Questions About Gin-Soaked Raisin Remedy

Q. I plan to try relieving my arthritis with gin and golden raisins. The gin has evaporated very quickly, in less than 5 days. The raisins are still very moist, however. Do I need to leave them out for a longer period of time? When they go in the jar, does it need to be refrigerated?
I appreciate your advice, although my kids are laughing at me. Do you think this remedy will work?

A. Eating nine gin-drenched golden raisins daily is a popular remedy for stiffness and joint pain. We don’t know if it will work for you, but we heard this from another reader:
“I have been using the gin-soaked raisins for my arthritis for a few months and I am now pain-free and require no medication. I am sleeping better since I no longer wake up in the wee hours of the morning with arthritis pain.”
Of course not everyone gets relief, but here is another story:
“My mother has arthritis in the joint of one of her little fingers. The joint was frozen and she was in constant pain. Since she started eating gin-soaked golden raisins, the pain is gone and she is able to play tennis twice a week without discomfort. My mother just turned 81!
“We also suggested the raisins to a friend who was visiting from Norway. She has suffered years of pain from rheumatoid arthritis. After only a week of gin-soaked golden raisins, her pain was already starting to subside.
“I don’t know what it is, but it seems to be very effective. I would like to get additional information that I can pass on to other members of my family and friends. Any help would be greatly appreciated.”
If there is no longer any liquid gin in with your raisins, you don’t need to leave them out any longer. And though the jar should be kept closed, it is not necessary to refrigerate the prepared raisins.
We are sending you our Guide to Alternative Treatments for Arthritis, which gives details on preparing golden raisins and gin and offers a number of other non-drug approaches to alleviating arthritis. It never fails to amaze us how many questions people have about the “raisin remedy.”

FAQs about Gin-Soaked Raisins:
• How long does it take for the gin to evaporate?
• Once the raisins are ready, what kind of container should they be kept in?
• How much alcohol is in the raisins?
• Does it matter what type of gin?
• Can you use dark raisins instead of golden raisins?
• Are there any side effects?
• Will I flunk a Breathalyzer test after eating the raisins?
Answers are found to these and other questions and other remedies in our Guide to Alternative Treatments for Arthritis.