Gout is a type of arthritis that caused sudden and severe pain, mainly in the joints and tendons. This pain is caused by uric acid crystals forming in these areas. The crystals are formed due to excess uric acid circulating in the bloodstream. Excess uric acid may be caused by a pH imbalance in the body, i.e., the body becomes acidic. Eating acidic foods is one of the causes of high levels of uric acid in the blood. There are a number of natural ways to relieve gout, some of them are mentioned below:
- Celery and celery seeds: Celery has been known to provide relief to gout attacks. There is, however, very little scientific research available to prove that celery is a pain reliever. Celery may be taken several times a day in any form – sticks, seeds, juice, or extract.
- Cherries and tart cherry juice: Taking two servings of any cherry – red or black, sweet or sour, raw, juice, or extract over a two to three day period has helped keep gout pain attacks at bay.
- Ginger: Ginger has a tangy-spicy flavor and medicinal properties too. It can be added to food, in raw form or as a paste. Ginger can also be used as a warm compress to be applied to the area where gout pain is experienced. Boil a small amount of fresh, finely grated ginger root. Soak a cloth in the mixture and let it cool. Apply to the painful region for about half an hour, once a day. Keep in mind that ginger can cause skin irritation; a test on a small patch of skin is advisable.
- Nettle tea: Experimental studies on animals have shown that the tea of the common stinging nettle helps in relieving gout inflammation and pain. It has been used since ancient times as a herbal medicine for lower back pain and arthritis. The raw leaf has tiny hair-like structures on its edges that cause itching and redness when touched. Stinging nettle is available as a dry powder and one to two teaspoons can be steeped in a cup of hot water. Up to three cups can be consumed daily.
- Turmeric with lemon juice and apple cider vinegar: A mixture of these substances is a good beverage and helps in getting rid of gout pain. Although apple cider vinegar has no research backing on its effect on gout, it supports kidney function. Turmeric and lemon juice are known to lower uric acid levels. Turmeric is a spice used in cooking and is now becoming renowned as a cure for many disorders. The mixture may be made up of juice of ½ a lemon, 2 teaspoons of turmeric, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, and warm water to adjust the taste. It may be consumed two to three times a day.
There are many more naturally-occurring plants and herbs that have been known to help with alleviating the pain caused by gout. These help by either reducing uric acids levels in the blood or by reducing the inflammation, or both. Substances rich in magnesium are known to help, as magnesium is known to lower the uric acid levels.
