To understand the different gout natural remedies, one must first realize what exactly gout is and how it is caused. When too much uric acid, which is produced in the liver and secreted in urine, builds up in a person’s system, sharp crystals can form in the fluid that cushions the joints. This causes the joints to become inflamed and very painful. Gout mostly affects the big toe, but can also strike in the wrist, ankle, knee, elbow, and even the hip.
Instead of turning to prescriptions for gout treatment a person can also consider these gout remedies which are natural treatments for the condition.
Cherries for Gout Treatment
Cherries for gout treatment have long been an old folk remedy passed on from generation to generation, but they still hold as a good gout natural remedy. Cherries contain compounds that help to neutralize uric acid and are also a source of anti-inflammatory compounds. A person who feels an episode of gout coming on should try eating a few handfuls of cherries or try drinking black cherry juice.
There are also cherry fruit extract pills which are widely available at health-food stores that can also be taken on a daily basis. Take 1,000 milligrams every day to help prevent gout or take three times that amount when an attack comes on.
Nettle Is Another Useful Treatment for Gout
Many herbalists claim that nettle is one of the best gout remedies. It helps to treat joint pain as well as helps to lower uric acid levels. It is recommended that a person take 300-600 milligrams of freeze-dried extract once a day. Nettle should not be used more than three months at a time though when it comes to gout treatments. Also, a person who suffers from gout should never take nettle in tincture form as it contains alcohol which aggravates gout even more. One other way that a person can use nettle as a treatment for gout is to soak a clean cloth in a tea brewed from the leaves of nettle and apply it to the gout-affected joint.
Fish Oil or Flaxseed Oil as Gout RemediesAnother recommended one of the gout remedies is taking daily doses of fish oil or flaxseed oil to ease the inflammation in the joints. Both of these oils are rich sources of an anti-inflammatory agent known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). A typical dosage of flaxseed oil is approximately 500 milligrams a day.
Water is Essential for Gout Treatment
Anyone who suffers from gout needs to be sure that they drink plenty of water. At least eight glasses of water should be consumed every day to help flush out the excess uric acid from the body. Also, water helps to discourage kidney stones, which oftentimes affect people who have gout. One thing that a person who suffers from gout should not be drinking is alcohol. Alcohol increases uric acid production in the body. Beer is the worst type of alcohol as it contains the most purines, which are compounds that are known to raise uric acid levels.
These gout remedies can be used whenever a person feels an attack coming. Most people who have had a gout attack before can tell when another episode is coming and should utilize these gout treatments as soon as possible to help prevent the pain that comes along with this condition.
Source:
MayoClinic.com, "Gout" (accessed February 11, 2010)
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