• Get a box of golden raisins (15 ounces) or as many as you want to make at one time (they are sometimes called white raisins, the key being not ordinary black raisins)
• Put the raisins in a container (shallower makes it easier).
• Pour gin (1 pint) over the raisins just enough to cover them (how much depends on how many raisins you have).
• Let the raisins soak for a few weeks until the gin evaporates.
• Then eat approximately nine raisins per day. (you will see this number change for different variations of the recipe)

What type of gin you use doesn’t really matter as long as you don’t buy the cheapest bottle. You can learn more about gin here. If you have any more questions about making gin raisins for arthritis, feel free to leave a comment and I will try to answer it on the site.

Update: You can make any amount that you feel comfortable with using a ratio similar to one cup of raisins to every 2 cups of gin.

Warning: If you have a sulfite allergy, then you can’t eat golden raisins as they are bleached using a sulfite preservative.

So, does it really work? To date, there have been no scientific studies done to prove the effects of this remedy. However, there are several possible explanations of it’s positive effects.

• The sulfur or sulphides found in “golden” raisins
• anti-inflammatory properties of grapes and raisins
• juniper berries used in gin
• the placebo effect

Maybe one day they will provide a solid scientific study as to why gin raisins help with arthritis, but until then you will just have to try it out and see. With any health related concern, you should always consult your doctor before trying anything new.

Fun Fact: “The berries of juniper (‘Wacholder’) were a favorite remedy prescribed for a variety of ailments by the 19th-century priest and healer Sebastian Kneipp, who was revered as a saint by his patients and dismissed as a quack by the medical profession.

According to a German chart in our house that describes herbal remedies, juniper cures rheumatism, gout, skin disorders, and the common cold, presumably in that order of effectiveness.”

-H.H. Stadelmaier, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University

One of the more recent remedies involving gin is combining gin and raisins to alleviate arthritis. It is mostly speculation as to what it is about gin that provides the therapeutic element, but many believe it is the juniper berries. The gin-soaked raisins are fairly cheap and easy to make. Choosing the right gin can be important in getting the recipe right. You don’t necessarily have to get the most expensive bottle of gin, but it is best to stay away from the cheap stuff. Not only are they more likely to be less “pure”, but they tend to produce stronger headaches the morning after – if you know what I mean.

• Acupuncture
• Boswellia
• Turmeric
• Cherry Juice
• Vinegar with grape and apple juice
• Pomegranate juice
• Certo and grape juice
• Fish Oil and green-lipped mussels
• Pennsaid (diclofenic)
• Naproxen
• Aspirin
• Mediterranean diet
• Vitamin D (1,000 IU)
• Selenium rich diet

The CDC puts the number of people that suffer from arthritis at 70 million. Whether that number is accurate or not – we cannot know – but suffice it enough to say that a ton of people suffer from the condition. With aging baby boomers, this number is almost guaranteed to increase over the next few years. Arthritis is considered as one of the biggest obstacles of enjoying retirement for older folks. Most people turn to drugs to relieve pain and cure symptoms, but there are plenty of natural options out there.

Aspirin and Baking Soda

This remedy is not exactly identical to Alka-Seltzer, but you can create your own buffered, soluble solution. Basically, you are going to combine 2 aspirins with 8 ounces of sparkling water or club soda. Add in 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/4 of a wedge of lemon juice. Once these ingredients are combined, then you need to wait for the aspirin to dissolve and then drink. This is obviously not an appropriate solution for people on a sodium restricted diet.

Naproxen for Pain Relief

This drug is available by OTC or prescription. It is an NSAID which does a reasonable job of relieving arthritis pain. The main benefit is that the effect lasts longer than your average ibuprofen. Plus, some researchers feel that it has a lower cardiovascular risk than most other NSAIDs. The only problem is that it can damage the stomach lining and cause ulcers, gastritis, and indigestion. It is relatively cheap though at an estimated cost of $4 to $5 per month. You definitely want to ask your doctor about this one.

Vitamin D

This is known as the sunshine vitamin and for good reason. It is free! The great news is that this nutrient can also reduce the risk of osteoporosis, depression, cancer, arthritis, and fractures. If you can get 5 to 10 minutes of sun exposure on most of your body every two to three days, it should do the job for you. The sad thing is that millions of people are deficient in vitamin D. In some cases, it is impossible to get the necessary sun exposure. Fortunately, there are supplements that you can take to get the recommended dosages each day.

Warning: Do not overdose vitamin D though. You need to keep your consumption under 2,000 IU per day.

The amount of arthritis remedies can be overwhelming, but if you take it slow and try them out one by one then you can find out what works best for you. There is no way to predict what will work best for each individual, but we hope that we have given enough ideas for everyone to find at least one thing that works well for them. You are going to have to employ trial and error and eventually you might find a synergy of remedies that provides a useful combination of treatment. Remember that none of these approaches are a substitute for good medical management. Make sure to consult with your doctor always about your arthritis problems.

The process in which rheumatoid arthritis occurs can be described, but the reason that this process begins is unknown. In simple terms, rheumatoid arthritis is initiated when the body recognizes healthy tissues as foreign invaders and, as a result, attacks them. Therefore, the body responds by creating inflammation, which destroys the affected joints and may damage organs and blood vessels as well.

As an autoimmune disorder that targets the smaller joints in both hands and feet, rheumatoid arthritis can also create a response in other joints of the body. The onset can be discovered in both males and females of any age. Furthermore, the disease may range anywhere from mild to severe, depending on the case.

The most prominent signs of rheumatoid arthritis are visible in the joints. Whether it is inflammation, pain, tenderness or swelling, this certain response is intended for the joints. As previously mentioned, this disease can affect knees, feet, fingers, wrists and ankles, or a combination of the joints. In addition, joint stiffness that lasts a prolonged time is characteristic.

