Healing Home Remedies

submit111@gmail.com said:

The best gout home remedy may be in your own kitchen. You no longer need to jump from one pharmacy to another to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by gout. Commonly used gout home remedy are fruits, herbs, vegetables and roots. These have several benefits and are generally safe to use. They can also be used simultaneously and together with your medication.

A home remedy for gout must be able to do the following:

- Relieve pain. – Reduce swelling – Eliminate stiffness – Detoxify and rid uric acid crystals from the body – Boost healthy blood circulation to aid in the flushing away of toxins – Speed healing of joint tissues to prevent uric acid build-up.

Fruits as gout home remedy:

Potassium turns acid crystals into a solution that can be easily flushed out by your body. Fruits that are especially high in potassium are your best bet when it comes to curing gout. These high-potassium fruits include dried peaches, avocados, cantaloupe, oranges, bananas, tomatoes and dried prunes.

Other fruits have their benefits as gout home remedy too.

Lemon fuels the production of calcium carbonate, which balances acids in the body. Take the juice of lemon, dilute in water and drink as a gout home remedy.

Berries and cherries are also known to be effective against gout. You can start by purchasing blueberries, cherries and strawberries from your local supermarket as fresh produce or concentrated juices. These fruits are rich with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds and enzymes that neutralize uric acid in the body. Grapes are good, too, since they contain Alkalines that neutralize acidity.

Apples and bananas are also fruits known to cure gout. Maintaining a gout-preventing diet is as easy as eating 1 apple a day and 2-3 bananas per day for 4 days.

Herbs as gout home remedy:

Turmeric has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Now it is known to be a potent antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant and blood strengthener. It is also considered to treat inflammation just like cortisone. Another herb, cayenne pepper, is known to have the same effect.

Another effective herb against gout is the artichoke which contains cynarin. Cynarin is a compound known to prevent liver impairment and joint problems, thus benefiting those with gout.

You can also take in other herbs by drinking herbal teas such as buchu tea, which flushes out uric acid crystals from your system. Other gout-fighting herbs include parsley and saffron, which can be a natural diuretic and acid neutralizer.

Some of the vegetables you can use against gout are spinach, potatoes and carrots since these are rich in potassium. As mentioned earlier, foods high in potassium detoxify the body from uric acid crystals. Also try eating more garlic as a gout home remedy-popularly known to be good for the heart, garlic has also been found to relieve gout symptoms. Finely chop fresh garlic and add to salads and other dishes as a natural gout home remedy.

Although these ingredients safe to use and are excellent gout home remedy, you should still consider consulting a physician.

Alternative Herbal Remedies

Here, you’ll discover 7 natural  remedies supposed to get rid of uric acid.  But…do they work?  Herbal uric acid remedies are much sought after because this acid causes gout.  There aren’t many more painful conditions than gout and anyone who has had one flareup knows that. 

There are some herbal remedies, but how many of these most touted herbs actually deal with uric acid?  Don’t get me wrong; these herbs have uses and some may help with the *pain* of gout, but not tha acid.  Also, not all of them even help that much.
The symptoms of gout — inflammation, redness, swelling, heat and great pain — are caused by uric acid crystals which are needle-shaped when looked at under the microscope. But the crystals are formed out of excess uric acid in your bloodstream.

Orthodox gout medications can leave a lot to be desired.  Over the counter anti-inflammatory medications may not be strong enough, so at least one prescription NSAID is often prescribed during a flareup. 

When and if this doesn’t work, even stronger drugs may be prescribed.  One of them is called colchicine.  Googling that term may make anyone nervous.  The side effects of most medications used to treat gout can have the same effect.

Most of us want something more natural or at least something with far fewer side effects…but what can you trust?

These 7 popular herbal remedies are mentioned on site after site as alternatives.  The question is, do they work.  Here is an viewpoint unbiased by the sales of any supplement.

Alfalfa:  Not only is this supplement unlikely to help with gout, overindulging can cause problems unknown.  Yes, it’s good for livestock, but we humans cannot tolerate a lot of it and not very frequently.  A few sprouts on the salad is fine.  More could be deadly.

Bilberries:  Yes, this herb…and the berry…may help reduce uric acid levels.  It is closely related to the blueberry, but is not the same.  While most women of childbearing years do not develop gout, if you are one of the rare ones, ask your doc before using bilberry.

Celery seeds:  Having anti-inflammatory properties does not reduce uric acid levels.  Also, there are several side effects, precautions and interactions with celery seeds.  I advise caution.

Hawthorn:  The problem with this herb is not whether or not it blocks uric acid or even if it stops inflammation.  Unless you have a strong and healthy heart, this herb can cause you major (as in deadly) troubles.  Its primary function is on the heart but is never recommended unless the person is healthy.

