Gout, also known as gouty arthritis is caused by the build-up of uric acid, a metabolite of protein and can be extremely painful. Gout generally occurs more often in men and in post-menopausal women.

The excess of uric acid leads to the formation of small crystals of urate (uric acid crystals).  Some of these crystal deposits form in the synovial fluid (lubricating fluid around joints) that then cause inflammation and result in this painful condition.

What can you do?

Firstly, let’s just mention diet and lifestyle.  Some of the worst foods and drinks when you have gout or a gout attack are:

• Red meat
• Shellfish
• White bread, white rice, pasta
• Processed foods and grains
• Sugary beverages and sugar
• Alcohol and soft drinks

Eating a non-acidic diet (fresh fruits and vegetables for example), high fibre, omega 3 rich (wild caught fish) can do wonders to reduce gout.  Drinking plenty of water can quickly flush excess uric acid from your body and bring relief.

Herbs that are traditionally known to quickly alleviate gout include:

• Wild cherry bark: anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant
• Celery seeds: helps to neutralize the effects of the uric acid within your system
• Nettle: can be an effective remedy to reduce the pain and swelling associated with gout by flushing the excess uric acid out of the body
• Cayenne pepper: can be used topically to bring pain relief
• Elderberry: helps to stimulate the function of the immune system, and helps inflammation
• Turmeric: is a potent anti-inflammatory herb
• Alfalfa: a good herb for giving minerals and other nutrients needed to reduce the amount of uric acid in your blood
• Lemon juice: alkalising

More ways to ease gout:

Apple Cider Vinegar: helpful to create an alkaline state in the body, and it is beneficial to use organic ACV if possible.  It specifically aids gout as it contains malic acid, which helps to dissolve deposits of uric acid and helps you to eliminate them from the body.

Magnesium is an alkalising mineral and can help greatly to reduce uric acid levels.  If you have signs of magnesium deficiency (bloating, headache, sore muscles, leg cramps, insomnia, anxiety, high blood pressure, fatigue) you may be susceptible to gout, so it’s a good idea to add magnesium-rich foods or magnesium supplements to your list of natural gout remedies.

Essential oils to help relieve gout include (used externally, diluted correctly):

• Wintergreen  (1% maximum dilution). Pain relief
• Frankincense: Pain relief
• Rosemary: Pain relief
• Chamomile: Anti-inflammatory
• Thyme: Help to cleanse the blood of excessive uric acid or the crystals that cause gout
• Basil: help to cleanse the blood of excessive uric acid or crystals that cause gout
• Fennel: help to cleanse the blood of excessive uric acid or crystals that cause gout
• Cypress: helps to rid the body of uric acid. Anti-inflammatory

Crystals that can be carried or placed around the painful area include

• Amazonite 
• Charoite, and 
• Prehnite

Join our Herbs for Beginners, Aromatherapy for Beginners and Crystals and Flower Essences for Beginners Workshops to learn more.