Apple Cider Vinegar, The Magic Elixir

Why Use Apple Cider Vinegar?

Vinegar is a “staple food” stocked in my pantry and I’ve been using it for various things for years. 

But not until my daughter Alexis developed what looked like a skin rash that later left discolored spots on her skin, did we discover the health benefits and the many other uses for vinegar.

In recent years, Apple Cider Vinegar has once again become popular as we look for healthier more natural ways to heal ourselves without all the chemicals and side effects.  Vinegar is being used as an especially helpful cleaner and as a health and beauty aid.

There are many different types of vinegar on the market.  Some include rice wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar and white distilled vinegar. 


For the heath and beauty tonic popular these days it’s the unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar that is used and that I am referring to.
Make sure to look for an Apple Cider Vinegar that is unfiltered and retains the “mother” of the vinegar – a compound created naturally during vinegar’s fermentation process.

And on the advice of my goat mentor Shelby Burish, I even added Apple Cider Vinegar to my goat's water right after she gave birth to help add back the lost enzymes, minerals, and vitamins. There are many livestock remedies and suggestions using of Apple Cider Vinegar, but that's another blog post!

Two brands I have used in the past.  (although for personal reasons I usually steer clean of Heinz Brands. My daughter was against including it here):

Braggs:  Bragg's retains the "Mother", is organic raw Apple Cider Vinegar that's unfiltered, unheated, unpasteurized and is 5% acidity.

For more information you can:

DOWNLOAD BRAGG ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR BROCHURE (PDF)

and

 Heinz:  Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar that retains the “mother” of the vinegar.

You can also VIEW HEINZ VINEGAR GUIDE , for tips, recipes and other helpful information

 

The Magic Elixir

Why is Apple Cider Vinegar thought to be a Magic Elixir?  Well, I would suppose because it can be used in such diverse ways, from cleaning your home to using for health and beauty, from pest control to weight loss. It has developed the “folk remedy” status as it is believed to cure just about anything that ails you.

Also, cleaning with Vinegar is less expensive, has no harsh chemicals, is an effective sanitizer and stain remover and is safe for most household surfaces.

And while Apple Cider Vinegar has been used as a natural remedy for hundreds of years, science is slow to prove many of the health benefits associated with it. Aren’t they always?  The same FDA, who allows toxic chemicals in our food and medicines, looks away from just about anything natural. If you are unsure about Apple Cider Vinegar, remember it is considered harmless to try, (unless I suppose you are consuming large amounts), is less expensive and natural.

History of Vinegar

Over the centuries, vinegar has been used for pickling, killing weeds, polishing ancient armor, cleaning the coffee pot and cooking. 

Apple Cider Vinegar was used in ancient civilizations as far back as 10,000 years ago.  It is even said to have been used as a healing elixir by Hippocrates (the father of Medicine) and was found in Egyptian urns dating as far back as 3000 BC.

The Babylonians are said to have used it as a condiment and a preservative, and we know the Greeks and the Romans used it for cooking and healing purposes.

During the middle ages, Parisians used Apple Cider Vinegar as a deodorant and healing tonic, and thought it would preserve their youth.

Christopher Columbus had Apple Cider Vinegar barrels on his ships to prevent scurvy.

Japanese Samurai warriors drank it for strength and power, and during the civil war in the 1800’s it was used to disinfect and heal soldier’s wounds.

Since Apple Cider Vinegar  is a scientifically unproven treatment, there are no official recommendations on how to use it. 
Some suggestions are to mix two teaspoons of vinegar with water or juice and drink daily or take a tablet of 285 milligrams a day.

Here is a partial list of uses for vinegar:

Household

 

• Household Cleaner:  Vinegar is an acetic acid which helps to kill many viruses, germs, bacteria and mold. Mix ½ cup vinegar with 1 cup water to clean microwaves, kitchen surfaces, windows, glass and mirrors.

• Bathroom:  Vinegar sanitizes and also dissolves tough mineral deposits and stains like those found in sinks, toilets and tubs.

• Room Freshener:  vinegar is a natural room freshener

• Dishwasher:  vinegar is an excellent rinse agent in the dishwasher. 

Beauty 

• Hair rinse:  Apple Cider Vinegar is a Great hair rinse after shampooing and will make your hair shine!  Use about ½ to 1 tablespoon of vinegar mixed with 1 cup of water and apply to clean hair. This will remove build up from styling products and other conditioners and strengthen the hair shaft, leaving you with soft, shiny strands. It also balances hair’s pH level, simulates the scalp to promote hair growth, and is helpful controlling dandruff. 

• Mouth Wash:  Mix apple cider vinegar with water, then swish around in your mouth. Apple Cider Vinegar helps break down plaque and bad breath-causing bacteria.

• Skin Toner:   Malic and lactic acids found in the vinegar help to soften and exfoliate your skin, reduce red marks, and treat acne. Apple cider vinegar also tones your skin to the proper pH. Many suggest mixing about 1/2 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar with 1 cup of water and apply to skin with a cotton ball.

