Q. I'm only 38, but have had a lot of pain in my knees lately that I assume is arthritis. Sometimes at night in bed my knees really ache. I walk three to five miles per day, every day. I'd like to try some herbal remedies to see if they help. I saw you mentioned Certo, but wonder if this can be bought in pre-mixed form. Are there alternatives you could recommend trying?
A. There are several natural approaches to ease the inflammation and pain of arthritis. Certo is plant pectin used to thicken jams and jellies. Many readers tell us that a tablespoon in eight ounces of grape juice daily can be helpful. One with “worn out knees” had difficulty climbing stairs. After nine months on Certo and grape juice the pain was gone and he was back running.
Other readers have had success with fish oil or gin-soaked raisins. “I began taking the gin and golden raisins daily several years ago at the advice of my doctor. I had not been able to wear my rings for months due to swollen knuckles and could barely close my fist, but after about a month of the gin and raisins I was able to wear my rings and have virtually no pain in my fingers.”
We discuss these and many other approaches (turmeric, ginger, boswellia and vinegar) in our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis.
