37 Home Remedies For Gout In Hands And Feet

updated: 07/01/2019

Are you or a family member suffering from gout? Well, this is not good news. Actually, if you have gout, there is nothing you could do to stop its attack once it has started, but there are still things you could do to take care of a gout flare right at your home. We have listed 37 effective home remedies for gout in hands and feet that can deal with this condition and its symptoms. Let’s us find out the basic information of this problem and then delve into the natural treatments. 

• How to control uric acid levels without medicine 
• Home remedies for uric acid control 
• Gout-causing foods high in uric acid

 What Is Gout?

Gout is a kind of disease or a form of inflammatory arthritis causing pain in one or more than one joints in the body, including the ears, the joints in the hands, feet, knees, heels, wrists, and ankles^[1]. The person catching gout often feels extremely painful in the joints which bother them so much. It may result in kidney stones, tophi, or urate nephropathy.

 What Are The Causes Of Gout?

It is believed that the root cause of gout is unknown. However, the high level of uric acid is one of the commonest indications of gout. In addition, gout can result from genetics, alcoholic consumption in great amount, the laziness of physical, health problems, protein consumption in great amount, and being so stressful.

Gout can lead to many other serious health issues including diabetes, kidney stones, kidney failure, hemolytic anemia. So, controlling gout is very important.

What Are The Symptoms Of Gout?

Here are some of the common symptoms of gout:

• If you have gout, you will feel pain in your big toe normally after an illness. Your knees and ankles are also painful. All these symptoms often bother you at night.
• Discomfort at the joints.
• Hindered motion: You will find a little bit difficult to move the joints easily.
• Intense pain at the joints.
• The joints become inflammable and red.

Other symptoms including a high fever and fatigue may rarely happen along with the joint pain.

Who Is At Risk Of Gout?

These following factors can lead you to face the risk of developing gout.

• Diet: If you eat meat, seafood, and the foods enriched with sugar regularly, you have a higher risk of developing gout. Additionally, drinking alcoholic drinks, such as beer and wine in a great amount contributes to increasing your risk of gout.
• Obesity: The heavier you are, the more uric acid was produced. So, you are prone to gout.
• Your health conditions: If you are suffering from some kinds of diseases, including high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. you are more vulnerable to develop gout.
• Family history: If any of your family members caught gout, you have a higher risk of developing gout.
• Sexuality: Men are likely to develop gout more than women because their uric acid is often higher than that in women.

Top 37 Effective Home Remedies For Gout In Hands And Feet

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Besides using apple cider vinegar as a remedy for headaches and stomachaches, people often use it as one of the natural home remedies for gout. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, apple cider vinegar can help assuage the soreness and pain related to a gout attack. Besides, it helps to break the uric acid deposits^[2]. Vinegar consumption may also enhance insulin sensitivity in those without and with diabetes ^[3].

Method 1:

• Take one teaspoon of raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar and put it in a glass.
• Add some water to it.
• Consume the mixture 3 times every day.

Method 2:

• Soak a cloth in some apple cider vinegar.
• Secure it to the joints which are affected by gout. Leave it overnight to relieve pain.
• Do this every day.

Method 3:

• Put some apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle.
• Place the bottle in the freezer for a few minutes.
• Spray the apple cider vinegar over the areas affected by gout every hour.

2. Ginger Root

Ginger root contains anti-inflammatory compounds to combat joint inflammation in gout^[4]. According to a study, topical ginger may reduce pain associated with uric acid in gout^[5]. Besides, ginger may help reduce levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia).

Method 1:

• Take the powder of fenugreek, turmeric and ginger root in equal amounts.
• Add some warm water to the mixture.
• Consume the mixture 2 times every day.

Method 2:

• Consume raw ginger root every day or add it in your daily dish.

Method 3:

• Put ½  teaspoon of ginger root in a glass.
• Add boiling water to it.
• Mix it thoroughly and consume it every day.

Method 4:

• Put some ginger root powder in a glass.
• Add some water to create a thick paste.
• Use the paste to relieve the painful areas.
• Leave it for at least 30 minutes.
• Apply this method every day.

3. Baking Soda

As you know, increasing uric acid is one of the factors leading to gout. Whereas, baking soda is very effective to decrease the level of uric acid in your body^[6]. It may be beneficial for occasional indigestion, yet it fast breaks down in your stomach into water and carbon dioxide so it has little impact on the acidity of the blood^[7]. 

Here is what you can do with baking soda to save you from gout.

• Take ½ teaspoon of baking soda.
• Put it in a teapot and add some water to it.
• Consume the mixture 4 times every day.
• Apply the method for about 2 weeks.

Note: Using the mixture more than 3 times every day is not recommended for people over 60 years old. People with hypertension (high blood pressure) should also avoid this remedy.

4. Lemon Juice

With only a lemon juice, you can balance the level of uric acid in your body easily, relieving you from gout pain^[8] [9]. It is used as one of the effective home remedies for gout that you can apply by yourselves.

