This spring, in an attempt to help a good friend of mine get relief from her headaches, I started reading about all of the different natural cures. Not knowing the cause of the headaches was probably the reason for my failure in that area, but along my search I found a discussion board online where many people talked about getting rid of their headaches with a daily dose of apple cider vinegar. I quickly forwarded the discussion to my friend and she decided to give it a try. After about two or three weeks I asked her if it had worked at all. She responded that although it hadn’t taken away any of her headaches it had taken away all of her arthritic pain! She said she hadn’t been sure it was the apple cider vinegar until she quit it for a awhile and the pain had come back. After looking it up on the Internet she found that apple cider vinegar was actually supposed to help with that pain, only she hadn’t known it until then.
That got me thinking. If it could help with arthritic pain, what else could it help with? During my time of research on the subject I came across many uses for apple cider vinegar. It certainly isn’t a new cure to these problems. People have been using vinegar for many uses over the centuries. The armies of Julius Caesar drank vinegar mixed with water as an invigorating tonic for its antiseptic benefits. Samurai warriors of Japan would down a vinegar-based beverage to accrue superior strength. The record of Hannibal’s march over the Alps describes how vinegar was poured on hot boulders to crumble them to make way for his troops and elephants to proceed.
Did you know vinegar is mentioned eleven times in the Bible? Ruth 2:4 says, “And Boaz and unto her, ‘At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip the morsel in the vinegar.’” I am not certain whether Boaz was delivering culinary or medicinal advice.
During the time of Jesus Christ, vinegar was used as a condiment but was also valued for its medicinal properties. Jails in the holy land had two stone jugs kept near the wall where prisoners were flogged. One jug contained oil to soothe and heal, the other contained vinegar used as an antiseptic.
So, you see, vinegar is nowhere near a new discovery. Below you will find all types of different uses for apple cider vinegar. After reading this article you’ll probably realize vinegar is one of the most multipurpose products you can find for under $2.00 a gallon!
From Head to Toe
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” You’ll learn in this section, the derivative of the apple—apple cider vinegar—would not only keep the general doctor away, but also the cardiologist, dermatologist, gastroenterologist, and even oncology doctors at bay.
Arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common chronic diseases of aging found in Western countries. It is a condition of inflammation of the joints, which some researchers believe is caused by a buildup in the tissues of irritant metabolic wastes and toxins. High risk people include those who don’t eat many vegetables, who smoke, who are over 45, who don’t exercise much, who have arthritis in their genes, those who have had an infection in any joint, those who have had a injury in a joint, those who are overweight, and those who have had a blood transfusion. Many arthritis problems can be solved simply by eliminating food allergies, the most common of which are wheat, dairy, corn and citrus.
It should also be noted that gout is a type of arthritis.
Most natural treatments for arthritis involve a combination of diet, exercise and weight control. Nutrient-rich apple cider vinegar can play a role in relieving the pain and in slowing the progression of arthritis. The prevailing remedy consists of one teaspoon of vinegar in a glass of water taken four times a day, sometimes with honey to make it a bit more appetizing. Although, if you want to get it over with, my friend simply adds two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a small glass of water, quickly drinks that, then drinks a second glass of water to take the taste away. Not only are you getting your daily dose of apple cider vinegar done that way, but you’re also hydrating yourself! Think of it as a bonus.
Asthma
According to some naturopathic doctors, asthma can be relieved by combining the nutritive values of apple cider vinegar with the benefits of acupressure by holding vinegar-soaked pads to the inside of the wrists.
Bones
While it isn’t completely clear how they work, it is acknowledged that trace elements needed to maintain bone mass and strength include manganese, magnesium and silicon, all of which occur in apple cider vinegar, and all of which are delivered to the body in a naturally balanced and easily-absorbable form. Doctors recommend supplements of these elements and others, particularly among post-menopausal women.
Cancer
To some degree cancer is a symptom of the harm created by free radicals—unattached, unwanted cells that wreak havoc wherever they lodge in the body. Junk food—food without nutritional value (things like white bread) are the main way these unwanted cells end up in your body in the first place, but that is a whole other article! Antioxidants absorb free radicals, rendering them harmless. Beta-carotene, a carotenoid present in vinegar, is a powerful antioxidant. Moreover, carotenoids serve as the body’s raw material for the production of vitamin A, another potent antioxidant, the scarcity of which has been linked, in particular, to cancers of the respiratory system, colon and bladder. Carotenoids and vitamin A work together to protect the body from cancers associated with chemical toxins.
The American Cancer Society recommends a high-fiber diet to help prevent several forms of cancer, particularly colon cancer. Pectin, a soluble fiber in vinegar, binds certain cancer-causing compounds in the colon, speeding their elimination from the body, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Western Michigan University reports early test results which indicate vinegar can be used to increase the accuracy of conventional tests for cervical cancer. Adding the new vinegar-based test to the standard Pap test allows medical personnel to “...detect woman at risk for cervical cancer who would not have been detected by the Pap test alone.” The vinegar test is simple to administer, noninvasive, safe and low-cost
Cholesterol
High blood cholesterol is a symptom and early warning sign of heart disease. The very best ways to lower cholesterol are by maintaining your ideal weight, getting plenty of exercise, eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, and avoiding processed foods, hydrogenated oils (found in margarine, baked goods, chips and many other processes foods) and other “nutrition-free” junk food.