More specifically, the joints that first become involved tend to be those in the wrists, hands, feet and ankles. As time goes on, the disease will begin to harm other areas, such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, neck, knees and jaw. Of course, not every person will see such drastic changes and not all of these joints will display such symptoms, but normally these are the most frequently observed.

Interestingly, the joints become affected in a symmetrical pattern. Therefore, if the right hip becomes infected so does the left. Also, patients will experience spurts of flare-ups, or periods of increased disease activity, while other times the symptoms of pain will simply fade and present a lower severity for a period of time.

Beyond the common indicators, red and puffy hands can be another sign of the disorder. In terms of general health, there could be more warning signs. These include feeling fatigued, meaning both mental and physical exhaustion, weight loss and/or obtaining a fever.

When a person exhibits these symptoms and has persistent swelling and discomfort among the joints in their body, they should take the time to see a doctor. Once a thorough physical exam is taken, as well as a full family history is recorded, a doctor can take the next step in treatment options. Treatments can range from medications to surgery, depending on the severity of the patient’s symptoms.

Unfortunately, no cure has been discovered for this particular disorder. With this knowledge, doctors set out to treat the symptoms and reduce the pain and discomfort in order to help the patients live better. The best option would be to consult a physician and take action towards reducing the pain and severity of the symptoms. You could also try some of our natural remedies for arthritis.

Natural Supplements
Glucosamine and Chondroitin are two supplements that are already found in the body. Consuming additional amounts of them can help the body repair joints and keep them healthy. Manganese is known to help enzymes work and it can effectively slow down the ever-present aging process. It has been successfully used for treating arthritis.

Turmeric and ginger extracts are natural anti-inflammatory herbal extracts that are more effective than prescription medications at treating and managing both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids can help alleviate the pain. They can be found in convenient supplements. Ten grams daily is the minimum required dose easing the symptoms.

Warm Water and Massages
Steam baths are good for alleviating the inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. Body massages are also beneficial as a treatment option. A twist on both massaging and heat is to rub hot vinegar on the aching joints before going to bed. Warm olive oil can also be massaged on the affected joint for relief. Mixing a cup of sea salt into a warm bath and relaxing in it for thirty minutes before bed can also provide relief. Other oils that can be rubbed on for pain relief are garlic, lavender, rosemary, sassafras, thyme, sage, and juniper. These should be diluted and mixed with olive oil at a ratio of 1 part oil to 10 parts olive oil.

Stay Active
It seems like an impossible solution. Arthritis causes pain with movement, and so the natural tendency is to reduce activity levels to alleviate the pain. Unfortunately, giving in to this urge will quickly result in increased levels of pain and stiffness. Staying active will help you maintain as much of your joint health and normal lifestyle as possible.

Follow a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet can help you give your body the tools it needs to fight arthritis naturally. Eat a variety of vegetables including carrots, beets and cucumber for joint health. Apples, oranges, papaya and grapes can also help prevent your cartilage from breaking down. Foods to avoid include sugar, tea, yogurt, spicy foods, and chocolate.

There are natural solutions for arthritis pain. Many different avenues are available for you to find relief and begin enjoying your favorite activities again. The best part is that they are safe, healthy, and effective.

While rheumatoid arthritis is usually thought of as a disease of the joints, the mechanisms of the underlying autoimmune disorder can spread to other systems within the body. Over the long term, harmful effects can be seen in associated conditions of the skin, heart, lungs, and nervous system, making it even more important to address rheumatoid arthritis early on. The danger comes when an autoimmune disorder creates tremendous, harmful amounts of inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers see the after affects of it in their swollen joints, and the pain and disfigurement that result when it begins to put pressure on nerve endings.

Eating To Fight Inflammation

Our immune system is particularly well- engineered to care for our digestive tract, since there are so any opportunities for toxins to proliferate there. So, quieting an autoimmune reaction will always require mindfulness in observing an anti-inflammation diet. One of the chief culprits in any body riddled with inflammation is the presence of food allergens. Your body recognizes these allergens as invaders, and hence fires up the immune system. Finding relief from rheumatoid arthritis requires that one disarm this overzealous immune system. One easy step in this direction is easily completed by simply eliminating common allergens from your diet and then, over a period of weeks, adding them back in one at a time. You must do so gradually enough that once you notice a flaring up, you can discern which food was the allergen. The usual suspects include gluten, dairy, and excess sugar. Once you determine what food sensitivities you may have, you’ll find that your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms will improve significantly.

Healing Foods

Many foods are associated with healing arthritis symptoms and calming the autoimmune system. Try incorporating the following healing foods into your rheumatoid arthritis diet.

Nettles

While nettles are known by most of us for their power to sting, they have, in fact, been used for hundreds of years for the relief of joint pain. Nettles release large amounts of pain relieving chemicals when brushed against or consumed. If you prefer to avoid their stingers, try including nettles with your next meal. Heat from cooking breaks down the hair thin barbs on the nettle and neutralizes them, leaving only the delicious, green leaf. In the last two years, nettles have become culinary darlings, praised for their rich flavor and robust complement of nutrients. You can use them in any recipe that calls for spinach as they share a similar taste. Try sautéing nettles with olive oil and cherry tomatoes before spooning over pasta.

Turmeric

Turmeric is sometimes referred to as “the aspirin of asia” due to its powerful ability to reduce inflammation and relieve discomfort. It gives the foods it’s used in a gorgeous goldenrod color and has a slightly sweet, woody flavor. You’ll find it used frequently in Indian foods, like curries. A therapeutic dose of turmeric is one gram per day. Studies which showed turmeric to be useful used this dosage as their guide, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop there. Fill your diet with lots of curries or cups of turmeric tea to soothe your immune system even more.