Is Chaga Good for Gout?
Heal Gout with Chaga Tea
It is possible to heal gout with chaga tea and a healthy diet. Gout is caused by inflammation but can be treated with medications through the anti-inflammatory traits of chaga and other healthy foods. Learn the steps towards healing gout in this article.
What is Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis that exhibits itself through swollen, inflamed joints. Knuckles, toes and knees are particularly affected by gout. Advanced cases of gout can cause damage to the affected joints. The first signs of gouts usually occur in the thumb or fingers before progressing to larger joints. Gout is also not limited to the joints. Gout can also damage the kidneys and lead to renal failure.
Causes of Gout
The most commonly recognized reason for gout is a build up of urid acid in the bloodstream. Uric acid is correlated to the consumption of red meats like steak but can also be linked to genetic factors. A healthy diet is a key factor in curing gouts — even for those with a family history of the illness.
Uric acid is naturally produced by the human body to extract purine from foods in the digestive tracts. Purine is found in higher concentration in red meats. This is why reduced consumption of meat and the resulting reduction of naturally-produced uric acid is key to the treatment of gout symptoms.
Many people who consume little or no meat also develop gout. There are other factors that can contribute to this. Alcohol consumption, particularly wine, is thought to play a role in the buildup of uric acid crystals in the blood. Weather also plays a role. People in cold climates suffer from gout much more commonly than those in the tropics. The important role of cold weather in joint conditions can also been seen in diseases such as rheumatism and osteoarthritis. Gout occurs in 3% of men and 0.6% of women in Europe and North America.
The Role of Chaga Mushroom
Chaga mushroom consumption has a strong anti-inflammatory effect. Chaga has been used for hundreds of years in Russia and Europe for the treatment of joint-related diseases. Chaga tea improves digestion and boosts the metabolism. Additionally, it can lower blood sugar, improves blood flow and regenerate liver function. All of these factors will help reduce swelling of the joints.
The second step to the treatment of gout with chaga tea is to soak towels with warm chaga tea and then wrap them around the affected joints. Chaga tea does have some staining effects over the long term so use towels dedicated to this purpose or an old t-shirt. Another option is to rub chaga cream directly on the joints. It cannot be overstated how beneficial an exterior application of chaga in addition to drinking the tea can be.
The Anti-Gout Diet and Lifestyle
Chaga Tea
The recommended dose of chaga tea to treat gout is two 6 fl oz. cups daily. The first cup should be consumed on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before the next meal. This will increase the ability for the stomach to absorb the chaga mushroom nutrients. Chaga tea helps to sooth the pain from gout outbreaks and slowly reduces gout flare ups over time.
Food and Alcohol
Gout sufferers should eat plenty of vegetables, fruit and grains. Avoid gluttonous eating habits, frequent snacking or late dinners. Pain relievers such as aspirin can increase uric acid levels in the body. Avoid taking prescription pills that might complicate the treatment of gout. It’s easiest to treat gout’s causes and symptoms when patients are on few to no medications with a simple, clean diet.
Soft Drinks and Lemonade
It goes without saying but soft drinks are really not part of any healthy diet. While some soft drink consumption is tolerable for most people, gout-sufferers should avoid these acidic beverages at all costs. Surprisingly, lemonade should also be avoided. This is because of its high acid content. Since gout is essentially a problem with acidity in the body’s bloodstream any acidic drink will merely compound gout issues. A cup of chaga tee or glass of water is the preferable choice when dealing with gout.
Exercise and Epsom Salts
As with any chronic conditions, exercise will immensely help reduce the pain associated with gout. Walking 30 to 60 minutes per day in the gym or outside is ideal for the treatment of gout. If you live in a colder climate, be sure to exercise in a location or in a fashion that keeps your joints warm. Walking outside in freezing temperatures when afflicted with gout in the toes will only make things worse.
Before sleeping take a fifteen minute bath using epsom salts. Epsom salt baths are known to increase circulation and blood flow to the joints.
Conclusion
Gout is treatable and often curable with chaga tea and a purine-free diet. Chaga helps reduce swelling and inflammation of the joints. It also has a natural pain relieving effect. The time necessary to treat gout with chaga depends on the severity and duration of the symptoms. Excellent results can usually be obtained within three months but sometimes it take up to one year for treatment to reach its maximum potential. Although gout is often treated with medication, it is worth remember that only an excellent diet and long-term treatment will prevent it from recurring. Chaga tea can play an important role in eliminating gout and preventing its return.
