The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Debi (Norfolk, VA) on 07/07/2009:
I couldn't understand the last few weeks why my feet were getting so bad again, when they have seemed practically cured for over six months. Then it occurred to me. I had run out of my jug of apple cider vinegar (with the mother in it) and with so much going on having summer guests and whatnot, I had forgotten to replace it.
It made perfect sense why my feet were getting so bad again and I was in misery - so I got another bottle yesterday and did my usual 6 oz of water with a tablespoon of the vinegar mixed in (no honey or anything else) and sipped it all morning until it was gone, then had another glass (same mixture) in the late afternoon.
My feet this morning are so improved, I can't believe it. Of course I am not skipping this little daily drink again (also using it in salad dressing and in any recipes that call for vinegar). It truly does work!
EC: Hi Debi. Are you referring to gout or an arthritic condition? We're posting this on the gout page in the meantime...
I last had gout 8 years ago. It was a very bad attack and the doc gave me Naprosyn but unfortunately the attack lasted for weeks. Last week after too much cheese and wine, I felt another attack coming on. My big toe started swelling and was inflamed and red. The pain was building up and I prayed it wasn't going to be another fully-fledged attack. I found this site and sent for some organic acv. I took a couple of tablespoons in a glass of water 3 times a day and adapted my diet to include lots of water, celery, cherries,strawberries, salad, radish and other healthy stuff. I also took some turmeric, vit C, chelated magnesium and milk thistle.
I bought some comfrey oil and put some on the toe. (I once cured a badly frozen shoulder with a poultice of comfrey leaves from my garden). Within about 3 days, the pain lessened, the swelling went down and I could walk again. Boy was I relieved. It was like winning the lottery. I have had several attacks of gout over the years and I do not want that pain again. I refused to see a doctor after the tablets he prescribed last time had little or no effect - except possibly side-effects.
I will take a maintenance dose of ACV and I sincerely hope that anyone who has gout can control it with ACV and the right diet. Keep off those drugs.
I have had gout for years and stumbled onto this website. The last year I have had some gout pain almost daily. I tried the 2 tbl in water 3 times a day for 2 days and have now been painfree for 5 days. I am waiting to see how long it takes any pain to return but so far I would agree this offers VERY quick relief.
GEO (Hoyland Nether, South Yorkshire) on 05/13/2009:
While doing some web research to help a friend find relief from gout, I discovered I was suffering with it after seeing photos and reading about the symptoms - swollen big toe, red spots, and of course, excruciating pain.
My sister is a vehement advocate of apple cider vinegar (ACV) and honey for anything that ails you; consequently, I checked it out on the Internet as a gout remedy, and the overwhelming response from people was that it worked wonders.
Being an ex-investigative environmental journalist, I wanted to find out why for my own satisfaction. From the preponderance of anecdotal testimonies alone, my research overwhelming indicated that ACV has helped people with a host of maladies, and has been used for thousands of years for everything from foot fungus to kidney ailments.
However, in spite all the positive personal testimonies as to ACV's effectiveness, I couldn't find any any substantive scientific research to back to back the glowing testimonials. In fact. When I finally found the analysis for trace minerals in ACV, the amount people take should have no impact whatsoever on any malady. Acetic acid is about the only active ingredient that would impact anything.
So eliminating myself from any placebo effect bias, I tried a few tablespoons of ACV in water. It alleviated the major symptoms shortly after the first dose. After two days, I only have some residual pain in the ball of my foot instead what felt like festering boil two days before.
Thank you for this web site and for the posts. I had severe gout pain every day for 2 months, so I gave in and tried the medicines the doctor prescribed. They made me so sick I could not take them. I tried ACV (1 TSP ACV, 1 TSP Honey, 4-6 oz of hot water- makes a decent tasting hot tea) a couple times a day, cherry juice, and ibuprofen cream. The pain went away within 2 days. I know the ACV is working as I had never tried it before; I had been eating a lot of cherries and that helped for a while, but not enough when it got severe. I wanted to share the ibuprofen cream idea as I did not see it on this web site. My wife uses it on her jaw for TMJ, so I thought I'd try it. I just rub some into the joint before bed and/ or in the morning and it seems to reduce swelling and increase mobility and decrease pain. It's called homeopathic ibuprofen cream for muscles and joints and it works well.
