A method and composition for treating gout and arthritis, particularly gouty arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The composition is a liquid mixture of the liquid portion of three different suspensions. Each suspension is a mixture of alcohol solvent and either apple peels, banana peels, or orange peels. The composition is prepared by allowing each of the fruit peels and the alcohol solvent to sit enclosed in a container for approximately six months and then mixing the three containers to obtain the ointment and then topically applied the ointment to the affected area of the skin. Swelling and pain are reliably eliminated for many months. In a preferred embodiment, the alcohol content of the containers are monitored and replenished if they decline.