Herbal Gout Treatment

Gout develops from deposits of monosodium urate crystals in the joints that accumulate due to an abnormally high level of uric acid (hyperuricemia) in the blood Flare-ups, which can occur without warning, are characterized by extremely painful joint inflammation (arthritis) surrounded by tight, shiny red or purplish skin. The disorder most often affects the joint at the base of the big toe but also commonly the instep, ankle, knee, wrist, and elbow. These joints, being located on the periphery of the body, are cooler, so urate is more likely to crystallize in them than in the warmer joints of the spine, hips, and shoulders, which rarely are affected by gout.

The initial attacks usually affect only one joint and last only a few days, with complete joint function then returning. If the disorder is allowed to progress untreated, attacks become longer-lasting and more frequent, affecting several joints and eventually resulting in joint deformity and tissue damage. When attempting to treat the symptoms of gout, the first step is to relieve the pain by controlling the inflammation. The Herbal Aspirin Salve recipe works like magic to soothe and comfort the misery.

From a dietary standpoint, gout sufferers often feel significant and relatively rapid relief from pain and swelling when they adopt a lowfat vegetarian or vegan diet, with adequate consumption of fruits, deep green vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, herb teas, and water. Avoidance of alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and coffee is recommended.

From a lifestyle standpoint, daily cardiovascular and strength-training exercise is encouraged, as many people who have gout are overweight. Ample sleep along with physical and emotional stress management is also key to alleviating symptoms.

HERBAL ASPIRIN SALVE

When you combine meadowsweet, known as “herbal aspirin,” with the flowers of arnica, the “aches and pains herb,” the result is a rather powerful infused oil that boasts astringent, antirheumatic, analgesic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties. When massaged into a joint exhibiting gout symptoms, Herbal Aspirin Salve will temporarily relieve the pain, inflammation, and stiffness. I find it to be pure “salve-ation” for my sore hands and wrists after a couple of hours spent hoeing weeds in the garden! Note: I prefer to use the stovetop method for infusing the healing properties of these flowers into the olive oil, as it results in a very potent, effective medicinal formula.

1 cup dried or 2 cups freshly wilted meadowsweet flowers
1 cup dried arnica flowers
3 cups extra-virgin olive base oil
2,000 IU vitamin E oil
3–4 tablespoons beeswax (depending on how firm you want the salve to be)

EQUIPMENT: 2-quart saucepan or double boiler, stirring utensil, candy or yogurt thermometer, strainer, fine filter, funnel, glass or plastic storage container (for the infused oil) glass or plastic jars or tins (for the salve)
PREP TIME: 4 hours to infuse the oil, plus 20 minutes to make the salve and 30 minutes for it to thicken YIELD: Approximately 2½ cups of infused oil and 1¼ cups of salve
STORAGE: Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year
APPLICATION: Up to 3 times per day

PREPARING THE HERBAL INFUSED OIL: If you’re using freshly wilted meadowsweet flowers, strip them from their stems along with the small bits of attached leaves prior to adding to the pan. Discard the stems. Combine the meadowsweet and arnica flowers with the olive base oil in a 2-quart saucepan or double boiler, and stir thoroughly to blend. The mixture should look like a thick floral soup. Bring the mixture to just shy of a simmer, between 125° and 135°F. Do not let the oil actually simmer — it will degrade the quality of your infused oil. Do not put the lid on the pot. Allow the herbs to macerate in the oil over low heat for 4 hours. Check the temperature every 30 minutes or so with a thermometer and adjust the heat accordingly. If you’re using a double boiler, add more water to the bottom pot as necessary, so it doesn’t dry out. Stir the infusing mixture at least every 30 minutes or so, as the herb bits tend to settle to the bottom. After 4 hours, remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool for 15 minutes. While the oil is still warm, carefully strain it through a fine-mesh strainer lined with a fine filter such as muslin or, preferably, a paper coffee filter, then strain again if necessary to remove all debris. Squeeze the herbs to extract as much of the precious oil as possible. Discard the marc. Add the vitamin E oil and stir to blend. The resulting infused oil blend will be golden-green in color. Pour the finished oil into a storage container, then cap, label, and store in a dark cabinet.

PREPARING THE SALVE: Combine 1 cup of the infused oil with the beeswax in a small saucepan or double boiler, and warm over low heat until the beeswax is just melted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes, stirring a few times to blend. Pour into plastic or glass jars or tins, cap, label, and set aside for 30 minutes to thicken.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Massage a bit of salve into joints affected by gout. Apply up to three times per day. Bonus This herbal “comfort in a jar” can help relieve the pain of arthritis (especially in the small joints of the fingers and wrists), muscular tension headache, backache, muscle stiffness and strains, and tendonitis.