I have had a swollen, painful big toe joint on my right foot for over two years. The left foot was becoming dotted with red spots as well as swelling in both ankles. Went to the Dr. in March, 2009 and he dignosed Gout and gave me 100mg of allopurinol daily. No improvement as of April 29. I looked up Gout cures on the internet that night and saw Apple Cider Vinegar being used with positive results. I remember family members who are all gone now, taking honey and apple cider vinegar for lots of ailments, so thought, what the heck. I took 3 tablespoons of cider yesterday a.m., last night and this morning I have no pain nor redness. This is unbelievable. I also stopped taking the meds which I know you aren't to do. These results in my case are amazing. My wife cannot believe all the redness disappeared overnight. I hope this keeps up.
I was very skeptical when trying ACV but then what do I have to lose? Well after 3 days I'm limping worse than when I started ACV. Before I can limp around but now it seems like it's spread to other joints in my foot that I'm not able to even move around at all. I was doing 2 tbs 1 cup of water for 3 times a day and taking Shark Cartlidge pills. I have a Disney World trip with my family the end of May. I hope to God it is gone then so I've not given up on ACV just yet.
Have had serious gout in my ankle and toe for 3 months. The medication prescribed by my Doctor was not giving relief at all.Two days ago I found this site and within 24 hours I was able to walk with comfort after having two tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar 3 times per day in a glass of water.No doubt in my mind that this is a great medicine. Thank you to all that have passed this information on.
Apple cider vinegar has helped with my latest gout attack. My first attack happened a year ago and I was clueless about a solution. It took a week to see a doctor and by then it was improving. I limped around for weeks.
My second attack happened two days ago and I immediately applied an aspirin cream to my toe. That was a huge mistake, the pain got worse. Later I started on apple cider vinegar with honey, grape juice, cherry juice, huge volumes of fluids and soaking my foot in epsom salts.
When the next night was also sleepless, I was despondant. I had suicidal thoughts. I could not imagine living with that kind of pain for the rest of my life. After reading all of the success stories I was ready to give up . . . but I didn't. I reduced the amount of meat and increased fruit and vegetables in my diet and continued the same therapy. By afternoon I was walking with significantly less pain.
Today, day three, there is a painful red spot on the side of my toe. I am able to bend the joint in both directions with little pain. I am walking with little discomfort. Next time I have a gout attack, I will get out of bed and begin the healing process immediately.
Apple Cider Vinegar works for Gout. I long suffered from gout in my feet and ankles. I tried everything over past several years. I stumbled across the Earth Clinic website. They recommended ACV with the "mother". I took two tablespoons in 6 oz. of warm water three times a day (morning, noon and night). I have not had a flare-up in two weeks. ACV seems to work well for my gout. I will continue to take ACV at least once a day for the near future.
I was diagnosed with gout 7 years ago after an excrutiating acute episode in my right toe. After several painful episodes, I went on allipurinol for years very successfully but wanted to get off not thinking that there were natural cures anywhere. After reading the ACV therapy I gave up the drugs cold turkey. I knew this was not wise as your body needs to ease off of it. Sure enough within five days I felt the right toe episode with which I had so long dealt with coming on. I immediatly tried the ACV approach. I did 1 - 3 tablespoons mixed with Cherry juice and after three doses in the same day I knew I would know by the next morning whether or not this would work. Sure enough it was subsiding during the day and gone by the morning. Definitly works so far! Thanks!!
Most of the people I read about had gout attacks for several years or several times. I just had the first one and it was very severe. I could hardly walk at all and not walking just doesn't fit into my life as a restaurant owner I am on my feet 12-14 hours a day.The Dr. prescribed Celebrex but after she told me all the side effects I was too scared to take it. So Sunday nite I found this web site and thought Ill the apple cider vinegar approach. I had a near full bottle of a store brand. I mixed 3 tablespoons in a glass very cold water and a couple hours later mixed another 3 tablespoons in another glass of cold water. I thought it was hurting lesss and the swelling was going down after a couple hours but I could'nt be sure.When I woke the morning next it was way less swollen and did not hurt near as much. I took another dose before my am coffee and went to the medical supply store and purchased a velcro shoe. My foot was so swollen my shoe made it worse. 3 more doses and 24 hours later the swelling and pain is 90% gone! Thank you very much for this infomation!!!