Juniper:  While it may increase urine volume, juniper does not directly affect uric acid.  In fact, in some cases, it could make the problem worse.

Nettle:  Topically, nettle is good for most kinds of arthritis but if you approach someone in an acute attack of gout with the fresh leaf, you may discover that they can move pretty quick.  Whether or not the tea can relieve gout is hotly debated.  I suspect it can, but I do suggest you avoid the fresh stuff on a flareup.  Ouch.

Parsley:  Good news and bad news all at once.  Parsley acts as a diuretic.  Under some conditions, it might help flush uric acid out of your body, but chances are pretty good that if you have gout, a simple diuretic is not going to help.  In fact, it could make things worse by concentrating the uric acid in the blood stream.  If you do use a diuretic, drink a *lot* of fluids.  Water, cherry juice and other dark berry juices should help.

It is very important to find out what is causing your symptoms, so if you have not already been diagnosed with gout, it is a very good idea to see your doctor.  This can help with both the current flareup and preventing future ones.

Healing-Home-Remedies.com

 Gout is a kind of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood stream. This disorder occurs when there are deposits of uric acid crystals in the joints provoking an inflammatory reaction of these tissues and, sometimes, kidney damage.

Gout can strike anyone, but it is mostly found in men.  When women do develop gout, it is usually after menopause.  While diet plays a role, vegetarians can develop gout as can those who totally abstain from alcohol.

Race plays as big a role as genetics.  Those hailing from Britain and African Americans tend to have gout.  If you have a parent that has suffered, chances are good you will eventually.  Some medical conditions can make you more susceptible.

Lead poisoning is beginning to look like another indicator for gout.  While lead based paints were banned when I was a child, they still exist in some homes as well as in the “popcorn” ceilings popular in tract houses.  Lead solder and even pipes may be found in older constructions.

Medications are not blameless.  While no one has (as yet) pointed a finger of blame at aspirin, it *is* considered a major flare up factor.  Medications for other problems may also contribute.

Neither are pre-existing medical conditions blameless.  Kidney disease may also lead to or at least contribute to gout.  Those with Stage 5 Kidney Disease may wish to be particularly watchful.

Alternative Herbal Remedies

Dr. Mital John said:

Gout is a condition that happens when the uric acid accumulates in the joint’s fluids due to an excess of purine. When this happens, merely moving the joint is extremely painful. In fact, it is within every tissue and this compound is even present in most of our daily diet. However, in the case of gout prevention, urine should be kept at the minimum and must be avoided in all cases to rid of gout attacks. It is therefore very advisable to know which foods are rich inpurine.

Tart cherries are available in a variety of ways including fresh tart cherries, cherry juice concentrate and dried cherries. One of the benefits of tart cherry juice concentrate is it takes approximately 100 cherries to make just one ounce of tart cherry juice. One source for tart cherry juice concentrate and tart cherry capsules is Traverse Bay Farms.

In the whole, it is a natural treatment option. Many gout patients have been in fact and quit their conventional treatments with the use of cherry juice as their natural way of curing their gout. In all these treatments, nonetheless, you need to speak with your physician if trying this treatment. This consultation with the doctor is absolutely crucial and necessary and if you decide to make changes with the treatment plan in the future. It likewise makes your doctor aware of your specific case and possible allergies.

Gout is a rich man disease, as the rich man tends to eat a rich (high protein, high fat) diet. The colder middle diet, meal plan is recommended. Reduce and or eliminate red meat, fried foods, etc. Eat less, space and or skip meals. Do not overeat. Drink water between meals. Eat fruit as a dessert. Dinner is always the smallest meal. Reduce nighttime eating. Bitter herbs (golden seal, gentian, aloe Vera, etc.) dissolve fat and help cleanse the blood Check with your doctor first before using.

An Herbal remedy is an alternative form of medicine that uses a diluted preparation made from substances that would normally cause effects that are similar in nature to those of the disease being treated. It also takes into account the patients physical and emotional state.

One very interesting herbal remedy for gout is the use of belladonna and which is most often fatal to the untrained user. This home remedy would be used only for the sudden onset of swelling, throbbing hot pain in the areas affected. The joints will look red and inflamed and a bit shiny. This is also the area that produces sharp shooting pains felt by the person with gout.

Read more on herbal medicines for pain and stifness of gout and natural treatment for arthritis and Herbs for Gout

Alternative Herbal Remedies

Several effective remedies for gout exist in the herbal world, but extreme care has to be taken to be sure that a) the recipe is right for you and b) the cure isn’t worse than the condition.

1. Alfalfa neutralizes and reduces uric acid levels. It can be taken in seed, tablet, capsule or liquid extract form.  Reality:  Not really.  Gout isn’t even listed in the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s information on alfalfa.  It can also be toxic to humans unless strict limits are met.

