Gout is known as the rich man's disease. Gout is a painful metabolic disease resulting in inflammation and the deposition of uric acid in the cartilages of the joints. Gout first affects the big toe causing it to swell and become very painful. In the next stages it spreads to the ankles, knees, joints of hands and feet, the wrist and elbow. Elevated concentrations of uric acid in the blood stream provokes an inflammatory reaction of tissues. These deposits can often increase in size and burst through the skin to form sinuses discharging a chalky white material.
CAUSES
Hyperuricemia is the underlying cause of gout. This can occur for a number of reasons including diet, genetic predisposition, or under excretion of urate, the salts of uric acid. Chemicals called purines are found naturally in our body as well as in food when breaks down in the body, it produces uric acid. Normally, uric acid is excreted through the urine via the kidneys. But if uric acid is produced in excess or body is not excreting enough uric acid, it starts accumulating in the body especially small joints or surrounding tissues, in the form of crystals causing pain, inflammation and swelling.
Excessive anger, waking up late in the night, sleeping in the daytime, excessive travelling, trauma, overindulgence in physical exercises, excessive sexual activity and suppressing the natural urges of the body can also lead to gout.
SYMPTOMS
Fever
Swelling
Pricking pain
Itching
Burning sensation.
Swollen joints
Change of colour of the skin
Pain and redness in the small joints of the body
Flatulence, abdominal pains, loss of appetite, constipation and highly colored and scant urine may be seen.
DIAGNOSIS
Blood urea test to estimate the level of Uric acid
Other blood tests like white blood cell count, electrolytes, renal function, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).
X-rays may show tophi-crystal deposits and bone damage
AYURVEDIC APPROACH
Ayurveda has described disease as "Vat rakta" or Aadya Vata caused due to the imbalance of Air element and accumulation of toxins in the "Rakta" (Blood).
In Ayurveda Vatarakta is classified into 2 types:
Uttana (superficial) - This is located in the twak (skin) & mamsa (muscle).
Gambhira (deep) - This is located in the deeper dhatus and its more severe in nature
Treatment of Gout therefore consists of restoring the balance of Vata (Air element) and detoxifying the blood.
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR GOUT
GOUT CARE PACK
Plantbased Ayurveda prescribes Herbal Remedies for Gout in the form of GOUT CARE PACK which include anti-inflammatory herbs, to lower levels of uric acid.
1. Navkarshik Churna
A mixture of nine herbs is purely an herbal formulation without any chemicals added into it. It contains Triphala which removes toxins from the body and useful in every other disease. Neem, is an anti-inflammatory that also reduces pain, Katuki improves the health of the kidneys and liver, purifies the blood and corrects the metabolism of "Pitta" and heat regulation in our body. Manjistha dissolve the built-up uric acid that build up in gout patients, and works together with the Triphala to control the level of uric acid in the blood, Giloy is immune-modulator and improves immunity whereas Daruhaldi acts as an anti inflammatory herb. All the herbs acts by correcting the purine metabolism, correcting the liver metabolism, cleansing the blood, breaking uric acid crystals and clearing them away. Navkarshik Churna is one of the best herbal treatment for gout containing best herbs for gout. This works best with other herbal remedies like Kishore Guggul, Punarnava mandur and Gorakhmundi churna
Dosage - 1 teaspoonful twice daily, after meals, with plain water.
2. Punarnava Capsules
Punarnava - Spreading Hogweed - Boerhaavia diffusa: It is a powerful rasayana, and helps in detoxifying the overburdened Kidneys and eliminating excessive fluids and toxins. The plant contains punarnavoside, rotenoids, boeravinones A, B, C, D and E, lignans, flavones and sterols. Punarnavoside is reported to have diuretic & anti-inflammatory property. It pacifies two of the main laws of physiology (Vata and Kapha).Punarnava enhances the quality of 6 of the 7 categories of bodily tissues, including nutrient plasma (Rasa Dhatu), blood (Rakta Dhatu), muscle (Mamsa Dhatu), fat (Meda Dhatu), bone marrow and nerves (Majja Dhatu), and reproductive fluids (Shukra Dhatu).According to Ayurveda, Punarnava is diuretic by increasing renal blood flow.We at Planet Ayurveda contains capsules with standard extract in the quantity of 500 mg in each cap.
