Herbal Gout Remedy

Gout is a painful disease that is caused by too much uric acid in your bloodstream. This uric acid will create crystals in your blood, which will then attach themselves to bones, muscles and sinew. These crystals then cause pain similar to arthritis. There are many medical treatments for gout, as well as herbal treatments that may help lessen the pain.

Herbs

• Herbs can be the best way to get a concentrated dosage of substances that will help soothe your gout symptoms. Herbs like devil's claw, figwort, juniper, meadowsweet, parsley, sarsaparilla, yucca, autumn crocus, gravel root, bilberry, hawthorn, nettle root, pine bark and turmeric offer anti-inflammatory benefits. This helps reduce the swelling and pain associated with gout. Some of these herbs, like gravel root, even help to cut out the excess uric acid in your blood. This should lead to a direct improvement of your symptoms.

Cherries

• Cherries may be an effective weapon in your battle against gout. Holistic Online reports that consuming half a pound of fresh or canned cherries a day "has been shown to be very effective in lowering uric acid levels and preventing attacks of gout." Note the large amount of cherries that must be consumed for this treatment to be effective, though. Normally, a person may only eat a handful of cherries at a time; it is not advised to eat half a pound of cherries daily unless you are suffering from gout.

Vitamin C

• Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins we consume. It helps prevent many health problems and promotes proper body functioning. The Mayo Clinic website reports that vitamin C can help reduce the levels of uric acid in your blood, which can be helpful in treating gout. However, the site also notes that very little testing has been done on the effect of vitamin C on gout, and that consuming too much vitamin C may actually cause an increase in uric acid. Eating a healthy mix of fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C can help give you all the vitamin C you need.

Apple Cider Vinegar

• One of the most commonly used herbal remedies for gout is apple cider vinegar. To create this mixture, you need to add rose hips to the vinegar, boil, cool, and then apply to the gout area. This mixture isn't an immediate cure-all, and you may need to apply it a few times a day for a couple weeks, but it works because it changes the pH levels in your blood.