One of the most effective ways of directly lowering cholesterol is to make sure there is plenty of fiber in your diet. Fiber is the indigestible portion of foods, and while all fiber is beneficial, not all fiber works the same way. Some fibers are water soluble and some are not. A water-soluble fiber soaks up water (adding bulk) and has the ability to interact with the body. Insoluble fiber also soaks up moisture but does not interact with the body. Fiber literally soaks up excess fats and cholesterol so that they are excreted from the body rather than reabsorbed.
In addition to fiber, in the form of pectin, vinegar also contains a number of amino acids which can neutralize harmful oxidized LDL cholesterol.
Colds
PH levels are a scale of acidity and alkalinity. It has been determined the pH levels of the body become more alkaline prior to the onset of a cold or flu. Since vinegar is acidic, taking a teaspoon in a half in a glass of water two or three times a day when a cold is coming on, can help rebalance pH levels, warding off the cold.
Constipation
Normal digestion includes the production of acid and pepsin by the stomach as well as digestive enzymes from the pancreas. As we age, we begin to under produce these digestive juices, which can lead to constipation.
It is important not to ignore the problem because constipation interferes with the flow of nutrients throughout the body which keeps us healthier, longer. There are many diet and supplements that address this problem, but the simplest and most effective is eating foods high in fiber to add bulk and stimulate proper bowel contractions. Fiber also stimulates the growth of healthful bacteria in the colon which aids in absorption of nutrients. Apples and their fermented derivative, vinegar, contain the fiber pectin.
Cramps
I’ve known many people who wake up during the night from the sharp pain of muscle cramps (my husband is one of them). The pains most often occur in the legs, but sometimes occur in the vicinity of the stomach or heart, which can be very scary!
When the cramps appear in the legs or feet, people with jump out of bed and start pounding and massaging the location of the cramp in an attempt to alleviate the pain. When the cramp is in the legs, many people are accustomed to getting up and “walking it off.” Those plagued with nighttime leg cramps may find relief with a glass of water, with one or two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar mixed in. Honey may also be added. Don’t feel bad if you don’t feel up to trying this. My husband has been plagued by these cramps for over a year now and still won’t try this method!
Diabetes
In most people with diabetes, digestive impairment is present, which includes stomach malfunction with underproduction of hydrochloric acid and pepsin, as well as digestive enzymes by the pancreas.
When the stomach isn’t performing as it should, the body cannot be well nourished with the protein and minerals it needs.
Cutting way back on refined sugars and carbohydrates, improving the digestive function, plus vitamins and minerals, can make a big difference for diabetics. Physicians frequently recommend high-fiber diets to help control diabetes, and several studies have shown that pectin, the fiber in apple cider vinegar, helps control blood sugar (glucose) levels in diabetes.
Diarrhea
The pectin contained in apple cider vinegar provides effective antidiarrhea action because the fiber swells up to add bulk to the stool. In addition, intestinal bacteria transform pectin into a protective coating for the irritated lining.
Pectin is also effective against several types of bacteria capable of causing diarrhea. It’s potent stuff. Pectin is the “pectate” in the popular over-the-counter diarrhea preparation, Kaopectate. It’s so much less expensive and more natural to just take some apple cider vinegar!
Dietary Transition
Depression
Some believe that while mental depression is experienced in the mind, it is rooted in stagnant liver. Due to its cleansing effect on the liver, mild cases of depression are thought to be relieved by taking a teaspoon of vinegar in a little water.
Others attribute the ability to decrease depression to its amino acid content.
Eyes
Vinegar’s primary antioxidant—beta-carotene—contributes to maintaining good health by protecting the eyes from cataracts. Cataract development is related to oxidation of the eye’s lens which occurs when free radicals alter its structure.
Fatigue
A buildup of lactic acid, released during exercise and stress, can cause fatigue, and the amino acids in vinegar can counteract the effect of excess lactic acid in the bloodstream. The enzymes and potassium in vinegar may also play a part in treating fatigue. One suggested dosage for chronic fatigue is three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to an eight of a cut of honey, taken at bedtime.
Food Poisoning
Taking a quarter-teaspoon of apple cider vinegar once a day until food poisoning symptoms are relieved helps neutralize the poisons and kills harmful bacteria in the digestive tract. Some doctors will recommend use of vinegar before meals when eating in foreign countries and visiting questionable restaurants. I recommend not visiting questionable restaurants, but I haven’t decided what to do about the traveling abroad thing. It isn’t as if you could bring your own meals from home! Hmm…
Hiccups
Slowly sip a glass of warm water with one teaspoon of vinegar mixed in to end a bout of hiccups.
