"The Wise Woman Tradition is a healing tradition. It is a way of being, a way of living, a way of thinking. It honors and respects all other healing traditions." The "Wise Woman Tradition" is a healing tradition consisting of natural healing knowledge passed down from person to person through the ages.
It is a way of being, a way of living, a way of thinking. It honors and respects all other healing traditions. It is earth-centered, can be women-centered but now days includes male-healers as well. "It is family-centered. It speaks to the healer within. It encourages trust in yourself and listening to the wisdom within your own heart."
It empowers you to take responsibility for your own health and well-being. It sees each person as their own healer. Whole and always moving and changing.
With that said this remedy was passed to me from my father and was passed to him through a friend.
It is a way of being, a way of living, a way of thinking. It honors and respects all other healing traditions. It is earth-centered, can be women-centered but now days includes male-healers as well. "It is family-centered. It speaks to the healer within. It encourages trust in yourself and listening to the wisdom within your own heart."
It empowers you to take responsibility for your own health and well-being. It sees each person as their own healer. Whole and always moving and changing.
With that said this remedy was passed to me from my father and was passed to him through a friend.
"The origin of the gin-soaked raisins cure is shrouded in urban legend, though this famous home remedy got a boost from legendary newsman Paul Harvey. Although this remedy dates back many many years, the kinds of pain that have been relieved or eliminated after taking the gin-soaked raisin formula include migraine headaches, gout ( a form of severe arthritis) and arthritic pain."
Many experts will tell you this is nothing but a placebo effect. but I can tell you from personal experience and as a practicing herbalist that the science behind it is sound. It is logical that the alcohol in the gin would extract the medicinal compounds in the raisins, just as it does with other herbs, roots (etc) in the making of herbal tinctures.
Let me share with you some info I picked up in understanding the possibly why behind this remedy. THEN RECIPE BELOW:
"Gin started out as a herbal medicine before it was adopted as an alcoholic drink by the manufacturers of spirits. Even today, while there many varieties of gins, juniper still remains a common ingredient to impact the flavor to all of them.
Gin is a spirit flavored with juniper berries. Juniper berries were first used by the Greeks and then later the Egyptians and Romans. In fact, the use of berries as medicine is believed to predate their use in food preparation. Some of the notable medical uses of juniper berries in alternative medicine include its use as a diuretic and appetite suppressant. It is also used in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism.
Juniper berries are rich in vitamin C, catechins, alpha-terpineol, alpha-pinene, betulin caryophyllene, limonene, menthol, rutin, and delta-3-carene. These are all anti-inflammatory compounds.
Since gin contains alcohol, it is an effective solvent in traditional medicine. Gin is often used to extract the active ingredients of barks, leaves, roots and other plant plants used as herbs. Besides water, alcohol is the other popular solvent for obtaining and dissolving herbal extracts. Gin makes an especially good candidate as an alcohol for herbal extraction.
Golden raisins sometimes called muscat contain several anti-inflammatory compounds: ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), cinnamic acid, coumarin, myricetin, quercetin, and loaded with antioxidants such as resveratrol and vitamin C. Raisins also contain ferulic acid, gentisic acid and salicylic acid — known pain relievers. In addition, raisins contain potassium and calcium, both of which help protect against bone de-mineralization. They contain around 70% sugar mostly in form of glucose and fructose. However, the sugars in raisins are supersaturated much like honey. Therefore, they actually have antibacterial activities and have been used to fight oral infections.
The basic powerhouse of nutrition, properties found in raisins are numerous - Iron, Zinc, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, B vitamins, Anthocyanins
Golden raisins are treated with sulfur dioxide in order to slow down the browning process. After this, they are either oven-dried or flame-dried. Sulfides left on the grapes after drying are thought to provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Sulfur is common in many other treatments for arthritis.
The exact causative pathways of arthritis and arthritic pain are unknown, and there may be many mechanisms in the body that are affected in the development of arthritis.
Perhaps the synergy between the various natural compounds in the drunken raisins remedy creates a communication with the body to allow it to heal on a complex level that modern science cannot yet analyze or address."
Many experts will tell you this is nothing but a placebo effect. but I can tell you from personal experience and as a practicing herbalist that the science behind it is sound. It is logical that the alcohol in the gin would extract the medicinal compounds in the raisins, just as it does with other herbs, roots (etc) in the making of herbal tinctures.
