Q. I read your column about gout and tart cherries. Celery seed extract works better and quicker.
I take two capsules a day, morning and evening with food. If my gout flares up I double the dose. The active ingredient is 3-n-butylphthalide or 3nB for short.
A. Herbal expert James Duke, PhD, has been singing the praises of celery seeds’ healing powers for decades. We’re glad it works so well for you.
A number of other readers agree. Here are some of their comments on using celery seed extract for gout:
“I’m a roofer. One day I thought I’d broken my toe but the doctor said I was in the gout club. I’ve tried everything, and only one thing works: celery seed extract (3 tablets a day) and plenty of water (2 to 3 liters a day). No more gout!”
“I have been using a 1/4 tsp of ground celery seed twice a day mixed in V8 since November and haven’t had a gout flare up since although I’ve eaten things that would have caused flare ups in the past.”
“Celery seeds work to prevent gout! I am 43 and have been fighting high uric acid since my first attack eight years ago. All the things I’ve tried (from apple cider vinegar to tart cherries and green tea) are for acute attacks. Nothing worked for daily maintenance.
I drink a minimum of 100 ounces of high pH water a day and still have issues. I had a small attack this week on my right ankle.
“I searched the web and read about celery seeds on your site. Within 90 minutes of chewing celery seeds, the pain was almost gone. I have noticed the trips to the bathroom have increased, as celery seed is a diuretic, but I am impressed. From now on, celery seed extract capsules will be a regular daily supplement.”
If you would like to learn more about non-drug approaches to preventing or easing the pain of gout, you may be interested in our book The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies.
