Gout

Why it works: Ginger can help with pain and inflammation, but direct, high-quality trials in gout are scarce. It should be used as an adjunct, not a replacement for guideline-based gout care (e....

Instructions: 1) Oral ginger (capsules/tea/food). • Standardized extract (what’s been studied most): Trials in knee osteoarthritis typically used ~225–255 mg ginger extract twice daily for 6 wee...

Warnings: Not a substitute for guideline care. ACR’s 2020 guideline does not recommend ginger for gout; rely o...

Studies: Direct gout evidence (humans):Topical compresses: A literatu...

Why it works: Potential uric-acid–lowering activity (lab/animal data): Compounds in celery seed (notably the flavonoid luteolin and other constituents) can inhibit xanthine oxidase, the enzyme t...

Instructions: Common forms you’ll see in shops and how people generally use them (based on herbal monographs rather than gout-specific trials):. • Capsules/tablets (seed extract): Product labels...

Warnings: Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid celery seed and celery seed oil (medicinal amounts are contraindica...

Studies: Human gout trials:None of high quality directly testing cele...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory activity. Nettle leaf contains polyphenols (e.g., quercetin) and other constituents that can down-regulate inflammatory pathways implicated in joint pain (e.g., N...

Instructions: Authoritative monographs give practical dosing for the recognized traditional indications (joint aches/urinary flushing). If you choose to try nettle alongside your clinician’s pla...

Warnings: Who shouldn’t use it (or should only use with medical advice):. • Pregnancy/lactation: not recommend...

Studies: For gout specifically: I couldn’t find randomized trials sho...

Why it works: TCM rationale (pattern = Damp-Heat in the lower body). Si Miao San is a classic “clear Damp-Heat” formula used for hot, swollen, painful joints—features that map well to Damp-Heat...

Instructions: Always work with a qualified TCM practitioner to confirm you have the Damp-Heat pattern and to individualize dose.. Forms & typical adult doses on product labels (not medical advic...

Warnings: Pregnancy: Avoid—Niu Xi (Achyranthes bidentata) can stimulate the uterus/cervix; most labels list pr...

Studies: Preclinical (mechanistic) study: Frontiers in Immunology (20...

Why it works: Pattern match in TCM: Gout flares often present as hot, red, swollen, painful joints—what TCM frames as wind-damp-heat bi. Bai Hu Jia Cang Zhu Tang combines Shi Gao (Gypsum) + Zhi...

Instructions: Classical ingredients (typical decoction):. • Shi Gao 30–50 g (crushed), Zhi Mu 9–18 g, Zhi Gan Cao 3–6 g, Geng Mi (rice) 9–18 g, Cang Zhu 9 g. (Exact grams vary by source and pati...

Warnings: Pattern/constitution contraindications (from Bai Hu traditions):. • Do not use if there is true cold...

Studies: Animal / mechanisticModified Baihu decoction suppressed AGA...

Why it works: 1) Lowers serum urate (short-term): Small human studies show cherry intake can transiently reduce serum uric acid (the driver of gout). In healthy adults, two servings of cherries...

Instructions: Daily prevention (common study protocols):. • Tart cherry juice concentrate: 30–60 mL/day (2–4 Tbsp), usually diluted in water, for several weeks. ScienceDirect. • 100% tart cherry...

Warnings: 1) Don’t replace prescribed gout meds. Major guidelines (e.g., ACR 2020) prioritize treat-to-target...

Studies: Human studies & reviewsCase-crossover (observational): C...

Why it works: Targets the gout flare cascade. Monosodium urate crystals trigger the NLRP3 inflammasome and neutrophil recruitment, releasing IL-1β and other mediators that drive pain and swellin...

Instructions: Acute gout flare (adults):. • Low-dose regimen (preferred): 1.2 mg at first sign of the flare, then 0.6 mg 1 hour later (total 1.8 mg over 1 hour). Higher doses don’t help more and...

Warnings: Narrow therapeutic index—use exactly as directed.. Key warnings from FDA labeling and major reviews:...

Studies: AGREE RCT (n=575): Low-dose colchicine (1.8 mg over 1 hour)...

Why it works: Turns down the “gout alarm” (NLRP3-inflammasome → IL-1β): Gout flares are driven by monosodium urate (MSU) crystals activating the NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β. Curcumin has repeat...

Instructions: Important: Curcumin should be considered an adjunct, not a substitute, for guideline-recommended gout therapy (NSAIDs, colchicine or corticosteroids for flares; and urate-lowering...

Warnings: Drug interactions (notable):. • Blood thinners/antiplatelets (e.g., warfarin, aspirin) → increased b...

Studies: In gout specifically: As of now, there are no large, high-qu...

Why it works: Diuretic effect (may help uric-acid excretion): A small human pilot study of dandelion leaf extract (not root) increased urination over a single day in healthy volunteers. More uri...

Instructions: These are traditional/monograph doses, not gout-specific regimens. If you use it, treat as adjunct only and discuss with your clinician (especially if you have kidney disease, gall...

Warnings: Gallbladder/bile duct disease: Classic herbal monographs caution avoid use with bile-duct obstructio...

Studies: Human trials for gout: None showing benefit. No randomized c...

Why it works: Uricosuric effect (kidneys): Vitamin C can increase urinary excretion of uric acid, likely via effects on renal urate transporters (e.g., URAT1) and related transport systems—hence...

Instructions: Do not substitute vitamin C for proven gout therapies (e.g., allopurinol/febuxostat for urate lowering; colchicine/NSAIDs/steroids for flares). ACR’s 2020 guideline does not recomm...

Warnings: Kidney stones (key risk in men): High-dose vitamin C supplements (~1,000 mg/day) were associated wit...

Studies: Prevention signal (observational):Health Professionals Follo...

Why it works: Bromelain has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that are biologically plausible for pain/swelling relief, but there are no high-quality clinical trials proving it treats g...

Instructions: There are no standardized, gout-specific dosing instructions. If you choose to try bromelain adjunctively, common practices from reputable references are:. Form & units: Oral capsu...

Warnings: Bleeding risk / interactions: Bromelain may have antiplatelet effects. Use caution with anticoagulan...

Studies: I could not find randomized, controlled trials of bromelain...