Natural cures for gout and ringworm

My husband suffers from gout, what foods should he eat and cut out of his diet?

Gout is a rheumatic condition caused by too much uric acid in the bloodstream, with uric acid crystals forming in the joints and tissues of individuals prone to gout.

Alcohol and caffeine should be avoided, along with foods rich in purines — such as organ meats, mackerel, herring, trout, and yeast extracts (Bovril, Marmite, etc.).

Purines break down into uric acid; caffeine impairs kidney function, and therefore makes it difficult for the body to excrete uric acid — alcohol contains purines and interferes with uric acid excretion. Having said that, it is worth discussing alcohol recommendations with your doctor, since a single daily drink won’t increase the likelihood of a gout episode in most cases.

It is also worth noting that a quarter of all sufferers have a family history of gout, so even if your husband’s diet may not be particularly high in purines, caffeine, or alcohol, he may have a genetic predisposition to the condition. There are also a few medications that impair excretion of uric acid, including diuretics and salicylates.

The good news is that this can be a relatively simple condition to treat, as most people respond well to changes in diet and lifestyle. Your husband would do well to eat small meals five or six times daily, rather than the usual three regular meals. Eating a full-sized meal at one sitting tends to increase uric acid production.

Foods that help include fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly celery and black cherries. Drinking plenty of water will help to dilute the uric acid content of your husband’s urine, reducing the likelihood of kidney stones. If your husband is happy to switch from tea or coffee for a dandelion root beverage, which helps to remove uric acid.

A vitamin B12 supplement is a good idea since your husband will be limiting or eliminating many foods high in this nutrient. Essential fatty acids are useful in reducing inflammation, ideally choose a plant-based source such as flaxseed oil or chia seeds.

My 15-year-old daughter has what looks like ringworm on her upper arm. She has used fungal cream from the pharmacist, but the patch is still there after almost a month.

As you are no doubt aware, ringworm is a fungal infection rather than one caused by a parasitic worm. The distinctive rash is ring shaped with a raised outer edge, and the skin is usually flaky and itchy.

I am surprised that the anti-fungal cream hasn’t managed to clear the rash. You can try either tea-tree or manuka essential oil applied neat to the affected area — I have found both to be equally effective in eliminating fungal infections from skin and nails. If your daughter is concerned about using undiluted oils, then mix 1-2 drops of the oil in a tablespoon of coconut oil (which also has anti-fungal properties).

It is important to have any pets checked for ringworm, and if they test positive then also treat them to prevent reinfection. Ringworm spreads easily by touch, particularly in younger children, where they are more likely to scratch the rash and spread it to others.

The reason why ringworm is commonly seen in children but not as often in adults is that adults may not exhibit symptoms even if they are infected. This is because the immune system has matured and is functioning well.

If you grown thyme in your garden, or have the dried herb in your kitchen cabinet, then your daughter can drink this as a herbal infusion. Use one tablespoon of fresh herb, (or a teaspoon of the dried herb), per cup of water and have your daughter take one to two cups daily.

Fresh or dried thyme can also be added to her bath water. It is worth noting that this herbal remedy also works well for athlete’s foot, thrush, intestinal parasites, scabies, and lice.