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Are Gin-Soaked Raisins Really Helpful?

Q. A friend told me about gin soaked raisins for arthritis and I am curious whether it really works. Also, how much alcohol is in nine raisins?

A. Once the gin evaporates there should only be about one drop of alcohol in nine raisins.

Not everyone gets relief from this home remedy, but many readers do report success. Here are two recent stories:

“I suffered arthritis pain in my lower back and hip joints for more than 15 years. Prescription drugs did nothing for me. I tried golden raisins and gin and am living pain free again after so many years of suffering. What a godsend!”

Another reader offers this:

“I’ve had significant sacroiliac pain for 20 years following a ski accident. At times, this has been incapacitating. Gin-raisins stopped the pain within a few days’ use. Pain returns in a few days if I stop the raisins.

“I also noted a gradual reduction of golfer’s elbow pain. It seems to me that compounds in the gin raisins are active as an anti-inflammatory agent for connective tissue.”

We discuss gin-soaked raisins and other inexpensive approaches to common problems in our Alternatives for Arthritis Guide.

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About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
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