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We first heard about the gin and raisin remedy for arthritis nearly 30 years ago. On May 16, 1994 we received this letter:
“A neighbor gave my wife a recipe for “arthritis relief” that involves soaking golden raisins in gin. When the gin has completely evaporated she is to eat nine raisins a day.
She’s just starting to eat these raisins, so we don’t know yet whether it will make any difference. Our neighbor says it has helped his shoulder pain. What do you think?”
At the time, we thought this was one of the most original home remedy for aches and pains that we had ever received. We speculated that it might be the juniper flavoring in the gin, even though the amount is small. Maybe the golden raisins had something special in them. There was certainly nothing in the medical literature to support this concoction.
Gin and Raisin Remedy Nearly 3 Decades Later
Long after that first message we have heard from hundreds, if not thousands, of readers that the gin and raisin remedy is helpful for many. Not everyone benefits, but a surprising number of people seem to get relief. Here is just the most recent message:
Q. I stopped taking glucosamine in favor of gin-soaked raisins with terrific results. I’m a former runner with serious but not debilitating knee and hip pain. When I read about gin-soaked raisins I thought it sounded silly.
I gave it a try anyway. It worked. I haven’t used the pills now for over eight months.
I’m curious: why golden raisins? Sometimes golden raisins are not readily available. Will plain old black raisins work just as well? I like to know why something works.
Are Grapes the Magic Ingredient?
A. We’ve been searching for research on gin-soaked raisins for joint pain for years. Sadly, home remedies are rarely studied in randomized controlled trials. As a result, we don’t have a good answer to your question.
There are data to suggest that grape juice may have a number of health benefits. They include enhanced performance and reduced inflammation in runners (Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, Sept. 2015). Grape juice also appears to make blood vessels more flexible and improve cognitive performance (Nutrients, Dec. 2, 2015; American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March, 2016). Since raisins are dried grapes, this might help to explain why so many people find the raisin remedy helpful.
A study in rats showed that the compounds in grape seed help protect against joint damage (Experimental & Molecular Medicine, Oct. , 2011).
If you decide to do your own experiment to see if dark raisins work as well as golden ones, please let us know the results.
Other Stories from Readers:
Dion in New Zealand shared this success:
“I am 69 years old and have been getting leg pain for the past three or four years, especially when I try getting up from sitting for a while. I was putting this down to my daily workouts at the gym. Then I went on holiday for three weeks, and the pain only got worse. I was having trouble walking and getting bad cramps at night so the idea of the pain being related to gym exercise was false.
“Then I read about the gin and raisin remedy and have been trying that for about two months. WOW! What a change.
“I’m not getting any pain in my legs now and look forward to taking our dog for a walk up to three times a day. I soak the raisins in gin for about a week prior to taking them. I always have two containers on the go: one soaking while I use the other one.
“I have not noticed any difference between using white (golden) or black raisins and have used both as a trial. Give it a try. You have nothing to lose.”
Sophia got a surprising bonus from the gin and raisin remedy:
“I tried gin-soaked raisins for osteoarthritis, not expecting much, if anything. To my great surprise, my knee which had been badly swollen for several years, became almost normal sized within a few days.
“An even greater surprise was my breast, which had been greatly swollen from radiation damage a year ago, was reduced to normal. I didn’t know that gin-soaked raisins could reduce inflammation!
“When I stopped eating them, the inflammation returned. I bought another brand of gin but it didn’t work as before. My son did some research, and found that the gin should contain wild juniper. Check the label for that ingredient.
“Now I’m back on track, and am grateful to you for the surprising remedy. And the 4 pound weight loss was welcome!”
We’re surprised that this remedy could have resulted in any weight loss. Raisins plus gin turn into a sweet, syrupy mixture after a week or two. We’re also pleased to learn that the anti-inflammatory effect goes beyond sore joints.
If you would like to see how to make the gin and raisin remedy, here is a short video:
Share Your Own Gin and Raisin Story:
If you have tried this remedy, please let us know how well it worked (or didn’t) in the comment section below. If you would like to learn more about the details of the gin and raisin remedy you will find that our booklet, Graedons’ Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis. It has answers to FAQs such as:
How long does it take for the gin to evaporate?
