Gout

Gout is a condition of increased uric acid in the blood resulting in the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints and in urine.

The most common site of joint pain and swelling in gout is at the big toe. Uric acid crystals in the joint space cause inflammation of the joint and extreme pain on movement. Left untreated, it can destroy the joint and cause significant disability.

For people with chronic gouty arthritis, deposits of uric acid in the joint can be seen and are called tophi.

Elevated uric acid in the urine forces the precipitation of uric acid crystals which consolidate into kidney stones that block the flow of urine and cause severe pain in the flanks and during urination. Complete obstruction of the urethra and ureters can cause dilatation of these structures and lead to advanced kidney disease or failure.

The build up of uric acid in gout is caused by increased purine (nucleic acid) metabolism mainly from dietary sources. The body also has its own excess purines from nucleic acid metabolism but without increased dietary intake of nucleic acids the body can dispose of its own waste without causing gout.

Needless to say, decreasing your dietary intake of foods with high nucleic acid content is a natural cure for gout.

Nucleic acids are found mostly in DNA/RNA, which are the compounds containing genetic information in a cell. These are abundant in cells that are actively dividing and especially in plant seeds.

Legumes, beans, and peanuts are some of the foods to avoid when you have gout.

Some fish, especially the small ones, bivalves, mussels, and other seafoods are also high in uric acid content.

Pork, beef and poultry meat is safe to eat since lean meat is composed mainly of muscle and are high in protein, not uric acid.

Here are some natural cures to get rid of gout.

Natural Cures for Gout:

Peperomia Tea:

Peperomia pellucida is an herb that is a natural cure for gout and arthritis.

Boil a cup of chopped leaves in 2 cups of water, strain afterwards and drink a cup after meals.

You can also eat the leaves fresh by incorporating them in salads.

Yerba Buena:

Yerba buena is an herb that belongs to the mint family and has long been used in traditional medicine for its analgesic effects.

You can use this as a home remedy for the joint pain of gouty arthritis.

Wash the leaves in running water then chop to size.

Boil 2 teaspoons of chopped leaves in a glass of water for 10-15 minutes, strain and let cool.

Drink a cup every 3 hours for relief of pain and swelling.

Blumea Camphora Tea:

The leaves of blumea camphora or blumea balsamifera are used as a very effective diuretic and a natural cure for urinary stones.

Boil the leaves in a glass or earthen pot just like tea and drink 1-2 cups 3-4 times daily.

Diuretics increase the amount of urine formed by the body so you urinate frequently and in increasing volumes.

This will hopefully dissolve the uric acid stones in the urinary tract and aid in getting rid of excess uric acid in your bloodstream as well.

Pain Relievers:

Gouty arthritis is extremely painful so intake of pain medications may be warranted and is actually one of the home remedies for acute attacks of gout.

Indomethacin is the most commonly used medication and is very effective for acute attacks.

Make sure you take this medicine correctly and it would be very helpful to see your doctor during an acute attack so that proper advice and other medications necessary for your condition are given.