Gout Natural Remedies - Turmeric for Gout

Here's an article I wrote earlier this month for Scribd. Turmeric is such an important remedy for treating gout, I wanted to repeat it here so you wouldn't miss out on this information. ---Renee

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric (curcuma langa), a native of tropical South Asia, is a spice obtained from the root of a perennial plant, and is a member of the Ginger family. It is one of the main ingredients for curry in India. In fact, India is the largest producer and user of Turmeric. Other uses are as a colorant in American Mustard,  cheese, and butter. Turmeric has been used for over 4,000 years to treat illnesses, and  for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for treating arthritis.   Many cultures have used Turmeric as a gout natural remedy because of it's anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.

How does it help gout?

Gout is a form of arthritis, called "gouty arthritis" and is closely related to rheumatoid arthritis. An ingredient in Turmeric called curcumin is the active ingredient that aids in gout pain relief, inflammation, and swelling. Here are some of the things curcumin can do:

• Curcumin inhibits the production of prostaglandins which are related to pain.
• It is a potent anti-inflammatory and offers natural gout pain relief.
• It is a powerful antioxidant and reduces the inflammatory enzyme called COX-2.  The inflammation that occurs when our white blood cells filght the monosodium oxate crystals is what leads to an attack of gout.
• A 2006 study UA College of Medicine stated that curcumin works as an anti-arthritic, and completely inhibited the onset of rheumatoid arthritis in laboratory mice.
• In another study at the University of Arizona, symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis were created in lab mice. They were treated with curcumin which was found to be an effective treatment in preventing joint inflammation and reducing joint swelling.
• Curcumin causes the body's adrenal gland to produce more of the body's own cortisone, a powerful reliever of inflammation and pain, two of the worst symptoms during a gout attack.

How can I take Turmeric?

Turmeric can be purchased in health food stores online such as GNC, department stores such as WalMart and, of course, Amazon always has great prices. It is available as a fluid extract, capsules, or a tincture. A lot of blends include Bromelain which aids in absorption and also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Be sure buy a product with high levels of curcuminoids. The powder can also be used in your cooking. A half teaspoon added to an egg white omelette colors it nicely and you don't even miss the egg yolks. A pinch added to egg salad also renders a nice color. Of course, most curry recipe use Turmeric. You can easily find recipes online and start incorporating Turmeric into your diet.

Two Recipes for Delicious Tea

These recipes are my favorites.  I drink one or the other each day.   One uses Turmeric alone and the other uses Turmeric and Ginger. Both are good for detoxification and they taste wonderful. Both recipes follow the same procedure, so I've only listed the instructions after the second recipe.

Recipe #1

2 cups of water 1/2 teaspoon powder Turmeric 1/2 teaspoon powdered Ginger 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup or Honey Juice of 1/2 Lemon

Recipe #2

4 cups of water 1 Tablespoon of powdered Turmeric Lemon (optional) Honey (optional)

Instructions for both recipes:

1. Bring the water to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and add the Turmeric (and Ginger).
3. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Strain the tea with a mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
5. Add the Honey or Maple Syrup and lemon.
6. Stir and enjoy!

Precautions:

The only people who shouldn't use Turmeric are people with gallstones, people with bile duct obstruction, people taking a blood thinner such as coumadin, people taking drugs to reduce stomach acid, and pregnant women.

How much should I take?

Here are some recommended dosages I found online.  If you're taking one of the supplements, such as the capsules, take 400-600 mg three times a day; for the fluid extract, take 30-90 drops each day; for the tincture, take 15-30 drops four times each day.