Once the raisins are ready, should they be refrigerated?
How much alcohol is in the raisins?
Does it matter what type of gin?
Can you use dark raisins?
Are there any side effects?
Will I flunk a Breathalyzer test after eating the raisins?
Answers to these question can be found in our book along with other non-drug options for dealing with arthritis and inflammation. You will also find intriguing options for joint pain in our book, The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies.
Diana
I remember reading about this when I first read The People’s Pharmacy some 30 (or was it 40?) years ago. We made it for my dad and couldn’t get him to stop after 9 raisins! Haha. Now, at 71, I’ve got my own issues, and my sister reminded me about the gin-soaked raisins. I started taking them in early December and was willing to be patient. In the next batch, I added more gin than “just enough to cover.” I put it in a Corningware pan with a glass cover just tilted slightly. I made it past the two-month mark and saw a slight difference. However, with the extra gin, it became syrupy, and I noticed it started to work much better. I hit the three-month mark, and I’m going up the stairs easier; my knees and my feet aren’t swollen and burning. I’m giving it extra time to work on my shoulders, but I know it will work eventually. Thank you, Graedons!!
Peggy
I have been taking the “drunk raisins” for about 20 years with total success and have recommended it to friends. I simply put the raisins in a container with a lid, pour gin over them and start taking them the next day. I have never waited for the gin to evaporate.
John
I have been reading the People’s Pharmacy for decades. I started the gin and raisins years ago. It worked better with high quality gin. Then I realized that I go on vacation where there are juniper trees in E. Oregon. I gather those berries every year. Then I noticed that my neighbor had a juniper bush. He said I can use them. Then I read that alcohol isn’t good for the cells, so now I make it with glycerine instead. Jo Robinson wrote a great book called “Eating on the Wild Side.” She did the research, and the golden raisins have tremendous numbers of antioxidants when dried. They help, and I still use them.
Allison
I have had success with this remedy for my arthritic knee pain. When at my local coop looking for golden raisins one of the workers told me they don’t stock them because they are really just black raisins that are “bleached in processing.” Furthermore, my Naturopath had not heard of the remedy but thought it made total sense due raisins and gin’s juniper both having anti-inflammatory properties.
A web search reveals:
“Black raisins are made by being laid on paper trays and allowed to dry in the sun for several weeks. To make yellow raisins, the grapes are dipped in warm water and then coated with sulfur dioxide to make sure they stay golden throughout the drying process. They are then laid out on wooden trays to dry, where warm air is blown on them to speed up the drying process. For yellow raisins, the drying process is only about 24 hours.”
Also:
“Sulphur dioxide is a preservative commonly used in a variety of foods and beverages including dried fruits, pickled vegetables, sausages, fruit and vegetable juices, cider, vinegar, wine, etc. Sulphur residues in food are considered to have low toxicity.”
Terry Graedon
As you found, they are not “bleached” but the color is preserved with sulfur dioxide. Some people are quite sensitive to this compound and must avoid it, but most of us have no trouble with it.
John
My family in Ireland has used a decoction made with Juniper Berry Tea mixed with fresh squeezed grape juice for centuries. It contains no alcohol, which aggravates inflammation. From my experience with it, I’d say you can depend on it to take the edge off of severe arthritic pain and inflammation and make it more manageable.
Keep in mind that the disease is still progressing even though you may not feel it quite as much. It is probably easier for the body to process and eliminate than typical NSAIDS, too. NSAIDs do not cure arthritis, either, though they may help slow down the deterioration of bone, muscle, connective tissue (or skin in the case of PSA).
In the old days before William of Orange, my family were patrons of the arts and sciences in Ireland. One of their beneficiaries were a family of physicians commonly called Beaton or MacBeath, in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands and western islands. This is supposedly one of the MacBeath’s remedies, kind of like the Baldwin Sister’s tonic from the old Walton’s TV program. The MacBeaths in Ireland compiled a tome of remedies dating from the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries, which included copies of treatises from Greek and Arab physicians. It’s in Gaelic, Latin, and Arabic. I can read Latin and Gaelic so I can say that it’s a very interesting and modern work, considering the technology available to them. They kind of became obscure around the time of the Puritan witch hunt, but descendants still practice today.
