The Best Natural Foods & Homeopathic Cures For Gout

Homeopathy is a 250 year old medical technique that initiates the body's natural reaction to a stimulus, allowing it to heal itself at its own pace. Founded in the mid-1700s by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, several homeopathic remedies may be useful in the treatment of gout, according to homeopath Frans Vermeulen. Making dietary changes, consuming specific gout-friendly foods and receiving treatments from a knowledgeable homeopath may offer relief from your gout and help prevent future attacks.

Homeopathic Remedies

The homeopathic remedy Rhus toxicadendron, or Rhus tox, is perhaps one of the most helpful remedies for the treatment of muskuloskeletal problems like gout, fibromyalgia and arthritis, according to Vermeulen. This remedy is indicated if you experience pain and stiffness in the joint, which is worse when you first move it, and lessens after continued motion. Warm applications or baths improve the painful joints and wet, damp weather may aggravate your condition.

Bryonia is another remedy that may offer relief from gout pain, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Bryonia is appropriate if you have tearing, terrible pains in the affected joints, which is made worse by the slightest movement. There may be swelling in the joints and they may be extremely painful on being touched. A strong symptom indicating the need for Bryonia is great thirst for cold water.

Colchicum is indicated especially if your gout is in the feet or the big toe, says the University of Michigan Health System. The pain feels unbearable and even the slightest touch from a sheet may cause agony. Your joints may be bright red, feel hot and more painful at night in bed.

Natural Foods for Gout

According to "The pH Miracle", apple cider vinegar can change the body's pH helping to prevent uric acid crystals from depositing in the joints. Uric acid formation in the blood is one of the main precursors for gout. If your uric acid levels are raised, you may experience gout and/or urate kidney stones as a result of crystals depositing in the joints and the kidneys. Drink a mixture of 2 to 4 tbsp. apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 oz. water. Anecdotal evidence indicates this mixture may prevent gout symptoms. The vinegar helps the blood and urine become more alkaline, preventing the formation of crystals.

Black bean broth is another special food that may be helpful in reducing gout symptoms for some people, according to Gout Pal. Black beans or turtle beans are high in antioxidants and anthocyanins, both, which exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. To make black bean broth, place 8 oz. black beans in 2 qt. water and boil for about 90 minutes. Cool and remove the beans to serve in another dish.Anecdotal reports indicates that drinking 1 cup of the broth several times a day at the start of an attack may prevent symptoms from appearing. Continue to drink a cup of the broth daily to forestall future attacks. The remainder of the broth can be stored in the refrigerator and used warm or cold.

Parsley is a highly alkaline vegetable and may be very helpful for treating gout when added to your diet, says Dr. Theodore Baroody in "Alkalize or Die." Because it is alkaline, eating parsley will help the uric acid in your blood and urine remain in solution, rather than form into crystals, which contribute to the cause of gout pain. Eat parsley raw on salads or as a garnish.

Combining Foods and Homeopathic Remedies

Take homeopathic remedies at least 20 minutes before eating or 30 minutes after finishing eating. The remedies are sensitive to certain foods and their action may be voided if taken in conjunction with food. In particular, you should avoid using anything with menthol, eucalyptus, mint, peppermint or tea tree oil when you take homeopathic remedies. This includes chewing gum, candies, strong herbal teas, and any other products containing these foods. In addition, coffee may interfere with some homeopathic remedies, so it is recommended that you not drink coffee of any type during treatment. This includes caffeinated and decaffeinated as well as all flavored coffees.