What Herbal Remedies Can Be Used to Treat Gout?

Gout can be quite harmful, often causing immense suffering to patients during attacks. Western medicine is effective in providing quick relief, thus it is reasonable to use during acute gout attacks. However, it's important to be aware of potential side effects. Therefore, herbal remedies can be considered as an alternative for long-term treatment. Although the treatment course may be longer, the side effects are generally lower. Let's explore some herbal options for gout treatment.

1. Chicory

Chicory has heat-clearing and diuretic properties. For gout patients, it can help reduce the blood heat and dryness caused by gout, and also increase urine output to accelerate uric acid metabolism. Chicory is an effective herbal medicine for gout treatment. Chicory and gardenia tea, made by steeping chicory and gardenia, can not only reduce inflammation and pain but also decrease uric acid deposition in joints.

2. Corn Silk

Corn silk has diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an effective herbal medicine for gout. It can increase urine output and promote circulation, thus accelerating uric acid excretion. Generally, about 30 grams of corn silk is sufficient for making tea. For enhanced effects, luffa can be added.

3. Lysimachia christinae

The whole plant of Lysimachia christinae is used medicinally, with anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, diuretic, heat-clearing, wind-dispelling, stone-expelling, insecticidal, analgesic, and blood-enriching effects. It is suitable for treating conditions such as jaundice, acute and chronic hepatitis, stomatitis, urinary infections, nephritis, insect bites, and dysentery. It can also be used for rheumatic arthritis and periarthritis of the shoulder by boiling the herb and using the steam for fumigation and washing. Additionally, its ability to promote urination and expel stones can aid in gout treatment, making it suitable for decoction or tea.

4. Houttuynia cordata

Although many people dislike Houttuynia cordata due to its unpleasant fishy odor, it is a well-known herbal medicine in China, also known as Zhe'ergen in Sichuan, where it is often enjoyed as a cold dish. Its dried parts are used medicinally after cleaning and drying. Houttuynia cordata is included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia due to its various medicinal properties.