Herbs to Cure Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis in which uric acid collects in the blood. The uric acid turns into needle-like crystals that accumulate in the joints, causing pain and swelling. Gout affects the feet, knees, hands, wrists and even the ear. Avoid foods high in purines, which turn into uric acid in the blood stream. While gout should be treated by a physician, there are herbs that can help ease the pain and help your body get rid of the uric acid that causes gout.
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Ginger
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Boil two quarts of water. Remove from heat and grate two inches of fresh ginger root into the water. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Soak a washcloth in the ginger tea while it's hot. Wring it out and apply the hot ginger compress to your joints. Leave the compress on until the heat dissipates. Soak another washcloth in ice water and apply it immediately after removing the ginger compress. Let it sit for three to four minutes. Apply ginger compresses every day until the swelling goes down. Always end with a cold compress.
Black Cherry
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When you experience acute attacks of gout, dilute one tablespoon of black cherry concentrate with one cup of water and drink it three times a day until the pain subsides. Black cherry helps the body get rid of excess purines. Black cherry concentrate can be found in health food stores. Drink one dose daily in order to prevent gout attacks.
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Horsetail
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Mix one tablespoon of dried horsetail with one cup of hot water. Let it steep 10 to 20 minutes, then strain the horsetail from the liquid. Drink three cups daily. This helps reduce pain and swelling by removing excess purines from the body. Take horsetail only to treat an acute gout attack. It is not an ongoing treatment. If you dislike horsetail tea, then take 500 mg capsules of horsetail three to four times a day.
Celery Seed
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Add one teaspoon of dried celery seed to one cup of water. Bring to a boil for three to four minutes. Remove from the heat and let it steep for five minutes. Drink once a day until the pain and swelling are gone. Celery seed is a blood-cleansing herb that helps the body eliminate excess wastes.
Nettle
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Add one teaspoon of dried nettles to one cup of boiling water. Steep for one hour, then strain the tea. Drink three to four cups daily. Nettle is a cleansing herb rich in minerals. Nettle tea can be found in bulk form in natural food markets.
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