Natural Remedies for Gout: What Actually Works

You’ve had a gout attack. Maybe your first. Maybe your fifth.

Either way, you’re done waiting for the next one and you want to know what natural remedies for gout actually work.

Good. Because there’s a lot you can do beyond popping pills and hoping for the best.

Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in Australia, and the numbers are going up.

But most of the advice out there is either too vague (“eat healthy and drink water”) or too extreme (“never eat meat again”).

I’ve spent years dealing with my own gout and talking to thousands of Australians in the same position.

Here’s what actually makes a difference.

First, Understand What’s Actually Happening

Uric acid is a waste product your body creates when it breaks down purines. These are found in certain foods and produced naturally by your cells.

Normally it dissolves in your blood, passes through your kidneys, and leaves in your urine.

When that system breaks down, either because your body makes too much uric acid or your kidneys don’t flush enough of it out, levels build up.

The uric acid forms sharp crystals in your joints, most commonly the big toe, but also knees, ankles, and wrists.

That’s gout. And if you’ve had it, you don’t need me to tell you how painful it is.

Two things most people get wrong:

1. Gout is largely genetic. Up to 70% of the variation in uric acid levels comes down to your genes. It’s not because you had too many beers at the barbie. Your body is wired this way. Read more about gout and genetics
2. It’s never just one thing. Diet, hydration, weight, medications, kidney function, and genetics all play a part. That’s why you need to attack it from multiple angles.

1. Sort Out Your Diet

What you eat directly affects your uric acid levels and gout risk. Some foods crank it up. Others help bring it down.

Foods to cut back on:

• Organ meats (liver, kidneys), very high in purines
• Red meat and lamb
• Shellfish, mussels, sardines, anchovies, prawns
• Sugary drinks and anything loaded with fructose (it drives uric acid production)
• Beer and spirits (alcohol makes it harder for your kidneys to do their job)

Foods that actually help:

• Tart cherries and cherry juice. Research shows they may reduce both uric acid levels and gout flare frequency.
• Low-fat dairy. Multiple studies link it to lower uric acid.
• Vegetables, even the higher-purine ones like spinach. They don’t seem to cause problems.
• Coffee. Good news for coffee drinkers.
• Vitamin C-rich foods: oranges, capsicums, kiwifruit, strawberries.

You don’t need to give up the barbie. Knowing which foods make the biggest difference means you can make smarter choices without living like a monk.

See the complete guide to foods that affect gout

2. Drink More Water

Simple. Effective. Underrated.

When you’re dehydrated, your kidneys struggle to flush uric acid out. Levels build up. Problems follow.

Aim for at least 2 litres a day. More if you’re active, it’s a scorching Aussie summer, or you’ve had a few drinks.

Keep a water bottle with you. If you’re waiting until you feel thirsty, you’re already behind.

I hear this from people all the time: “I just started drinking more water and things improved.”

Not glamorous advice, but it works.

Read more about hydration and gout

3. Be Honest About Alcohol

Beer is the worst thing you can drink for gout. It’s high in purines and it stops your kidneys from excreting uric acid properly. Double hit.

Spirits are almost as bad. Wine seems to be the least problematic, but moderation still matters.

You don’t have to quit entirely. But you need to be honest with yourself about how much you’re putting away, especially during the footy season, summer, and holidays when it’s easy to go overboard.

Read more about alcohol and gout

4. Get Your Weight in Check

Excess weight is strongly linked to more frequent gout attacks. More fat tissue means more uric acid production, plus extra strain on your kidneys.

Even losing a moderate amount makes a measurable difference.

But here’s the catch: don’t crash diet. Rapid weight loss can actually trigger a gout flare because your body breaks down tissue too quickly.

Slow and steady wins this one.

5. Move More

Regular, moderate exercise helps in several ways: it supports a healthy weight, improves kidney function, and reduces inflammation.

Walking, swimming, cycling, light weights. Nothing extreme.

Very intense exercise can temporarily raise uric acid levels because of increased cell turnover and dehydration.

If you’re starting from nothing, a 30-minute walk each day is enough to make a difference.

Read more about exercise and gout

6. Use Targeted Supplements

Diet and lifestyle are the foundation. But certain natural ingredients have genuine research behind them for gout and uric acid support.

For a lot of people, especially those with a genetic predisposition, a good supplement fills the gaps that diet alone can’t.

Here’s what the research points to:

Tart Cherry Extract

The most well-studied natural ingredient for gout support. Contains anthocyanins that may help reduce uric acid production and support a healthy inflammatory response. A 2012 study found cherry intake was associated with a 35% lower risk of gout attacks.

Read the full research breakdown

Celery Seed Extract

Traditionally used to support kidney function and promote uric acid excretion. Contains compounds like 3-n-butylphthalide (3nB) that may also help reduce production.

Read more about celery seed extract

Chanca Piedra

The “stone breaker” herb. Research suggests it supports kidney function and helps your body process and excrete uric acid more effectively.

Read more about chanca piedra

Turmeric (Curcumin)

Well-known anti-inflammatory. May help manage the inflammatory response during gout flares.

Read more about turmeric and gout

Bromelain

An enzyme from pineapple with anti-inflammatory properties. Works well alongside other ingredients.

Read more about bromelain and gout

Vitamin C

Multiple meta-analyses show vitamin C supplementation lowers serum uric acid by boosting kidney excretion. Cheap, safe, and widely available.

Read more about vitamin C and gout

Other ingredients worth knowing about:

Milk thistle (liver support), cranberry extract (kidney support), and pomegranate extract (antioxidant).

The best supplements combine multiple ingredients that work through different pathways. Not just one angle, but several working together.

Learn what to look for (and what to avoid) in a gout supplement

7. Track Your Numbers

If you’re making changes, you want to know they’re working.

Ask your GP for a serum uric acid blood test. It’s simple, cheap, and gives you a clear number to track.

Below 0.36 mmol/L (6 mg/dL) is generally the target for gout management. Get tested every few months so you can see the trend.

Learn how to read your uric acid blood test results

The Bottom Line

No single change fixes gout. It’s the combination that works:

• Clean up your diet (focus on the biggest offenders first)
• Drink at least 2 litres of water daily
• Cut back on beer (be honest about this one)
• Lose weight gradually if you need to
• Move your body regularly
• Use a targeted supplement to cover what diet can’t
• Track your levels so you know what’s working

Most people I talk to see real results within 2-3 months of consistent effort. Not overnight. But it works.

Why I Created URICAH

I created URICAH because I was sick of the options available. I wanted something natural, transparent, and effective.

It has 14 clearly labelled ingredients, including tart cherry extract, celery seed extract, chanca piedra, turmeric, and bromelain. Every dosage is on the label. No proprietary blends. No rubbish hidden behind vague wording.

Over 2,200 customers across Australia and New Zealand use it.

I personally answer every customer question. And every order comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee and free shipping across Australia, because if it doesn’t work for you, I don’t want your money.

Learn more about URICAH

Read customer reviews

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.