I drink it with my morning pills every day. Because I don’t like grape juice I use 12 ounces of iced tea with ½ a package of the liquid Certo.

DEAR READER:
Thank you for writing your success story. I chose to print it because yours is the first experience I have heard that doesn’t involve the typical purple grape juice. My usual recommendation is eight ounces of purple grape juice with one tablespoon of liquid pectin three times a day and then once relief is felt to go down to eight ounces of the juice with one to two teaspoons of liquid pectin once a day for maintenance.

DEAR READER:
It appears you have been taking over-the-counter supplements for four years with minimal success. This combination works for some people, but not for all. Therefore, it’s time to experiment. Use the grape juice and pectin only for a period of a few weeks to a month. Remember to make a mental note of your activity during the trial period. If you are involved with cleaning out the attic or choose to paint a room, you will be using muscles that you don’t ordinarily use and could experience pain even without a diagnosis of joint inflammation. This would not be a fair test. If, however, you have a normal routine and your pain level remains decreased, you will have your answer.

If, on the other hand, it elevates considerably, you will probably be better off using the glucosamine/chondroitin and grape juice/pectin combination. Have fun experimenting.

She currently gets a cortisone shot in her hip as often as she is allowed to, but the pain returns before she qualifies for another shot.

What creams or ointments without side effects do you recommend that can be used topically for bursitis, arthritis and inoperable pain?

My friend lives alone, eats heartily, and is up-to date on current affairs. Thank you for your input.

DEAR READER:
To begin with, Castiva is a topical pain-relief lotion used for the pain of arthritis. It is NOT to be taken internally, rather it should be rubbed onto painful joints. The product comes in two forms, warming and cooling. The warming lotion contains capsaicin, an ingredient found in chili peppers that works by blocking pain signals from nerves, while reducing inflammation. The cooling lotion contains menthol and cools as it is applied. Both contain natural castor oil, a product that has been used for over 4,000 years because of its healing properties.

Some people find relief from pain by using purple grape juice and pectin, a substance used in preparing jams and jellies. Simply pour eight ounces of 100% juice into a glass. Add one to two tablespoons of liquid pectin and stir. Drink two to three times daily. The remedy is reported to substantially reduce the pain of arthritis.

While I’ve been told pectin is in short supply unless it is jelly making season, I learned it can be purchased in bulk from Kauffman’s, 3096 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird In Hand, PA l7505. This source was passed on to me by a reader, so I am making it available to you.

You might also have your friend visit your local pharmacy to determine what over-the-counters are available for relief of joint pain. In fact, enlist the services of the pharmacist who is a great resource. You might be glad you did.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Understanding Osteoarthritis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR READER:
Thank you for sharing your experience. There are numerous endorsements for arthritis, including grape juice and pectin, anti-inflammatories, over-the-counter Castiva, and prescription drugs. Plain castor oil is simple and effective. If it works, stick with it.

DEAR READER:
Thank you for sharing your positive experience. I have received hundreds of letters endorsing the purple grape juice and liquid pectin treatment. It is safe, easy, and inexpensive. For this reason I have included it in my newest Health Report along with many other home remedies.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR READER:
All reports I’ve received refer to purple grape juice for arthritis pain. If the lower sugar content of white grape juice works for you and your husband, stick with it.

Unfortunately, pectin purchased in a grocery store is only available in small packaging, because the volume is tied in to the amount required to make a batch of jam or jelly. Perhaps fewer people are making home-made goods and packaging larger volumes is not a money-maker. How sad. It’s one thing that could certainly be sold in bulk, since many individuals with arthritis profit from the grape juice/pectin combo for relief of their joint pain.

We have been using a prescription medication on his psoriasis, every day, for more than two years. It has had very little effect. I rubbed the inside of the banana peels on the affected patches (his head, neck, face and back) once a day. After three days the psoriasis had nearly cleared up (about 90% was gone). My husband now uses the peels once a week to keep his skin clear.

Thank you, from both of us, for passing along all these helpful hints.

DEAR READER:
Other readers have had marvelous success treating their psoriasis with the banana peel therapy. It is cheap, easy, safe and — apparently — effective. For those unfamiliar with this therapy, all you do is rub the inside of the banana peel on the affected patches of skin once a day. Remember not to waste the banana. It is nutritious and delicious.

The other therapies you mentioned have also had positive results for many of my readers. Aside from the drunken raisin (raisins soaked in gin), cherries have proven useful in preventing or treating gout. Purple grape juice and liquid pectin have been equally successful in the treatment of arthritis. I have even had some readers write to me about its positive implications in relieving IBS symptoms.

To give you more information on these conditions and other home remedies, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “About Gout”, “Eczema and Psoriasis”, “Understanding Osteoarthritis” and “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 (per report) to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

I, too, have had 3 cortisone shots in my hip (no recommendation from my doctor for hip surgery) and so far they only offer temporary relief.

Inasmuch as I did not read your original article about the castor oil rubs and grape juice with pectin, I am very interested in knowing your instructions for such. I realize there is no guarantee that this treatment will help me but I would like to give it a try.

DEAR READER: Castor oil is simply rubbed onto the affected joint or joints twice a day.

To eight ounces of purple grape juice, add 1-2 tablespoons liquid pectin. This mixture can be taken up to 3 times a day until pain is decreased and then reduced to 1 glass per day as a maintenance.

Because of the high reader interest, I have recently written a health report that contains the most popular and effective home remedies.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed 4 ¼” X 9 ½” letter-sized stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.