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Home Remedies for Gouty Arthritis

About five million people in the United States have gout. It is a condition brought on by your body either producing too much uric acid or being unable to rid itself of enough uric acid. The uric acid forms tiny crystals in the joints, particularly the toes and ankles. Those tiny crystals cause joint inflammation and intense pain. When gout becomes chronic, it can damage your joints, decrease your kidney function and cause kidney stones. Though it can treated medically, here are some home remedies for gout.

  1. Water

    • Water can help you avoid gout attacks. The more you drink, the more you will urinate. Even if your body has trouble ridding itself of uric acid, if you're drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water per day, you will urinate more often. Each time it happens, you will rid your body of more uric acid.

    Strawberries and Cherries

    • Strawberries and cherries will help you avoid getting a gout attack. Strawberries neutralize uric acid and cherries help lower uric acid levels. The fruits also provide valuable vitamins and minerals to help you maintain good health.

    Apple Cider Vinegar

    • Mix 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of honey and take it twice daily to help avoid gout attacks. If you are already experiencing an attack, it will help the pain decrease within a few hours.

    Ice

    • When the pain of gout hits, you'll want relief. The easiest way to get relief is to put an ice pack on the painful area. Ice works as an anti-inflammatory. Use it for 15 minutes at a time.

    Epsom Salts

    • Epsom salts are a classic home remedy. It can bring quick relief from gout pain. Epsom salts contain magnesium, which can help improve circulation and lower your blood pressure. Add two cups of Epsom salts to a bath as it is filling and then soak in the bath until the water cools off.

    Fruits and Vegetables

    • Consuming citrus fruits, berries, peppers, leafy greens and tomatoes will help minimize inflammation caused by gout. These foods are high in vitamin C and bioflavonoids that act as anti-inflammatories. Eat these foods in moderation because vitamin C can also increase uric acid levels, which caused the problem in the first place. Vegetable juices (carrot, beet, cucumber, string beans) are another treatment to avoid gout attacks.

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