Donnatrition Wellness

These 10 Essential Oils for Gout are some of the more common oils used for gout.

Gout is an inflammation of a joint, usually the big toe but not always. It is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. You are more at risk if you have a family history of gout, are overweight, or over consume alcohol.

In a previous post 7 Home Remedies for Gout I covered natural home remedies that included resting the affected joint, using ice, Epsom salts, and apple cider vinegar to name a few. I briefly touched on the fact that essential oils can also be used.

Lucky for us there are several essential oils that will work to help relieve the pain and inflammation of gout. And some that can help prevent future flare-ups. Of course you don’t need all of the following oils. Pick a few of your favorites and give them a try.

It’s important to know that while essential oils are effective in helping ease the pain and inflammation of gout, they may not work for everyone. If your symptoms do not improve or worsen it is important to seek medical attention as untreated gout can cause damage to joints and tissues and kidney damage.

10 Essential Oils for Gout

1. Fennel

Fennel Essential Oil used frequently to promote healthy metabolism, circulation, liver function, and a healthy digestive tract.

• Diuretic – helps remove excess water, sodium, uric acid, bile salts and other toxic elements from the body
• Anti-inflammatory – reduces swelling and inflammation
• Depurative – a detoxification alterative which purifies the blood. Also promotes cleansing action of the spleen, liver, kidneys, and bowels
• Stimulant – induces temporary improvements in physical function. For example, a stimulant  can promote enhanced alertness, wakefulness, and locomotion
• Tonic – helps to strengthen the entire body or specific organs

It’s toning properties helps clear out toxins and supports the organs involved in skin health, eliminations and circulation.

2. Cypress

The anti-inflammatory properties of Cypress essential oils will help reduce inflammation pain and swelling.

• Anti-inflammatory – reduces swelling and inflammation
• Anti-rheumatic – relieves chronic rheumatic pain and swelling. Gout has been associated with rheumatic arthritis.
• Diuretic – aids in the elimination of toxins in the body. This helps flush the uric acid and crystals out of your system.
• Tonic – helps to strengthen the entire body or specific organs.

 

3. Juniper

Juniper essential oil promotes elimination of uric acid, and helps cleanse the blood.  It’s properties are:

• Anti-inflammatory – reduces swelling and inflammation
• Anti-rheumatic – relieves chronic rheumatic pain and swelling. Gout has been associated with rheumatic arthritis and is often called “gouty arthritis.”
• Diuretic – aids in the elimination of toxins in the body. This helps flush the uric acid and  crystals out of your system.
• Tonic- helps to strengthen the entire body or specific organs.

4. Basil

Basil Essential Oil is perfect for gout. Known for it’s ability to reduce uric acid in the blood.  It’s properties are:

• Diuretic – reduces the amount of uric acid in the blood stream.
• Anti-inflammatory – reduce swelling and inflammation
• Tonic – to strengthen the entire body
• It can be used in a bath oil or bath salts, also as a massage oil and rubbed on the painful areas.

Add it to a massage oil blend and bath salts to reduce aches and pains.

5. Thyme

Thyme is a great choice for long term prevention of flare-ups.

• Diuretic –  it helps the body flush out the excess uric acid which causes the gout attack.
• Antioxidant – to protect cells from damage
• May help circulation to improve blood flow.
• It also helps build up the immune system.

Thyme is a reviver, stimulating the immune system and acting as a tonic to strengthen the whole body. Also a great diuretic to help remove the uric acid from the blood.

 

6. Peppermint

Peppermint has a wonderful feeling. Cool when applied it turns warm after drying and therefore can soothe painful areas.

• Anti-inflammatory – to reduce swelling and inflammation
• Analgesic – to help with pain
• Antiseptic – fights germs and infections
• Antispasmodic – relieves spasms and cramps and benefits relaxation and calmness
• Invigorating – to help with blood flow to affected area

Apply to affected area. Starts off cooling and as it dries comes warming, easing pain and inflammation.

 

7. Rosemary

Prefect for gout and other arthritic conditions. Creates warmth and circulation to soothe sore muscles and painful joints.

• Antioxidant – to help protect the cells
• Analgesic – to help reduce pain
• Anti-arthritic – relieve chronic pain and swelling
• Antiseptic – fights germs and infections
• Warming – when applied it has a warming effect, as it acts on the nerves to numb them, helping to soothe the inflamed joint
• It also helps to increase circulation to bring more blood to the area and take away from toxins

Creates warmth when applied to the skin, improving circulation and reducing pain by numbing nerves. Apply to areas of tenderness, can also mix with Fractionated Coconut Oil for larger areas.

8. Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a known diuretic which increases the frequency and amount of urination. This is important as it helps remove toxins, including uric acid, and excess water from the body. It may also help with circulation, edema and fluid retention and kidney disorders.

• Analgesic – to help reduce pain
• Anti-Inflammatory – reduces swelling in inflammation
• Antiseptic – fights germs and infections
• Tonic – to strengthen the entire body

Stimulates circulation to help eliminate toxins and uric acid. Also helps ease muscle aches and pain.

9. Frankincense

Frankincense helps ease hyperactivity, impatience, irritability, and restlessness. And may help improve attitude, which may not be the best when in pain.

• Anti-infectious – helps with detoxifying the body
• Anti-inflammatory – reduces swelling in inflammation
• Antiseptic – fights germs and infections
• Immune Stimulant – boost immune system
• Sedative – to help with sleep

Well known to ease skin ailments. It will also help tone your skin so it can return to normal after the gout attack. Mix with Fractionated Coconut Oil to apply to a large area.

 

10. Roman Chamomile

Chamomile has long been known for it’s calming and relaxing properties. Also perfect for use on the dry and peeling skin often brought on by a gout attack.

• Anti-infectious – helps with detoxifying the body
• Anti-inflammatory – reduces swelling and inflammation
• Calming and Relaxing – to help with sleeping
• Antispasmodic – relieves spasms and cramps and benefits relaxation and calmness

Rub on to affected areas. Can be mixed with Fractionate Coconut Oil for using on large areas. Eases pain by numbing nerves and reducing tissue inflammation.

How to Use

Use single oils or a combination of oils. After applying to affected area, you can use a cold compress to ease pain and inflammation once or twice a day. To ease stiffness and pain use a hot compress once or twice daily.

Make a bath salt for soaking by mixing 10 drops of your essential oil in 2 or 3 cups of Epsom salts and add to running water when filling bathtub. Soak daily for 2 weeks or more as needed.

 

These statements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.