Many gout patients report that gout can feel like a broken toe or like shards of glass stabbing through the skin. Any pressure like the weight of a blanket can cause extreme pain. Gout is a type of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, heat and inflammation in the joints. It mostly targets the big toe, but can also be found in ankles, knees or hands. A gout flare up can last days to weeks and doesn’t have a cure. However, these home remedies can help ease the gouty arthritis symptoms:
1. Eat bananas
Gout is caused when uric acid crystals start building up in the joint. Uric acid is a by-product of purines found in foods like red meat, organ meat, anchovies, sardines, trout, cod, scallops, bacon, tuna, and wild game such as veal and venison. Bananas help break down the uric acid crystals and turn them into liquid to be flushed out of the body. Some low purine foods include cheese, nuts, potatoes, bean sprouts, cucumbers and fruits. Adding these into your gout diet will help ease symptoms.
2. Drink lemon water
Lemon water has many benefits like promoting blood circulation and preventing kidney stones but it’s particularly good as a gout remedy because it encourages the body to release calcium carbonate which binds to the uric acid and helps break it down.
3. Add in apple cider vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar has been known to decrease inflammation which could help relieve some of the pain caused by gout. Apple cider vinegar can be added to water or taken a teaspoon at a time. Another good apple cider vinegar product is fire cider which is a tonic where apple cider vinegar is infused with herbs such as horseradish, ginger, garlic and honey. The honey will also help soothe inflamed tissue.
4. Reduce stress
Stress can cause gout to flare up. Focusing on mental health will allow the body to use its energy for healing. A daily meditation practice will help calm the mind and can increase blood circulation which will send nutrient rich blood to the joints encouraging our bodies to flush out the crystals. Another stress relieving activity is yoga. Yoga poses like triangle pose and the warrior poses circulate blood to the feet and lower uric acid levels.
5. Essential oils
Essential oils are concentrated oils extracted from plants. Tea Tree, yarrow, rosemary, celery seed and birch oil aid our bodies in reducing inflammation. Lemongrass and peppermint are said to break down uric acid. Oils can be mixed with a carrier oil and massaged on flared up joints.
Gout is an extremely painful condition and can cause it’s victims excruciating agony. Home remedies can prevent flare ups for longer remissions and ease symptoms when it does attack.
