List of natural (herbal) gout remedies to try at home

Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs due to uric acid levels (uric acid) which is high in the body. This disease needs to be controlled to prevent uric acid recurrence in the future. As for controlling the disease, some people choose to use herbal or natural remedies in addition to the uric acid medication given by a doctor. So, what are the natural and traditional remedies that have been shown to relieve gout?

List of natural or herbal remedies to help treat gout

Medicines made from natural ingredients are considered safer to treat diseases, such as gout, because of the minimal risk of side effects. However, not necessarily all traditional medicines can be used to treat gout symptoms.

Some that are considered effective may also be a risk to your health because they can interact with the medical drugs you are taking. Therefore, you should always consult with your doctor before using certain herbal remedies.

Also keep in mind, it is not recommended to use herbal remedies as the only treatment for gout. The reason is, this natural ingredient is not a patented drug that is sure to cure gout. Its function is only as a complementary or additional therapy, which is used to relieve symptoms and improve holistic health.

Here are some examples of herbal medicines that have been medically researched for their benefits for gout.

1. Ginger

Ginger is an herbal plant that is believed to relieve pain due to inflammation in gout sufferers. This is thought to be due to the active substances in ginger, namely gingerol, gingerdione, and zingeron, which have anti-inflammatory properties. The three active substances work by inhibiting leukotrienes and prostaglandins in the body which are triggers for inflammation.

To get these benefits, you can mix ginger with warm or boiling water, then drink it like tea. Apart from that, ginger can also be made in the form of a paste to be used as a compress or topical medicine to the affected joint area. This herbal plant you can use every day as a traditional medicine to help deal with your gout.

2. Turmeric

Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory chemical in turmeric that helps reduce inflammation. Study published in 2019 by the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy found that curcumin can suppress a protein called nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) in animal trials.

The protein NF-kappa B is a substance that produces inflammation in the body. When the production of these proteins is suppressed, the inflammation caused by uric acid crystallization in the joints can subside.

A trial conducted on humans also found something similar after purifying curcumin extract into fexofytol. The trial is published in Open Journal of Rheumatology and Autoimmune Diseases in 2013. As a result, fexofytol effectively blocked NF-kappa B.

However, it's a good idea to consult a doctor before using turmeric as an herbal remedy for gout. The reason is that in some cases, turmeric can cause side effects.

3. Apple cider vinegar

The acidity of apple cider vinegar can help reduce pain from arthritis, including gout. The reason is, vinegar can increase the body's alkalinity and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Based on research in Japan in 2010, certain dietary patterns or foods, such as apple cider vinegar, which can increase the alkalization of urine can also increase uric acid removal. (uric acid) from the body. Thus, this can reduce the possibility of buildup uric acid which is the cause of gout.

To be able to get these benefits, you can consume two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar three times a day. To reduce the acidity, you can mix apple cider vinegar with honey, which also has anti-inflammatory properties.

However, you also need to be careful when consuming apple cider vinegar, because the high acid taste can erode the esophageal tissue and tooth enamel. In addition, apple cider vinegar may also have negative interactions with some medications, such as diabetes medications. It should also be noted, not all gout sufferers are effective at lowering levels uric acid her with this natural remedy.

4. Celery seeds

Research published in Molecular Medicine Reports in 2019 shows that celery seed extract has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are beneficial to gout sufferers. The use of celery seed extract is said to reduce swelling around the joints due to inflammation of gout.

Celery seeds are said to contain various active compounds, including luteolin and 3-n-butylphthalide (3nB), which have been studied to be useful for treating inflammation and controlling uric acid production. Therefore, this herbal medicinal plant is claimed to be one way to treat gout naturally.

However, various studies regarding celery seeds and the properties of uric acid have only been tested on animals. Further research in humans is still needed to confirm its benefits.

5. Hibiscus flowers

Hibiscus or hibiscus is believed to be one of the traditional medicines to lower uric acid. According to research on hibiscus from Journal of Functional Foods , uric acid levels in mice given hibiscus extract decreased significantly.

Usually hibiscus extract is consumed in the form of a tablet or tea supplement. However, further research is still needed to prove the effectiveness of its use as a herbal gout drug in humans.

6. Brotowali

Launch study reviews from Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry In 2017, Brotowali stem juice extract could become a natural herbal remedy for gout. The reason is, brotowali is believed to help neutralize the increase in uric acid levels in the body.

In addition, a 2014 study from Journal of Clinical and Evaluation Research shows that brotowali can be a natural pain reliever medicinal plant for gout attacks after being tested on mice. However, this research has not been carried out in humans. Consult a doctor for further use.

7. Meniran green

Meniran green or lab grade Chanca Piedra, which is popular as a herbal remedy for kidney stones and gallstones, it can also be a way to lower uric acid naturally.

Green meniran is believed to inhibit the production of excess uric acid in the body, as well as break down and flush the buildup of uric acid crystals. That way, this natural remedy can prevent gout attacks.

However, consult your doctor first before using this plant as a traditional medicine for gout. The reason is, there is no clear research that states that green meniran can be a traditional medicine for gout that is truly effective and free of side effects.

8. Nettle plants

Nettle plant (s tinging nettle), or in Latin it is referred to as urtica dioica , is an herbal plant that is believed to be a traditional remedy for gout.

Reporting from the Arthritis Foundation, a study in Germany found that nettle plant extracts contain an anti-inflammatory substance called hox alpha, which can suppress the release of cytokines that trigger inflammation in joints. Apart from that, nettle is also rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium, which can help treat gout naturally.

You can take nettle extract in capsules, tablets, tea, or whole leaves. In capsule or tablet form, you should consume 1,300 mg every day, while for tea as much as one cup three times a day. You can also apply nettle leaves directly to the joint area affected by uric acid to reduce inflammation.

9. Dandelion flowers

Dandelion tea or extract is believed to be a herbal medicinal herb to help treat gout. A 2016 study from the journal Reinal Failure found that dandelion can reduce uric acid levels in sufferers who are at risk of kidney disease.

However, this has not been found medically correct. Much more research is still needed to determine the benefits of dandelion flowers to treat gout.