How to Cure Gout Naturally
January 14, 2007 by
Filed under Health
Lisa McDowell asked:
If you would like to better understand how to cure gout in a natural way, then you may wish to examine the impact of certain herbs and other at-home treatments that can help to control the inflammation, minimize uric acid production, and ease the pain from which all gout patients suffer.
The following methods, substances, spices and herbs can all be used at home to treat gout naturally, however, please remember to consult your doctor before trying any of these remedies:
- Epsom Salt baths – to ease discomfort of gout and reduce the inflammation, place 2 to 3 teaspoons of Epsom salts into a footbath, basin, or pan that is large enough to immerse the affected foot/joint. The water should be as hot as you can stand it without discomfort. Soak the gouty joint for approximately thirty minutes. This technique also works if you take a whole-body Epsom salt bath. If the gout occurs in a part of the body other than the foot, this will be the preferred method. In this case, you will need one to two cups of Epsom salts (follow the instructions on the package).
- Nettle Tea – nettle tea increases the excretion of uric acid from the body and many swear by it for treating gouty joints. It functions by facilitating the elimination of urates from the body. Nettle will work both as a tea or a tincture. The teas are fine for milder cases, but the tinctures are usually recommended in more severe cases of gout.
- Devil’s Claw – devil’s claw is a natural anti-inflammatory that also features properties for minimizing pain. It has also been known to facilitate the elimination of uric acid from the body, therefore helping to shorten gout attacks and prevent them from recurring.
- Turmeric – turmeric is not only a common spice in many forms of cooking, but it also inhibits prostaglandins (involved in pain) synthesis in the body. The way it functions is quite similar to the action of ibuprofen or aspirin, only at a weaker level. When the doses are high enough, though, turmeric will stimulate the adrenal glands so that the body will begin the production and release of natural cortisones, which will rapidly and effectively reduce pain and inflammation.
- Bromelain and Quercetin – these substances are best used together. Quercetin is an anti-inflammatory and may inhibit xantine oxidase, which causes the body to produce less uric acid. It can be found in supplements, onions, apples, pink grapefruit, watermelon, elderberries, and green leafy vegetables. It can also be found in black tea, green tea, and elderberry juice. Bromelain, the active ingredient found in pineapple, is also an anti-inflammatory and is available through dietary supplement.
- Yucca – yucca is an effective blood purifier, which helps to reduce the pain of gout and arthritis. It also helps to decrease the build-up of toxins in the body, therefore assisting in the prevention of gout. It can also break-up inorganic mineral deposits and obstructions in the joints as well as decreasing joint inflammation, two major symptoms of gout.
Of course, knowing how to cure gout isn’t just a matter of what you consume, but also what you do. As important as herbs and other remedies are to treating gout in a natural way, so is exercise, when done properly. Remember to consult your doctor before taking any natural remedies for the first time.
If you would like to better understand how to cure gout in a natural way, then you may wish to examine the impact of certain herbs and other at-home treatments that can help to control the inflammation, minimize uric acid production, and ease the pain from which all gout patients suffer.
The following methods, substances, spices and herbs can all be used at home to treat gout naturally, however, please remember to consult your doctor before trying any of these remedies:
- Epsom Salt baths – to ease discomfort of gout and reduce the inflammation, place 2 to 3 teaspoons of Epsom salts into a footbath, basin, or pan that is large enough to immerse the affected foot/joint. The water should be as hot as you can stand it without discomfort. Soak the gouty joint for approximately thirty minutes. This technique also works if you take a whole-body Epsom salt bath. If the gout occurs in a part of the body other than the foot, this will be the preferred method. In this case, you will need one to two cups of Epsom salts (follow the instructions on the package).
- Nettle Tea – nettle tea increases the excretion of uric acid from the body and many swear by it for treating gouty joints. It functions by facilitating the elimination of urates from the body. Nettle will work both as a tea or a tincture. The teas are fine for milder cases, but the tinctures are usually recommended in more severe cases of gout.
- Devil’s Claw – devil’s claw is a natural anti-inflammatory that also features properties for minimizing pain. It has also been known to facilitate the elimination of uric acid from the body, therefore helping to shorten gout attacks and prevent them from recurring.
- Turmeric – turmeric is not only a common spice in many forms of cooking, but it also inhibits prostaglandins (involved in pain) synthesis in the body. The way it functions is quite similar to the action of ibuprofen or aspirin, only at a weaker level. When the doses are high enough, though, turmeric will stimulate the adrenal glands so that the body will begin the production and release of natural cortisones, which will rapidly and effectively reduce pain and inflammation.
- Bromelain and Quercetin – these substances are best used together. Quercetin is an anti-inflammatory and may inhibit xantine oxidase, which causes the body to produce less uric acid. It can be found in supplements, onions, apples, pink grapefruit, watermelon, elderberries, and green leafy vegetables. It can also be found in black tea, green tea, and elderberry juice. Bromelain, the active ingredient found in pineapple, is also an anti-inflammatory and is available through dietary supplement.