Dave
I eat a fair amount of raisins and use gin to preserve the summer’s raspberry crop every year*, so maybe I’ve got that covered.
I had cortizone injections in one knee twice, with no benefit noted, and now the other knee is bad too. But a few years ago I saw one of your newspaper columns where someone reported taking Certo and grape juice for arthritis every day. Well, I had a bunch of leftover Certo when the canning season was done, and I like grape juice, so why not? Long story short, I think it helps but can’t be sure.
*Raspberry gin: 1 gallon jar filled with 8 pints of berries, 1.5 cup (more or less) sugar, and fill to the top with gin (about 1/2 liter)… let it sit six months, and enjoy.
MiK
I noticed on several occasions that my knee hurt less after eating just normal dark raisins (unsoaked). This article seems to confirm what I observed. Perhaps there’s something about the raisins that helps.
Mary
Eugene, OR
London Gin contains lemon peel, orange peel and orris root among other botanicals and I’m allergic to all 3. Darn. Orris root is used in perfumes and those who react adversely to perfumes may be reacting to orris root. I hope that Vodka soaked raisins work just as well as London Gin soaked raisins.
Susan
WI
I keep a jar with them and don’t let the gin evaporate. I eat three a day and it works for me.
Lloyd
Texas
I am 64 year old male. I started experiencing a lot of pain in my hands. I assume it is arthritis. It became so painful that I was afraid to shake hands. I bought a bottle of organic Prairie Gin–juniper berries are not listed on the label. I added this to the dark raisins that I had. Within three days, I noticed a substantial improvement. One week later my pain was about 80% gone. The next batch I made was with golden raisins. Possibly the golden raisins are better, I will continue to experiment. When I remember, I eat a spoonful of raisins every day. If I miss a couple of days, my pain returns. What a great remedy.
Renee
Can I use Giblet’s Gin with golden raisins???
Ajw
Houston
I happened upon a web site (drunkenraisins.com) which probably is as good as it gets in preparing the golden raisin treatment. They wash out the sulfur dioxide in their preparation prior to soaking jumbo raisins. I would try their drunken raisins before I wasted a lot of time and effort experimenting on my own since they have already done it.
Cheers.
Darlene
VA
I didn’t believe this remedy would work, so it was not the power of positive thinking! I don’t dry the raisins and don’t count them, just eat a spoonful every day, and it has been remarkable . Such a simple thing to do for a lot of relief. I have r commended it to a lot of people.
DT
I am highly allergic to mountain cedar (aka juniperus ashei) and am wondering if the little bit of gin, made with Juniper, can have a negative effect on my allergies?
BobK
Bluffton SC
Several years ago, I also had knee and hip pain. I thought both had to be replaced but physical therapy was suggested along with Hyaluronic Acid (natural body product). The PT worked wonders and the HA kept my knees in good shape, as it is supposed to be a natural body lubricant.
As we get older, the muscles tend to shrink and then place a lot of stress/strain on joints. There are simple stretching exercises that I do several times a week to be pain free. I use HA only when I get some knee pain due to over stressing the joint. Gotta slow down at my age and listen to one’s body.:):)
Cindy M. Black
Seattle, WA
I have asked this before and (to my knowledge) never gotten any clarification. WHY THE HECK IS IT 9 RAISINS??! I mean, 10 is a nice round number… would 10 raisins (or 12 or 15) really be a dealbreaker? Yes they are delicious… so I do eat about 15 per day. As far as I know, they do work. Just found out recently that my kneecap is severely off to one side and has been that way for 2-3 years. Still, I ski the double-diamonds hard, at 68, and have just a little pain. I was just told I should have a LOT of pain doing that, but I don’t. Probably it’s because of those raisins. Cheers!
