It seems as though apple cider vinegar is a panacea for just about everything! Several interesting books have been written about the amazing benefits of consuming ACV every day. With a title like “101 Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar,” why wouldn’t you have a bottle in every room in the house? But let’s take a deeper look at what apple cider really is and how it works.
True apple cider vinegar, often referred to as ‘raw apple cider vinegar,’ contains what is known as the ‘mother’ which is the fermented culture that resides at the bottom of the glass jar. Although it looks like some kind of rotten or moldy substance that has invaded your precious liquid, this is actually the most medicinal part! Commercially-prepared ACV is highly filtered and processed, removing the ‘mother’ in order to make it more eye-appealing. But the health benefits will be greatly reduced without it.
Apple cider vinegar can be easily made at home in the same way you would make any other fermented food such as sauerkraut or kefir. When fermented, it is rich in several very important minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. And as with any fermented food, the benefits for digestive health are significant. ACV helps acidify the stomach, making the process of breaking down your food much more efficient, resulting in fewer side effects such as heartburn, indigestion or bloating. But it should always be taken in a diluted form, never straight!
Raw, organic apple cider vinegar seems to help curb and reduce yeast or candida overgrowth. It can also be used topically for sunburns, bug bites, dandruff, acne, fungal infections on the skin or feet and even as a wonderful facial toner. Best results can be obtained using a 25/75 mixture of ACV and water but for tougher cases, you can mix in equal parts. It may cause a slight burning sensation but this is only temporary until the liquid dries. And the smell goes away quickly too!
Some have used it for whitening the teeth, disinfecting household surfaces, restoring natural pH to the skin, and as an amazing ‘cold and flu buster’ when added to equal parts of garlic, onion, horseradish, habanero pepper and ginger. And the list goes on and on and on!
If making it at home doesn’t suit your style, you can always purchase it ready-made. Look for organic varieties if possible. One of my favorite brands is Bragg’s Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar. But be sure to dilute it regardless of how you use it. When taking it orally, let your taste buds guide you. If it tastes too strong, then add some water. If you don’t taste it at all, then time to add a bit more. Find your sweet spot and then drink it daily. Your body will thank you!
Do you have other amazing uses for apple cider vinegar? Post your comment below and let me know. I’d love to hear!