• Bath Time:  The next time you slip into a warm bath, add one to two capfuls of Apple Cider Vinegar. It draws toxins out of the body, leaving behind toned and moisturized skin.

Health

• Detox:  Apple Cider Vinegar also works as a type of detoxifier.  It is said to help purify the blood, cleanse vital organs, and break up fatty and mucous deposits in the body there by decreasing excessive alkaline in urine.  Also, Apple Cider Vinegar is said to cleanse the digestive tract, intestines and neutralize toxic substances in the body. 

• Reduce Acid Reflux and Heartburn: Apple Cider Vinegar mimics the acidic environment of the stomach and helps food to break down. Mix ½ to 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of water before each meal, or as symptoms reoccur.

• Relieve Sunburns and Bug Bites:  For sunburn or insect bite, Apple Cider Vinegar helps reduce pain. Mix ½ parts vinegar with ½ cup water and apply to burn or bite. For greater relief, soak in a warm tub of water that has 1 cup of apple cider vinegar added.

• Kill Foot or Skin Fungus:  We know first hand how Apple Cider Vinegar can help treat skin related fungus.  All natural apple cider vinegar regulates the PH level of your skin.  Apple cider vinegar can help kill excess yeast or fungus on the body.  For foot fungus soak the feet in a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar in small tub of water or apply vinegar directly to the affected foot area.  For skin fungus apply apple cider vinegar directly to affected skin. For sensitive skin, dilute the apple cider vinegar with water before applying.

My daughter Alexis recovered from a skin fungus using Apple Cider Vinegar, 
No, not the camouflage she painted on  her face! The skin discoloration can be seen on her chest.

Scientific Studies

The good news is there have been a few proven scientific studies of Apple Cider Vinegar uses.

Diabetes.

The effect of vinegar on blood sugar levels is perhaps the best researched and the most promising of apple cider vinegar's possible health benefits. Several studies have found that vinegar may help lower glucose levels. For instance, a 2007 study of 11 people with type 2 diabetes found that taking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bed lowered glucose levels in the morning by 4%-6%.

High cholesterol
A 2006 study showed evidence that vinegar could lower cholesterol. However, the study was done in rats, so it's too early to know how it might work on people.

Blood pressure

Another study in rats found that vinegar could lower high blood pressure. A large observational study also found that people who ate oil and vinegar dressing on salads five to six times a week had lower rates of heart disease than people who didn't. However, it's far from clear that the vinegar was the reason.

Cancer

A few laboratory studies have found that vinegar may be able to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. Observational studies of people have been confusing. One found that eating vinegar was associated with a decreased risk of esophageal cancer. Another associated it with an increased risk of bladder cancer.

Weight Loss 

For thousands of years, vinegar has been used for weight loss. White distilled vinegar (and perhaps other types) might help people feel full. A 2005 study of 12 people found that those who ate a piece of bread along with small amounts of white vinegar felt fuller and more satisfied than those who just ate the bread.  

Boosting weight loss

In a 2009 study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, it was found that subjects that consumed acetic acid for 12 weeks experienced significant declines in body weight, abdominal fat, waist circumference and triglycerides. Triglycerides contribute to the bad cholesterol that we want to avoid.
Many people claim that Apple Cider Vinegar promotes weight loss by speeding up the metabolism. A suggested remedy is to mix 2 teaspoons of the vinegar into an 8 to 16 ounce glass of water and drink before every meal or throughout the day

Are There Risks?

The risks of consuming occasional, small amounts of Apple Cider Vinegar seem very low. But consuming Apple Cider Vinegar  on a long term basis and in large amounts could have some risks.  

Apple Cider Vinegar is highly acidic. The main ingredient of Apple Cider Vinegar is acetic acid. As the name suggests, it's quite harsh. Apple Cider Vinegar should always be diluted with water or juice before consuming. 

Pure Apple Cider Vinegar could damage the tooth enamel and the tissues in your throat and mouth. 

Long-term use of Apple Cider Vinegar could low potassium levels and lower bone density. If you already have low potassium or osteoporosis, talk to your health care provider before using apple cider vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar could theoretically interact with diuretics, laxatives, and medicines for diabetes and heart disease.

If you have diabetes, check with your health care provider before using Apple Cider Vinegar. Vinegar contains chromium, which can alter your insulin levels.

But not enough studies and very few have been done.

Check With Your Doctor:

Always talk to your doctor first and research everything you can about it before deciding to try it yourself. 
 That goes with anything really, the research I mean. 
In this day and age it is very easy to be well informed on a subject just by searching the web for studies, reports and factual information.

I wouldn't have believed Apple Cider Vinegar could work so well unless I had seen it with my own eyes. I'm always looking for easier, more natural ways to do things, and Apple Cider Vinegar is a good one!

Elizabeth