There are three natural gout treatments that I use on a regular basis.  They have helped me overcome painful gout attacks and I’m sure have helped reduce the number of attacks I’ve had since they’ve been on the decline for the past several years.  Which treatments are these?  Celery seed extract, pineapple, and alfalfa, my favorite natural remedy.  There are several others I recommend as well, but these three have a few cons that in certain people can be very dangerous, so I’d like to address them.

Celery seed extract is used for gout because it is supposed to help uric acid levels and help clean the damage that gout causes to your joints.  Celery seed is usually taken in extract or tea form.  You can try it by taking the seeds and drinking them, but that is not a very pleasant experience.  They are bitter and they are not very easy to swallow.  There are inherent dangers with celery seed. If you are allergic to them, they can be downright deadly.  The potential for a fatal allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis is as high as with peanut allergies, one of the worst allergies around.  Women usually don’t get gout until they are post menopausal, but for those who do have gout or arthritis, they should not try celery seed if they are pregnant.  There is a much greater possibility of losing the pregnancy.

Pineapple is beneficial because of the vitamin C, potassium, and bromelain.  Vitamin C and potassium work on preventing gout, while bromelain works on treating gout.  Unfortunately, pineapple has some drawbacks as well.  If you are taking blood thinners, you should not eat pineapple without consulting your physician.  It can adversely interact with your blood thinners.  The most common prescription blood thinners is Warfarin.  This drug is also known as Coumadin.  Aspirin is the most common over the counter blood thinner.  That is one of the reasons it is used in chest pain is to help start the break up of clots.

Alfalfa is my favorite gout treatment.  I believe this is the one herbal treatment that has drastically reduced my gout attacks, even more so than cherries.  It has a long track record among homeopathic and naturopathic physicians for treating arthritis.  You can sprout the seeds and eat the sprouts by themselves or in you food dishes such as soups and salads.  I do this all the time.  Sprouting is very simple and takes about four to five days to complete a batch.  You can also take alfalfa as a supplement.  You can buy alfalfa supplements in either health food stores, natural food co-ops or online.

Unfortunately, as with celery seed and pineapple, alfalfa also has some negative side effects for certain individuals.  While alfalfa is used for arthritis and can be also be used for rheumatoid arthritis, you should avoid using alfalfa if you are on steroid treatment, which is especially common in rheumatoid arthritis.  There are potentially dangerous and harmful problems that can occur due to the interaction of the steroid and alfalfa.  Alfalfa also is an offshoot of the peanut family and if you have allergies to peanuts, do NOT take alfalfa.  You could have a lethal allergic reaction just as if you ate peanuts.

In general these three treatments for gout are safe and effective, however, it is wise to be informed about the interactions they may have on you depending on your health.  Always consult your licensed care provider before trying new remedies or treatments.