Vinegar is said to have been discovered around 5000 BC, when unattended grape juice turned into wine and then vinegar. Originally used as a food preservative, vinegar’s medicinal uses soon came to light.
Traditionally, vinegar is made through a long, slow fermentation process, leaving it rich in bioactive components like acetic acid, gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, caffeic acid, and more, giving it potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and many other beneficial properties.
Check out these 15 ways below how to use apple cider vinegar:
1.) Mix up a non-toxic, all-purpose cleaner.
Step aside, cleaning sprays, solutions, and wipes. There’s a new disinfectant in town. Actually, we kid, seeing as apple cider vinegar isn’t new at all. That said, if you haven’t tried using this common kitchen ingredient to help keep your home sparkling and clean, you’re missing out on a non-toxic, odor-absorbing, antibacterial alternative to harsh chemicals. Just mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part water, filter that into a spray bottle, and get to work.
2.) Stamp out the stink in any room.
Stinky rooms don’t stand a chance against apple cider vinegar, which can take on all manner of smells from smoky cooking to funky bathrooms. To knock out smoky smells in particular, pour the apple cider vinegar into a shallow bowl and place it where the odor is strongest. Leave it out for as long as it takes for the smell to vanish.
3.) Do away with dandruff.
Stop being so flaky, already! With apple cider vinegar, it’s possible. Rinsing your strands with the stuff can actually nix dandruff bychanging the pH of your scalp (which halts yeast growth, one of the main dandruff culprits). Plus, it gets rid of greasiness, itchiness, andirritation. Try combining a tablespoon or two in a glass of water and rinsing your hair with the mixture while you’re in the shower. To reallytarget dandruff, combine a quarter-cup apple cider vinegar with a quarter-cup water, pour it into a spray bottle, apply the mixture to your scalp, and leave it on for up to an hour before rinsing.
4.)Improve your complexion.
Fact: Perfect skin is always in. But that can be a bummer if you’re fighting acne. Take heart, there are plenty of weapons in your battle for clear pores. Though there’s doubt as to whether ACV is a dependable acne-fighter, it may at least kill the bacteria on the surface of your skin. Use it as an astringent (just dilute it and apply it to your face), or use it as a spot treatment to target blemishes.Holistic health experts also suggest taking it orally as well as adding it to an Epsom salt bath to help draw toxins and impurities out of your skin.
5.)Swap out your deodorant.
Just as it can freshen up your bathroom, apple cider vinegar can also help keep B.O. at bay. Simply swipe some of it in your underarm area to fight odor-causing bacteria. And don’t worry: The vinegar smell evaporates, so you won’t go around smelling like a salad.
6.)Fade ugly bruises.
Whether their arrival is a mystery (as in, where the heck did that come from?) or really strongly announced (ouch—that’ll leave a mark!), bruises hit us hard, and once they do, they linger. The solution? Fade the purplish-bluish hues by smoothing on some apple cider vinegar—its anti-inflammatory properties help minimize the painful-looking tint.
7.)Whiten your teeth.
In case your pearly whites need a little brightening boost, turn to apple cider vinegar for the sparkling solution. As it turns out, working it into your teeth and then rinsing may lead to a whiter grin. You can also try using it as a mouthwash—dentists suggest combining two parts water to one part ACVand swishing it around for about a minute.
8.)Banish bad breath.
Easily one of the most embarrassing commonplace hygiene issues, dragon breath can be slayed with apple cider vinegar. How? It’s thought to kill the bacteria that cause odor—just gargle with it or sip a teaspoon to reap the fresh-breath benefits.
9.)Soothe an upset stomach.
When your stomach is feeling less than stellar (i.e. you’re constipated, have food poisoning, are bloated, etc.), drinking an apple cider vinegar and water mixture may help set it straight, thanks to the antibacterial and antiviral properties found in ACV.
10.)Help relieve muscle soreness.
Every workout warrior needs some seriously relief from achy muscles.Some suggest that acetic acid, a component in apple cider vinegar, can soothe sore muscles when applied topically. While science doesn’t necessarily back this up, we’d say it’s definitely worth using this over regular lotion (or Tiger Balm!) when our muscles are screaming for a rubdown.
11.)Help prevent diabetes.
As of 2012, 29.1 million Americans had diabetes. Considering the gravity of those numbers, every little bit of prevention helps, and ingesting apple cider vinegar might be another small step to keep from joining that statistic. Research suggests sipping ACV helps improve insulin sensitivity (particularly in those who are insulin-resistant), which, in turn, may delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.
12.)Soothe a sore throat.
Throat killing you—or giving signs that it will within a few days? Don’t worry, you’ve got an all-natural germ-fighter in your corner: apple cider vinegar. Mix a quarter cup of ACV with the same amount of warm water and get your gargle on. Doing so creates an acidic environment that may stop the icky cold-causing germs from thriving in your throat. Another mixture to try: warm water, ACV, cayenne pepper, and honey. Drink that one up!
13.) Clear your sinuses.
There are few things more infuriating (and exhausting) than a stuffed-up nose. Clear your sinuses—and get ready to breathe easier—by sipping on a home remedy of water and ACV. Just as it helps fight sore throat-causing germs, it may also stop bacteria from growing in your sinuses. Plus, its potassium content could help thin all that lovely mucus that’s made itself at home in your nose.
14.) Detox, detox, detox.
While we’re wary of detox diets (we prefer these real foods that have the same effect), adding in a splash or two of apple cider vinegar to your meals may improve lymph circulation (which can help build immunity and fight disease).
15.) Feel more energized.
Ditch those bottled energy drinks! (You know they’re really not good for you.) If you’re hitting a slump, try mixing up a natural booster—one that includes apple cider vinegar, which contains potassium and enzymes. Those health boosters may help rocket you into a higher gear. Try simply mixing it together with water (2 teaspoons ACV per 2 cups of water), and add some honey if you want a little hint of sweetness.
Vinegar is not only useful for cooking, it’s useful for health purposes, cleaning, garden care, hygiene, and much more. In fact, a jug of vinegar is easily one of the most economical and versatile remedies around. we recommend keeping it in your home at all times.
via Dr. Mercola; greatist
