Many mornings, particular in winter I begin my day with a cup of tea. Not black tea or herbal tea, but apple cider vinegar tea, sweetened with raw honey. ACV is one of the oldest antibacterial agents known to man. The father of medicine, Hippocrates, has been credited with its first use back in 400BC when he used it with his patients for a range of ailments.
ACV is different from the beautifully ‘clean’ and translucent range of vinegars that you will see on supermarket shelves. These clear vinegars have been heated, treated and processed which robs them of the natural health benefits. Raw, unfiltered organic apple cider vinegar is unprocessed, which allows the retention of the health benefits such as enzyme function and antibacterial properties. A good ACV can easily be recognised by its opacity, which is created by the “mother”, a cobwebby like substance that preserves the strength and effectiveness of the vinegar.
So what can you use apple cider vinegar for?
Everything apparently. According to Paul and Patricia Bragg’s book Apple Cider Vinegar – Miracle Health System, it can be used for just about anything. In their book, they list a broad range of health benefits from this amazing liquid.
Putting the information in their book together with my prior knowledge, it seems that many of these conditions are alleviated by correcting the pH of the body, which is a huge factor in many health conditions. ACV works by correcting the pH in the stomach and on the skin if used topically, which balances the whole body. (An acidic body over time “corrodes” body tissues and may lead to disease in all systems.)
Natural treatment for indigestion and heartburn
This is the most common reason I suggest ACV. In the Bragg ACV book they explain that swishing ACV in the mouth before meals will stimulate digestive enzymes. Also, many cases of indigestion, heartburn, reflux, gas and bloating are caused by low rather than too high stomach acid. The ACV helps to relieve painful indigestion by helping with the digestive process.
Pharmaceutical reflux medications can have unwanted side-effects such as weight gain, constipation and/or malabsorption syndromes, due to the stomach acid being completely neutralised. Beginning a routine of ACV tea before meals and slowly reducing reflux medication can have immense health benefits. Eliminating potential and suspected food intolerances can make significant improvements in reflux, heartburn and indigestion too.
It may help in weight loss and lowering cholesterol
ACV contains acetic acid, which was found in a Japanese study to aid in decreases in weight, BMI, visceral fat (fat around the abdominal organs), serum triglycerides and waist circumference.
It can make your skin look healthier and more youthful
The pH level of your skin aids in the detoxification process. ACV vinegar helps to normalise this pH level, assisting in detox (see facial treatment below)
Lowering blood sugar levels in Type II Diabetes
In a study published in Diabetes Care people were divided into 3 groups: diabetes, pre-diabetes and normal blood sugar levels. The vinegar was found to increase insulin sensitivity:
- All three groups had improve blood glucose readings
- Participants with diabetes improved their blood glucose levels by 25%
- Participants with pre-diabetic symptoms cut their blood sugar readings by half
Burning and itching of sores, hives, allergic reactions, insect bites
Using apple cider vinegar on any sort of allergy or bite will also relieve the itching, burning and pain usually associated.
Natural relief for fungal and yeast infections, bladder and kidney infection
Athletes foot, jock itch, nappy rash, thrush and the burning and itching caused by urinary tract infections can all be relieved by a dilution of ACV and water. Adding a cup of ACV to a low, warm bath can also help.
Alternative hair rinse
The pH level of ACV is apparently close to that of your hair. It is a popular rinse with many of those who prefer the more natural hair care treatments.
ACV is rich in potassium which is essential for every cell in your body to function. Potassium deficiency can be attributed to:
- Chronic fatigue
- Muscle aches and pains
- Dizziness
- Senility
- Morning headaches
- Tired eyes that won’t focus
- Poor circulation
- High blood pressure
Other possible health issues remedied by ACV:
- Mucus
- Cancer
- Prostate enlargement
- Nose bleeds
- Burns
- Stiffness
- Muscle cramps,
- Detoxification
- Headaches
- Gallstones (Bragg’s have a 2 day gall bladder flush to help reduce stones)
Apple Cider Vinegar Tea
- Pour 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup and add ½-1 teaspoon of honey
- Half fill with room temperature or warm water*
- Top up with boiling water and sip slowly
*It is important not to put boiling water on honey. The heat can destroy the enzymes responsible for its healing properties. Honey should also never be ‘melted’ in the microwave or boiled. If your honey has crystallised, place the jar in a saucepan of water and heat very slowly.
Apple Cider Vinegar Facial
1. Rinse face with warm water
2. Apply a wrung-out, hot water soaked cloth to the face for 3 minute 3. Soak a thin cloth in an ACV mix (1 tbsp ACV to 1 cup water) and apply this to the face. Cover with another wrung out hot soaked cloth 4. Lay down for 10 minutes with feet elevated (couch, up the wall, bed etc.) this will increase circulation and promote lymphatic drainage 5. After 10 minutes, remove cloths and use a course towel or small face loofah and rub upwards on face. This will remove all the dead skin cells that have been soaking.
According to Paul and Patricia Bragg: “Your skin will look more youthful and will shine like a polished apple with a joyous new life.”