Gout is an acute type of arthritis that can affect any joint in your body but generally attacks the joints in your big toes. It occurs when uric acid builds up and deposits needle-like crystals in your joints. You may experience sharp pain, redness, tenderness and inflammation for several days or weeks. Conventional treatment may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, or medicine to block or remove uric acid, but these can have unpleasant side effects. Herbs have a long history in treating gout and may help relieve the pain and inflammation. Consult your health care provider before starting herbal therapy.
Celery
Celery, or Apium graveolens, is a leafy herb whose seeds have a long history of medicinal use. Herbalists use them to treat rheumatism, arthritis, high blood pressure, urinary tract infections, digestive disorders and nervous system problems. Celery seeds are rich in anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic chemicals like apigenin, bergapten, alpha-linolenic acid, apiole, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, limonene, luteolin and myrcene. Dr. Linda B. White and medicinal herb specialist Steven Foster recommend tablets of celery seed extract to reduce inflammation and neutralize the effects of excess uric acid. You can also use a seed tincture or prepare the crushed seeds as a tea. Celery is a diuretic and will help flush the toxins from your body. Do not use during pregnancy or if you have an allergy to celery. Do not use the essential oil topically in sunshine.
Chinese Fever Vine
Chinese fever vine, or Paederia scandens, is a climbing vine native to Asia. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, use it to treat gout, rheumatism, inflammation, gastrointestinal problems, bruises and pain. The active ingredients are the iridoid glycosides, including asperuloside, paederoside and scandoside. A study by H. Yan and colleagues published in the September 2008 issue of "Planta Medica" tested an extract of the aerial parts on animals with induced hyperuricemia, or high uric acid. The study found that the extract strongly inhibited xanthine oxidase, an enzyme involved in producing uric acid. This study supports the TCM use of fever vine extract for treating gout. Consult your doctor before using this herb if you have heart problems or high blood pressure.
Boswellia
Boswellia, or Boswellia spp., is a genus of trees, native to Africa and Asia, whose bark produces a resin known as frankincense. Indian Ayurvedic healers use the resin for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcers, tumors and skin diseases. A major constituent in the resin is a group of triterpenes known as boswellic acids, which have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Dr. Linda B. White and Steven Foster recommend using boswellia extract, standardized to 65 percent boswellic acid, when you have an attack of gout. Besides reducing pain and inflammation, the extract will increase blood circulation in the affected joints. Consult your doctor if you experience stomach upset, diarrhea, heartburn or skin rash while taking boswellia.
References
- "The Herbal Drugstore"; Linda B. White, M.D., Steven Foster; 2000
- "Planta Medica": The dual actions of Paederia scandens extract as a hypouricemic agent: xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity and uricosuric effect.