Let me share with you some info I picked up in understanding the possibly why behind this remedy. THEN RECIPE BELOW:
"Gin started out as a herbal medicine before it was adopted as an alcoholic drink by the manufacturers of spirits. Even today, while there many varieties of gins, juniper still remains a common ingredient to impact the flavor to all of them.
Gin is a spirit flavored with juniper berries. Juniper berries were first used by the Greeks and then later the Egyptians and Romans. In fact, the use of berries as medicine is believed to predate their use in food preparation. Some of the notable medical uses of juniper berries in alternative medicine include its use as a diuretic and appetite suppressant. It is also used in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism.
Juniper berries are rich in vitamin C, catechins, alpha-terpineol, alpha-pinene, betulin caryophyllene, limonene, menthol, rutin, and delta-3-carene. These are all anti-inflammatory compounds.
Since gin contains alcohol, it is an effective solvent in traditional medicine. Gin is often used to extract the active ingredients of barks, leaves, roots and other plant plants used as herbs. Besides water, alcohol is the other popular solvent for obtaining and dissolving herbal extracts. Gin makes an especially good candidate as an alcohol for herbal extraction.
Golden raisins sometimes called muscat contain several anti-inflammatory compounds: ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), cinnamic acid, coumarin, myricetin, quercetin, and loaded with antioxidants such as resveratrol and vitamin C. Raisins also contain ferulic acid, gentisic acid and salicylic acid — known pain relievers. In addition, raisins contain potassium and calcium, both of which help protect against bone de-mineralization. They contain around 70% sugar mostly in form of glucose and fructose. However, the sugars in raisins are supersaturated much like honey. Therefore, they actually have antibacterial activities and have been used to fight oral infections.
The basic powerhouse of nutrition, properties found in raisins are numerous - Iron, Zinc, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, B vitamins, Anthocyanins
Golden raisins are treated with sulfur dioxide in order to slow down the browning process. After this, they are either oven-dried or flame-dried. Sulfides left on the grapes after drying are thought to provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Sulfur is common in many other treatments for arthritis.
The exact causative pathways of arthritis and arthritic pain are unknown, and there may be many mechanisms in the body that are affected in the development of arthritis.
Perhaps the synergy between the various natural compounds in the drunken raisins remedy creates a communication with the body to allow it to heal on a complex level that modern science cannot yet analyze or address."
GIN RAISINS
RECIPE:
Dosage, Directions, Results
The recommended dosage hasn't been refined and goes according to popular advice. The more severe the case, the higher the dosage.
The popular advice is to take 7 to 10 of these “drunken raisins” every day. Most users report improvements in arthritis symptoms between 1 – 8 weeks of using this remedy.
Gin-soaked raisins are safe to use and no side effects are expected as long as the number of raisins taken does not exceed 10 per day.
*For many years my client has stuck to 7 raisins a day, no more, no less.*
RECIPE:
- Put one packet of golden raisins (must be golden) in a shallow glass container and pour enough gin into it to just cover the raisins
- Add a few juniper berries if you have them on hand. Add cinnamon too it is also anti-inflammatory.
- Cover the bowl lightly and allow to stand until the raisins absorb the gin and the remaining liquid evaporates, about 7-10 days to allow the raisins to steep in the gin.
Dosage, Directions, Results
The recommended dosage hasn't been refined and goes according to popular advice. The more severe the case, the higher the dosage.
The popular advice is to take 7 to 10 of these “drunken raisins” every day. Most users report improvements in arthritis symptoms between 1 – 8 weeks of using this remedy.
Gin-soaked raisins are safe to use and no side effects are expected as long as the number of raisins taken does not exceed 10 per day.
*For many years my client has stuck to 7 raisins a day, no more, no less.*
NOW, I gathered this recipe for you guys off a site which I felt explained VERY WELL how to create this maceration. However, I want to let you know how my made mine exactly and the dosage I have been taking which got RID totally of a rather large cyst that I had in the joint of one of my fingers. it was both painful and intrusive.
MY VERSION EXACTLY SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT:
I did exactly what it said above in terms of fill one pint jar leaving about an inch of room at the top with raisins.
ADD Amsterdam smooth GIN to cover raisins completely.
Raisins will expand so make sure to leave room.
