Texts of Ayurveda explain effective natural ayurvedic home remedies which help in gout and also to reduce uric acid levels. These herbal formulae effectively help to reduce joint pain and inflammation.
uric acid control medicine (gout medicine )
Table of contents
Causes of Gout – According to Ayurveda
Symptoms of gout and increased uric acid as described in ayurveda
Ayurvedic Herbs and Home Remedies for High Uric acid and Gout
What is Gout in Ayurveda?
Gout is known as Vata rakta in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda acharyas, gout is caused due to vitiation of Vata (Vayu) and Rakta (blood). Vitiation of vata and rakta has been compared to the pairing of air and fire which is quick in onset and spreads quickly. Texts of Ayurveda explain effective ayurvedic natural herbal home remedies for gout and uric acid, which normalize vitiated Vata and rakta
Gout is one of the forms of arthritis or joint inflammation which is acute in onset. Usually, one or two joints are affected at a time. Gout usually affects the big toe, heel, ankle, elbow, or wrist. It is a form of arthritis. Commonly joints of feet and ankles are inflamed in gout. The commonest site is the ball of the big toe. The first attack of gout subsides in a week or so without treatment. There may be a long gap of many months or years between attacks. As time passes the attacks become more frequent and more severe involving many joints. When the frequency of attacks increases progressive joint damage sets in. This is known as chronic gout. This leads to disability and crippling. Gout is more common in men than in women. It predominantly attacks males after puberty. In women, gout attacks usually occur after menopause.
The gout attack occurs suddenly and passes away after a week or ten days. Severe pain, redness, and swelling in joints are typical symptoms of gout. Gout occurs when the uric acid level increases in the blood. Increased uric acid level leads to the formation of urate crystals which get deposited in joints and tissues. This process precipitates a gout attack.
Causes of Gout – According to Ayurveda
What causes gout attacks? The answer to this question is still under research.
The presence of uric acid crystals in joints causes inflammation of joints.
The food we eat is broken down in our body into small molecules to help the absorption of nutrients and excretion of waste. Uric acid is produced during the breakdown of waste products called “purines”. Purines are nitrogenous compounds that are an essential part of many foods and body tissues. Uric acid thus formed is usually filtered by kidneys. Excess formation of uric acid or its abnormal filtration leads to an increased level of uric acid in the blood. This eventually leads to gout. When the level of uric acid increases in blood than normal levels, the uric acid forms microscopic crystals in joints. These crystals lead to inflammation of joints.
Ayurveda acharyas explain the causes of a gout attack. They describe the foods which cause gout attacks or flare-up of gout. In Ayurveda, VAGHBHATA has said the cause of Gout is vitiated blood or rakta dhatu . The vitiated blood first affects the joints of the feet. This extends to other joints in later stages. The vitiated blood not only affects the joints but also affects the whole body. This explains the question “what causes gout to flare up?”
Causes of vitiation of Blood to cause gout : ( according to Ayurveda )
Indigestion and accumulation of toxins
Indigestion leads to the formation of body toxins or ama which vitiate blood or rakta dhatu. Hence foods that cause indigestion should be always avoided. Ama should be eliminated or expelled from the body at regular intervals to keep the body toxin-free. For gout, an ayurvedic liver detox helps, as it effectively reduces uric acid levels too.
Excessive consumption of salty, sour, hot, spicy, oily foods
Foods which taste too Salty (lavana rasa), sour (amla rasa), hot and spicy (katu rasa) are a strict no in Vata rakta. Even increased consumption of oily foods also imbalance liver functions. These foods impair digestion and vitiate pitta. Vitiated pitta disturbs rakta dhatu or blood. This causes increased uric acid levels.
Consumption of Fish:
Almost all kinds of seafood like anchovies, codfish, haddock, herring, mackerel, mussels, roe (fish eggs), sardines, scallops, and trout are high in purines. Hence Ayurveda acharyas recommend not to eat fish when you have gout.
Horse gram, Urad dal, and moong dal in gout, and uric acid
Consuming horse gram and urad dal: These two pulses are a strict no in gout. Other pulses like green gram or moong can be consumed in a very less quantity.
Alcohol:
Alcoholic beverages trigger gout symptoms. This happens because kidneys excrete alcohol instead of uric acid. This leads to an increased concentration of uric acid in the blood leading to gout.
Consuming opposite foods as explained in Ayurveda:
Ayurveda acharyas explain foods that cause harm when combined together. These are known as viruddha ahara or opposite foods. These food combinations vitiate blood and trigger gout and increased uric acid levels.
Untimely sleep and Lack of sleep :
According to ayurvedic principles sleep disturbances elevate uric acid levels in the blood. Sleeping in day time is strictly prohibited for normal people. Sleeping in day time can cause dosha imbalance and trigger gout. Usually, people who work in shifts have problems with sleep. Hence Ayurveda acharyas recommend dinacharya or ayurvedic daily routine and Rutucharya or ayurvedic seasonal routine to keep tridoshas in balance.