Dosage - 2 cap twice daily with water after meal.
3. Kishore Guggul
It is a guggul formulation used for the raised uric acid, mild to severe attacks of Gouty arthritis. It is an Effective herbal remedy for gout and in painful joint conditions. It removes toxins from within the blood. It corrects the metabolism and uric acid production and elimination process of uric acid from kidneys, improves kidney function. It helps to balance the Vata (Air) and Pitta (Fire) in body. It contains Guggulu (Commniphora Mukul), Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia), which acts as diuretic, it increases urine output which then flushes out the uric acid more quickly.
Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula) strengthens the kidneys and reduces pain associated with gout, improves the health of the kidneys and the urinary tract and helps to flush the uric acid out of the body.Bibhitaki (Terminalia Bellerica), improves the health of the kidneys and the urinary tract and helps to flush the uric acid out of the body.
Amalaki (Embellica Officinalis), controls the levels of uric acid in the blood and is also a good source of vitamin C .Sunthi (Zingiber Officinalis), Maricha (Piper Nigrum), Pippali (Piper Longum), Vidanga (Embelia Ribes), Trivrit (Operculina Turpethum), Danti Mool (Baliospermum Montanum) prevents the formation of uric acid, improves the purification of the blood, and aids in excreting uric acid.
Dosage - 2 tablets twice, after meals, with plain water daily.
4. Giloy Capsules
PlantbasedAyurveda's Giloy capsules contain pure extract in the quantity of 500 mg in each cap. This makes a wonderful herbal remedy for gout. Giloy is very well known for its immune-modulator and anti-inflammatory properties. It is bitter, astringent in taste along with light, oil and unctuous properties. It's hot in potency but its effects are cold. All these properties contribute to manage the problem of high uric acid successfully. Regular use of giloy capsules along with other 3 herbal formulations of gout care pack helps to flush out toxins and enhances stamina of body.
Dosage - 1 cap twice daily after meal with water.
DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS
In addition to taking medications, acute gout attacks can be managed through diet, a healthy lifestyle, weight management, and a proactive approach, which includes:
Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily to cleanse toxins from the body
Fresh fruits, raw vegetables, Capsicum, honey and sprouts Bananas have been found beneficial in gout
One should consume about fifteen to twenty five fresh cherries a day.
The juice of half a lime, squeezed into a glass of water, should be taken twice daily
Vitamin C may help lower uric acid levels.
A vegan diet is considered beneficial in ayurveda for the treatment of gout.
Celery is one of the most beneficial items that help in treatment of gout
Take light and easily digestible food like steamed or boiled vegetables or vegetable broth.
Use wholegrain bread, cereals and increase intake of seasonal fruits (except banana).
Increase the use of garlic, ginger, cumin, fennel, coriander, cardamom and cinnamon.
Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which provide complex carbohydrates.
AVOID
All purine and uric acid-producing , high-protein diet foods such as all meats, eggs, and fish; tea, coffee, sugar, white flour and its products; and all canned, processed, and fried foods.
Avoid excessive salt.
Avoid dairy products, especially yogurt
Avoid sour, pungent, fried foods, alcohol and tobacco
Avoid foods such as white bread, cakes, candy, sugar-sweetened beverages and products with high-fructose corn syrup.
Avoid soft drink and soda consumption, Some condiments such as jams, ketchup, mayonnaise or salad dressings
Seafood: Shrimp and crab are having high purine levels and must be avoided
HOME REMEDIES
Lemon water with a pinch of ginger powder is very effective to lower uric acid level. Take this daily once or twice.
Intake of 2-3 fresh, peeled garlic buds with water on an empty stomach in the morning are found beneficial.
Herbs with anti-inflammatory properties viz: ginger root, liquorice help to relieve pain. You can take them with water.
Beet juice - 100 ml and cucumber juice - 100 ml should be mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice to make 500 ml of combined juice and can be taken daily.
