Gout
Gout is an arthritic condition in which the joints become red, swollen, stiff and very painful. It is the result of high levels of uric acid in the blood leading to accumulation of crystals of urate in the joints. Symptoms are most likely to occur in the big toe but can occur in any joint. The first gout attack typically goes away after about two weeks. Treatment is required to reduce the length of the attack and to prevent further attacks which may last longer, affect more joints and be more painful.
Uric acid is a waste product that forms when the body breaks down purines, chemicals found in certain foods including organ meats, such as liver and kidneys, poultry, oily fish especially anchovies, mushrooms, asparagus and spinach. Usually uric acid is continuously broken down, filtered through the kidneys and excreted in the urine. However, gender (it is most common in men), genetic makeup, hormonal changes, diet, and some medications may cause the body to produce too much uric acid or prevent it from being adequately broken down.
A recent study supports the effective use of herbal medicine in the treatment of gout (1). Herbal medicine can be used either to reduce the symptoms or prevent further attacks. It is important to inform health care providers if you are using both drug and herbal medicine treatment.
The approaches taken by a medical herbalist depend on the particular presentation of each individual patient but would aim to increase elimination of uric acid particularly through the kidney, improve the function of the liver and reduce pain and inflammation of the joints.
Some of the following herbs might be selected:
Bilberry (Vaccinium mytillus) is a source of anthocyanidins and a strong antioxidant. It may help improve excretion of uric acid as well as strengthen connective tissue and prevent inflammatory damage.
Celery seeds (Apium graveolens) are a diuretic increasing excretion of uric acid through the kidneys.
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a bitter digestive tonic which increases the flow of bile and a diuretic. Drinking chicory as a coffee substitute on a regular basis helps to eliminate uric acid without depleting potassium and other minerals.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is both a liver tonic (root) and potassium sparing diuretic (leaf) providing a dual action in the elimination of uric acid and reduction of inflammation.
Devil’s claw ( Harpagophytum procumbens) is an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and digestive stimulant.
Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) has been used in the traditional treatment of gout and contains cynarin, a bitter tasting substance which stimulates digestive juices especially bile and lowers cholesterol levels. It stimulates enhanced elimination via the liver and kidneys.
Juniper (Juniperus communis) is a traditional remedy for gout. Juniper berries reduce the uric acid levels and eases gout symptoms
Milk thistle (Silymarin marianus) detoxifies and regenerates the liver to improve its ability to filter and clear metabolites.
Nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf is mildly diuretic without loss of potassium and anti-inflammatory for arthritic conditions.
Sarsaparilla (Smilax ornate) reduces inflammation and increases uric acid excretion.
Tumeric (Curcuma longa) is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and may ease the stiffness and pain caused by gout
Recommended diet and life style changes include:
1. Corp, N., Pendry, P. 2013 The role of herbal medicine in the treatment of gout. Journal of Herbal Medicine, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2013.08.002
2. Zhang Y, Neogi T, Chen C, Chaisson C, Hunter DJ, Choi HK. 2012 Cherry consumption and decreased risk of recurrent gout attacks. Arthritis and Rheumatism;64:4004-4011
Gout is an arthritic condition in which the joints become red, swollen, stiff and very painful. It is the result of high levels of uric acid in the blood leading to accumulation of crystals of urate in the joints. Symptoms are most likely to occur in the big toe but can occur in any joint. The first gout attack typically goes away after about two weeks. Treatment is required to reduce the length of the attack and to prevent further attacks which may last longer, affect more joints and be more painful.
Uric acid is a waste product that forms when the body breaks down purines, chemicals found in certain foods including organ meats, such as liver and kidneys, poultry, oily fish especially anchovies, mushrooms, asparagus and spinach. Usually uric acid is continuously broken down, filtered through the kidneys and excreted in the urine. However, gender (it is most common in men), genetic makeup, hormonal changes, diet, and some medications may cause the body to produce too much uric acid or prevent it from being adequately broken down.
A recent study supports the effective use of herbal medicine in the treatment of gout (1). Herbal medicine can be used either to reduce the symptoms or prevent further attacks. It is important to inform health care providers if you are using both drug and herbal medicine treatment.
The approaches taken by a medical herbalist depend on the particular presentation of each individual patient but would aim to increase elimination of uric acid particularly through the kidney, improve the function of the liver and reduce pain and inflammation of the joints.
Some of the following herbs might be selected:
Bilberry (Vaccinium mytillus) is a source of anthocyanidins and a strong antioxidant. It may help improve excretion of uric acid as well as strengthen connective tissue and prevent inflammatory damage.
Celery seeds (Apium graveolens) are a diuretic increasing excretion of uric acid through the kidneys.
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a bitter digestive tonic which increases the flow of bile and a diuretic. Drinking chicory as a coffee substitute on a regular basis helps to eliminate uric acid without depleting potassium and other minerals.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is both a liver tonic (root) and potassium sparing diuretic (leaf) providing a dual action in the elimination of uric acid and reduction of inflammation.
Devil’s claw ( Harpagophytum procumbens) is an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and digestive stimulant.
Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) has been used in the traditional treatment of gout and contains cynarin, a bitter tasting substance which stimulates digestive juices especially bile and lowers cholesterol levels. It stimulates enhanced elimination via the liver and kidneys.
Juniper (Juniperus communis) is a traditional remedy for gout. Juniper berries reduce the uric acid levels and eases gout symptoms
Milk thistle (Silymarin marianus) detoxifies and regenerates the liver to improve its ability to filter and clear metabolites.
Nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf is mildly diuretic without loss of potassium and anti-inflammatory for arthritic conditions.
Sarsaparilla (Smilax ornate) reduces inflammation and increases uric acid excretion.
Tumeric (Curcuma longa) is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and may ease the stiffness and pain caused by gout
Recommended diet and life style changes include:
- · Limit consumption of high purine containing foods,
- · Reduce alcohol consumption, especially beer, as too much alcohol may prevent the body from excreting uric acid.
- · Maintain a healthy weight to put less strain on weight-bearing joints such as the ankles.
- · Drink plenty of fluids which help dilute uric acid in the blood and urine.
- · Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables as this will help to increase the alkalinity in the body. This, in turn, can help to neutralise the effect of the uric acid.
- · Refined sugar should be avoided as this can increase the level of uric acid in the bloodstream.
- · Eat cherries when they are in season because they are rich in anthocyanidins which will help reduce uric acid and inflammation. In a study (2) of 550 gout sufferers, consuming half a pound of cherries or the equivalent in cherry juice each day stopped gout attacks. They found that the intake of cherries before an attack of gout reduced the likelihood of experiencing an acute attack of gout by one third compared with the intake of unrelated foods. Cherry extract has been shown to block the tubular reabsorption of urate and increase urate excretion in the urine. Cherry juice may also block the enzyme xanthine oxidase and reduce the production of uric acid.
1. Corp, N., Pendry, P. 2013 The role of herbal medicine in the treatment of gout. Journal of Herbal Medicine, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2013.08.002
2. Zhang Y, Neogi T, Chen C, Chaisson C, Hunter DJ, Choi HK. 2012 Cherry consumption and decreased risk of recurrent gout attacks. Arthritis and Rheumatism;64:4004-4011