Peggy
Greensboro NC
I have been taking gin & raisins since the early 1990’s. As a matter of fact, a part of a letter I wrote to you about my experience is in your book on (pg 39) printed in 1999.
I still find that I am one of the ones it helps. If I fail to take it for a few days, I find that the pain in my knees flares up and I have more difficulty in climbing stairs. It also helps with pain I get in other joints and hips. I still recommend it to friends and people I come across that are having that type of pain.
Sandra
Lewisville, TX
I tried the Gin and golden raisin remedy for my arthritic back. I have degenerative disk disease and cannot stand for more than 10-15 minutes until the pain becomes unbearable! Used an entire box of raisins, covered them with gin and let the whole thing set for a couple days. Then I put them in an air-tight container and ate exactly 9 each day until they were gone. Result: Nothing. Nada. Hurt just as much as ever! For me it was a waste of time and money!
Mary
I tried the gin & raisins without much of a noticeable effect for about two months.
Plus, have you tried to eat only 9 raisins? I love them and it was hard.
Ken
Illinios
Some thoughts:
Sun-Maid Golden Raisins
Ingredients;
California Golden Raisins, SULFUR Dioxide Added as a Preservative.
Nature Made Triple Flex;
Contains glucosamine hydrochloride (1500 mg), chondroitin SULFATE (800 mg) and MSM (750 mg)
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organoSULFUR compound with the formula (CH3)2SO2.
It would appear that the active ingredient in Golden Raisins is Sulfur Dioxide.
Those who find the raisin/gin combo to be helpful might try dried apricots as well as they also have Sulfur Dioxide as a preservative.
Note: Sulphur and sulfur are alternate spellings of the same element.
Ken
Nick
Glyndon, MD
About knee pain. I was taking the gin-raisin thing for months for nightly incontinence, and it was somewhat effective. Had no effect on my arthritic knee pain. Finally I got a cortisone shot from my doc. No pain for about 4 weeks, and then the pain came back. Since then, I’ve been walking every morning–about 4 miles or more. Magically, over the weeks, my knee pain has disappeared. I wore a copper sleeve for a while and found that somewhat effective, but since a month of walking regularly, I don’t even need that. So if your knee pain is from arthritis, I recommend walking. Many other benefits come from it too. I use a wrist monitor to track my steps and make sure I do at least 10k a day. When my knee was painful, I simply avoided hills and took it easy.
Barbara
Edenton NC
would this remendy have too much sugar for a type2 diabectic? I am speaking of the raisins and gin for arthritis.
Carole
Rome, Italy
The gin and raisins recipe works. I have been doing it myself for 6 months. You may not see the results immediately. It depends on people and their bodies. I saw results 2 months after taking my daily raisins. No more creaking in the neck or elsewhere.
You do not get drunk on your raisins because the alcohol evaporates after a full week of soaking.
What remains is the juniper essence that permeates the raisins. So a gin with the most juniper berries is essential.
And it is important to respect the posology of 9 raisins per day: the juniper “brushes away” the crud from your joints-and elsewhere, as may be the case. More than 9 juniper-infused raisins might hurt your kidneys in the long term, as it is a diuretic.
In France, we do an annual cure of juniper berries in the Fall for 3 weeks as a steeping brew to counteract rheumatisms and arthritis. It is a “grand-mother’s recipe” that many people use.
Linda
Madison, WI
I am now on my second bottle of Gordon’s gin, however long that is, and this home remedy is working for me. I’m fortunate in that my only noticeable arthritis is in 2 fingers on my left hand but the right forefinger was quite sore before starting the remedy and now it’s not. I get the organic raisins from the local co-op and the Golden & Thompson raisins are packaged alike so time before last I inadvertently grabbed the Thompsons. I thought they would work the same but after a week or two my knuckles were sore and growing larger again, the skin around them was taught, and I couldn’t make a tight fist. I junked them, got the golden raisins and the knuckles improved quickly.
I have benefited from several People’s Pharmacy home remedies and have passed them on to others who have also benefited. I am so grateful for your website, newsletter and program–where else would I get so much practical information and timely medical news? THANK YOU!