Gin-raisin remedy proves popular

October 18, 2007 at 2:00a.m.

Q. A neighbor of mine was so crippled with arthritis, she had to use a walker. She and her husband had more than 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.

Those who would like more details on this and other unique approaches to arthritis relief may wish to order our Guide to Home Remedies.

Q. When I was in college, a fellow student gave me this silly remedy for hiccups. Place a paper napkin over the top of a glass of water. Have the hiccupper take sips of water through the napkin. It works!

A. Before the days of paper napkins, people used a clean cloth handkerchief in one variant of this hiccup remedy. We have no idea why this would work, but readers assure us that it does.

Q. I have a teenage son who takes after my side of the family and is small-boned. This has had a negative effect on his self-confidence.

Because I do not believe my children should use drugs of any kind, I preach vitamins and herbal supplements. I’ve given him protein drinks with creatine, amino acids and taurine, but we haven’t seen much difference.

I am concerned he may want to try steroids despite the danger. I found a natural steroid called DHEA, but I don’t know if that’s any better to use. Is it something that could help him bulk up?

A. Despite its popularity, there is little evidence the prohormone DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) can build muscle. A review (Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, August 2006) concluded that “there appears to be little or no benefit in using prohormone nutritional supplements. Therefore, the use of any prohormone supplement should be discouraged by athletic trainers, coaches, educators, researchers, and physicians.”

Q. What are the health implications of consuming large quantities of cornstarch?

A. A person who craves cornstarch might have pica. This condition is frequently triggered by iron or zinc deficiency. We have heard from readers hooked on carrots, radishes, ice chips and popcorn. The cravings may disappear once the deficiency is corrected.

XIn their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of The Vindicator or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.