Method 1:

• Mix  ½ teaspoon of baking soda and juice of a lemon.
• Leave it for 3 or 4 seconds. Add some water and consume it immediately.

Method 2:

• Squeeze a lemon to get the juice.
• Add some water to the juice.
• Consume the mixture 3 times every day.

Method 3:

• Cut a lemon into small slices.
• Put them in a cup.
• Add some hot water.
• Drink it twice every day.

5. Cherries

Cherries are used as one of the most effective home remedies for gout thanks to its antioxidant^[10] [11]. Actually, cherry was claimed to be associated with a 35% lower risk of gout attacks. If the cherry intake was properly combined with allopurinol use, which is a prescribed medication for kidney stones and gout. 

Method 1:

• Eat about 20 cherries every day.

Method 2:

• You can use black cherries. Squeeze some cherries to get the juice.
• Add a clove of garlic to the juice.
• Drink the mixture every day.

6. Epsom Salt

The high level of magnesium in Epsom salt greatly contributes to relieving the painful joints and muscles^[12]. It may rid your body of toxins and soothe the inflamed joints^[13]. 

Here is how to use it for treating gout.

• Fill a bathtub with warm water.
• Dissolve about 2 cups of Epsom salt in the bathtub.
• Let your body soak in the bathtub until you feel it is not warm anymore.
• Apply this method once every week. Increase the frequency of it (twice or three times every week) if you suffer from severe gout.

7. Bananas

Bananas contain a high level of potassium and vitamin C, which all may help relieve the swelling and the painful areas caused by gout^[14]. They are also potassium-rich, which can help the organs and tissue in your body to function properly. They additionally have sugars, including fructose that can be a gout trigger.

Method 1:

• Eating 1 or 2 bananas every day will be the simplest way.

Method 2:

• Take a ripe banana and put it in a blender
• Add ½ cup of yogurt to the blender to mix well.
• Consume the mixture every day.

8. Apples

Like bananas, apples are commonly used as one of the simple and effective home remedies for gout. The malic acid in apples has the wonderful power to neutralize the level of uric acid and relieve the inflammation and pain due to gout^[15]. Apples are also a good source of vitamin C, which has been known to reduce uric acid levels in the blood which benefit the patients having gout. This fruit also has fructose which can trigger hyperuricemia which leads to gout flare-ups. 

Method 1:

• Eat some apples every day after each meal.

Method 2:

• Put some apples in a blender.
• Get the liquid and drink it every day.

9. Charcoal

Charcoal has the power to lower uric acid, which is beneficial for treating gout. Studies have indicated that activated charcoal may absorb uric acid, which makes it harmless in the body^[16]. 

Following the steps below to apply charcoal for your gout:

Method 1:

• Take  ½ cup of charcoal powder and put it in a pot.
• Add some water and mix it well to create a paste.
• Place the paste in a bathtub and add some water.
• Let your painful joints soak in the bathtub for 30 minutes.

Method 2:

• Take about ½ cup of charcoal powder and put it in a pot.
• Add some water and mix well to create a paste.
• Apply the paste to the painful and swelling parts.
• Let it dry naturally for about 30 minutes.
• Wash it out with warm water.

Method 3:

• Consume charcoal capsules every day upon your doctor’s prescription.

10. Celery Seed Extract

Consuming celery seed extract and celery juice is another one of the most powerful home remedies for gout. It is commonly used to treat the condition of inflammation caused by gout. It may help to eliminate uric acid from the body^[17]. Some researchers have shown that many antioxidants are responsible for the benefits of celery^[18]. They include phenolic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid, along with flavanols like quercetin^[19]. It is also useful for treating some kinds of diseases, such as skin problems, kidney infections, etc.

Following the steps below:

Method 1:

• Consume celery seed extract every day.

• Eat celery every day.

Method 2:

• Take some celery and clean them thoroughly.
• Put them in a juicer.
• Drink the juice every day.

11. Nettles

Because of its anti-inflammatory property, nettles may help eliminate toxins and uric acid from the body which contributes to the inflammation of arthritis and gout^[20] [21]. 

Method 1:

• Clean 5 or 6 nettles leaves and put them in a teapot.
• Add some boiling water.
• Leave it to steep for 10 minutes.
• Let it cool and drink it every day.

Method 2:

• Clean 5 or 6 nettles leaves.
• Put them in a teapot.
• Add some boiling water.
• Allow it to steep for 10 minutes.
• Let it cool and add some drops of honey.
• Consume about 2 cups every day.

Method 3:

• Buy nettle tea packs.
• Put a pack in boiling water.
• Drink it every day.

12. Fish Oil

Fish oil is rich in omega-3 which greatly contributes to reducing the inflammation caused by gout^[22]. Fish oil is jam-packed with omega-3 fatty acids which are able to alleviate disease-causing inflammation in the body. Because gout is a form of arthritis while fish oil has been officially proven to be good for treating arthritis thanks to its omega-3. You can take fish oil capsules based on your doctor's advice every day.

