Are gin-soaked raisins the natural cure that some people claim or simply a myth with little evidence to support the claims? This article gets to the bottom of the evidence.
Origins
Like many folk remedies, it is difficult to trace the origin of gin-soaked raisins. The idea has likely been around for a long time but got its first real boost in the 1990s when radio personality Paul Harvey mentioned the remedy on one of his popular broadcasts.
The news soon hit media outlets across the country. Several versions of the remedy and numerous testimonials on its effectiveness have since been published, including the book The People’s Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies by Joe Graedon and Teresa Graedon.
Although there are numerous variations on the remedy, there is a basic recipe that involves only two ingredients: golden raisins and distilled gin.
How It Works
It is unclear why golden raisins are used instead of black raisins. For their part, authors Joe and Teresa Graedon noted that golden raisins are preferred but “some people have found that the darker raisins work just fine as well.”
Results can vary, but natural health experts like the Graedons advise that it can take two weeks or more before you feel the effects.
Evidence and Theories
To date, there have been few, if any, studies proving that gin-soaked raisins help arthritis. There is also no real understanding as to why nine raisins are called for. Although some experts will recommend more or fewer raisins, nine seems to be the general consensus.
Despite the lack of research, followers of natural medicine offer theories as to why gin-soaked raisins actually work.
Juniper
There is a widely held belief that the juniper berries used to flavor gin have anti-inflammatory effects that can relieve arthritis pain.
Juniper has, in fact, been used for centuries for this purpose. Juniper contains plant-based compounds known as flavonoids that are thought to reduce inflammatory chemicals in the body called cytokines. These might help alleviate arthritis pain.
Others contend that another group of compounds, called terpenes, is responsible for the pain relief. Terpenes are aromatic chemicals found in juniper and marijuana that may have analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.
Even so, it is unclear if the amount of flavonoids and terpenes found in gin has any real benefit. To date, there is little scientific evidence of this.
Sulfur
Other natural health experts think that sulfur used to process golden raisins may be the active ingredient. Sulfur-containing foods and sulfur baths are among the natural remedies some people turn to treat osteoarthritis (“wear-and-tear arthritis”).
Rather than being sun-dried like black grapes, the grapes used to create golden raisins are mechanically dried. During the process, they are exposed to sulfur dioxide that prevents caramelization and helps the raisins retain their golden color.
Some research suggests that supplements containing organic sulfur not only have anti-inflammatory effects but also trigger vasodilation (the widening of blood vessels).
Although these combined effects might in theory provide short-term pain relief, it is unknown if the trace amounts of sulfur in golden raisins (roughly 2,500 to 3,000 parts per million) are enough to be beneficial.
Summary
Gin-soaked raisins are a home remedy that some people believe can treat arthritis pain. The theory is that golden raisins and gin contain organic compounds (like flavonoids, terpenes, and sulfur) that can help reduce inflammation and pain sensations. To date, there are few studies to support the claims.
A Word From Verywell
There is not enough evidence to suggest that gin-soaked raisins can help treat arthritis in any way. That doesn’t mean that they may not have a powerful placebo effect in some people (in which your strong belief in a treatment causes you to feel better).
If you have arthritis and decide to try gin-soaked raisins, speak with your healthcare provider first. There may be reasons why the remedy may not be right for you, such as uncontrolled diabetes or alcoholism.
Keep in mind, as well, that just because a remedy is “natural” doesn’t mean it is necessarily safe.
