Herbs for Gout: which ones help?

We often hear from people suffering from high uric acid and wondering if there are herbs and foods that can help.

What is uric acid?

Uric acid is a natural waste product that results from the digestion of purine foods such as fish, alcohol, seafood, and even some meats. So, its presence is mainly due to the catabolism of purines.

What is gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis caused when uric acid levels in the blood are abnormally high. Subsequently, uric acid accumulates in the joints, causing inflammation mainly in the big toes, resulting in severe pain and swelling. It has similar pain to that of arthritis and depends on many factors, one of which is lifestyle. [1] [2] [3]

Gout symptoms

In addition to the inflammation that occurs in the big toes, the ankles, knees and elbows are equally common in gout.

Some of the usual symptoms of high uric acid that someone can experience are[4]:

• Intense joint pain
• Rigidity
• Difficulty in moving the affected joints
• Redness and swelling
• Deformed joints

How to lower uric acid?

Uric acid diet

Foods that drop uric acid are those that are low in purines. Such are [5]:

1. Fruits and especially cherries. As seen through research, cherries reduce both uric acid levels and the inflammation it causes.
2. Vegetables
3. Legumes
4. Low-fat dairy products
5. Grains, such as oats and brown rice
6. Coffee
7. Green tea
8. Lemon

Lemon and Uric Acid

Through studies conducted on the effect of lemon juice on uric acid, it has been discovered that both lemons and lemon juice can help prevent gout in people whith high levels of uric acid in their blood.

Lemon juice helps make the body more alkaline. That is, it increases the pH levels in the blood and this results in the urine becoming more alkaline.
This occurs because when we consume it, our body releases more calcium carbonate. Calcium binds to uric acid and has the ability to break it down into water, as well as other compounds. Thus, the blood becomes less acidic and in turn lowers uric acid levels. [6]

Herbs for uric acid

• Cinnamon

In a study conducted on the effect of cinnamon on uric acid, specifically Cinnamomum cassia in combination with Chrysanthemum indicum, it showed a significant reduction in uric acid levels. This results in the combination of the two herbs exerting enhanced antihyperuricemia. [8]

• Turmeric

This yellow spice is known for its anti-inflammatory action, however, little research has been done on its effect on uric acid levels.

A 2019 study showed that it reduces inflammation from excess uric acid. The researchers attributed this effect to curcumin’s ability to block NF-kappa B. [9]

• Ginger

One of the herbs widely studied for its effect on uric acid levels is ginger, which is praised for its anti-inflammatory effects. In a study it was shown to reduce the pain of inflammation associated with uric acid and gout.

Another study published in 2015 showed that ginger lowered uric acid levels in people with hyperuricemia. You can boil the inner part of ginger in water and consume it, up to three cups a day. [1]

• Nettle

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) seems to be mentioned frequently in studies for the beneficial effect on gout. It has been claimed to reduce both inflammation and pain. An option for its consumption is to boil dried nettle (1-2 teaspoons) in water. [1]

• Hibiscus

Hibiscus is a garden flower that can be consumed in the form of tea. It seems to be among the herbs that reduce uric acid levels in the blood.
A research carried out in 2012 showed that it increases the activity of enzyme uricase and this has the effect of improving the decomposition of uric acid and promoting its excretion. [10]

• Guggul

Gokshuradi guggulu is an Ayurveda herb that exhibits anti-inflammatory action. It has the ability to contribute to pain relief as it increases blood circulation in the joint and in turn reduces swelling [11]

Other Ayurveda herbs that have contributed to reducing uric acid levels are:

• Punarnava Kadha
• Guduchi
• Musta herb: You can boil the coarse powder of musta as long as you have soaked it overnight. Once you filter it, you can consume it.
• Varun Churna: The paste can be applied topically on painful joint [3]

Those herbs can be found in a supplement form. Other supplements for gout are:

• Vitamin C
• Bromelain
• Omega 3
• Black currant
• Magnesium

Foods to avoid with gout

People suffering from hyperuricemia should avoid foods high in both fructose and purines. Examples of such foods are: kidney, liver and brain, beef, fish such as herring, crab, shrimp and roe.

As for sugars, foods to avoid are honey, agave syrup, fruit juices, soft drinks and alcohol. In addition, nutritional yeast and processed carbohydrates such as white bread, cookies and cakes are not suitable for consumption. [5]

• Tomato and uric acid

It is often heard that tomatoes can raise uric acid levels. The truth is that it is a trigger for gout as it can cause flashes. In this case, the tomato can be replaced with other vegetables of your choice such as pepper. [12]

As we can see there are many foods, supplements and herbs for uric acid that can be taken to regulate its levels in the blood!

At Vita4you.gr you will find a wide variety of nutritional supplements with herbs for uric acid.