Alternatives for gout

Nettle leaves are excellent for removing uric acid.  This would be my first choice.  Nettles are also good for the kidneys, which is important since the uric acid can also cause kidney damage. 

Safflowers, juniper berries, cherries, celery seed, and cherry stem tea are also great.  The juniper berries should not be used for more than 4-5 days without a break to prevent kidney irritation from the essential oil of the berries.  The berries also lower blood sugar, and so should be used with caution if you are prone to hypoglycemia. 

I also recommend oat bran or rice bran for their B vitamin and silica contents.  The B vitamin folic acid helps to control uric acid production, and silica helps to reduce inflammation and prevent tissue damage. 

Drink lots of water!  This is extremely important since water is required to convert uric acid crystals in to urea.  Uric acid crystals are like glass shards on the kidneys, and may shred kidney tissues if not converted into urea first.  Conversion of uric acid crystals in to urea allows the uric acid to be eliminated through the kidneys in a safe manner. 

Avoid all meats, dairy, mushrooms, algaes, all sugars, yeasts, beans, spinach, and asparagus which all raise uric acid levels.  And cut back on fat intake since it can inhibit uric acid secretion.  Avoid alcohols since they inhibit uric acid secretion.  Beer is particularly bad since it also elevates uric acid levels due to its high purine content. 

Conventional treatment of gout is with the anti-inflammatory drug colchicine.  The drug is derived from the plant autumn crocus.  Colchicine is highly toxic and can destroy the liver among its other serious side effects.  Colchicine does not affect uric acid levels but is rather used to reduce the inflammation from the uric acid damage. 

Other medications, such as diuretics, can cause gout as well as some medical conditions.  Therefore, I recommend checking the side effects of any medications you are taking and having lab workup done.  The lab work can help identify possible contributors to gout such as hemolytic anemia and hypothyroidism. 

Finally I would suggest trying soaking the affected area in hot water with some Epsom salts.  The heat helps dissolve the uric acid crystals.