Gout is a very well known form of arthritis that is known to cause excruciating pain and discomfort. Gout is known to attack joints such as the ones in the big toe, ankles, feet, elbows, hands, knees, and wrists. Usually gout is treated with pain medicines and drugs that lower uric acid levels in the blood, however these conventional forms of treatment are not usually that effective or may cause unfavorable side effects. That is why more people are looking for a more natural remedy for gout.

Gout's symptoms are characterized by intense bouts of inflammation of certain joints that suddenly shoots excruciating spells of pain over a period of time. Sometimes the symptoms would disappear after the first onset but it may reoccur without preventive measures. Usually, the recurrence of gout may be worse than the initial attack, causing great discomfort and even immobility. When left untreated gout may happen more frequently and thus immediate action is important.

Known Natural Remedies for Gout

A very popular and effective natural remedy for gout is eating cherry or drinking cherry juice. Cherries have been proven to contain compounds known as anthocyanins, that are effective for alleviating inflammation and reducing uric acid levels in the blood. These substances are present in all kinds of cherries, whether fresh, canned or juiced. It is recommended for gout patients to consume about ten cherries a day, or two tablespoons of concentrated cherry juice to help manage gout symptoms and prevent gout from recurring.

A healthy diet is yet another essential component of natural gout remedy. Gout patients are urged to reduce their intake of foods that are rich in purines, the building blocks of gout-causing uric acid crystals. Among the purine rich foods that a gout patient should avoid are organ meats, brain, meat gravies, scallops, mackerel, anchovies, sweetbreads, kidney, meat extracts, wild game, herring, and sardines. It is recommended to eat more low purine foods such as dried beans, asparagus, spinach, poultry, peas, cauliflower, mushrooms, fresh water fish, and white meat.

Another important element of natural gout remedy is increasing fluid intake, especially water, as it helps to get rid of uric acid from the kidneys. The time-tested advice of 8 glasses of water a day still holds true for gout suffers. Some doctors even recommend drinking more. It is also important to reduce the intake of alcohol because it can induce the production of uric acid.

To prevent gout from happening, it is also recommended to maintain normal weight as obesity is linked to high risks of gout. It is however discouraged to undergo fad diets which cause drastic weight loss because the sudden drop of weight may cause cells to weaken and release more uric acid.

For immediate relief for gout pains and inflammation, charcoal poultice is recommended. This natural remedy consists of half a cup of powdered activated charcoal, blended with flaxseed to form a meal and then mixed with warm water to make a paste. The charcoal poultice may then be applied to the affected area and covered with plastic or cloth. This helps alleviate pain caused by gout. One has to be careful when using charcoal poultice, however, as it may cause stains on clothes and bed sheets.

Another soothing natural remedy for gout is a charcoal bath. One would need an old basin that can be stained, to be filled with half a cup of charcoal and enough water to form a paste. The affective joint would then be soaked into the mixture, adding more water if needed. The recommended soaking time is 30 minutes to an hour.

Gout can be a very painful condition, and the medical treatment it requires may be even more painful for one's budget. For added comfort and relief from pain, it is recommended to use natural remedies to treat gout in conjunction with conventional medicine. Not only are natural remedies cheaper, they may be even safer than drugs.

One does not have to endure the pains caused by gout for long periods. With a natural remedy, it can be easy to fight gout and keep a patient well quickly. If you or a family have been suffering gout for some time, try these natural remedies out for size.