Table of Contents
Introduction
It is ridiculous to find out that some health problems might just result from the habit of eating too much food.
While millions of people are facing deaths because of hunger around the world, a number of middle-class and rich people suffer from a problem known as gout. It is the consequence of unbalanced diets.
Find out what is gout and how do you get it with us today! More importantly, we also introduce to you top essential oils for gout to help you overcome it quickly.
What Is Gout and How Do You Get It?
Many scientists agree that gout is among types of arthritis. It happens due to the concentration and build-up of sodium urate around your joints. In addition, inflammation often occurs along with gout, resulting in severe pain [1].
Joints in your big toe are likely to experience gout most; however, you can witness it in other joints as well. The symptoms of this problem come quite quickly and can make you suffer around 10 days [2].
Lifestyle and eating habits are mainly responsible for gout. Nowadays, we are shifting to use too many highly processed foods on a daily basis. There is a considerable amount of fructose corn syrup in these foods and they are the main catalyst for gout.
According to a study, the risk for gout in those who used at least 2 sugary drinks on a daily basis would be 85 percent higher. The over-consumption of sugar will raise the amounts of uric acid, which leads to a series of health problems, including gout [3].
Another common cause for gout is obesity. And this cause seems to be the result of high sugar intake as well.
Besides, if you use high purine foods every day, the likelihood is that you will develop gout within a short period of time. What are possible sources of purine? You might get it from organ meats, mushrooms, herring, asparagus or anchovies.
In other words, it is better to avoid consuming these foods too much unless you want to end up with gout.
Symptoms of Gout
What are symptoms of gout? Normally, you can know it’s gout when some of these following symptoms happen to you.
- Severe pain in joints
It is extremely common to experience the clearest symptoms of gout in your big toe. However, you can feel uncomfortable in your ankles, hands, wrists or feet as well. After about 4-12 hours, you will feel the most painful in these areas [1]
- Redness and inflammation in your affected joints
Joints are likely to be affected by gout most and they tend to be warm, red or even swollen. In this case, some essential oils for gout would be a great help.
- Limited joint mobility
Over time, you will be less flexible and your joint mobility will decrease significantly due to the development of gout.
- Lingering discomfort
When you overcome the most intense period of symptoms of gout, the likelihood is that you still experience difficulties in several days or weeks. At this moment, lingering discomfort becomes more common.
Once the pain or inflammation becomes out of control, it is necessary to seek for doctor’s help immediately. Unaddressed gout might result in serious problems [4].
How To Treat Gout Conventionally
Traditionally, many of us will think of pharmaceuticals as the first method when it comes to how to get rid of gout. Nevertheless, we strongly recommend the opposite. In other words, they had better be the last option.
Common examples of pharmaceuticals for gout are Corticosteroids, Zyloprim, Aloprim, Febuxostat or Colchicine [5].
The results from these pharmaceuticals might not be real. Furthermore, they may even have unwanted effects on your health, such as:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting or nausea
- Rash
- Dizziness
- Liver and kidney problems
- Headaches
- Rash
- Breath shortness [6]
The suggestion here is to try all possible tips on how to get rid of gout before you decide to use over the counter gout medication.
Top Essential Oils for Gout
After leaving pharmaceuticals aside, we come up with some of the best essential oils for gout pain. So, why essential oils?
The reason is simple. It is because people have made use of essential oils for centuries in order to deal with joint problems. They are super effective at alleviating joint pain without causing any side effects.
Now we are going to examine some essential oils for treating gout. It is important to bear in mind that almost all of them work best through massage. And you had better prepare some good carrier oils to dilute ours.
1. Ginger Essential Oil
One of the best natural essential oils for gout is ginger oil. This spice has served as a detoxification method for ages, helping our body eliminate many toxic substances.
Gingerols and shogaols in ginger are powerful agents to fight against inflammation, swelling and pain – common symptoms of gout. In other words, ginger oil enables you to overcome discomforts of this problem.
