In Singapore, the incidence of gout has long ranked among the highest in Asia. The combination of its hot, humid climate and high-risk dietary habits causes significant suffering for many patients. Imagine longing to gather with friends for a seafood feast or rewarding yourself with fried chicken and beer after overtime work—only to be held back by the excruciating pain of gout. You find yourself craving but not daring to eat, thirsty but afraid to drink, helplessly gazing at delicious dishes while shaking your head in resignation.
What is Gout?
Gout is fundamentally an inflammatory disease caused by purine metabolism disorders, leading to elevated blood uric acid levels and the deposition of urate crystals in joints and surrounding tissues. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) classifies gout under "impediment syndrome" (痹证) or "severe joint disease" (历节病), attributing its core pathology to the obstruction of meridians by dampness-heat, phlegm, and blood stasis. In Singapore, a common SLC2A9 gene mutation among the Han Chinese population reduces uric acid excretion efficiency by 30%. When combined with high-purine diets (e.g., seafood, barbecue), this creates a dual challenge of "damp-heat constitution + metabolic defect." Dr. Qiu Baorun of Singapore Gong Fang Tang TCM notes that local gout patients typically present with red, swollen, hot, and painful joints with limited mobility, often accompanied by chronically elevated uric acid (>420μmol/L) and tophi formation.
TCM Approaches to Treating Gout
1. Herbal Medicine
Dr. Qiu Baorun specializes in personalized TCM syndrome differentiation for gout treatment. For acute flare-ups, he prescribes herbal formulas that clear heat, drain dampness, reduce swelling, and relieve pain—such as modified Simiao San (Four Marvels Powder). Key herbs like Cangzhu (Atractylodes), Huangbai (Phellodendron), Yiyiren (Coix seed), and Niuxi (Achyranthes root) clear heat/dampness and promote joint mobility. Additional herbs like Tufuling (Smilax glabra), Bixie (Dioscorea root), and Weilingxian (Clematis root) may be added to enhance dampness removal, unblock collaterals, and lower uric acid. During remission, treatment focuses on fortifying the spleen and kidneys to strengthen constitutional health, reducing recurrence. Herbal therapy holistically improves metabolic function, lowers uric acid levels, and alleviates joint pain.
2. Acupuncture
Acupuncture stimulates specific points to unblock meridians, regulate qi and blood, reduce swelling, and relieve pain. During gout attacks, needles are applied to local points (e.g., Ashi points, Taichong LV3, Neiting ST44) and distal points along affected meridians (e.g., Zusanli ST36, Sanyinjiao SP6) to rapidly ease joint pain.
3. Dietary Adjustments
TCM emphasizes "food as medicine." Dr. Qiu advises strict limitation of high-purine foods (organ meats, seafood, alcohol) while increasing intake of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains rich in vitamins and fiber. Foods like celery, cucumber, and apples promote diuresis and uric acid excretion.
Recommended TCM Dietary Remedies:
Corn Silk and Imperata Root Tea:
Ingredients: 30g corn silk, 30g fresh Baimaogen (Imperata cylindrica root), 9g Jinyinhua (honeysuckle), 3g Zhizi (gardenia).
Method: Soak in water for 30 minutes, then decoct. Drink as tea throughout the day.
Amomum and Tangerine Peel Tea:
Ingredients: 6g Sharen (amomum fruit), 3g Chenpi (tangerine peel), 6g ginger, 6g Juju (chicory root).
Method: Soak in water for 30 minutes, then decoct. Drink as tea multiple times daily.
Hairy Peach and Jin Qian Cao Tea:
Ingredients: 20g Wuzhimaotao (five-fingered peach root), 15g Jinqiancao (Lysimachia christinae).
Method: Simmer in an earthen pot for 30 minutes. Strain and drink as tea.
