Natural Remedies for Gout

Remarkable, Natural Remedies for Gout Have Been Practiced for Over 2,500 Years



The "Disease of Kings" and  "Rheumatism of the Rich."  These were the titles that gout was given hundreds of years ago.

Even though famous people like Benjamin Franklin and Martin Luther suffered from gout, I doubt that the pain of the  swelling joints made anybody feel like royalty.  However, these guys didn't have a local pharmacy to run to for medicine, so they totally relied on natural remedies for gout.

Gout Causes

Gout, also known as "gouty arthritis" is caused by the over-production of uric acid by cells in the body or because the kidneys can't eliminate as much as necessary.   This results in the acid converting into sodium urate crystals.

These crystals are dispersed throughout the body and generally land in joints.  This is when it's referred to as gouty arthritis.

Most gout occurs in the big toe, probably because of the pull of gravity on the crystals.  It's also found in the heels, ankles, knees, wrists, fingers and elbows.

Gout causes:

  • Over indulgence in rich foods
  • Diet high in meat
  • Alcohol
  • Obesity
  • Diuretic medications

Signs and symptoms of gout

  • Painful, swollen joints
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Fever
  • Chills

For some reason, the signs and symptoms of gout tend to come on suddenly during the night.

It's been described as a disease that hits a healthy person in the depth of their sleep.  The pain is severe with a chilling factor to it.  Then, fever and chills can follow.

As the pain goes from moderate to intense, the fever and chills intensify, too.   The pain can be so bad that the simple weight of the bed linens can't be tolerated.

Foods to avoid with gout

Some foods need to be increased, but there are certainly foods to avoid with gout.  These will be high in purine, which contributes to the build up of uric acid.

These are high in purine:

  • Meat
  • High fat dairy products
  • Alcohol
  • Sugary foods

The diet needs to be high in carbohydrates, but these need to be complex carbohydrates.  Simple carbohydrates are white flour products.  These turn into sugar, which is part of the problem.

Natural remedies for gout

There are natural remedies for gout pain, but there are also cures for gout.

Cures for gout are going to involve cleansing the body of toxins and cleaning up the diet.  Along with this will come a change in diet.

These are recommendations from the Mayo Clinic:

  • Limit animal protein. This includes organ meats such as liver.  Intake should be  4-6 ounces daily.
  • Eat more plant based proteins.  Beans and legumes will help you to cut down on saturated fats.
  • Alcohol interferes with the elimination of uric acid.  Beer has been directly linked to gout attacks.
  • Increase water intake.  Drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces daily. 
    Example:  If you weigh 100 lbs, you should drink 50 ounces of water.
  • Low fat of fat free dairy products have been shown to reduce attacks of gout.  Try to take in 16-24 ounces daily.
  • Complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables.  Limit simple carbs like pastries, white rice and white bread.
  • Avoid sugar.

Herbal remedies for gout

Hippocrates used herbs, essential oils and water as cures for gout. 

Herbal remedies for gout include this home remedy from my grandmother:

  • Mix together equal parts of granulated skullcap, yarrow and valerian.
  • Keep in jar.
  • Mix 1 heaping teaspoon into 1 cup boiling water.
  • Steep 15-20 minutes.
  • Drink 1 hour before meals and before bedtime.

Other herbs that can be used in this same manner:

  • Blue violet
  • Burdock
  • Birch
  • Broom
  • Buckthorn
  • Gentian root
  • Sarsaparilla
  • Ginger
  • Penny royal
  • Plantain
  • Rue
  • Balm of Gilead

These can be used in combination with each other or separately.

Natural remedies for gout with essential oils

Essential oils are more potent than herbs.  I find them easier to deal with, also.

To relieve gout pain immediately:

  • Apply 2 drops Frankincense and 2 drops Basil to affected area.
  • Cover with a hot compress.
  • Repeat 2-3 times daily or as needed.

If using single oils, any one of the following can be applied and then covered with a hot compress:

  • Basil
  • Peppermint

Using water for natural gout remedies

Water treatments can be used to control the inflammation of swelling joints.   It's especially helpful to use baths when the weight of a compress is too painful.

Using a contrast bath will also force blood flow into those hard to reach joints, so those uric acid deposits can be broken up.

For a contrast foot bath:

  • Fill 2 deep buckets (small trash cans can be used)  with water.
  • The first bucket needs to be filled with 110 degree water.
  • Second bucket, 50 degrees.
  • Place feet in the hot water for 3 minutes.
  • Then place in cold water for 30 seconds.
  • Repeat at least 2 more times.  More if desired.

CAUTION:  Diabetics should never use a foot bath of over 102 degrees.  55 degrees should be the temperature of the cold water.


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