16 Home Remedies To Cure Gout (Reduce High Uric Acid Level)
Gout is a disease and a type of arthritis in which defective metabolism of uric acid, a by product of purine breakdown, that builds up and inflames the joints. Gout can affect different body parts however, the most common place for gout is the big toe, but it can occur in other joints such as the , knee, wrist, the ears, in the smaller bones of the feet, small joints on the hands, fingers, wrists, elbow, ankles or knees.
Due to defective metabolism, when the body produce too much uric acid for the kidneys to process, the levels of uric acid can rise dramatically. The excessive uric acid that don't excrete out of your system by your kidneys, not only forms kidney stones but also leads to gout by crystallizing itself at the joints and connective tissues results in severe inflammation and pain. Let's have a look on some common causes and Risk Factors behind the Gout:
Common Causes and Risk Factors OF Gout
Symptoms of Gout
Home Remedies to Treat Gout Naturally
1. Lemon Juice
Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C in dissolving the gouty deposits. Squeeze and mix the juice of half a lemon to a glass of water and drink it three times a day.
Another option is to to get relief from gout pain is to alkalize the body and neutralize the excess uric acid in blood stream. For this purpose, you need to follow the given instructions.
2. Cherries
Cherries being a rich source of anti-oxidants are very helpful to reduce and treat the symptoms of gout. Anthocyanins in cherries reduce inflammation as well as minimize gout flare-ups. For gout patients, eating 15 to 20 or 1/2 cup of cherries a day is highly in highly beneficial in reducing the symptoms of gout.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is also very helpful to treat the pain of gout and arthritis. The acidity in apple cider vinegar will help relieve acute and severe pain. Mix one teaspoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. Drink it 2-3 times a day.
4. Ginger Root
Method 1:
Method 2:
Method 3:
Simple eat a small and raw piece of ginger root daily and also include ginger in your daily cooking recipes.
5. Cucumber
Cucumber is very helpful in reducing the pain of gout due to low in calories and high water contents. Daily consumption of cucumber as well as its juice both help a lot in treatment of gout symptoms.
6. Bananas
Bananas are also considered very effective in relieving the symptoms of gout. High potassium content in bananas help a lot in conversion of uric acid crystals into liquid form that will be flushed out of the body later through urination. Bananas also contain a good amount of vitamin C, which helps a lot in reducing gout symptoms like swelling and pain. Daily consumption of 2-3 bananas will be highly beneficial in treatment of gout.
Note: If you are a diabetic patient along with gout, consult your doctor before consuming banana.
7. Gooseberry or Amla
8. Apples
An apple a day is very beneficial for people especially when you have gout. Eating an apple after every meal is very helpful to reduce gout symptoms. The malic acid present in apples help a lot to neutralize uric acid in the body and really helps in reducing gout pain and inflammation. Apple fruit as well as its juice both are very helpful to treat gout.
9. Strawberries
Strawberries are excellent source of vitamin C and anti-oxidants which not only minimize the risk of gout but also reduce the symptoms of gout. Strawberry also contain high levels of magnesium which is a mineral that can help reduce the symptoms of gout, including the pain and swellness.
10. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is also very helpful in relieving the symptoms of gout. Epsom salt has the ability to relax muscles, soften skin , reduce swelling, relieve pain, fade bruises and draw out toxins. You can use the epsom salt to treat gout by following either of two methods.
Method 1 :
If you feel the gout pain in different points then you should have a warm water bath mixed with epsom salt. Both magnesium and sulfate are readily absorbed from the skin's surface. Epsom salt will help a lot in soothing the aching muscles and gout pain.
Method 2 :
If you feel the pain only in your feet then follow the given instructions.
11. Pineapple
Pineapple is very helpful to treat gout pain and symptoms. Bromelain, a mixture of enzymes that helps to decompose uric acid crystals, relieving you from the pain related with gout. Vitamin C and other antioxidant in pineapple also very beneficial to treat gout problem.Pineapple fruit as well as a glass of fresh pineapple juice both are very helpful to ease the gout pain.
12. Mustard
Mustard is also very beneficial in soothing the nerves. You can make a paste of mustard seed with whole wheat powder to get relieve from gout pain.
13. Charcoal Powder
Activated charcoal can adsorb uric acid and help a lot in reducing gout pain. To get relief from gout pain you can use the charcoal powder according to given instructions.
Note: If you can’t soak your joint (like elbow), just apply the charcoal paste there and leave for half an hour. Wash with lukewarm water.
14. Honey
Honey is not a high purine food, so eating it in small amounts will not trigger any gout attacks. In fact, if you take honey along with apple cider vinegar it will be highly beneficial to cure gout. By following given instruction you can use honey and apple cider vinegar to treat gout.
15. Castor Oil
Castor oil is very helpful in treating the pain and inflammation from a gout attack. Take a cotton ball and soak it in warm castor oil. Apply it on the affected area. This is very simple but highly effective home remedy to treat gout pain.
16. Drink Plenty of Water
Drink at least 3-4 liters or 12-16 glasses of water per day to remove the uric acid from the body. The excessive uric acid that can’t be excreted out of your system by your kidneys not only forms kidney stones but also leads to gout by crystallizing itself at the joints. So try to drink more water to expel the excess uric acid from your body. In addition to water, you can even have other healthy beverages like coconut water, lime juice and other fruit juices rich in vitamin C. The juice of carrot and beet root is also very helpful to reduce the pain and swelling of gout.
