Gout is a painful condition caused by uric acid building up and crystallizing in the bloodstream, usually in the joints. The most common places it can cause pain are the toes and the heel of the foot, but it can affect the entire foot and other joints throughout the body. There are only a few medical treatments for gout, including Indomethacin, allopurinol and colchicine, and only allupurinol is used to prevent it. All have side effects, mostly to do with the stomach. However, there are some homeopathic methods for preventing gout.
Gouticil
Gouticil is used to treat the symptoms of gout---mainly the pain---but also can be used to prevent it. It contains such ingredients as blueberry extract, vitamin C, nettle extract and flaxseed powder. It is taken in pill form.
Nettle
Nettle is an herb that can be used to prevent gout, either by itself or in combination with other substances. There are many nettle varieties, including Chinese nettle, great nettle and common stinging nettle. It is harvested before it flowers, and the whole plant is used to make herbal remedies. It can be used in a tea.
Cherries
Cherries reduce the uric acid levels in the blood. According to Goutpal.com, this preventative was discovered in 1950 by a gout sufferer, Dr. Ludwig W. Blau, and other studies have confirmed it. About 25 cherries a day can help reduce the possibility of gout attacks.
Water
Drinking a lot of water is the best preventative for gout. Water flushes uric acid from the body and helps to lessen the likelihood of it concentrating in the joints. Even while taking other homeopathic or medical treatments to prevent gout, drinking extra water is recommended. Although it may seem excessive, drinking 10 glasses of water a day can help to reduce uric acid crystal buildup.
Diet
Eating correctly is a preventative measure you can take for many ailments, including gout. Restricting the amount of protein you ingest---particularly seafood and red meat, according to the Mayo Clinic---will help, and keeping away from alcoholic beverages also can lessen the potential for a gout attack.
