All-Natural Treatments for Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that usually attacks a single joint, most commonly the big toe. The affected area will become swollen, inflamed, and feel hot to the touch. It is also extremely painful. Gout is caused by solidified crystals of uric acid that become lodged in the joint. Foods high in purines -- anchovies, herring, mackerel, sardines, liver -- raise the levels of uric acid and should be avoided by those prone to gout. These same people should also limit other foods; i.e., low-fat meats, poultry, crustaceans, whole grains, dried beans, asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms, peas, and spinach. But what if you already have gout? There are some all-natural remedies for the condition.

My husband, who periodically suffers from gout, was told by a couple of our neighbors that eating about six sour cherries every day would cure his gout. Actually, this is an old-fashioned remedy; however, its effectiveness for relieving the pain of gout is purely anecdotal and unproven. Nevertheless, given how healthy cherries are, being low in sodium and calories and high in vitamins A and C, it cannot hurt to try. (My husband believes that the cherries should be administered in a pie; however, I do not think that this is how cherry therapy is suppose to work. If his gout gets better on its own, he will insist that it was the cherry pie, which means that I will be doomed to baking regularly.)

Celery seed is another traditional remedy, but it has been shown to be quite effective. Just boil one-half to two grams of dried celery seed in a cup of water for ten minutes. Drink this decoction three times a day. However, if you (or your "patient") are like my husband, who refuses to drink a celery decoction, you can buy tablets or capsules at your local health food store. Just follow the instructions on the package.

Celery seed is generally quite safe; however, it should not be taken by anyone with kidney ailments or low blood pressure. In addition, it can interact with other medications, particularly warfarin and thyroxin, as well as, increase the risk of side effects associated with ultraviolet light therapy. You should not take celery seed if you are allergic to celery, dandelion, and/or wild carrot. All of this means that, just as with any herbal remedy, you should consult your primary health care professional and/or a certified herbalist before using.

References:

Booth, Barbara, ed. The Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs. Pleasantville, NY: The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., 2009.

Rogers, Jean, ed. The Healing Foods Cookbook. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1991.