Wake up to Gout Pain? Natural Solutions for Relief and Uric Acid Balance

TCM holds that the body has a network of pathways, called meridians, through which energy (qi) and blood flow. Along these meridians are specific points, known as acupoints—such as the Greater Stream—that help regulate this flow. Stimulating acupoints through massage, acupuncture, or electro-acupuncture can effectively relieve pain.

In recent years, scientific studies have increasingly demonstrated the effectiveness of TCM in treating gout. Research has shown that electro-acupuncture can reduce gout pain and lower uric acid levels, often matching the efficacy of conventional Western medications—but with fewer side effects and a safer profile.

External Application of Natural Herbs for Pain Relief

Dr. Shu Rong, director of the Dr. Rong Clinic in Cambridge, UK, told The Epoch Times that certain common gout medications can strain the kidneys. For example, “Painkillers, steroids, and colchicine are all harmful to the kidneys, and are even more disadvantageous for gout patients with poor kidney function.”

In addition to using ice packs and acupressure, she recommended the following five herbal ingredients for external application to help relieve gout pain:

• Eggplant: Mash fresh purple eggplant into a pulp, add a small amount of honey, and mix into a paste.
• Dandelion: Rinse to clean, remove excess moisture, then mash it to a mud-like consistency, and add a little honey. Animal studies have found that dandelion leaf extract reduces uric acid levels. Fresh dandelions can be collected from field edges or roadsides.
• Plantago asiatica (Che Qian Cao): The preparation method is the same as for dandelion external application. Animal studies have found that the plantain herb’s effect in treating gout is comparable to that of the prescription anti-inflammatory medication, colchicine. Fresh Plantago asiatica can also be collected from roadsides.
• Cinnamon: Mix cinnamon powder with honey to form a paste.

Usage Instructions: Choose one of the prepared pastes and apply it directly to the affected area. Cover the area with plastic wrap and secure the edges with medical tape. Replace the application twice daily for five to seven consecutive days.

• Fresh Ginger: Roast or warm a piece of fresh ginger, then mash it into a pulp.

Usage Instruction: Apply the ginger mash directly to the affected area. Wait until the ginger mash dries, and the pain should subside.

TCM Diet Therapy for Uric Acid Excretion

Beyond external pain relief, preventing gout recurrence requires addressing underlying metabolic imbalances. The medicinal dietary soup Si Shen Tang (Four Gods Soup) is an ideal remedy for regulating metabolic function and promoting uric acid excretion, Hu said.

Si Shen Tang (Four Gods Soup)

Ingredients*

• 30 grams Coix seed (Job’s tears, or Yi Ren)
• 25 grams Poria cocos (Fu Ling)
• 60 grams Gordon euryale seed (Qian Shi)
• 60 grams lotus seeds
• 30 grams Chinese yam (Huai Shan, or Shan Yao)
• 1 to 2 chicken drumsticks
• 2 quarts water

* All the above herbs are dried.

Instructions

• Soak Chinese yams in warm water for half an hour before use. Most bright white Chinese yams on the market have been treated with sulfur to preserve them.
• Cut chicken drumsticks into small pieces and blanch in boiling water; set aside.
• Wash all ingredients thoroughly, then add to a pot with the water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for approximately one hour. Add salt to taste, and it’s ready to serve.

Hu’s approach has proven effective in his patients. He once treated a 78-year-old woman with gout, who also struggled with high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Following his guidance, she drank Si Shen Tang daily. Two years later, her gout attacks had stopped, and her blood sugar and blood pressure were stable. Even into her nineties, she remained active—taking the bus on her own to visit Hu for regular check-ups.

Note: Commercial versions of Si Shen Tang often include pig intestines or stomach, which patients with gout should avoid eating in excess. It is safest to prepare the soup at home. During an acute flare-up, do not add any meat; in the chronic phase, small amounts of spare ribs or chicken may be included.

Red Bean and Coix Seed Porridge

Physician Li Yingda from Cihang TCM Clinic in Taoyuan, Taiwan, recommends a dietary therapy recipe to promote uric acid excretion:

Ingredients

• 50 grams adzuki beans (red small beans)
• 50 grams Coix seeds
• 6–8 cups of water

Use more water for a soup-like consistency, less for a thicker porridge.

Notes:

• Coix seeds can promote uterine contractions, so they are not suitable for pregnant women, especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy when the embryo is not yet stable, as there may be a risk of miscarriage.
• Adzuki beans are rich in potassium, so patients with kidney disease should not consume them in excess.
• The ingredients for both recipes are typically available at Asian supermarkets or health food stores.

Foods to Favor and Forgo

Medicinal therapies alone are insufficient—their full effectiveness depends on maintaining an appropriate daily diet, Li said. Without it, the benefits of treatment may be vastly reduced. He recommends that patients with gout drink sufficient water and increase their intake of fruits and vegetables. Adequate water intake increases urine volume, helping to flush out uric acid and reduce salt deposits; the mostly alkaline nature of vegetables and fruits can inhibit the crystallization of uric acid, lowering the risk of flare-ups.

Cherries are particularly beneficial for patients with gout. Studies have found that eating cherries for two consecutive days reduces the risk of gout attacks by 35 percent. In addition, regular drinking of tart cherry juice can lower uric acid levels. Tart cherries (sour cherries) look similar to regular cherries but are slightly smaller, rich in anthocyanins, and often used as nutritional supplements. However, note that both regular and tart cherries are high in sugar—so do not eat too many at once.

A 2024 review found that people who ate more dairy products had a 31 percent lower risk of developing gout, and another study indicated that eating cheese may help reduce blood uric acid levels.