I don't use the baking soda but I have been using ACV religiously for a year now and zero gout attacks. I was getting them about once every 2 months and they are so painful. Now, I just take two tablespoons of ACV with water before I eat. I only eat twice a day, morning and evening. It also helps my blood sugar and blood pressure.
I tell my daughter and son in law to start taking it but they think it's some voo doo cure. They are in the medical field.
I should say that I don't take the baking soda because I don't want the additional sodium. I also do oil pulling which the benefits can be found on this website.
I awoke yesterday morning around 4AM (10/12/08) in excruciating pain in my big toe. The worst gout attack I have ever had. After reading your forum I headed to my local health food store, and purchased _____Apple Cider Vinegar, Raw Honey, and Quercetin. (Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant. It is also a natural anti-histamine, and anti-inflammatory.) I also purchased Acai ____, a concentrate of purest of dark berries (mix one cap full with a glass of water). By noon I had the berry drink and vinegar/honey/water drink in me. By 4PM I could actually walk semi-normal. I had another glass of the ACV/Water/Honey in the evening around 7PM. By 8PM only a slight discomfort could be felt. This morning - it's as if the attack never happened. I can't tell you what a miracle this is! Thanks to all of you for sharing this wonderful find! It will now be part of my weekly routine since I've read what amazing benefits there are to ACV.
Apple cider vinegar all but eliminated swelling and pain. I am 58 and have been in good shape most of my life but had a low back injury over 3 years ago and have had severe pain and stiffness which has sent me to doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists and even a rolfer for 15 sessions! All of these helped but very temporarily. I have also been doing yoga and exercises from a book called Relaxercise (excellent by the way) which have also helped but only somewhat. I had been getting worse within the past few months and had develped knee, foot and hand pain along with swelling of these areas especially one ankle and foot which was twice the normal size. It hurt to walk or wear any type of shoe. My husband is an RN who looked at my swollen ankle and foot and told me it almost looked like gouty arthritis. This comment prompted me to research the subject and I found a blog of 100's of people all of who had been using ACV and all but 1 person rated the treatment 5 stars. I immediately went to a health food store and bought the organic, unfiltered ACV and started by taking 3 tablespoons in a large glass of water sweetened with organic raw honey. Following the first dose the night before, I woke to find the swelling reduced to about 1/4 of what it had been and the pain nearly gone. The stuff works like a miracle! I have continued to take it every day but have cut down the dose to 2 tablespoons 2-3 times per day in the same amount of water with honey. I have only a twinge of pain and 1 spot of swelling about the size of a quarter remaining on my ankle. Amazingly, my low back has less pain and more mobility than what I have ever had since the injury over 3 years ago. All this and I have only discovered this treatment less than 1 week ago! Amazing!!
to ronnie from huntington beach, ca: you've been giving him less dosage only teaspoon when it should be tablespoon and maybe you should add a bit more ACV. At first my results were the same as yours, but when I added more it worked great, my father in-law had gout all over his body and i swore he was about to meet his maker the other day, but i took cloth and soaked it in a pan with 8oz of water and 6 tablespoon of ACV, now he worships me as the puffy fat body i seen earlier has gone away and to be cautious i gave him two glasses of it as well and again he is so relieved and the tears of pain are now tears of joy, don't give up on it yet, try it again. goodluck
First a little history as Im not new(unfortunately) to gout attacks.I have been a gout sufferer for about 6 years .Normaly I would just bear the pain and wait it out. About a year ago my mother-in-law advised about black cherry juice for gout so I gave it a shot..It helped alot but took about 3-4 days of daily use to improve I came down wih a FULL BLOWN PAINFUL gout attack in my right ankle on Sunday night. It had swollen twice its normal size. I suffered hoping it would go away on its own by this weekend due to a big athletic event I had committed to, well anyway by Tuesday I feared the worst it had not improved, in fact was getting worse- So on Wed morning I became desperate and began researching the net to avoid a last resort of a visit to the Doctor's office I came across this site on a google search..I saw the buzz over ACV..So I rushed to the grocery store and grabbed some..By late evening -nothing in fact it continued to worsen.. However, I wasnt ready to give up.. I remembered seeing a post about the unfiltered organic varity with the "Mother" in it. I went to Vitamin Shoppe and grabbed two bottles.. When I returned home in intense pain I might add, I put 3 tsp in 8 oz of watter and drank it down and hobbled to my recliner and watched tv..Within 2 hours the swelling and redness were going away . I took one more dose prior to bedtime at about 10:30 pm and the next morning it was 80% GONE!!! Another dose this morning prior to coming to work and I'm at 90% with normal walking!!!.. How this stuff can work like it did within 12 hours is beyond me but Im now a believer in ACV !! Whoever it was that discovered this God bless you.. Thanks again for being there and helping with this painful nasty ailment.
