Golden raisins that have been steeped in gin for a long time have been helped and used to cure arthritis. Despite how absurd it may appear, this is something that a lot of people strongly believe in. The so-called "drunken raisins" therapy consists of ingesting a few golden raisins that have been soaked in gin daily to reduce chronic joint swelling, stiffness, and soreness. Raisins dipped in gin: a natural treatment or urban legend? Is there any basis in reality for the notion that eating these raisins and black raisins would heal whatever ails you? This article gets right down to the meat of the problem.
Origins Similar to the history of many other traditional remedies, the origin of raisins that have been soaked in gin is unknown. Even while the idea had most likely been floating around for quite some time, it was not until radio personality Paul Harvey mentioned the treatment on one of his popular broadcasts in the 1990s that it received a substantial increase in popularity. It did not take long at all for the news to go throughout the entire country. Since Joe and Teresa Graedon's book The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies contains multiple testimonies of its efficacy, this is not the first time the remedy has been published. As of the right moment, there are not a lot of studies that suggest that raisins that have been soaked in gin are good for arthritis. In addition, it is not evident why nine organic black raisins are needed to complete the task. The number nine appears to be the consensus among most specialists; nonetheless, many argue for either more or fewer. Despite the lack of any scientific evidence to support their usefulness, raisins that have been soaked in gin are a common home treatment for a wide range of conditions. Juniper A lot of people think that the juniper berries that are used to flavor gin have anti-inflammatory characteristics that can help ease the pain that is caused by arthritis. Juniper has been put to use for accomplishing this goal for millennia. It is believed that the flavonoids present in juniper can reduce the levels of cytokines, which are molecules that cause inflammation in the body.
These could help alleviate some of the pain associated with arthritis. There is another class of chemicals called terpenes, and they may play a part in the process of pain relief as well. Terpenes are aromatic molecules that have been shown to offer potential analgesic advantages. Juniper and marijuana both contain terpenes. However, the amount of flavonoids and terpenes that are included in gin is not yet established. There is not a lot of evidence that can be backed up by science just now. Recap Flavonoids and terpenes, both derived from plants, are two of the plant-based components that are found in gin. According to some practitioners of alternative medicine, these plant-based compounds can reduce inflammation and pain. Sulfur Natural health experts speculate that golden raisins may include an increased amount of sulfur, a substance that is used in the production of the fruit. People who suffer from osteoarthritis may find relief from their condition via the use of natural remedies like sulfur baths and diets high in sulfur ("wear-and-tear arthritis"). Instead of being dried in the sun like black raisins, the grapes that are used to manufacture golden raisins are dried using a machine. During the process, the raisins are exposed to sulfur dioxide to maintain the golden color that characterizes them.
According to the findings of several research, taking sulfur supplements may not only decrease inflammation but may also boost blood flow (the widening of blood vessels). Golden raisins might provide temporary pain relief; however, it is unknown if the trace quantities of sulfur found in the fruit (about 2,500 to 3,000 parts per million) are adequate for this purpose. Recap It has been demonstrated that sulfur, which is employed in the manufacturing of golden raisins, has anti-inflammatory characteristics, which may ease the pain that is caused by arthritis. We do not know whether or whether the relatively low quantities seen in golden raisins are enough to have this effect. Although it has been around for a long, the idea that consuming raisins that have been soaked in gin might reduce the pain associated with arthritic conditions is still a mystery to most people. In the 1990s, natural therapy started to gain popularity after it was brought to the attention of listeners by Paul Harvey, a well-known radio personality, during one of his broadcasts. Throughout the past few years, it has gained popularity as a risk-free and all-natural alternative treatment for the signs and symptoms of arthritis. It has not yet been determined whether or not ingesting kishmish raisins that have been soaked in gin is beneficial for the treatment of arthritis. Laboratory research has been conducted on the anti-inflammatory properties of juniper berries, which are used in the production of gin.
The researchers concluded that juniper berries might potentially be helpful in the treatment of arthritis (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source, 3). Extraction of juniper leaves has also been demonstrated to be effective in lowering inflammatory responses and alleviating the symptoms of arthritis in rats (4Trusted Source). For example, golden raisins are partially preserved using sulfur dioxide so that their color, taste, and overall quality are not affected. Studies have indicated that sulfur-containing compounds like methylsulfonylmethane can help relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis such as stiffness and discomfort by lowering inflammation in the joint and providing pain relief.(6Trusted Source). People who suffer from arthritis frequently seek comfort from at-home remedies such as sulfur baths (7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source). It is usual practice to attribute the purported health advantages of gin-soaked raisins to the sulfur that is utilized in the manufacturing of golden raisins. Additional trials of high quality are required to determine whether or not gin-soaked raisins directly alter the symptoms of arthritic conditions. SUMMARY According to widespread perception, the notion that raisins that have been soaked in gin might potentially heal arthritis dates back to the 1990s. There has not been a lot of research done on juniper and sulfur's potential anti-inflammatory effects, but it is plausible that they might be helpful.