Gout is a form of arthritis caused by high uric acid buildup in the blood that accumulates in the joints and causes inflammation and pain. In very severe cases, prescription medications may be used to manage the uncomfortable symptoms of gout, but there are various options for those seeking natural pain relief for gout, too.
In many cases, natural gout remedies are safer with fewer potential side effects than prescription or over-the-counter medications. Many natural gout treatments can be used on their own or in combination with other remedies to help you effectively manage the pain, swelling, or limited mobility associated with gout.
Here are some natural gout relief options to consider:
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CherriesPerhaps the most common natural treatment for gout is consuming tart cherry juice or fresh tart cherries, and there's some evidence to back it up. One 2016 survey found that cherries are a very popular home remedy among many people who suffered from gout. Another study found that three servings of any form of cherries over a period of 2 days may help to prevent gout attacks from happening.
Magnesium is an essential mineral that's known to help manage chronic inflammation in the body, although clinical evidence to prove it is still lacking. A study from 2015 found that having an adequate amount of magnesium in the body May lower the risk of experiencing increased uric acid levels and therefore lower the risk of developing gout.
You can take a magnesium supplement or eat magnesium-rich foods, like greens, seeds whole grains, and beans.
Cannabis has traditionally been used to manage inflammation and pain for centuries. Cannabis derived supplements, like the cannabinoids CBD and THC, are thought to offer many of the same benefits.
Particularly, CBD has shown great potential for suppressing inflammation and pain in the body, all without inducing any psychoactive effects. It's solid safety profile and comfortable effects make it useful for managing discomfort on a daily basis.
A 2015 study looked at the impact of topical CBD on rats with arthritis. The study concluded that “transdermal administration of CBD has long-lasting therapeutic effects without psychoactive side-effects. Thus, the use of topical CBD has potential as an effective treatment of arthritic symptomatology.”
A 2018 review suggests that the endocannabinoid system, the regulatory system that CBD interacts with, plays a significant role in joint related pain. The review also suggests that multiple cannabinoids, including CBD, have the potential to help manage pain associated with osteoarthritis, which is close in nature to gout.
To get the most out of CBD, it needs to be taken daily. A CBD gummy, like our Vitality CBD Multivitamin Gummies are a simple and delicious day to incorporate CBD into your daily wellness routine.
Ginger is a potent herbal remedy known to help manage inflammation, and it's anti-inflammatory effects have been studied on various occasions. One study suggests that ginger can be applied topically to help reduce pain related to uric acid buildup.
Another study found that ginger, when taken internally by rats, may actually help reduce uric acid levels in the body.
You can use ginger in a variety of ways, like steeping fresh ginger root to make tea, or creating a paste that can be applied topically once or twice a day for up to 30 minutes. Ginger is also available in topical formulations designed for joint and muscle relief.
Celery is commonly used to manage symptoms of urinary tract issues, and it’s thought to have anti-inflammatory benefits. There are records of the (often successful) experimental uses of celery, but the impact of celery on gout has never been properly studied.
Still, some people claim that adding celery, celery juice, or celery seeds to your diet can help lower bodily inflammation overall.
Stinging nettle is another powerful herbal remedy that may be useful for managing gout induced inflammation and pain. Studies have never directly verified this application, but there's a history of nettle tea being traditionally used for joint inflammation.
You can use stinging nettle to make a tea or you can buy pre-made stinging nettle teas to make it easier. Some people also use hot, damp nettle leaves topically as a compress, although this may not be as effective.
A 2016 study found that milk thistle seeds may be useful in lowering uric acid in rats who had kidney problems, and a 2013 study also supports this use. Milk thistle is generally regarded as being good for supporting the kidneys in cleansing the body, which may include processing uric acid. You can find milk thistle tea and milk thistle supplements pretty easily, and both are a fine way to get your daily milk thistle dose.
Hibiscus is a tropical flower that is traditionally used for medicinal purposes in the form of tea. One small study found that hibiscus may be able to lower uric acid levels and rats, but more research is needed. Hibiscus tea is pretty easy to find, but you can also find encapsulated hibiscus or hibiscus extract.
Soaking in Epsom salt may help manage current symptoms of gout, including inflammation and pain. This is because Epsom salts are rich in magnesium, which is thought to help reduce inflammation in the body.
Still, researchers are unsure if topical magnesium supplements will do the trick, so you still may want to consider an internal magnesium supplement, too.
To take a warm Epsom salt bath, mix 1 to 2 cups of bath and warm, not hot, water and soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
Applying cold water or a cool pack to inflamed joints and muscles may help soothe inflammation. Opinions are mixed, but some experts suggest using a cold water soak when inflammation is intense, or rotating between warm and cool water when it isn’t.
Studies and opinions on this are mixed. Soaking in cold water is most often recommended and considered most effective. Ice packs may also work.
There are a variety of remedies that are commonly used to naturally manage gout pain at home, including some that didn’t make this list. Regardless of what route you take, the most effective way to naturally manage gout is to pair preventative measures with spot therapies.
CBD is a naturally derived cannabinoid that interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a regulatory system that controls pain and inflammation signalling. We believe CBD should be taken daily to help support general wellness, but many people also claim that CBD helps with preventing and managing their inflammation and pain.
Our Vitality CBD Collection includes a variety of vitamin-infused CBD oils and edibles that will make CBD an effortless part of your gout management routine.
You should see a doctor for gout pain if the pain is severe or lasts for more than a few days, or if you develop a fever or other symptoms
Yes, acupuncture can help to relieve gout pain by stimulating the body's natural pain relief mechanisms.
Yes, practicing gentle yoga poses can help to reduce inflammation and relieve gout pain.
Yes, there is a link between stress and gout. Stress can trigger gout flare-ups by increasing inflammation in the body, which can cause uric acid crystals to form in the joints and cause pain and swelling. Stress can also increase the production of cortisol, a hormone that can lead to increased uric acid levels in the body, which can further increase the risk of gout.
Yes, losing weight can help to reduce gout pain by lowering uric acid levels in the body.
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