How to apply:
- Mix equal parts of ginger essential oil and another carrier oil, such as olive oil
- Then, put the mixture on affected parts and massage them for a while
- Alternatively, you can use the oil in warm compress
Ginger is a wonderful spice for your body, so it is a good idea to start consuming it regularly in order to avoid many health problems, let alone gout.
2. Chamomile Essential Oil
It has been a long time since people discovered the use of chamomile as a good way to deal with ailments and nurture their health. In fact, it is a wonderful choice when it comes to essential oils for gout.
According to recent studies, there are important nutrients in chamomile, for example, apigenin, quercetin and luteolin. They have amazing anti-inflammatory qualities, so chamomile can lower the risk of inflammation in your condition.
In addition, you also benefit from its analgesic nature. It would allow you to treat inflammation and swelling effectively.
Nevertheless, chamomile might not be an appropriate option for people who get allergic to ragwort, mugwort, ragweed or chrysanthemums. Some possible allergic reactions may happen and worsen the situation.
How to apply:
- Combine chamomile oil and a carrier oil, possibly coconut oil
- Apply it on your skin and massage it
- Alternatively, make chamomile leaves into tea
The mild sedative nature of chamomile tea can have great impacts on stress and pain which often accompanies with gout.
3. Lemon Essential Oil
If you are looking for essential oils for uric acid gout, then lemon oil might be what you need. It has neutralizing effects on your body’s pH levels and eradicates uric acid crystals resulting from gout.
Interestingly, you can use lemon essential oil by mixing it with water and drinking it. This is particularly helpful for those who regularly suffer from disturbing symptoms gout.
How to apply:
- Mix lemon oil, peppermint oil as well as another carrier oil
- Apply the mixture of oil over your skin
- Get a heating pad to cover these skin areas for the best outcomes
For the ultimate results, go for food grade oil which enables you to guarantee a healthy level of pH in your body.
4. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil can be a single tip on how to decrease uric acid and get rid of gout quickly. But you can also combine it with other types of essential oils to accelerate the healing process.
In addition to attractive aroma, lavender oil provides such great diuretic and anti-inflammatory qualities to address swelling and pain. They are common symptoms of gout. Its diuretic nature also contributes to the removal of uric acid crystals.
Its scent not only has calming effects on your spirit but also helps to reduce pain. Furthermore, lavender has positive impacts on your blood pressure, which might be high due to gout pain.
You can use lavender oil directly on your skin where symptoms of gout are obvious. It is unnecessary to mix it because lavender oil is safe for everyone.
5. Basil Essential Oil
While many people use basil as an individual tip on how to treat gout, others prefer to mix it with other essential oils for gout. Basil is a great addition to enhance the effectiveness of other home remedies for gout.
Eugenol in basil has a great anti-inflammatory quality, and it also provides a lot of E-beta-caryophyllene. This substance encourages the release of cannabinoid receptors to relieve pain you have to suffer from.
Moreover, basil has great impacts on your blood circulation, enabling nutrients to reach more cells. As a result, it works well to eradicate uric acid crystals in your body.
You can apply basil essential oil topically. Never try to ingest it.
6. Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme is the next name we call in the list of top essential oils for gout. It belongs to the evergreen family. In this essential oil, you can find two of the most important antioxidants – oleanolic and ursolic acids.
They are not only antioxidant but also anti-inflammatory and they are very effective to prevent joints from swelling. In addition, they also lower uric acid crystal concentration.
When we have autoimmune system, we are more likely to experience gout. Thyme, on the other hand, has positive influence on immune system. It helps you recover more quickly.
Besides, because of its diuretic quality, the recommendation is to drink more water when you use thyme oil. This aims to prevent dehydration which worsens symptoms of gout.
How to apply:
- You can apply thyme oil directly on the skin
- Alternatively, mix it and another carrier oil, say, coconut oil
- Use thyme leaves to make tea and drink it on a daily basis
Nevertheless, it is important to remember that you should not overuse thyme. Once or twice per day is good, but if you go beyond that frequency, it might lead to unwanted effects.
