12 Apple Cider Vinegar Remedies
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been used for hundreds of years for countless ailments. Although most claims are not backed up by research, many people do swear by its effectiveness.
Apple Cider Vinegar Remedies
Aching Feet
Fill a basin half way with lukewarm water and add 1 cup of ACV. Swish the mixture and soak your aching feet for at least 15 minutes.
Arthritis
There are three different ways you can use apple cider vinegar to help relieve arthritis pain:
- Mix 1 teaspoon of ACV with 1 teaspoon of honey and take every morning and every evening.
- Add 2 teaspoons of ACV in 1 glass of water, stir, and drink before each meal (3 times a day).
- Add 2 ounces of ACV in 6 ounces of water, stir, and drink slowly between lunch and dinner.
These remedies can take about 3 weeks to start working.
Cold Sores
Mix 1 tablespoon of ACV and 3 tablespoons of honey. Dab the mixture on the sore 3 times a day (in the morning, late afternoon, and night).
Colds
Mix 1/2 cup of ACV and 1/4 cup of honey. Take 1 tablespoon 6-8 times a day.
Coughs
Add 1/2 cup of ACV and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in 1/2 cup of water and stir. Sweeten to taste with honey. Take 1 tablespoon when your cough starts acting up and 1 tablespoon at bedtime.
Headache
Mix 1 cup of ACV and 1 cup of water in a medium-sized pot and bring to a slow boil. When the steam begins to rise, reduce the heat as low as possible. Bend over the pot with a towel over your head (to capture the steam). Inhale deeply through your nose for about 10 minutes. Be careful not to burn yourself (steam can burn) or catch the towel on fire.
Heartburn
Add 1 tablespoon of ACV and 1 tablespoon of honey in 1 cup of warm water. Stir and drink.
Itching
Add 2 cups of ACV to your bath water.
Leg Cramps
Add 1 teaspoon of ACV, 1 tablespoon of calcium lactate, and 1 teaspoon of honey in 1/2 glass of warm water, stir, and drink. You should see results within 20 minutes.
Sore Throat & Hoarseness/Laryngitis
Add 2 teaspoons of ACV in 1 cup of warm water and stir. Gargle a mouthful for a few seconds, spit it out, then take a swallow of the mixture. Repeat this until it is all gone. After 1 hour, you can repeat if needed.
Sprains
Soak a washcloth in a cup of warm ACV, wring it out, and apply it to the affected area for 5 minutes. Do this every hour as needed.
Varicose Veins
Shrinking varicose veins with apple cider vinegar is a popular remedy throughout Europe by folk medicine practitioners. Soak a cheesecloth bandage in the ACV, wring it out, and wrap it around the affected area. Lie down with your legs raised and relax for at least 30 minutes. Afterwards, add 2 teaspoons of ACV in 1 cup of warm water, stir, and drink. Do this once in the morning and once in the evening. You should notice a difference in about 1 month.
Precautions
Using apple cider vinegar remedies occasionally in small amounts is generally safe. However, large amounts and long term use can have risks.
ACV is highly acidic. Never use pure ACV when ingesting. It can damage tooth enamel and tissues in your mouth and throat.
Use caution when applying pure ACV to your skin.
Long term use can lower bone density and decrease potassium levels.
ACV may interact with some medications like those used to treat heart disease.
Diabetics should consult with their health care provider before using apple cider vinegar. They should also avoid remedies using honey.
Sources Used
Joan Wilen and Lydia Wilen, Bottom Line’s Healing Remedies (2006)
WebMD: Apple Cider Vinegar - https://www.webmd.com/diet/apple-cider-vinegar
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Applecidervinegar01.JPG
Disclaimer
Please read this disclaimer regarding the information contained within this article.