- Yucca – yucca is an effective blood purifier, which helps to reduce the pain of gout and arthritis. It also helps to decrease the build-up of toxins in the body, therefore assisting in the prevention of gout. It can also break-up inorganic mineral deposits and obstructions in the joints as well as decreasing joint inflammation, two major symptoms of gout.
Of course, knowing how to cure gout isn’t just a matter of what you consume, but also what you do. As important as herbs and other remedies are to treating gout in a natural way, so is exercise, when done properly. Remember to consult your doctor before taking any natural remedies for the first time.
Treating Allergies Without Medication: Natural Herbs for Allergies
January 7, 2006 by
Filed under Health
John Hilaire asked:
If you suffer from seasonal or year-round allergies, you might be hoping for relief from your symptoms without the pesky side effects that some medications can include. For example, antihistamines can make you drowsy and many decongestants will lead to a dry mouth and a rise in blood pressure.
The good news is that you can find many natural herbs for allergies that will offer relief from your symptoms the holistic way. Many natural herbs for allergies will actually help to prevent the symptoms rather than treating them once they start. This can be an effective way of managing many of the seasonal allergies that a number of people suffer from.
Lifestyle Modifications to Reduce Allergens
Before moving into the natural herbs for allergies, it is a good idea to try some lifestyle modifications that will reduce your exposure to known allergens. These modifications can include keeping windows closed and using air conditioning systems instead, especially at night when allergens tend to run rampant.
It can also mean staying indoors as much as possible during the times of the year when your allergies appear to be at their worst. If these changes do not have the desired effect in reducing your allergy symptoms, it might be time to learn which natural herbs for allergies tend to work the most effectively.
Stinging Nettle
This herb works very well as a natural antihistamine, without the drowsiness that comes from using many of the over-the-counter medicines that are available. This natural herb for allergies reduces the ability of the body to produce histamine. Histamine is the chemical produced by the antibodies in the body to fight off substances that the immune system has mistakenly identified as harmful.
These substances are called allergens, and the histamines are produced to fight them. Histamines also create the allergy symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes and coughing, so when your body cannot produce as many, your symptoms are reduced as well. Stinging nettle can be purchased in capsule form from many natural food and vitamin stores today.
There are other natural herbs for allergies that work in a similar way to stinging nettle in reducing the body’s ability to produce histamines. These include butterbur, which is a harder herb to come by in the United States, but nevertheless effective as a natural means of treating allergies.
Quercetin is another good natural herb for allergies, and has the added benefit of acting as a natural antioxidant that can reduce the risk of some types of cancer. If you are considering a natural herb for your allergies, talk to your doctor before taking anything. Herbs can have side effects just like medications, and they can also have potentially dangerous interactive effects when taken with other medicines.
If you suffer from seasonal or year-round allergies, you might be hoping for relief from your symptoms without the pesky side effects that some medications can include. For example, antihistamines can make you drowsy and many decongestants will lead to a dry mouth and a rise in blood pressure.
The good news is that you can find many natural herbs for allergies that will offer relief from your symptoms the holistic way. Many natural herbs for allergies will actually help to prevent the symptoms rather than treating them once they start. This can be an effective way of managing many of the seasonal allergies that a number of people suffer from.
Lifestyle Modifications to Reduce Allergens
Before moving into the natural herbs for allergies, it is a good idea to try some lifestyle modifications that will reduce your exposure to known allergens. These modifications can include keeping windows closed and using air conditioning systems instead, especially at night when allergens tend to run rampant.
It can also mean staying indoors as much as possible during the times of the year when your allergies appear to be at their worst. If these changes do not have the desired effect in reducing your allergy symptoms, it might be time to learn which natural herbs for allergies tend to work the most effectively.
Stinging Nettle
This herb works very well as a natural antihistamine, without the drowsiness that comes from using many of the over-the-counter medicines that are available. This natural herb for allergies reduces the ability of the body to produce histamine. Histamine is the chemical produced by the antibodies in the body to fight off substances that the immune system has mistakenly identified as harmful.
These substances are called allergens, and the histamines are produced to fight them. Histamines also create the allergy symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes and coughing, so when your body cannot produce as many, your symptoms are reduced as well. Stinging nettle can be purchased in capsule form from many natural food and vitamin stores today.
There are other natural herbs for allergies that work in a similar way to stinging nettle in reducing the body’s ability to produce histamines. These include butterbur, which is a harder herb to come by in the United States, but nevertheless effective as a natural means of treating allergies.
Quercetin is another good natural herb for allergies, and has the added benefit of acting as a natural antioxidant that can reduce the risk of some types of cancer. If you are considering a natural herb for your allergies, talk to your doctor before taking anything. Herbs can have side effects just like medications, and they can also have potentially dangerous interactive effects when taken with other medicines.