Cold packs, applied to the affected joints at night, will be beneficial.
Fresh air and outdoor exercise are also essential.
The patient should avoid stress as much as possible.
Do light and gentle exercises.
Massage the joints gently with lukewarm sesame oil for 20-30 minutes.
Avoid cold places and keep the body warm.
Losing weight helps to lessen the overall stress on joints, lowers uric acid levels and reduces the number of gout attacks.
Surya namaskar along with stretching exercises can loosen up the muscles.
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF GOUT NATURAL REMEDIES
Ayurvedic treatment of gout focuses on clearing high levels of uric acid from the blood, dissolving the deposited uric acid crystals, relieving the pain, swelling and inflammation. The herbal remedies for gout mentioned here constist of purely natural herbs without using any preservatives of chemicals or taste maskers.
CAUSES OF GOUT
Gout affects people having sedentary lifestyle, mainly men who do not exercise and are rich, and have following eating habits and life style
DIET AND LIFESTYLE CAUSING GOUT AND HIGH URIC ACID ---
Eating Salty, Sour, Bitter food, too much citrus, use of cider and vinegars, wines, beer, alcohol, non-veg diet, high protein diet, eating food without feeling hungry, eating too much food over previously eaten food, eating 2 food types having opposite qualities for example – drinking beer with warm food, eating ice cream with or just after food, drinking cold coffee or coffee or fresh lime soda along with food, Feelings of anger, stress, frustration, Sleeping during day time. It affects only those who are leading sedentary life style and their liver becomes sluggish and is not able to process the toxins like uric acid and it accumulates in the body.
Another reason for Gout is not consuming too many bitters.. bitter herbs and vegetables like gourds, bitter gourd, long gourd, round gourd, zucchini, (Tori) , Turnips, Carrots,
Gout is known as “Vaat – Rakt” in Ayurveda. It is caused by vitiation of “Vata” ( Air element) and impurities in blood. Vata gets vitiated by too much mental stress, anxiety, late night sleep, irregular food habits, non-use of Ghee in food, uncooked or frozen , processed and packaged food, dry food, fast food causes vata imbalance and holding of natural urges like not going to pass stool when there is a natural urge to evacuate. Not going to pass the urine and holding other natural urges and feelings leads to Vata imbalance.
Similarly eating food high in proteins, eating food which has properties to disturb balance of “Fire Element” cause accumulation of impurities in blood (Rakt ). Chilllies, Alcohol, Beer, Curd, Heavy greasy food, Non-Veg diet, too much Spicy food, Eating without hunger and binge drinking and eating leads to accumulation of toxins in the blood and causes “fire element imbalance” .The blood becomes impure and that’s why the disease is named as “Vaat-Rakt”.
Important tips about Eating habits
Samshan – Eating 2 types of foods having opposite qualities is called – Samshan. For example – eating ice cream as a dessert just after eating warm food or drinking cold coffee, fresh limesoda, Chilled beer along with food is called Samshan.
Vishmashan – Eating too much food at a time and without one’s capacity because of taste is called “Vishamashan”. Or eating before feeling any hunger
Adhyashan – Eating above already eaten food. Suppose you took dinner late night and it is still indigested and you do heavy breakfast or vice versa is called AdhayashanSamshan, Vishashan or Adhyashan leads to dreadful diseases which cause death.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Gout
The various natural remedies mentioned in Ayurveda consist of combination of various herbs to clear the uric acid from the blood, prevents its further formation and breaking down of uric acid crystals and helping in joint pains, inflammation, swelling etc.
The best Ayurvedic herbs are
1. Navkarshik Churna + Gorakhmundi Churna - 1 teaspoonful each twice daily
2. Punarnava mandur - 2 twice daily
3. Kishore Guggul - 2 thrice daily
These herbs do not have any interaction with any allopathic medicines and can be consumed with any ongoing treatments. I would however suggest that the long term use of medicines like Zyloric causes kidney damage and also the pain killers cause kidney damage, so its better to avoid them. The above mentioned combination of Ayurvedic natural remedies for gout, help to get rid of the pain naturallly without causing any side effects.
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