Key takeaways
- Natural remedies such as magnesium, ginger compresses, and cold therapy may help you manage gout pain and reduce flare-ups.
- Lifestyle habits such as avoiding trigger foods (red meat, seafood, high fructose corn syrup, and alcohol), staying well hydrated, and getting adequate rest during attacks can also help reduce gout symptoms.
- While some natural remedies show promise, most lack strong scientific evidence in humans, so they should complement rather than replace prescribed medical treatments for gout.
Gout is a type of arthritis caused by uric acid buildup in your joints, which leads to inflammation. During gout flare-ups, you’re likely to experience swelling and severe pain in one or more joints, as well as skin redness or other discoloration in the affected area.
Some natural remedies may help you manage gout-related pain. But if your pain is very sudden or intense, contact your doctor before trying any of the remedies below.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds found in cherries may help reduce the chronic inflammation that occurs in gout.
In a 2019 review of six studies, the authors noted that consuming cherries or cherry juice was associated with a lower risk of gout attacks. But most of the studies were small, and the authors suggest that more research is necessary.
A 2012 study with 633 participants found that 3 servings of cherries (1/2 cup each) eaten within 2 days was the most effective dose for reducing the risk of gout attacks.
Magnesium is an essential dietary mineral that plays several important roles in your body.
A 2024 study using data from more than 18,000 people found that those with a higher magnesium depletion score (a measurement of magnesium deficiency) were more likely to have gout. One possible reason for this is that long-term magnesium deficiency may increase inflammation in your body.
Additionally, a 2018 study found that greater magnesium intake was associated with a lower risk of hyperuricemia (high uric acid levels) in both men and women.
If you want to try increasing your magnesium intake, talk with your doctor. They might recommend taking magnesium supplements or eating more magnesium-rich foods.
Most available research on ginger as a gout remedy focuses on topical use (application of ginger to the skin) to reduce pain. In small studies published in 2020 and 2023, people with gout reported less pain after applying a ginger compress.
Some research in mice also suggests that ginger may help lower uric acid levels. In one 2021 study, mice showed a decrease in uric acid levels after consuming a mixture of red ginger powder and lime juice. But more studies are needed to find out whether ginger is an effective gout remedy in humans.
To make a ginger compress, you can boil 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger in water and then soak a washcloth in the mixture. Once the cloth is cool, apply it to the area where you’re experiencing pain for 15 to 30 minutes at least once per day. Skin irritation is possible, so it’s best to do a test on a small patch of skin first.
You might also want to try drinking ginger tea, which you can make by steeping 2 teaspoons of ginger root in boiling water for 10 minutes. Ginger
Apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and turmeric are each frequently recommended anecdotally for gout, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited at best.
No strong research supports apple cider vinegar as a gout remedy, though one 2020 study in rats suggests that it may support kidney health.
As for lemon juice, a
Most research on turmeric focuses on curcumin, a component of turmeric that has anti-inflammatory properties.
In a small 2025 study involving 48 people with gout, participants had lower uric acid levels, fewer gout flares, and less pain after taking 1,000 milligrams of curcumin per day for 12 weeks. The authors of a
If you want to try this combination, you can mix juice from half a lemon into warm water along with 2 teaspoons of turmeric and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. You can drink this mixture two or three times per day.
Celery is a food
While celery extract and seeds have become popular home remedies for gout, scientific evidence of their effectiveness is scant. However, some research has suggested that celery extracts have anti-inflammatory effects and can help lower uric acid levels in mice.
Research has not documented an appropriate amount of celery for treating gout. You may want to try consuming celery in forms such as raw celery sticks, juice, extract, or seeds. But it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor before trying any supplement, including celery seed, and it’s important to closely follow the directions on the label.
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) has traditionally been used as an herbal remedy for conditions that cause inflammation and pain.
Some research has suggested that certain compounds found in nettle may be beneficial in treating gout, but no studies have confirmed that it works.
