the swelling a little bit.

 

10. Warm or Cold Compress

Another way to reduce swelling is to use a warm or cold compress. Use whichever feels most comfortable; either type of compress will help to reduce inflammation. Simply put a warm or cold compress on your gout spots until it feels better. It’s as simple as that!

11. Ginger

Ginger is a spice that can help to treat inflammation from the inside out. There are a couple of different ways in which you can use this home remedy. One of the easiest ways to use this home remedy is to add ginger to your meals or snacks; it’s a common spice in Indian and Asian foods and is often added to desserts.

Alternatively, you can try drinking ginger tea. All you need to do is drink two to three cups of ginger tea daily to both prevent and treat gout flare-ups.

12. Garlic

Garlic is one of nature’s few cure-alls. Like ginger, garlic also helps to treat inflammation from the inside out. Simply add more garlic to your diet to get the most out of this home remedy.

 

13. St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort is a type of herb that works to detox the blood. This is important, as uric acid stays in the blood at times. Taking in St. John’s wort can help the body to expel excess uric acid. To use this home remedy, buy supplements or tea from herbal stores and take it as directed.

 

14. Chamomile Tea

Another type of tea that can help to fight the symptoms of gout is chamomile. This tea can reduce the swelling of the gout flare-ups. Simply drink a cup or two of chamomile tea a day to prevent and treat gout symptoms.

 

15. Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry works to treat gout on a couple of different levels. On the simplest level, it contains a high amount of vitamin C, which is vital for the body to fight any ailment. One of its best qualities is that helps to detox the blood, which can clear out extra uric acid. Simply eat more Indian gooseberries or drink its juice to gain its wonderful health benefits.

 

16. Green Tea

Another natural blood detoxifier is green tea. As simple as it sounds, all one needs to do to benefit from this home remedy is to drink three or four cups of green tea a day.

17. Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds are another great anti-inflammatory food that can help to reduce the swelling of gout flare-ups. There are a couple of different ways to use this home remedy. The easiest way is to simply add these seeds to salads and soups for added seasoning and texture. The other way is to drink two or three cups of fennel teas each day.

 

18. Senna Tea

Sennas are a type of beautiful flower that has natural healing properties. Drinking senna tea twice a day can help to lower the amount of uric acid in the blood. Drink this tea for two weeks to see results.

 

19. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is mentioned in almost every one of our home remedy articles– it truly is a natural cure-all. Using apple cider vinegar helps to ease gout flare-ups because it reduces inflammation. There are two ways to use this home remedy– externally or internally.

To use apple cider vinegar externally, fill a bowl with equal parts warm water and apple cider vinegar. Soak your affected foot in this water until the swelling goes down.

To use apple cider vinegar internally, mix two tablespoons of it with a cup of water. Drink this each day to get the best results. If you do not like the taste, you can add honey or lemon juice to improve the flavor.

 

20. Baking Soda

Like apple cider vinegar, there are two ways to use baking soda to treat the inflammation that often comes with gout. To use baking soda externally, put a cup of baking soda in a warm bath. Soak in this bath until the swelling goes down.

To use baking soda internally, dissolve a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in warm water. It is not likely to taste good, but it does work. Do this as often as needed, up to five times a day.

 

21. Epsom Salt

Using Epsom salt is one of the best ways to reduce swelling, no matter what the cause. Unlike apple cider vinegar and baking soda, it is best to use this home remedy externally. If you have time for a bath, add two cups of Epsom salt in a warm bath and soak in it for twenty to thirty minutes. If you would rather not take a bath, add a few tablespoons of Epsom salt into a bowl of water and simply soak your feet for half an hour.

22. Painkillers

While this is not a natural solution, it is a solution. Try to avoid becoming dependant on NSAIDs, as this can make gout symptoms worse. Instead, only use painkillers when you absolutely need to. Also, always make sure to use them as directed.

 

23. Cherries

Cherries are full of antioxidants and an array of healthy vitamins and minerals, all of which are great at treating gout flare-ups. This home remedy is recommended for people who only have gout flare-ups occasionally, not every day. When flare-ups occur, eat cherries or drink cherry juice three times a day to lower the severity and occurrence of gout symptoms.

 

24. Nettle Tea

Nettle tea is yet another tea that can help to treat inflammation. When you have a gout flare-up, drink a cup of nettle tea. To prevent gout symptoms from occurring, try to drink two to three cups a day.

 

25. Hibiscus

Hibiscus is a type of flower that is used to make herbal tea. This tea helps to lower the amounts of uric acid in the blood. To use this home remedy, drink the tea just once a day. If you do not like the taste of the tea, you can instead take hibiscus supplements as directed.

Which of these home remedies are you most likely to try the next time you experience a gout flare-up? Comment below!

References

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/144827.php

https://www.top8homeremedies.com/home-remedies/35-home-remedies-for-high-uric-acid-in-the-blood/

https://www.kidneyatlas.org/gout-home-remedies/

https://www.healthline.com/health/gout/home-remedies#home-treatments