Those with medications might have difficulty using thyme oil, so if you are experiencing any health problems, consult your doctor before using anything.
7. Rosemary Oil
Most essential oils for gout possess strong anti-inflammatory qualities, and rosemary is not an exception. This property is ideal to relieve pain and swelling.
In addition, rosemary can enhance the blood circulation and speed up your healing process. When the joints get more blood, uric acid crystals will be less likely to form and cause pain as well.
In Germany, it is widely approved that rosemary oil is a cure for arthritis treatment. Rosemary contains rosmarinic acid, which can prevent arthritis from developing.
However, rosemary oil is not a good option for pregnant women because uterine contractions are possible consequences.
How to apply:
- Combine rosemary and a carrier oil in equal parts
- Then, apply and massage your joints
- Get a heating pad to cover these areas for a while
- Repeat the process once or twice per day
8. Frankincense Essential Oil
For those who have no idea of this oil, it is an extract from the Boswellia tree which is native to Africa. For ages, this oil has served well in the medical community. It has plenty of benefits thanks to its therapeutic qualities.
Why does it it belong to the group of top essential oils for gout?
Gout results from inflammation and so does arthritis. Therefore, we often have to rely on anti-inflammatory substances to fight against it. And Frankincense oil can help you overcome pain with its anti-inflammatory qualities.
How to apply:
- Pour frankincense oil (several drops) and carrier oil (a teaspoon)
- Apply the mixture on your joints
- Massage them for a while
- Cover them with warm compress
You should not use too much frankincense oil at one time as about 10 drops can cover 9 percent of your body.
In addition, if you try inhaling its scent, you will find that it has additional aromatherapy benefits.
Lactating women should avoid using this oil so as not to experience side effects.
9. Tea Tree Oil
Among essential oils for gout in the big toe or on foot, tea tree oil is an indispensable part. Its qualities are very suitable for gout treatment, from anti-inflammatory to antimicrobial or antifungal properties.
If you use it topically, the oil can desensitize your inflamed nerve. This helps to address the pain instantly. However, tea tree oil is not safe to apply directly. You should do a patch test first to check whether your skin has reactions or not.
How to apply:
- It is necessary to mix tea tree oil and a carrier oil
- Apply it over your joints and massage them
10. Birch Essential Oil
If you are concerned about how to decrease uric acid, birch essential oil may be the perfect answer for you. It is a helpful method to eradicate uric acid crystals and alleviate pain from them.
Methyl salicylate in birch oil works in the same way as aspirin, so it is a quick painkiller. Plus, birch oil contributes to the detoxification of your blood and accelerates your healing process.
Apply birch essential oil in the same way as other essential oils for gout.
However, remember to use it in moderation only. Otherwise, you can suffer from some unwanted effects, such as dehydration. To prevent it, it is a good idea to raise your intake of fluid on a daily basis.
On a final note, essential oils for gout have been among the most effective and well-known treatments. But to identify which is the best among them is difficult.
You can try many of them and pass by what you find uncomfortable. Their scent might play an important role in your selection process.
Alternative Home Remedies for Gout
As gout is a result of bad eating habits and lifestyles, many people hold a belief that we can reverse it by choosing the right food. It is true to some extent.
As a matter of fact, many foods can serve as efficiently as some of the best essential oils for gout. But do you know what foods are good for gout?
Here are some alternative home remedies for gout, just in case you want to replace some essential oils.
Black Cherry Juice
One of the best natural home remedies for gout is black cherry. You can use it in the form of either juice or extract. Cherries have many wonderful health benefits and supporting gout treatment is one of them.
It also fights effectively against inflammation and the concentration of uric acid in your body.
According to a research, 633 gout patients used cherry extract in the period of 2 days. Scientists found out that cherry could reduce the risk of gout by 35 percent [7].
Therefore, if you want to handle gout quickly, try using black cherry juice regularly. It is completely natural, so you do not have to worry about side effects.
Celery Seed
Another amazing alternative for essential oils for gout is celery seed. We appreciate this as highly as black cherry juice.
