Gout, also known as gouty arthritis or crystal-induced arthritis, is one of the oldest known diseases.

In the 17th century, the spread of gout in the UK developed almost epidemic proportions.

This disease almost exclusively attacked the wealthy stratum of the society and the nobility, which gave it the name the disease of kings.

Gout is a good example of a disease related to improper diet and excessive alcohol consumption.

Sometimes gout is very painful, but today it is simply controlled by proper treatment and diet.

How and why does gout develop?

In the normal state of the body, the uric acid is degraded in the blood and is eliminated through the urine.

If the body increases the production of uric acid or if the kidneys do not eliminate enough uric acid from the body, its concentration in the blood increases.

This condition is called hyperuricemia.

When crystals of uric acid are created as a result of hyperuricemia, gout can develop.

In addition to improper diet and excessive alcohol consumption, gout can be caused by:

• kidney damage, which can prevent normal elimination of uric acid
• medication against for heart disease and high blood pressure
• diseases of blood cells and blood-forming organs, psoriasis and certain types of cancer
• genetic defects in metabolism that cause overproduction and retention of uric acid

How to identify gout

Symptoms of gout are redness, tenderness, sudden attacks of severe pain, heat and swelling of the joints.

It usually affects only one joint, especially the joint in the large toe.

It can also effect the whole leg, knee, hand, wrist or elbow.

Deposits of uric acid may appear as lumps under the skin around the joints and at the edges of the ears.

Uric acid crystals may also be collected in the kidneys and cause kidney stones.

Painful bouts can occur at any age, and the occurrence of gout is 20 times more common in men than in women.

The first attack often occurs in men between the ages of forty and fifty years.

Gout is rarely present among women because they are protected by the effects of estrogen, which stimulates the discharge of uric acid from kidneys.

However, the number of infected women is increasing when they reach menopause.

Healing herbs against gout

Proper selection of natural products is of great help in the treatment of gout.

These plants have a beneficial effect on the proper functioning of the kidneys, preventing kidney infection, normalizing metabolism and promoting the excretion of uric acid from the body.

Burdock (Arctium lappa)

Burdock has been used since ancient times to preserve the health of the urinary tract.

Recent research has shown that it is effective against bacteria Proteus mirabilis.

These bacteria cause wound infections and pneumonia, and is linked to the occurrence of kidney stones.

Burdock root contains large amounts of inulin, phenolic compounds, fatty acid, phosphoric acid, tannic acid, and other organic acids.

It increases the secretion of urine and cleanses the blood. Since ancient times it has been used as a folk remedy for gout.

Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)

Tarragon is widely used as a spice in households, but is also known as a medicinal plant.

Its active components - coumarins, flavonoids, phenols, carboxylic acids and essential oils are well known and highly valued.

In folk medicine it is used in the treatment of many ailments - from headaches and excessive blood clotting to liver disease and metabolic disorders.

It has been scientifically proven that tarragon oil contains healing substances that with synergistic effect prevent the growth of bacteria E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

It is a good diuretic and helps greatly with insufficient renal excretion.

It increases the secretion of urine, helps in the case of weak bladder and kidney functions.

Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

Black elderberry has been known since Roman times. Numerous studies have shown its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Thanks to the presence of bioflavonoids, the extract of this herb prevents the growth of bacteria, including E. coli, which is one of the causes of urinary tract infections.

Heather (Calluna vulgaris)

Heather is the remedy used or cleansing the blood, treating kidney stones and gout since the ancient times.

It contains polyphenols, triterpene and ursolic acid, which have an antioxidant effect.

Thanks to its antibacterial, antiseptic, diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, this plant is applied in the treatment of urinary tract symptoms and inflammatory processes in the body.

Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea)

This plant is rich in flavonoids astragalin, isoquercetin, quercetin and rutin.

It has been used for stimulating kidney function since the ancient times.

In modern times it has been confirmed that this plant helps in cases of urinary difficulties, painful urination, and uremia. It eliminates bacteria from the urinary tract.

Because of these characteristics, it is added to tea blends for treating gout.

Black currant (Ribes nigrum)

It is an active diuretic with anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.

It can be used in the form of fresh or dried berries, but also as a concentrate or tea.

The essential oil in currant leaves stimulates kidneys and promotes excretion of uric acid.

Studies in the U.S. and Scotland have confirmed that black currant cures inflammations, especially of the urinary system, and slows the growth of bacteria.

Three-lobe Beggarticks (Bidens Tripartita)

It contains flavonoids, xanthophylls, sterols and tannins.

In addition, it stimulates adrenal glands. This plant has many favorable effects, including antiseptic, antioxidant, astringent, antipyretic, diuretic, soothing.

In folk medicine it is commonly used in the treatment of gout.

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

This plant has an anti-inflammatory effect and a protective effect on the liver - it normalizes metabolism and fat synthesis of liver enzymes and neutralizes toxic substances.

The flowers of this plant are used in the treatment of bladder and kidney diseases.

Spiny restharrow (Ononis spinosa)

It is used in the treatment of metabolic disorders, urinary stones and sand, gout, dropsy and rheumatism.

Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare)

Knotgrass is a plant that has been used since ancient times by many peoples of the world for the treatment of various health problems.

Among other things, it has a beneficial effect on kidney functions and is used in the treatment of gout.

Includes a full range of active drug substances: flavonoids (avikularin, kaempherol, quercetin and myricetin), caffeic, chlorogenic, coumaric and gallic acid, and vitamin C.

Control gout with the help of diet

If you suffer from gout, these simple guidelines can help you.

Avoid foods high in purines, heavy and greasy foods, soft drinks, coffee and alcohol.

In the purine-free diet it is forbidden to consume meat and fish products, oily foods, purine-rich vegetables (cauliflower, mushrooms, beans, peas, barley, asparagus etc.), full-fat dairy products, coffee, chocolate and alcohol.

Consume more raw fruits and vegetables, while avoiding junk food.

Being overweight favors the development of gout. Try to reach your optimal body weight with the help of controlled diet and regular exercise.

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