If you want to try this tea, you can boil some water and steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried nettle per cup of water. You can drink up to 3 cups per day.
Some people use dandelion teas, extracts, and supplements for liver and kidney health.
Studies in mice and rats have found that dandelion extracts may help lower uric acid levels and protect against liver and kidney injury, but there is no strong evidence that the same effects occur in humans.
If trying a dandelion tea, extract, or supplement, follow the label directions closely.
Milk thistle is an herb sometimes used for liver health.
Older studies from 2016 and 2013 suggest that milk thistle extract may lower uric acid levels in rats with health conditions that can damage the kidneys. However, no research has shown whether it’s effective in humans.
If you’re considering trying a milk thistle supplement, discuss it with your doctor and follow the dosing directions on the label carefully.
Hibiscus is an edible flower that is also used as a traditional herbal remedy.
A few studies have suggested that hibiscus extract can lower uric acid levels in rats and has potential as a treatment for gout. But more research in humans is needed.
You may want to try taking hibiscus as a supplement, tea, or extract. Follow the label’s directions closely.
According to a 2025 study, cold therapy can reduce pain and inflammation during a gout attack.
You might want to try applying a cold pack to the affected joints for about 15 minutes per hour during your waking hours.
Some
Applying heat to the affected joints during a gout attack may worsen inflammation, so heat therapy should be used only at times when inflammation is less intense.
Natural health websites may recommend apples as part of a gout-management diet because they contain malic acid, which lowers uric acid levels. However, no studies support this recommendation.
Apples also contain fructose, which may trigger hyperuricemia. In one small 2018 study, participants’ uric acid levels increased after they consumed apples or apple juice.
You can talk with your doctor or dietitian about whether apples are a good option for you.
Bananas are rich in potassium, a mineral that plays
But bananas contain sugars, including fructose, which can be a gout trigger.
Many foods, such as dark leafy greens and avocados, are higher in potassium and lower in sugar than bananas.
You might consider eating one banana per day for general health benefits, but no studies yet support any gout-related benefits.
Some people may recommend a bath with Epsom salts to prevent gout attacks.
The idea is that Epsom salts are rich in magnesium, which may lower gout risk. However,
If you want to give Epsom salts a try, you can mix 1 to 2 cups into a bath. You can soak your entire body or only the joints affected by gout symptoms.
Certain healthy lifestyle habits may help reduce your chances of experiencing gout flare-ups.
Eliminate diet triggers
The foods you eat can have a major impact on your gout flare-ups and pain. Avoiding trigger foods and maintaining an appropriate diet for gout is an important remedy in and of itself.
Studies show that red meat, seafood, high fructose corn syrup, and alcohol are the most likely triggers. Try to limit your consumption of these foods and to focus on eating low sugar fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and low fat dairy instead.
Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water and other fluids is important for proper kidney function. And keeping your kidneys in good shape can reduce uric acid crystal buildup and gout attacks.
The Arthritis Foundation recommends drinking 8 to 16 cups of fluids per day, especially water.
Get plenty of rest
Gout attacks can make it hard for you to move the affected joints.
To help prevent your symptoms from worsening, relax and rest as much as possible while your joints are inflamed. Avoid exercising, lifting heavy objects, and using your joints excessively, all of which can worsen the pain and duration of a flare-up.
Some natural remedies may be useful for gout management, although most lack scientific evidence. While you may be able to add some natural remedies to your treatment plan, they are not a replacement for your prescribed gout treatments.
Always check with your doctor before adding a supplement to your regimen, as some supplements may cause interactions or side effects.
Because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the contents or effectiveness of supplements, it’s important to look for supplements that have been tested for safety. When shopping, check product labels for certifications from third-party testing organizations such as USP and ConsumerLab.
If your gout pain is sudden, intense, or unmanageable or if your treatments or home remedies stop working, contact your doctor immediately.