5 home remedies to lower uric acid and prevent kidney problems

Uric acid is a substance that forms in our body as a result of the breakdown of purine, a protein found in various foods, such as red meat, fish and seafood. Usually, uric acid does not cause health problems and is eliminated by the kidneys without major difficulties.

However, in people who suffer from a kidney condition, this substance can accumulate in the body in the form of crystals that are deposited in various tissues. When it accumulates in the kidneys, it can cause calculi (stones) and kidney failure.

When crystals settle in joints, they can lead to gout, a type of arthritis that causes severe pain, redness, and swelling, especially in the lower limbs.

If you tend to have high levels of uric acid, check out these five home remedies that can help eliminate this substance from your body:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

The organic acids in apple cider vinegar, especially malic acid, help the body break down uric acid, preventing crystal formation and inflammatory processes. In addition, this ingredient also helps regulate blood pH, contributing to an overall health improvement.

Ingredients and method of preparation

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (20 ml)
• 1 cup of water (250 ml)

To prepare, just dilute the vinegar in a cup of hot water.

How to use

The mixture should be taken twice a day: the first on an empty stomach in the morning and the second in the afternoon. Follow the treatment for two or three weeks continuously.

2. Nettle tea

The nettle is known to cause allergies and irritation in anyone who touches its leaves; however, tea prepared from the plant already processed and ready to use has health benefits, including reducing uric acid levels and detoxifying the body.

Ingredients and method of preparation

• 1 tablespoon of special nettle for teas (found at health food stores)
• 1 cup of water (250 ml)

Heat the water to boiling, turn off the heat and add the nettle (be careful not to use fresh leaves and end up burning the skin). Cover the container and let it infuse for 10 minutes.

How to use

It is recommended to drink two to three cups of nettle tea a day for at least ten days.

3. Horsetail tea

Horsetail is a plant with detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties that stimulates the production of urine and, in this way, helps to eliminate uric acid from the body. In addition, it contains antioxidants that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and reduce the risk of kidney stone formation.

Ingredients and method of preparation

• 1 tablespoon of horsetail (10 g)
• 1 cup of water (250 ml)

The preparation consists of boiling the water, taking it off the heat, adding the mackerel and letting the tea steep for 10 minutes with the lid on. After that time, strain the drink.

How to use

Horsetail tea should be taken in the morning, on an empty stomach, and at least two or three more times during the day.

4. Willow tea

Willow bark, also known as willow, wicker, and parsley, has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce joint pain, making it easier to treat gout. In addition, it contains substances that help the body process purines, preventing the formation of uric acid.

Ingredients and method of preparation

• 1 teaspoon of willow bark (5 g)
• 1 cup of water (250 ml)

Add the willow bark to a cup of boiling water and steep for 10 minutes. Then strain the drink.

How to use

The best results are obtained when willow tea is taken in the morning (it does not have to be on an empty stomach). If you prefer, you can also apply the warm tea to the painful areas with the help of a tissue.

5. Onion tea

Onion tea has cleansing properties that help control uric acid levels. In addition, it contains antioxidants that help break down crystals that may form in the kidneys.

Ingredients and method of preparation

• ½ onion
• 2 cups of water (500 ml)
• 1 tablespoon of honey (25 g)

Chop half an onion and boil it in a pan with two cups of water. Leave the mixture on low heat for 10 minutes and then remove from the heat. Strain the tea and add honey to sweeten it.

How to use

It is recommended to have a cup of onion tea in the morning and a cup in the afternoon for at least two weeks in a row. In this case, honey is used to attenuate the strong flavor of the tea.

Onion tea and the other tips to lower uric acid presented in this article are homemade recipes that are not fully proven by science. You should not substitute or modify conventional treatment prescribed by your doctor without first talking to him.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.