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.