Some Other Important Tips To Avoid Gout Pain
Due to defective metabolism, when the body produce too much uric acid for the kidneys to process, the levels of uric acid can rise dramatically. The excessive uric acid that don't excrete out of your system by your kidneys, not only forms kidney stones but also leads to gout by crystallizing itself at the joints and connective tissues results in severe inflammation and pain. Let's have a look on some common causes and Risk Factors behind the Gout:
Common Causes and Risk Factors OF Gout
- High Protein Diet (Red meats, Organ Meats and Oily Fish Etc)
- Lack of Exercise
- Medical Conditions (Diabetes , High Blood Pressure)
- Heredity
- Obesity
- Regular Use of Niacin, Aspirin and Diuretic Medicines
- Excessive intake of Alcohol
Symptoms of Gout
- Severe Pain in Joints, Knees, Toes, etc
- Limited movement in the affected joint
- Kidney Stone
- Failure of the Kidney
- Extreme Tenderness in the joints
- Swelling in the joints
- Red or Purplish skin around the affected joint
However, in the following lines we are going to share some best home remedies to reduce gout pain and swelling. Let's have a look on natural ways to reduce and treat gout symptoms at home.
1. Lemon Juice
Another option is to to get relief from gout pain is to alkalize the body and neutralize the excess uric acid in blood stream. For this purpose, you need to follow the given instructions.
- Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and mix with fresh lemon juice.
- Now add this mixture in a glass of water, stir well and drink it.
- You can repeat this on a daily basis until you get the cure.
2. Cherries
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
4. Ginger Root
Ginger root is highly beneficial in relieving pain and inflammation due to excellent anti-inflammatory properties . To treat high Uric acid problem you can get the maximum benefits from ginger root by follow given methods.
Method 1:
- Take some ginger root and make a paste with a little water.
- Apply this paste on the affected areas.
- Let it stay for 30-40 minutes and then wash off.
Method 2:
- Take equal amounts of dried ginger root powder, fenugreek powder and turmeric powder.
- Mix them well and save this mixture in an air tight jar.
- Have one teaspoon of this mixture along with warm water.
- For best results, take this mixture twice a day.
Method 3:
Simple eat a small and raw piece of ginger root daily and also include ginger in your daily cooking recipes.
5. Cucumber
6. Bananas
Note: If you are a diabetic patient along with gout, consult your doctor before consuming banana.
7. Gooseberry or Amla
Amla or Indian gooseberry is an excellent source of vitamin C and anti-oxidants which help a lot in reducing the symptoms of gout. Amla fruit as well as its juice both are beneficial in treatment of gout. Consuming 2-3 fresh fruits of amla either as salad ingredient or in powder form is an excellent natural remedy for gout. You can also consume amla in form of jam or jelly.
8. Apples
9. Strawberries
10. Epsom Salt
Method 1 :
If you feel the gout pain in different points then you should have a warm water bath mixed with epsom salt. Both magnesium and sulfate are readily absorbed from the skin's surface. Epsom salt will help a lot in soothing the aching muscles and gout pain.
- Take 2 cups of Epsom salt and mix it in your bath tub, filled with warm water.
- Now, soak yourself in this warm water.
- Take Epsom salt bath, once or twice a week.
Method 2 :
If you feel the pain only in your feet then follow the given instructions.
- Add half cup of Epsom salt to a basin of warm or hot water then soak your feet for 20 minutes.
- This will provide you almost immediate relief from gout pain and other symptoms.
11. Pineapple
12. Mustard
- Take some mustard powder and mix with equal amount of whole wheat powder.
- Make a smooth and thick paste by adding some water in it.
- Apply this paste on the swollen joint or gout affected area.
- If needed, use tape to keep it in place. Leave it over night. This paste will help to soothe the pain and aching muscles.
13. Charcoal Powder
- Make a thick and fine paste by adding water in a half cup of charcoal powder.
- Now, partially fill your bath tub with warm water.
- Add charcoal paste in it. Now, add more water to the tub to fill it completely.
- Soak your body or gout affected joint in this water for 30 minutes.This bath will provide you a quick relief from gout pain.
- Take this bath at least 3-4 times per week.
Note: If you can’t soak your joint (like elbow), just apply the charcoal paste there and leave for half an hour. Wash with lukewarm water.
14. Honey
- Take 2 tablespoons of organic honey and mix with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
- Mix them well and take it.
- For best results, repeat this twice a day.
15. Castor Oil
Castor oil is very helpful in treating the pain and inflammation from a gout attack. Take a cotton ball and soak it in warm castor oil. Apply it on the affected area. This is very simple but highly effective home remedy to treat gout pain.
16. Drink Plenty of Water
Drink at least 3-4 liters or 12-16 glasses of water per day to remove the uric acid from the body. The excessive uric acid that can’t be excreted out of your system by your kidneys not only forms kidney stones but also leads to gout by crystallizing itself at the joints. So try to drink more water to expel the excess uric acid from your body. In addition to water, you can even have other healthy beverages like coconut water, lime juice and other fruit juices rich in vitamin C. The juice of carrot and beet root is also very helpful to reduce the pain and swelling of gout.
Some Other Important Tips To Avoid Gout Pain
- (i) Avoid drinking too much alcohol.The metabolism of alcohol in your body is thought to increase uric acid production and alcohol contributes to dehydration.
- (ii) Being overweight increases the risk of developing gout and losing weight lowers the risk of gout. So try to maintain a healthy weight.
- (iii) Avoid consuming too much red meat, liver, kidney, fish, tofu and other foods which contain purine in high amount.
- (iv) Drink a glass of lemon or lime water after having lunch or dinner.
- (v) Eat complex carbohydrates including fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- (vi) Avoid the soft drinks, which contain fructose in high amount.
- (vii) If you don't get relief by following above home remedies, consult your problem with a doctor.