One of the most popular remedies people write about is the one involving gin-soaked raisins for sore, stiff joints. This raisin remedy is so simple and improbable that it holds real fascination for many folks. We appreciate some of the more dramatic stories our readers have shared.
Raisin Remedy Made Walker Unnecessary:
Q. A neighbor of mine was so crippled with arthritis she had to use a walker. She and her husband had over a hundred beautiful azaleas that she could no longer care for.
Then I walked by her house and thought I was seeing things. There she was, down on her knees, working in her flower beds. I said, “Nancy, have you experienced a miracle?” “No,” she said, “just gin and raisins!”
I began taking the recipe and was able to stop going to the arthritis clinic, which wasn’t helping anyway. My osteoarthritis subsided and I stopped taking the remedy. Now, 10 years later, I’m 67 and the arthritis has come back in the last joint of my little fingers with redness, pain and swelling. I remembered the recipe but forgot to let the gin evaporate. It turned into the most delicious raisiny brandy and helped the joints be less painful and swollen.
In the next batch I used black raisins. For some reason, it isn’t helping as much. I guess I’ll go back to yellow raisins.
A. We cannot begin to explain why some folks benefit so dramatically from the gin and raisin remedy while others tell us it is worthless. The recipe calls for a box of golden raisins in a shallow container. Just enough gin is poured over them to cover. Once the gin has evaporated the “dose” is nine raisins a day.
Readers Offer Their Own Stories:
Here are a number of additional testimonials:
“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.”
Questions About the Raisin Remedy:
People frequently have questions about the recipe. Here is one:
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. 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 Alternatives 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?
Those who would like more details on the “raisin remedy” and other unique approaches to arthritis relief may wish to order our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis.