In celery seed, there are countless antioxidants which researchers have claimed are beneficial for human health, for example, phenolic acids or flavaols.
They are ideal for inflammation treatment and you can take advantage of celery seed to get rid of joint pain, skin disorders, gout or urinary tract infections.
The benefits of celery seed are truly incredible. This makes you have no reason to refuse to it. Try using celery juice every day and you will witness amazing improvements in your gout treatment.
Fish Oil
The next food in the list of top home remedies for gout is fish oil. Even though the effects of fish oil might not be as instant as others, it is one of the best in the long term.
Fish oil provides a generous amount of omega-3 fatty acids. They play an essential role in the fight against inflammation, perhaps better than most other sources.
As fish oil is recommended for arthritis treatment, it is logical that gout patients can also benefit from it.
If you look for other omega-3-rich foods, try different types of fish, such as salmon or tuna.
Magnesium-rich Foods
Magnesium is an indispensable mineral in the treatment of gout. And it is better if you take magnesium from natural sources.
This mineral is useful to prevent the formation and concentration of uric acid in the body. And some research also indicated that magnesium is particularly valuable for acute gout [8].
The lack of magnesium is a common catalyst for gout as well. Therefore, remember to add more magnesium-rich foods into your daily diet. Or you might want to count on magnesium supplements.
Water
Water can aid the gout treatment, yes. It is an ordinary drink that we are so familiar with every day. However, when you consume much water, uric acid will have no chance to form crystals and cause pain.
Normally, it is suggested that you drink more than 8 oz per 2 hours. This amount guarantees the maximum elimination of uric acid.
Water is also important when you decide to use essential oils for gout treatment. It keeps your body being hydrated all the time.
How to Prevent Gout
Diet has the same impact as health conditions on the likelihood of gout. In other words, gout may develop from what you eat every day. Therefore, we devote the last section to clarify how to prevent gout by making changes in your eating habits.
It would save you a lot of time, money and energy wandering around and searching for essential oils for gout. Let’s stop the problem before it happens to you.
Reduce Sugar Intake
Many studies claim that excessive sugar intake is one of the most possible contributors to gout. The risk is even higher when you are using too much high fructose corn syrup.
Therefore, it is high time to cut down your sugar intake by checking the labels of everything before you decide to consume it.
Avoid all types of sugar with “cose” in its name because it would raise your chance of getting pain and other annoying symptoms of gout.
Avoid Alcohol and Soda
Alcohol would turn into sugar when your body ingests it. So, alcohol should be in your list of top banned drinks.
This is a part of your strategy to lower the level of uric acid in your body. Only by avoiding sugar in any form can you manage to get rid of gout or prevent it.
On the other hand, soda contains so many sweeteners. It does not matter whether they are natural or man-made. The bottom line is that you need to stay away from sugar if you want to stay away from gout. So, ignore soda too.
Be Close With Cherries and Berries
Berries and cherries would be your closest friends in the effort to fight against gout in particular and inflammation in general.
They are very rich in bioflavonoids and anthocyanins. Both of them are important to contain all symptoms of gout and arthritis, such as pain, swelling or inflammation.
Besides, your body will benefit from their richness of antioxidants that combat free radicals so well.
Doing Exercise
Last but not least, exercise is always an important part in the gout treatment.
Do you remember that obesity is a cause for gout as well? And how can we prevent obesity without exercise?
Even though it is uncomfortable to do exercise when you struggle with gout pain, it is better to sweat a little bit with some basic and easy types of training, such as jogging or walking.
In addition to essential oils for gout, exercise is the safest method to cure many ailments for centuries. So, do not skip it!
Conclusion
Overall, gout is a consequence of unhealthy lifestyles and eating habits and the reason why the number of gout patients is increasing is because people are underestimating their diet.
With top essential oils for gout, you can easily get rid of it. But the big question is whether it comes back or not.
Learn how to prevent gout so that you can stay away from symptoms of gout for good.
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