Herbal Remedies For Treating Gout

Gout, sometimes known as gouty arthritis, is a condition in which your body produces excessive uric acid or is unable to void sufficient amounts of this substance. Gout-related pain occurs when uric acid crystals manifest in or around your joints. Common gout-related symptoms include joint pain, redness and swelling. Herbal remedies may help treat your gout, but the use of herbs for this condition does not guarantee a cure or beneficial result. Discuss herb-related topics with your doctor beforehand.

About Gout

PubMed Health notes that although the underlying cause of gout is not always clear, this condition may occur in people taking certain types of medication and people with certain health problems, including sickle cell anemia, obesity, diabetes, leukemia and kidney disease. Gout may occur with greater frequency in certain families. Common tests that screen for gout include synovial fluid analysis, blood tests, urine tests and joint X-rays.

Helpful Herbal Remedies

The University of Maryland Medical Center touts several herbs that may be helpful adjunct therapies in the treatment of gout. Cranberry may be helpful in improving your kidney health, while green tea may be used for its beneficial antioxidant and immune-boosting properties. Both turmeric and cat's claw may help reduce inflammation, while devil's claw and bromelain are known to treat both inflammation and pain.

A Popular Botanical

Shepherd's purse is a popular botanical remedy in the treatment of gout. Naturopathic physician and master herbalist Sharol Tilgner, author of "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," notes that shepherd's purse may help stimulate and tone the kidneys and urinary tract, arrest passive hemorrhaging, and be an effective adjunct therapy in the treatment of gout, hemorrhoids and diarrhea. Shepherd's purse is a plant indigenous to certain parts of Europe and Asia.

Warning

If not treated appropriately, gout can lead to several significant health consequences, including chronic gouty arthritis, kidney stones and deposits in your kidneys that may eventually cause kidney disease, or kidney failure. Avoid using herbs in place of other effective treatment methods prescribed by your family physician. Herbal remedies, though often safe, may cause negative health effects if they are used improperly or for extended periods of time. Consult a botanically trained health care professional to review relevant herb-related information.