13. Berries

Thanks to containing anti-inflammation, berries, including blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, etc. are ranked as one of the best home remedies for gout^[23]. In addition, it is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. All these properties greatly contribute to reducing the swelling and the pain caused by gout.

You can add berries to your diet in the following ways.

Method 1:

• Eat some raw berries every day.

 Method 2:

• Wash several berries.
• Put them in a blender to get the juice.
• Drink the juice every day.

14. Bromelain

Bromelain is one of the enzymes which are very good for the digestion system. Bromelain is the extract of pineapple cores and it can decrease the level of uric acid. It may save your joints from swelling and pain due to gout^{[24] [25] [26]}. 

Here is the suggested way for using bromelain to treat gout.

• Take a pineapple and wash it carefully.
• Peel it and cut it into small slices.
• Put them in a blender to get the juice.
• Drink the juice every day.

15. Garlic

As you know, garlic is considered as the magic herb for preventing and treating a number of diseases. The property of anti-inflammation of garlic is powerful to relieve the swelling and pain bothering you. According to a study, diallyl disulphide, a compound derived from garlic, contains an anti-inflammatory effect on joint inflammation related to gout arthritis^[27]. For this remedy, you can eat a pod of raw garlic or add it to your food every day.

16. Castor Oil Packs

Castor oil is a great solution for gout that you should not miss^[28]. A castor oil pack can help increase circulation and stimulate elimination and healing of the organs and tissues underneath the skin. Besides, it is used to promote the liver, increase lymphatic circulation, relieve pain, improve digestion, and reduce inflammation. This method will help you to relieve the pain and swelling due to gout.

• Pour some castor oil in a tub.
• Put a cloth or a towel in the castor oil.
• Cover the painful joints with the cloth or towel soaked with the oil.
• Secure the cloth or towel with a bandage.
• Keep it overnight.

17. Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is a very good way to reduce the pain and swelling in gout^[29]. The warmth of the water will allow the muscles to relax and soothe the pain in the joints, which helps you to exercise. Besides, the water helps to support your weight, helping to relieve pain and increasing the range of movement of the joints.

All you can do is:

• Prepare a basin of warm water and another of cool water.
• Put your painful joints in the basin of warm water.
• Let them still for about 60 seconds.
• Put your painful joints in the basin of cool water.
• Let them still for about 60 seconds.
• Then change to the basin of warm water.
• Apply the repetition for 7 times.

18. Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds have the effect to relieve the inflammation in gout^{[30] [31]}. Consuming fenugreek seeds will be highly beneficial for you during the gout attack because it helps to lower internal and external inflammation. It further helps to ease the inflammation and swelling of the joints, which eliminates the pain.

Follow the steps below for the treatment:

• Put one teaspoon of the seeds in a cup.
• Add some water to it and leave it overnight.
• Consume the liquid and the seeds in every morning.

19. Coriander

Coriander helps to improve the gastrointestinal tract due to its antioxidant abilities, thus reducing uric acid level (hyperuricemia)^[32] [33]. 

Follow the method below

• Wash some sprigs of coriander carefully.
• Put them in a cup.
• Add some water to it.
• Drink the mixture.

20. Turmeric

Turmeric is as effective as ginger in treating gout^[34]. According to a study in 2019, turmeric has been shown to prevent chronic inflammation and hence it may help gout patients because it can lower the activity of xanthine oxidase^[35]. This spice can also aid the adrenal gland in producing greater levels of cortisone, which in turn can alleviate inflammation in gout.

Method 1:

• Mix some turmeric powder with a cup of coconut milk.
• Drink the mixture every day.

Method 2:

• Put a little turmeric powder in a cup.
• Add some water and consume it every day.

Additional Tips For Gout Treatment

Changing your diet and lifestyle might be an easy way to treat gout. Apart from following the above home remedies for gout, you should also try some simple tips below to fight off the condition:

• Try to eat fresh berries every day because these can balance the level of uric acid in your body.
• Include high-fiber foods in your diet such as fresh vegetables, fruits, etc. because these are very good to lower the level of uric acid in your body.
• Drink as much water as you can because water is good for treating most diseases.
• Avoid fried foods, alcoholic drinks, and foods containing refined carbohydrates such as sugar because these kinds of foods and drinks will make your gout worse^[36].
• Do exercise regularly. Doing exercise is very good for your health. It helps strengthen your immune system to combat different kinds of diseases including gout.
• Reduce intake of seafood, meat, fructose (particularly high fructose corn syrup) and alcohol. 
• Eat fruits containing vitamin C every day such as oranges, lemons, kiwi, etc every day^[37]. Also, take 500 – 1000 mg of vitamin C supplement 2 times every day. 

Remember, before trying any of the above home remedies for gout pain, consult your doctor. You can also make changes to your diet and lifestyle to get instant relief from gout. If you tried any of the treatments and how they helped you, please do let us know.

• Inflammations
• Joint