GOUT: Gouty Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
I have not had a bout of gout for some years but this one is uncomfortable-an all over body ache, with joints and old bone injuries on fire. Fortunately for me, and I hope fortunate for Dear Reader, we heed early signs and start the rules of controlling this disease.
In my case I have identified adulterated coffee as the culprit. It appears that some coffee houses that roast coffee will add any number of chemicals that may boost or reduce caffeine. Decaffeinated coffee is processed with methyl chloride. Big boost caffeinated coffee may be boosted with nicotine.
I would pause to think before buying the super boosted highly caffeinated drinks on the store shelves. For the reason that once your adrenal glands are saturated with caffeine, they no longer function properly and as they become dysfunctional you need more caffeine to compensate to the point that even caffeine does not boost. Adrenal glands produce natural addrenalin, which is involved with the heart and other critical organs. Couple this with stress and you become a zombie: tired, exhausted, and worn out.
I have discovered that in my 70 plus years of coffee indulgence identifiable adulterated coffee has only appeared in the last twenty years, and more so now as coffee has become trendy in popularity. I have given up coffee for now-pain is a motivator-and will only go back to what I know is safe and/or buy only organic coffee.
We had briefly discussed purine rich foods to avoid, and more lists can be gained on the web, or from your physician. www.drkaslow.com is an interesting website, a medical website that “spills the beans” in providing clear facts. Most web sites appear to be coffee house pro ads on the healthful benefits.
There is an article on the benefits of pie cherries to effect a reduction in gout: here: this link This is a long article so bear with it. The bottom line is cherries are healthful; maybe the cook will bake many pies for the suffering victim. All the catalogs aforementioned in previous article sell fruit trees, so does Wal*Mart ™ in the spring. You might consider visiting Farmer’s Supply in Floyd for real cherry stone pickers and an excellent supply of canning equipment. They are sure to be gone once garden fever and the economy downturns beckon after Christmas.
You might consider planting several varieties of semi-dwarf cherry trees this next spring, and to that end we will have an exclusive article on fruit tree planting.
Herbs, which are a favorite interest of mine, need to be addressed. The only herb that is safe is Frankincense, otherwise known as Boswellia. There are a large number of herbs that have been used through the centuries and may be helpful under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner. For example in Germany where herbal lore and use is common, the medical community is well attuned to the use of herbs. Not so in this country where they are largely discounted and the American Medical Association wants to eliminate their usage. I can understand their view in that some herbs are poisonous and used in minute dosages with no clear understanding of usage. The herb “Colchium” aka: Meadow Saffron, Autumn Crocus is a beautiful plant but could be deadly in inexperienced hands. Perhaps if you were in Germany it could be beneficial under the proper supervision of a health professional.
In any event when you read about the wonderful miracle cures of some herbs first consult:”The Physicians Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines”. This is the bible of usage and acceptability. Consult this first.
Dandelion is a world known herb, perhaps one of the top contenders for a spring tonic for winter sluggishness. Yes, Dandelion, and we will have a big article on this next spring when the bees start gathering pollen from these first flowers. Dandelion can be used with gout treatment following the tincture recommendations on the bottle. Us earthy Back2theLanders will of course graze our Dandelion fields.
The Three Wise Men in bible days brought Frankincense and Myrrh, two necessary herbs in those days as today. Boswellia is the Latin name for Frankincense. Boswellia is a specific for osteoarthritis, a normal ageing process, and provides regeneration relief for gout. You can buy Boswellia cream at:
VitaminShoppe.com
I first discussed my crackling finger joints and other joint aches with my doctor. He prescribed cortizone injections for the large joints. He said there was no way to inject cortizone in the fingers, which were stiffening.
Phooey! I turned to Comfrey leaf poultices and I have had no problems since. Comfrey, a necessary herbal garden plant is second to Dandelion as a top contender. In Medieval days up to the present it is used in healing bones and pain relief. More on comfrey this spring when we build the herbal garden. Comfrey is NOT recommended for internal use-only external.
Contact me at: back2theland@swva.net
Copyright: 2008, Back2theLand, Mark Steel
DISCLAIMER:The information on this Web site is provided by Mark Steel for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, and medical advice and services are not being offered. If you have, or suspect you have, a health problem you should consult your physician.