Gout is a form of arthritis characterized by pain, swelling and inflammation of a single joint in the body, usually the joint of the big toe. It occurs when a waste product, uric acid, accumulates in the body's tissues and forms needle-like crystals in the joints. More common in men than women, gout may be caused by genetic factors, but drinking too much alcohol and eating foods rich in a compound called purine can lead to gout. The condition is commonly treated with prescription anti-inflammatory medicines or corticosteroid drugs. The herb pycnogenol might also help to reduce inflammation, although evidence to prove it is an effective gout treatment is lacking. Get medical advice before using it.
Properties and Uses
Pycnogenol is extracted from the bark of the French maritime pine tree. It is used as a complementary treatment for a variety of conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, hypertension, endometriosis, osteoarthritis and erectile dysfunction. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that it might also help to reduce inflammation and may work by reducing the production of inflammatory proteins.
Effectiveness
Although pycnogenol has been evaluated as a treatment for other forms of arthritis such as osteoarthritis, clinical, animal or laboratory studies assessing its effects on gout are lacking. As such, it is difficult to determine whether it is an effective gout remedy. Given the lack of evidence to support its use, it might be better to opt for gout treatments that have proven efficacy.
Administration and Safety
Pycnogenol is available over the counter in capsules and tablets from pharmacies and health food stores. Since pycnogenol is not a proven gout remedy, guidance regarding a suitable dose for this condition is lacking, although your doctor might be able to advise on an appropriate amount. Pycnogenol might cause a hypersensitivity reaction in some people, and it might also make you feel irritable. Get medical advice before taking pycnogenol.
Other Herbal Options
The University of Maryland Medical Center website lists several other herbs that might help to alleviate gout symptoms, including turmeric, bromelain and cat's claw. These herbs might help to reduce inflammation, although, as with pycnogenol, there is little scientific evidence to prove that they work. Get medical advice before using any of these herbs, as they may cause side effects or interact with other medicines you might be using. For example, turmeric and bromelain might heighten the effects of anti-coagulant drugs such as aspirin and warfarin.