Obesity gout and uric acid relationship
Obesity leads to increased production of insulin. Increased insulin in blood prevents the excretion of uric acid. By kidneys. This leads to gout attacks.
Sedentary work :
sitting for long hours leads to obesity and also affects normal blood circulation. This leads to vitiation of rakta or blood.
Stress, anxiety, and anger.
Increased stress, anxiety, and anger vitiate pitta and Vata. Pitta directly imbalances and affects rakta or blood. This imbalanced rakta associated with Vata causes gout.
Suppression of natural urges
Ayurveda says not to suppress natural urges like passing urine, pooping, thirst, hunger, etc. Suppressing these urges throws doshas off balance leading to vata rakta or gout.
Working in extreme climatic conditions.
Working in extreme climatic conditions for a long time like near furnace, in ac or in hot sun impairs delicate dosha balance and leads to gout.
Reasons for increased uric acid level in blood
- Hereditary
- Obesity
- High alcohol intake
- High intake of food like liver, kidneys, sweetbreads, tongue, red meat, Shellfish, fish peas, lentils, and beans. These foods contain purines.
- Few drugs used to treat high blood pressure.
Symptoms of gout and increased uric acid as described in Ayurveda:
- Inflammation,
- Swelling,
- Tenderness in the affected joint.
- Touching or moving the joint is extremely painful.
The symptoms of Gout are described in Ayurveda as follows
- Overreaction on touching the affected joint.
- Swelling of the joint.
- Unbearable pain (as if somebody is cutting the joint).
- Burning sensation.
- Warmth in the joint.
Ayurveda Gout Diet
Avoiding consumption of foods that contain purines:
Foods that contain Purines:
Plant purines are far safer than meat and fish purines in terms of gout risk.
Meat:
beef, mutton, veal, pork, venison, chicken, duck, and turkey. Other organ meat such as brain, kidney, liver, pancreas, thymus, heart, neck,
Seafood:
cod, crab, lobster, snapper, salmon, tuna, trout, sardines, and anchovies
Vegetables:
cauliflower, asparagus, peas, spinach, contain a lot of purines, as do legumes such as lima beans, navy beans, and lentils. Oatmeal is also high in purines.
Reducing the intake of alcohol:
Beer is a strict no when you have a tendency of increased uric acid levels. It is always advised to avoid alcohol.
Weight Loss:
Weight loss is the best preventive measure for gout. A moderate form of exercise is always advisable. Take the help of herbs to boost metabolism and quicken fat reduction.
Altered medication for high blood pressure:
If your blood pressure medication is interfering with the elimination of uric acid consult your physician. He may change the medication.
Ayurvedic Herbs and Home Remedies for High Uric acid and gout
Consume wheat, green gram or moong, raisins, ginger, milk, These provide the protein needed for the body and also prevent indigestion. They are easy to digest and prevent the formation of ama or body toxins.
Ayurvedic Herbs for Gout:
Various ayurvedic herbs like bitter melon (karela ), neem, Guduchi or Giloy, Triphala, etc help in gout
Bitter melon or bitter gourd juice
Mix finely chopped half medium-sized bitter gourd or karela (remove seeds), 1-inch piece of ginger and 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric, and 1/4 cup of water and blend well. Filter this to get juice. Mix 10 ml of honey to this and drink this two times daily (morning and night) on empty stomach.
Neem Juice
Mix 25 to 30 tender leaves of neem, 1-inch piece of ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric, and 1/4 cup of water and blend well. Filter this to get juice. Mix 10 ml of honey to this and drink this two times daily (morning and night) on empty stomach.
Guduchi or Giloy Juice
Mix 5-8 leaves of guduchi or giloy, 1-inch piece of ginger and 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric, and 1/4 cup of water and blend well. Filter this to get juice. Mix 10 ml of honey to this and drink this two times daily (morning and night) on empty stomach.
Triphala:
You can consume Triphala in form of tea or powder or tea. Please consult a qualified ayurvedic physician before consuming these.
Amla (Amalaki or Indian gooseberry)
Amla is very rich in Vitamin C. Vitamin C is very essential for our body. This helps to prevent the crystallization of uric acid in joints. It also neutralizes free radicals which will otherwise harm our bodies. Consume one fresh amla or drink amla juice daily.
Avoid horse riding or other sports which involves a lot of vigorous joint movements:
Avoid afternoon sleep, roaming in the hot sun, and working in extreme climatic conditions,
Do not consume alcohol, fish, urad dal, horse gram, curd (dahi or yogurt ), radish,
Strictly say no to opposite foods
Drink Plenty of water
WhatsApp or email Dr.Savitha Suri @ drsavithasuri@gmail.com, + 91 6360108663/ to know more about ayurvedic treatment and Remedies
Author – Dr.Savitha Suri. Consultant ayurvedic physician.
Call us at +91 9945995660 / +91 9448433911
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