Gout is one of the forms of arthritis or joint inflammation.
The commonest site is the ball of the big toe. Some herbs also have anti-inflammatory effects
and this is interesting alternative treatments that may help ease pain from
gout. Below are popular herbs for gout pain relief.
Devil's Claw
Devil's claw, or Harpagophytum
procumbens, has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antirheumatic actions. It is a
creeping perennial native to Southern Africa. Traditional healers use the roots
to treat pain, fever, poor appetite, rheumatism, arthritis, ulcers, and boils.
It is also used as a general tonic. The active ingredients include iridoid
glycosides such as harpagoside, harpagide and procumbide. Dr. Linda B. White
and Steven Foster claim that poor digestion of proteins can cause the buildup
of uric acid and painful crystals and recommend devil's claw for gout for both
its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties. An article published in the
February 2007 issue "Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice"
notes that cat's claw may reduce the body's production of pro-inflammatory
chemicals.
The National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that cat's claw has few side
effects when taken at recommended dosages. However, rare side effects may
include dizziness, vomiting and headaches. However, Devil's claw should not be
used during pregnancy as it may have abortive effects, or by people with
gastrointestinal or coronary disorders. Also avoid this herb if you have an
immune disorder, because it may stimulate the immune system. According to NCCAM, you should stop taking
cat's claw if you are scheduled to undergo surgery as it may interfere with
blood pressure control.
Curcumin
A study published in the April
2006 issue of "Inflammation Research" shows that curcumin, a
substance found in turmeric, can reduce crystal-induced forms of arthritis. Clinical
studies examining the role of turmeric in the treatment of gout are lacking. You
may prefer to take 300 mg of a standardized extract of turmeric three times daily.
These doses should be used only as a guideline; consult your doctor about the
best dose and treatment plan for you.
Anyway, turmeric was not approved
by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat any medical condition and
may have side effects and cause allergic dermatitis according to the Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. There is
a caution that turmeric may lower the blood sugar levels, so if you have
osteoarthritis associated with diabetes, it will be safer to consult a doctor
before using it. Also it is not fully guarantee for safety for pregnant and breastfeeding.
Though herbal treatments such as
Devil’s Claw and Curcumin (tunmeric)have been sold in many OTC forms or even used
in Ayurvedic herbalism and traditional Chinese herbalism medicine
for hundreds of years, they still need more scientific support to get more
space in modern markets not only as alternative medicines but also integrative
medicines and integrative herbalism.
Reference
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Turmeric
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Cat's Claw
- NHS Choices: Gout
- PubMed: The Antioxidants Curcumin and Quercetin Inhibit Inflammatory Processes Associated with Arthritis
- PubMed: Cat's Claw: An Amazonian Vine Decreases Inflammation in Osteoarthritis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gout
·
"The Herbal Drugstore"; Linda B.
White, M.D., Steven Foster; 2000
·
"Medical Herbalism: The Science and
Practice of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
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