Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and nothing in this article should be taken as medical advice. Please talk to your doctor before using any of the herbs and/or remedies mentioned in this article.
One of the biggest problems with prepping is that it's expensive. I think that's why my post, 20 Uses For Baking Soda, was so popular. Instead of buying soap, dish soap, toothpaste, cleaners, deodorizers, etc., you can just buy a couple big bags of baking soda and save lots of money. Well, baking soda isn't the only miracle product. There are also lots of apple cider vinegar benefits.
People have known about the many benefits of apple cider vinegar for ages. Even as far back as 400BC, Hippocrates wrote about it. And in the mid-1950s Dr. Jarvis wrote about it in his book, Folk Medicine. Unfortunately, most people would rather have a quick fix: an operation or prescription drug. But if you use apple cider vinegar on a regular basis, you could avoid many health problems in the first place.
Before I get to the list of apple cider vinegar benefits, I want to point out that it's completely organic. It's created when all-natural apple juice is fermented into apple cider then fermented again into apple cider vinegar. But make sure you buy the good stuff! Some of the popular brands have been filtered, heated or pasteurized and that ruins some of the health benefits.
You also want to make sure it has “the mother” in it. The mother is a jelly-like substance at the bottom of the bottle. If it has that, it should be good. My personal favorite is Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, as seen in the picture on the right.
1. Acne
Mix ACV (apple cider vinegar) with 2 or 3 parts water and use a cotton ball to dab it on your skin. This mixture kills bacteria, balances your skin's PH level and absorbs oil. Rinse about 10 minutes later and do this 3 times a day until the acne clears up.
2. Allergies
Mix 1/4 cup of ACV with a half cup of water and drink it three times a day. This improves digestion and makes it easier for the body to flush out toxins that lead to allergy problems.
3. Arthritis
The malic acid in ACV dissolves the uric acid crystals in joints which cause arthritic pain.
4. Age-Related Diseases
Antioxidants are known to help prevent all sorts of age-related diseases, and apple cider vinegar has lots of very powerful antioxidants.
5. Cleaning
Mix 1/2 cup of ACV with a cup of water and use the mixture to clean almost any surface in your kitchen or bathroom, including mirrors.
6. Colds and Flu
When your body's PH levels are balanced, your immune system is better able to stop sickness before it starts.
7. Blood Sugar
When you take ACV before bed, your morning blood sugar levels are lowered. It also makes your blood sugar levels rise more slowly after you eat.
8. Digestive issues
ACV stops the spread of bad bacteria in the intestine, aids your stomach with digestion, and helps prevent acid reflux and heartburn.
9. Hair care
Mix 1/2 tablespoon with a cup of water and rinse your hair. Do this a few times a week and your hair will shine. It will also reduce dandruff.
10. Headache
If you mix a tablespoon with a cup of water and sip it slowly, your headache will be significantly dampened.
11. Heart health
Just one tablespoon a day can stop bad cholesterol, improve circulation and lower blood pressure.
12. Infections
Two tablespoons of ACV and a tablespoon of honey mixed into a glass of water can be good for sinus infections, bladder infections, and even yeast infections.
13. Pets
If your pet has fleas, fill a spray bottle with one part ACV and one part water and spray your pet's fur lightly. Do this once a day until the fleas are gone.
14. Skin pain
Mix 2 tablespoons with two cups of water, soak a cloth in the mixture, and apply it to sunburns or insect bites. If your sunburn is all over, mix a couple cups of ACV into a warm bath and soak in it for half an hour.
15. Weight loss
Apple cider vinegar helps keep your blood sugar down. That means your pancreas will produce less insulin and thus your body will store less fat. Taking ACV while dieting can make it a lot easier to lose weight.