2. Burdochis an effective uric acid neutralizer:  Burdock (the correct spelling) is once again, not even mentioned as a remedy for gout, or anything equivelent, unless you consider a highly questionable herbal tea.  I’ve used it for many things, but this is not one.

3. Bachuwhen taken as a tea can dissolve uric acid crystals and help the body to eliminate them.  While buchu (correct spelling) isn’t listed entirely as a healing home remedy for gout, it does seem to have the potential.  Traditional usages suggest not only gout but other forms of arthritis.

4. Devil’s Claw reduces uric acid levels. Take 400 mg of dried extract 3 times a day until symptoms have gone.  Reducing uric acid levels is not what devil’s claw does best, nor would I recommend it as such.  However, as an anti-inflammatory, it could be very useful.

5. Hawthorn has anti-inflammatory properties and also treat the symptoms of gout:   Sorry, not.  Hawthorn’s best use is not with gout or any other inflammatory problem.  It’s a plant used for cardiac reasons and only for those with healthy hearts.  Not only is it not helpful, it has a chance to be detrimental.

6. Juniper neutralizes uric acid:  Once again, not.  No, the berries (part used in herbal medicine and cooking) do not have any relationship (however remotely) with gout.  They may help with some female problems, bronchitis and as a diuretic, but not in neutralizing uric acid.  In fact, the diuretic may actually *increase* it.

7. Nettlecan also neutralize uric acid:  Good news and bad news…the good news, it may help with gout.  The bad news?  You won’t like how.  Nettle is used (in this case) topically as a counter irritant.  Unfortunately, you’ll want to use the fresh plant and slap it hard down on the affected area…um…no, you won’t.  But that’s how it would work.

Actually, herbs actually play second fiddle to other aspects of gout care and prevention.  Odd for a Master Herbalist, I suppose, but having dealt with it on a personal level (not me but family members), this is even more imporant than what herbs to use.

Diet, stress and weight are things you can change.  Family history, medical history and medications you now take are not.  It would be nice if I could give you a diet sheet, an exercise regimen and something to tell anyone/thing that wants to add stress to your life that you could hand over.  Unfortunately for all of us, life isn’t like that.

However, other pages on this site can give you hints about how to deal with these troubling issues.  Dealing with gout is within your grasp.

Herbal Remedies for Gout

Randy Hough asked:

Are the rain forests safe?

The safety of all ecosystems should be questioned, not just those of the various rain forests.  The threat is not to just problems between male and female fertility, no matter who or what states that it is.  Yes, the depletion of *all* forested areas is a problem.  Sustainable forestry is an imperative.

Yes, this is a very large problem, and it’s not getting smaller.  The U.S. is (despite those who find it expedient to claim otherwise) working hard to deal with this problem.  In the U.S., for example, there are stringent rules for “wildcrafting.”  In the area I grew up in, American ginseng is an important crop.  Unfortunately, it is not particularly adjusted to modern farming methods.

The rules for harvesting this plant, even if you own the property, are very strict.  It cannot be harvested at less than five years of age, and it has to have produced.  When it is harvested, the seeds have to be planted in the same vacinity as the harvested plant.

Sounds pretty sustainable to me.

Harvesting wild plants

It is surprising that many wild plants are nearing extinction or being severely depleted by wild harvesting. Just take a look at this quote from the Botanic Gardens Conservation International:

Loss of habitat threatens many species, not just American ginseng.  Goldenseal is also threatened and is often used improperly.  The Pacific yew tree may join this list, even though no herbalist can actually use the tree to help clients.  The constituents of the tree must be dealt with by the medical industry.

 If all of the supplements taken in the U.S. claiming to be hoodia were actually this South African herb, it would indeed be endangered.  Unfortunately for those hoping the supplement is real, most of it isn’t.  That is actually fortunate to the poor hoodia plant.

 Many would like to tell you that magnolias are endangered.  Granted,  tradition states that it has been used for thousands of years to fight cancer, dementia and heart disease, there are a lot of them growing in many parts of North America.  

Another plant claimed to be threatened is autumn crocus.  Supposedly, its usefulness against gout has it to the brink of extinction.  It is so dangerous to take this herb, it would endanger gout patients before it could endanger the plant.

In fact, herbalists will suggest you use saffron (a close cousin) long before autumn crocus.  Doctors are even better, they’ll just prescribe colchicine (the active principle).

  Maca is not just an herbal remedy, it is an important food source.  It grows at an altitude not many other plants can handle, and it is very important in herbal medicine there.  Couples who cannot conceive are given basically a prescription for using maca for one year.  Conception usually results.  It is cooked and served like a potato, but is a member of the cabbage family. 

The root, as used in Peru can have surprising results.  The best way to use this product is by water decoction, and it is possible to buy dried maca.  The tablets may also be useful.

Herbal Home Remedies