I have always been a healthy woman with little ailments, but the past few months my uric acid levels have been extremely high. My mouth, armpits and privates had a metallic smell. My nuturionalist told me that my kidneys were not excreting the toxins in my body properly. He started me on a detox program with little results. I made an appointment with my primary care doctor who explained that he might have to put me on medication to reduce my acid levels to avoid getting gout. I told him I was in the middle of a holistic purge and would like to wait for the outcome before he prescribed medicine. Two days later I had my first case of gout in my right big toe (I initially thought my toe was broken as it was painful to walk on). Within a day, my top left foot began hurting and my knuckles on both index fingers were stiff and swollen. After searching the web for my symptoms, I realized I had gout that the doctor warned me about. I was determined to find a holistic approach and began searching the web for information. I found this site reading the testimonies of others that sounded a lot like mine story. I decided to try the ACV remedy that night. I took 2 TBLSP in 6 oz of water and within 1 hour the pain subsided, within 2 hours I saw a great improvement. About 3 hrs later, I took another dose before going to bed. When I woke in the morning, all pain and swelling were gone and my uric acid is reduced as my body is not excreting the metallic smell. I will definitely make ACV a part of my everyday life. "Thank you" to all those who shared their experiences with me and to this website for publishing them.
Yea, ACV has worked for me I am absolutely astonished. I have been in agony for 2 days, even night awakenings and at my wits end. i took 2 teaspoons in hot water and I can walk again after 2 hours. Thank you Thank you Thank you.
I was starting to suffer from a gout attack, and have been really thinking of the side effects of my medicine. So I decided to search the web for a natural cure. I got to this site on the first try, and started reading. I thought, WOW, Apple cider vinegar, that would be easy. So I took the 3 tablespoons and by 2 hours later the pain was going away. By morning, I was completely pain free. I am so excited, and relieved, because the medicine I was on wasn't working great or fast. ACV taste really strong and bad, but it is a ton safer and better for you than medicines are. Also, my medicine is expensive, ACV cost about $1.39 for a gallon jug. Try it, it works!
Add me to the yeas. I've been suffering from gout for about a month - after the usual blood test - 10 days ago I was prescribed Allopurinol 100mg. But it didn't stop the serious pain or resolve the serious swelling in my left foot. By Sunday night 11pm I was unable to stand up as the pain throught my foot was so severe. This included the tendon and the big toe. That's when I searched the web and found this site. Usually a total sceptic, I tried the ACV suggestion - 4 tablespoons in a glass of water. Then I went to bed. By the time I woke up around 7am both the swelling and the pain had gone. Amazing. Today, Tuesday, 36 hours later, I was running down the road to catch a bus. I've now bought some Organic ACV and take a glass in the morning and another in the late afternoon which seems to be doing the job. Total cost of ACV solution, which has also reduced my stress level back to Zero. $1.35 or $2.70 for around 10 days supply. So if you know someone in gout pain get them to try ACV.
I had my first full gout attack a couple years ago (surprise, surprise doc said i took to much liquid cold medicine and the holiday celebration diet i did was all wrong for gout) since then whever my big toe tingles i take Goutcure herbal pills to prevent the gout from becoming crystalized and very painful and that works for stopping it going to the pain level, but i still have a little pain and hobble around a few days so i tried the ACV just an hour ago by drink a few tablespoons and putting some on a large nakkin on my toe and boy do i fell better and have already started to walk around much better. it was a quick change for the better.