I added Cinnamon (about a table spoon)
I began taking the remedy after about a week. Then continued to leave the lid on tight.
I did NOT let the gin evaporate. WHY?
When making a tincture in Herbalism the alcohol PULLS out some of the goodness form the plant that you are letting sit. Also the cinnamon we added. So, I felt that the gin was also going to be part of the medicine that I was taking each day. FOR SURE.
So, I took about 2 tsp worth of this remedy ea day. with a bit of the GIn in the tea spoon with the raisins.
I continue to take this remedy every day as maintenance. Much less pain over all through my whole body and can move around without anti-inflammation medications too.
NOW IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE:
When you go to make your next batch ( you will want to start when you are getting low on your first one) put about two table spoons form the old one into the new jar as starter- this part also was passed to me by word of mouth --the wise women way) ....Then follow what you did before)
After a few weeks. My cyst softened. Now, I did notice it isn't completely gone but it DOESN'T hurt at all. It won't need to be operated on and it doesn't impede movement at all. I have been able to get rid of it before using herbal roots which help with gout and such by dissolving things in our joints. I can add those in and get this guy gone. WOW!
MY VERSION EXACTLY SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT:
I did exactly what it said above in terms of fill one pint jar leaving about an inch of room at the top with raisins.
ADD Amsterdam smooth GIN to cover raisins completely.
Raisins will expand so make sure to leave room.
I added Cinnamon (about a table spoon)
I began taking the remedy after about a week. Then continued to leave the lid on tight.
I did NOT let the gin evaporate. WHY?
When making a tincture in Herbalism the alcohol PULLS out some of the goodness form the plant that you are letting sit. Also the cinnamon we added. So, I felt that the gin was also going to be part of the medicine that I was taking each day. FOR SURE.
So, I took about 2 tsp worth of this remedy ea day. with a bit of the GIn in the tea spoon with the raisins.
I continue to take this remedy every day as maintenance. Much less pain over all through my whole body and can move around without anti-inflammation medications too.
NOW IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE:
When you go to make your next batch ( you will want to start when you are getting low on your first one) put about two table spoons form the old one into the new jar as starter- this part also was passed to me by word of mouth --the wise women way) ....Then follow what you did before)
After a few weeks. My cyst softened. Now, I did notice it isn't completely gone but it DOESN'T hurt at all. It won't need to be operated on and it doesn't impede movement at all. I have been able to get rid of it before using herbal roots which help with gout and such by dissolving things in our joints. I can add those in and get this guy gone. WOW!
Common question answered by one of my sources (well played) : Will I get drunk?
Although these raisins are often called “drunken raisins,” it is unlikely that you will feel any effect from the small amount of alcohol they absorb. Interestingly, gin was originally used as a herbal medicine and not as an alcoholic drink. Even now, gin is commonly used as a solvent in traditional medicine, to extract active ingredients from leaves, roots, barks and other herbs.
Soaking raisins in gin allows all of their therapeutic properties to be readily absorbed and used. Some of the medicinal compounds in plants are not water soluble so they do not get extracted when we eat them; rather they are alcohol-soluble. Extraction via alcohol makes them available for our bodies to use.
Although these raisins are often called “drunken raisins,” it is unlikely that you will feel any effect from the small amount of alcohol they absorb. Interestingly, gin was originally used as a herbal medicine and not as an alcoholic drink. Even now, gin is commonly used as a solvent in traditional medicine, to extract active ingredients from leaves, roots, barks and other herbs.
Soaking raisins in gin allows all of their therapeutic properties to be readily absorbed and used. Some of the medicinal compounds in plants are not water soluble so they do not get extracted when we eat them; rather they are alcohol-soluble. Extraction via alcohol makes them available for our bodies to use.
Written by, Opal Cintron Heese
Certified Clinical Aromatherapist
RYT 200 - BFA/AMA
Ayurveda - Sound Healing
Sources:
http://www.progressivehealth.com/arthritis-gin.htm
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/gin-soaked-raisins-truth-fable-pain-relief-shannon-brown
http://www.birthways.com/wisewoman.html
Certified Clinical Aromatherapist
RYT 200 - BFA/AMA
Ayurveda - Sound Healing
Sources:
http://www.progressivehealth.com/arthritis-gin.htm
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/gin-soaked-raisins-truth-fable-pain-relief-shannon-brown
http://www.birthways.com/wisewoman.html