🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Gout has become a common civilization-related disease. According to recent statistics, over 20% of adults aged 30 and above in China have hyperuricemia, and among them, 5% to 12% may develop into gout. Generally, the higher the blood uric acid level, the greater the risk of developing gout.
· Etiology
From a Western medicine perspective, gout results from metabolic disorder of purines or reduced excretion of uric acid, leading to increased serum uric acid levels. Uric acid crystals deposit in joints, triggering inflammation and pain. Typical patients are middle-aged men who wake up at night due to severe pain in lower limb joints. Affected joints show obvious heat, redness, and swelling, with the big toe joint being most commonly involved.
From a TCM viewpoint, gout falls under the category of "Bi Syndrome" or "White Tiger Arthralgia." Excess uric acid is considered pathological "Phlegm-Damp" or "Damp-Turbidity." TCM believes that primary gout mainly stems from congenital dysfunction of spleen and kidney: impaired spleen function leads to internal phlegm-damp formation; disordered kidney function in separating clear from turbid fluids reduces damp elimination, thus promoting phlegm-damp accumulation. If, additionally, there is excessive alcohol consumption, overeating, fatigue, or joint trauma, phlegm-damp will flow into joints and muscles, obstructing qi and blood circulation, resulting in arthralgia—i.e., gouty arthritis.
· Treatment
In treatment, Western medicine commonly uses colchicine, anti-inflammatory analgesics, and drugs inhibiting uric acid production, which generally yield good results, though side effects like allergies and gastrointestinal discomfort are quite common. In fact, TCM also offers many effective formulas for treating gout. For acute gouty arthritis, formulas such as Danggui Niandong Tang, Shangzhongxia Tongfeng Wan, Baihu Jia Guizhi Tang, or Si Miao Wan can be selected based on condition, often achieving satisfactory outcomes.
Another group of gout patients are those with a constitution characterized by obesity and edema—i.e., overweight with loose muscles, prone to sweating, frequently fatigued, feeling heaviness below the waist, and even developing lower-limb edema after exertion. These patients can use Fangji Huangqi Tang with modifications to control uric acid levels, while also achieving some weight reduction and improved fatigue. Research literature indicates that herbs like Tufuling and Bixie can reduce serum uric acid levels, while Yi Yi Ren, Ze Xie, Cheqianzi, Da Fupi, and Fu Ling Pi aid in uric acid excretion. When properly combined, these herbs can be used during the intermission phase of gout to lower uric acid levels.
· Dietary Therapy
Gout patients must pay attention to diet. They should drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol, especially foods high in purines such as organ meats, dried small fish, wu guo fish, white-belly fish, four-puncture fish, shi-mu fish, squid, dried scallops, oysters, meat broths, soybean sprouts, asparagus, mushrooms, etc. Foods like red meat and legumes also contain considerable purines and should not be consumed excessively. However, gout patients are not restricted from all foods—vegetables and fruits can be eaten freely. Here are two dietary remedies beneficial for gout patients:
1. Coix Seed Porridge
Take appropriate amounts of coix seed and white rice in a ratio of about 3:1. Soak coix seed for 4–5 hours, white rice for 30 minutes. Then mix both together and boil with water to make porridge.
2. Winter Melon Soup
Use 300 grams of winter melon (without skin), 5–6 jujubes, and a small amount of ginger threads. First sauté the ginger threads in oil, then add the sliced winter melon and jujubes into the pot. Add water and seasonings, and cook into soup.