Surprising Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar
While vinegar is a mainstay in many homes, it may surprise you to find it’s much more than salad dressing. Once you know how useful and versatile it is, you’ll want to stock plenty in your home.
Thousands of years ago it was used for everything from preserving food to fighting scurvy. Today we use it for its powerful deodorizing and antimicrobial cleaning properties. And while it’s applications are numerous in DYI cleaning products, its well documented health benefits will amaze you.
White vinegar is perfect for cleaning, however, for medicinal purposes it's best to use Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV), with the Mother. The “Mother” is a term referred to the connected strand-like chain of protein enzyme molecules, its benefits are considered highly beneficial for health and nutrition.
There are perhaps hundreds, if not thousands of health benefits related to ACV and many are well documented. For those of you that would like to learn more, visit the links at the end of this article.
See Eden's 10 Natural Ways to Avoid the Cold & Flu.
This is a sample list of its remarkable health benefits:
Burn Wounds - According to researchers at the University of Birmingham and the National Institute for Health Research, it is effective in preventing infection and kills bacteria in burn wounds.
PH balance – Absolutely critical in maintaining good health
Weight Loss – One to two tablespoons diluted in water before meals
Digestive Aid – One teaspoon in a small amount of water before meals
Body Detox - Combine 1 ½ c. apple cider vinegar with one gallon of water and drink for 1-3 days.
Beauty Aid – Skin & Hair Tonic
Hair Rinse – I found this useful while living in the Midwest where well water is commonly “hard.”
Other Amazing Uses of Vinegar:
Weed Killer
The Dirt Doctor, Howard Garrett, recommends this recipe to effectively control weeds in your garden:
Herbicide Formula - 1 gallon of 10 percent (100 grain) UNDILUTED vinegar
Add 1ounce orange oil
1 teaspoon liquid soap or other surfactant (environmentally safe soap such as Puracy or Aspen)
Mix well and apply.
Be careful as this will kill other plants as well.
Fruit and Veggie Wash
Remember to wash all your produce before consuming. Organic produce obviously has less fewer contaminants on the surface, but it is still very important that you wash it. Even small doses of pesticides can adversely affect your health, especially that of children, according to the Environmental Working Group.
Vinegar is one of the best natural agents for removing certain pesticides and bacteria from your fresh produce. Use a solution of 10 percent vinegar (1c.) to 90 percent water (9c.). Briefly soak produce. Swish it around and rinse with water. Do not use on fragile fruits such as berries.
According to Dorrine Khakpour, RD, CD, CDE, “For most medicinal purposes no more than 1-2 tablespoons per day is recommended. The side effects of large amounts include decreased potassium levels, which could be life threatening. Vinegar may also interact with diuretics, laxatives, and medicines for diabetes and heart disease. So before you start to drink vinegar as an alternative therapy, consult your physician or pharmacist about the medication you are taking that could interact with consistent and or large doses.”
University of Washington - Apple Cider Vinegar Alternative Therapy
Dr. Group & Global Healing Center - Learn the Astonishing Power of Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar and How You Can Benefit Today!
EurekAlert! The Global Source for Science News - Acetic acid, found in vinegar, shown to be effective against bacteria found in burn wounds
Journal of the American Diabetes Association
Mercola M.D. - 15 Natural Remedies for the Treatment of Acid Reflux and Ulcers
And Its Fruit Shall Be For Food And Its Leaf For Medicine
Ezekiel 47:12