I ran across this site yesterday after suffering a bout of gout in my knee for the last 4 days which totally ruined my 4th of July weekend. I have had gout on and off since I lost a kidney and since I am running on one kidney I have to be very careful about taking Motrin and such so I basically just suffer through the gout flare ups (but not anymore!). I must say I am very surprised at how well the apple cider vinigar worked. It's been less than 24 hours and I am already walking much better. Fortunately I enjoy the flavor of vingar so mixing it with some water and a little sugar or honey made it taste okay. I used about 4 Tbsp of ACV with 6 ounces of water and a Tbsp of sugar and ice. Tastes like a very tart apple juice. Next I am going to try the Oil Pulling to help cure some other ailments I have. I don't know about you but I am tired of taking pills everday.
I am sitting here at 3:36 am reading this website. My right foot big toe feels like its been rapped with a Nine Iron. Only about an hour ago, I took two tablespoons of ACV and I actually am starting to feel relief. I have fought Gout for four years with prescribed meds and I never tried apple cider vinegar. I'm hoping this will work. I will advise later. Many Thanks RICK
I have been suffering from Gout for last 6 months. I recently came across your site and started taking ACV with "Mother" in a glass of water. Initially it did show some improvement, but then swelling comes again. I have not been cured completely by the remedies suggested here. Then I have also started wrapping paper towel soaked in ACV. Waiting for getting some good results. Will keep you posted on this.
I have had a bad bout of gout in the toes of my left foot that would not go away and ibuprofin would not touch the pain. I was ready to go to the doctor for a prescription but instead I got on the computer and found your website. I first drank apple cider vinegar and that helped somewhat. I then tried soaking a paper towel in acv and wrapped it between my toes. What a miracle! I can walk today without limping. Thanks so much!
It's tough to pinpoint what works and what doesn't with gout. Remedies may work enough to release extra stored uric acid in your body, actually increasing pain or swelling for a time. When I don't catch an attack in time, no combination of medications and cures is enough could stop an attack.
Through this site I did try Apple Cider Vinegar for the first time, and while I can't say that it is a cure (based on the paragraph above), I did feel actual tingling in my sore ankle the first two times I took 2 teaspoons--something I've never felt before. I'm going to try ACV gel capsules, along with my usual Allopurinol, C, and Milk Thistle (helps heal the kidneys) as my daily vita regimen.
Last, stay away from aspirin! Bad. I'm certain that my overuse of Excedrin (love that caffeine) helped lead to gout.
I've had gout for 4 weeks now tried everything cherries .diet drugs .after 2 days of 2 tablespoons of ACV 3 times a day i can actually move my big toe again the swelling and pain is almost gone APPLE CIDER VINEGAR is the BOMB for this very very painfull problem and thankyou for this very informative site
I'm a believer! ACV has eliminated my arthritis/ gout pain! I searched the internet high and low for a remedy and luckily came across this site at 3AM while I was awake with a particularly painful bout. I figured, what the heck? The next morning I went to the grocery store and picked up some_____ ACV. I noticed a difference the next few days, but now after a few weeks I feel like I did when I was 20 (I'm 37 now). I had horrific bouts with arthritis and gout periodically which became fairly constant and began to rob me of my LIFE- I could no longer do the things that I used to such as work in the yard, and I avoided any activity which could possibly involve steps. It had even begun to affect my personal relationships as I was reluctant to make many plans bc I knew a flare up could happen at any time. I had even considered that I would soon have to move to a warmer climate and into a home with no stairs! I had medications but as I'm sure you know they only masked the symptoms. But, as I said, I feel great! No pains whatsoever since taking my daily regimen of ACV- three times a day the first week and then daily afterwards. The first time I noticed the difference was nothing short of amazing- for the first time in 7 years I walked down the steps with a full laundry basket instead of creeping down them one step at a time (sufferers know what I'm talking about!). PLEASE try this remedy- what have you got to lose but $3.50 for a bottle of ACV? Good luck, and best wishes for a pain free life!
ACV worked wonders for me, I've had a bad case of gout for three weeks with no relief in sight. I was diagnosed with gout and prescribed anti-inflammatorties. The pain in my right big toe was becoming unbearable. I poured a couple of ounces of acv mixed with water and drank it down, the taste was quite good compared to the pain in my toe. The next morning I was feeling much better and the swelling was going down. Three days later and regular drinks of acv and water I have to say the results are amazing. I will dispose of my pills properly and make acv a regular remedy.
