We quite often read about new ‘home’ treatments for people’s medical conditions, so we decided we would draw some of these together into a new series for the blog. Please let us know any remedies that you have heard of, or tried yourself, and we will add them into this series.

To kick off these series we are starting with a novel home remedy for arthritis . 8.5 million people suffer from arthritis in the UK, so anything that can improve quality of life for sufferers, and help them continue to do the things they enjoy – be it holidays, gardening or playing an instrument – has to be a good thing.

 The latest remedy, from an article in the Daily Mail,  is drinking a mixture of cider vinegar and honey. According to some converts, they now are completely pain free after trying it.

 Herbalists have claimed that cider vinegar is a valuable health tonic for centuries- but doctors remain unconvinced. The herbalists believe that arthritis is caused by acid crystals in the joints, and that the vinegar dissolves them. Cider Vinegar, which is produced by allowing the alcoholic drink to sour, contains similar nutrients to apples including pectin, beta-carotene, potassium and magnesium.

 However, Prof Robert Moots, consultant rheumatologist at Liverpool University Hospital, disagrees – he says that arthritis is caused by the wearing away of cartilage that lines the joints. The subsequent friction leads to over-growth of bone, pain and inflammation.

 So medically there doesn’t seem to be much basis for the pain reduction from the cider, but as Professor Moot says, it is unlikely to do any harm and it just might work.  

 Is it worth a try? Has anyone with arthritis tried this remedy? Has it worked for you? Or do you not believe in it all? Remember to let us know about any other home remedies that you have used or heard of.