Gallstones and Kidney Stones
This ailment is said to be unknown in areas or households where vinegar is frequently used.
Headaches
A headache is a sign that something somewhere in your body or mind is wrong and needs attention. The problem may be in your liver, kidneys, gallbladder or other organs. It may be triggered by allergies and/or emotional stress. Vinegar is by no means a cure-all for all types of headaches, but it can be a very effective remedy for some.
Frequently when headaches strike, the urine, which is normally acidic, is more alkaline in nature. This indicates that the body is somewhat out of balance. Here the acids in apple cider vinegar may come to the rescue by helping the kidneys return to normal balance.
Inhaling vaporized apple cider vinegar may provide headache relief for some sufferers. In a pan from your kitchen, boil a splash or two of apple cider vinegar with some water. As steam begins to rise, remove from heat and, with a towel over your head to act as a funnel, lean over the vapors and breathe in the steaming vinegar-water mixture. (Do not breathe in too deeply at first and burn yourself! Test the steam carefully at first.) Alternatively, pour a dash of apple cider vinegar in an electric vaporizer and breathe the vapors for five minutes. With either method, expect results within half an hour.
Heart/Blood Pressure
Taking a daily dose of apple cider vinegar with water several times a day has been shown to lower blood pressure and strengthen the heart muscle. There is some evidence that vinegar acts as a blood thinner, reducing the risk of a stroke. The potassium in apple cider vinegar is also beneficial for the heart and blood.
Indigestion
Contrary to common belief, indigestion (and heartburn) are not due to excess stomach acid but, most often, a lack or underproduction of acid.
Normally our stomach digests food with strong hydrochloric acid and pepsin, an enzyme active only in an acid environment. When under-acidity is remedied by taking apple cider vinegar before a meal, the flow of nutrients to the body is improved, helping you feel more energetic and healthy.
Apple cider vinegar improves metabolism, due in part to the compatible presence of malic and tartaric acids which not only serve to restore the proper acid conditions, but also inhibit the growth of unfriendly bacteria in the digestive tract.
Apple cider vinegar has long been regarded a remedy for liver stagnation and accompanying indigestion. Vinegar appears to have highly activating and detoxifying properties. It counteracts the effects of rich, greasy food and functions as a solvent to break down fats and protein and dissolve minerals for improved assimilation.
For indigestion or to aid digestion, take one tablespoon vinegar in half a glass of warm water after, or preferably, before , a heavy meal. When taking before a meal, the vinegar solution acts to stimulate the flow of saliva which starts the digestion process in the mouth by activating digestive fluids to flow faster.
Muscle Soreness
Sore muscles and stiff joints may be the result of excess acid accumulation in the tissues and at body joints.
A dose of vinegar in water works in the body to precipitate the accumulated acid crystals, placing them in a solution which can be flushed out of the body through organs of elimination . For this combine one to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. A spoonful or two of raw honey may be added if desired.
To soothe tired or sprained muscles, sometimes just wrapping the afflicted area with a cloth wrung out of apple cider vinegar for up to five minutes will do the trick.
For all-over aching, soak in a tub of warm water that you’ve poured two to three cups of apple cider vinegar into.
Nasal Congestion/Sinuses
Many suffer the discomfort of excess mucus from the nose or throat and from the sinus cavities. This annoying and painful drainage may be reduced for many by simply drinking one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar stirred in a glass of water. Lightening up on mucus-promoting foods (particularly diary products) at the same time wouldn’t hurt.
Nasal congestion can also be relieved by heating and inhaling a 50/50 mixtures of vinegar and water.
Sore Throat
Causes of sore throat can be viral or bacterial. At the first sign of sore throat, send in germ fighting apple cider vinegar as a gargle consisting of 50/50 solution of vinegar and warm water. For children you can add a little honey if you need to. Make sure they spit out the mixture so they aren’t swallowing unnecessary germs. Gargle every hour or so until symptoms are relieved. Rinse the mouth (but not the throat) with fresh water to prevent any acid erosion of tooth enamel.
If you are susceptible to sore throats (or want to avoid laryngitis), it’s a good idea to gargle the apple cider vinegar solution once or twice a week to ward off germs in the throat.
Yeast Infection (Candida)
Yeast infections (Candida) can be local, usually in the vaginal area, or more widespread. When strictly local, the infection can be controlled or eliminated with a variety of local applications.
Yeast normally exists in harmony with other organisms in the body, but when something alters the usual pH of the vagina, it can cause the yeast there to grow at a high rate, causing itching and burning. Many things can disturb the balance of yeast, most notably, antibiotics and diet.
As a very effective preventative and curative, you can use a vinegar-and-water douche. Changing the pH of the vaginal environment at the first sign of a yeast infection may be sufficient to end the condition. Standard procedure is to douche twice a day with a solution of two tablespoons of vinegar to one quart of room temperature water until symptoms disappear.
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