Gout is a type of arthritis that has been identified for over 2000 years. It is a type of inflammation of the joints, accompanied by severe joint pain and swelling. Gout generally affects the big toe, mostly occurring suddenly, leaving the person in severe pain. However, it can also affect the ears, ankles, elbows, knees, and wrists. When the level of uric acid in the body exceeds the normal level, then, this condition is called gout. Uric acid (natural waste in the human body) gets deposited in the joints of the body, and causes them to swell. This condition is seen commonly in middle-aged men and also in women after menopause. Causes of Gout Uric acid, which is the end product of the body's chemical processes is removed by the kidneys and discarded from the blood and body, via urine. However, in those suffering from gout, the amount of uric acid in the blood is high because of more uric acid formation or low amounts of uric acid being discarded by the kidneys through urine. Uric acid is usually found dissolved in the bloodstream. However, when their levels increase in the blood, uric acid crystals or needles are formed which then get deposited in the different joints, and cause pain, inflammation, and swelling. Natural Remedies for Gout This painful disease can be treated at home itself, with the help of some simple and effective natural remedies. Some of the natural remedies are as follows: Cherry, Apple, and Banana Treatment What better way to counter pain than with sweet-sour red cherries. This old and effective remedy is used to reduce uric acid levels in the body. Vitamin C helps eliminate uric acid and since cherries are rich in vitamin C, they are helpful in treating gout. Consumption of 10-15 cherries a day provides relief from recurrent attacks of gout. Drinking a glass of cherry juice is also very effective. The malic acid present in the apple is known to neutralize the uric acid, thereby providing relief. Thus, it is advisable to eat one apple after every meal. Besides apples, even bananas are quite effective. The sufferer is advised to take 8-9 bananas a day, continuously for a period of 4 days. This will definitely bring relief. Lemon Treatment Lemon is another fruit which is rich in vitamin C, and it not only helps cure sore joints but also strengthens the body's connective tissues. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon in a glass of water, and have it thrice a day: morning, noon, and night. The citric acid present in the lemon will dissolve the uric acid crystals and reduce their deposition in the joints. Besides lemon juice, another form of lemon treatment is to take 10-15 washed lemons and have them ground (without seeds but with the skin). Add around 2 pounds of honey to the ground lemon and refrigerate the mixture. Have one spoon of this honey-lemon mix everyday before every meal. Vegetable Juice Treatment Consumption of carrot juice is very effective in treating gout. Prepare a combination of vegetable juices such as: 300 ml carrot juice, 100 ml beetroot juice, and 100 ml cucumber juice. This 500 ml juice mixture should be had everyday. The juice of French beans is also quite beneficial. Drinking half a cup of this juice for a period of one month can help treat gout. Raw Fish Therapy This therapy is quite effective, and is just a 10-day long therapy with the assurance that the pain will go away. Buy 5 pounds of raw fish fillets and divide the fish fillets into 5 equal parts. Put these in plastic bags and freeze them. Take one bag each night and defrost it. Place your leg into the bag, ensuring that the fish fillet is placed at the spot where your leg is hurting the most. Put a sock over the plastic bag and bind the plastic and sock to your feet with a band. Leave the fish bag on your feet for the night. The next morning undo the bag and wash your feet with warm water. Continue this treatment for the next 9 days. Charcoal Therapy Take a basin and mix half a cup of charcoal powder to a little water until a paste is formed. Place the aching foot in the basin and pour enough water to cover the foot completely. Allow your foot to remain in the charcoal bath for 30-50 minutes. You will definitely get relief from the pain. Epsom Salt Therapy If the big toe is affected, then Epsom salt therapy can help. Epsom salt contains magnesium, which is beneficial to remove the toxins, waste materials, and heavy metals from the blood. Soaking your feet in a tub of (250-500gm) Epsom salts will bring relief from the pain. You could even have an Epsom salt bath by adding 2 cups of Epsom salt into the bathtub while the warm water fills. These Epsom salt baths can be taken thrice a week. Besides these above-mentioned remedies, exercise is also another effective form of gout treatment. Exercises nourish and strengthen the cartilage of the joints, and also help the body get rid of body waste. Gout is a painful condition, however, you can control its severity by resorting to various natural remedies such as the ones mentioned above. It is always advisable to consult your family physician or gout specialist before trying out any remedy. Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.