Pomegranate juice, Certo helps to relieve joint pain

graedons |People’s Herbal Pharmacy

Q. I’ve read your columns about grape juice and Certo for easing joint pain, but I don’t like grape juice. I tried pomegranate juice with Certo instead. It’s much lower in calories, and it tastes really good.

After just a couple of days, the results are amazing! I can comfortably make a tight fist now, which means I can look forward to throwing punches in aikido classes again without jamming an arthritic knuckle.

As an EMT, I’m definitely in tune with conventional modern U.S. medicine. From a medical standpoint, this remedy has me stumped, but there is no doubt that it really worked quickly and effectively for me. I don’t know if this mixture will affect other drugs or conditions, so others should check with the doctor before trying it.

A. Thanks for sharing your experiment. We have heard from hundreds of readers that Certo and grape juice or gin-soaked raisins can ease joint pain. Pomegranate juice itself can ease inflammation and slow cartilage destruction (Journal of Nutrition, September 2005).

Anyone who would like to learn more about juice-based remedies, herbs and other natural approaches may be interested in our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis.

Q. I have been bothered with heartburn for 50 years. I got it after every meal, but it was immediately relieved with Tums.

I was cleaning out the herbs in my kitchen cupboard and found some fennel seeds. I took a teaspoon after dinner and didn’t get heartburn. Now I take fennel after every meal and haven’t needed a Tums all month.

For me this is nothing short of a miracle. My mom told me I was diagnosed with a spasmodic stomach as an infant. I looked online and saw fennel is an antispasmodic. Maybe that’s why it helps.

A. Fennel traditionally has been used to treat indigestion and gas. It has been shown to counteract smooth muscle spasms in the digestive tract.

Q. For about 20 years, I had chronic pain from a muscle knotted up in my back. I tried unsuccessfully to address it with adjustments from a chiropractor. A massage therapist recently recommended applying castor oil, covering the area with felt and then putting on a heating pad. It has taken three treatments, but the results are dramatic.

A. Castor oil applied topically has been reported to ease bruising. We’re impressed that it relieved your muscle pain.

Q. My son developed a wart on the bottom of his foot. He didn’t take care of it as I told him to, so it grew and multiplied until it caused considerable pain when walking.

By then nothing he tried helped. His doctor wouldn’t touch it and recommended a visit to a specialist.

I told him to get some fresh turmeric, but all he could find was the powder. I suggested he make a paste with a little oil. Mixing it with a few drops of olive oil and covering it with a bandage took away the warts and all of the pain in a couple of days! It has been several weeks since treatment, and the warts have not returned.

A. You are the second person who has reported success with turmeric against plantar warts (warts on the sole of the foot). Turmeric contains curcumin, which has antiviral activity (Virology, April 10, 2008). That might explain your success.

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.

2008 King Features Syndicate Inc.