Alternative remedies abound for the treatment of gouty arthritis, also called metabolic arthritis, offering patients options besides the use of conventional drugs. Numerous home and folk remedies can be used to reduce pain, lower uric acid content in the blood and urine and increase the body's ability to fend off the onslaught from foods and lifestyles that cause or aggravate gout. Here are six of the more well known home gout remedies.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Organic apple cider vinegar (ACV) containing that cloudy-looking film floating in the bottle is one of the most well known folk remedies for gout and one of the most efficacious. ACV alters the blood pH, creating a more alkaline environment especially in the urine, allowing uric acid crystals to dissolve more easily and be excreted by the kidneys. ACV helps to prevent crystals from depositing in the joints and prevents uric acid from forming into kidney stones. Apple cider vinegar can also be combined with cayenne pepper to form a mixture that can be applied to swollen joints as a poultice for pain relief.
Black Cherry Juice
High in potassium and anti-oxidants, tart or sour black cherries and black cherry juice have been found by many to be an excellent remedy for reducing and controlling the pain and inflammation from gout. Available in most health food stores and some groceries, the organic version is recommended.
Black Bean Broth
Dr. Theodore A. Baroody, in his excellent book, "Alkalinize or Die," recommends drinking the juice of lemons to help the system become more alkaline. Health911.com recommends lemons to "...prevent gout attacks by stimulating the formation of calcium carbonate in the body. Calcium carbonate neutralizes acids in the body, including uric acid that triggers gout attacks. "
Baking Soda
Baking Soda
A well known agent for use in alkalinizing the body, baking soda gets great reviews as a home remedy for prevention and relief of gout pain, inflammation and uric acid crystal deposits in the joints. Because of its ability to make uric acid more soluble, crystals are less likely to form in the joints and excreted more readily. Some care should be taken if you use baking soda due to possible side effects such as high blood pressure, headaches, nausea, vomiting and possible kidney disease. BestGoutRemedies.com cites, "In July 2009, The Journal of the American Society of Nephrology published...the results of a study at the Royal London Hospital, Great Britain. The study looked at the effect of baking soda on 134 patients with kidney disease and metabolic acidosis (low bicarbonate level). ...The chief finding in this study was that kidney disease progressed rapidly in only 9 percent of patients given baking soda, compared to 45 percent of those who did not receive it."
Celery Seeds
Effective in relieving gout pain, inflammation and swelling by eliminating uric acid from the body. According to Health911.com, Celery seed extract acts as a diuretic and is not recommended for pregnant women due to its ability to bring on uterine contractions or those suffering from kidney disease due to the diuretic aspect and that the plant oils can worsen the kidney inflammation.
