So you may have heard about what lemon or coconut oil can do around your house, but have you heard about Apple Cider Vinegar? You can use it in your first aid kit, beauty bag, home and kitchen. Plus, it’s all natural and non-toxic.
Here are 40 creative things you can do with apple cider vinegar. When using it as a health and beauty product, make sure to purchase raw, unfiltered organic apple cider vinegar!
1. Soothes A Sore Throat (Natural Cures 1-22)
Vinegar is naturally antibacterial, so it can help kill any harmful bacteria that may be causing you discomfort in your throat. Combined with honey, a powerful antiviral and anti-inflammatory, ACV works better than most cough syrups. To use, combine 1 tsp ACV, 1 tsp cayenne pepper and 3 tsp raw honey in a glass of warm water. Cayenne pepper will help relieve any lingering pain (1).
2. Eases Gas and Constipation
Vinegar has a similar acidity to hydrochloric acid, the acid produced in your stomach that helps break down food. Simply dilute a tablespoon of ACV into warm tea and drink before a heavy meal.
3. Relieves Heartburn
Heartburn can be caused by your body producing too little stomach acid. In fact, naturopaths often suggest taking a tablespoon of ACV with a bit of honey if you feel any symptoms coming on.
4. Soothes Sunburn
For quick relief, pour a lukewarm bath and add a cup or two of ACV into the water. Soak for ten minutes. This will help restore your skin’s ph making your skin feel cool and soothed.
5. Relieves Burns
Similarly to how ACV eases pain in sunburns, it can also help with first degree burns. Simply apply a little ACV onto a burn to quickly relieve pain. However, do not use it on open wounds or 2nd or 3rd degree burns.
6. Heals Bruises
To help diminish the appearance of bruises, warm up a cup of ACV and mix in a teaspoon of sea salt. Apply to the bruise as a hot compress every day until the bruise subsides.
7. Treats Fungal Infection
Use AVC for topical infections such as ringworms or athlete’s foot (2). Simply use a cotton pad to apply ACV directly to affected area or soak in a solution made of 1 part ACV 5 parts water for 30 minutes daily. To treat toe fungus, you’ll need to follow a more extensive regime.
8. Soothe Sore Muscles
After a hard at work or at the gym, take a tablespoon of ACV with water or apply it topically onto the affected area. For generalized pain, add a cup or two of ACV to a hot bath and soak for 10-20 minutes.
9. Relieve a Stubborn Itch
Some itches never seem to quit. Instead of reaching for your polysporin, saturate a q-tip in ACV and apply directly to the itch. It might sting a little, but the itch will quickly subside.
10. Combat Insulin Sensitivity
ACV helps to control glucose metabolism and stabilize blood sugar. Use it in warm water before and after meals to help keep you diabetes in check (3).
11. Clears Sinuses
Another cold remedy! Drinking a tablespoon of ACV diluted in a warm glass of water will help break up mucus and relieve stuffiness.
12. Circulates Lymph
Naturopaths suggest ½ tablespoon of ACV in lemon water to help circulate lymph and blood.
13. Boosts Energy
Simply add a little to your morning tea or water for a quick boost.
14. Heals an Upset Stomach
An upset stomach can have many different causes and can be hard to treat. However, ACV is one of the best all-around remedies to ease nausea and stomach pain. Combine 2 teaspoons of ACV, 1 tablespoon on freshly grated ginger and a one tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon into a paste. Stir it into 8 ounces sparkling water and top it off with a little raw honey to improve the taste.
15. Exercise Fatigue
Drink a tablespoon of ACV in a cup of water after your workout to alkalize your system and fight lactic acid. It also contains amino acids to help repair and rebuild muscles and fight exhaustion (4).
16. Heals Yeast Infection
Yeast infections often occur in women after taking antibiotics. However, it can be easily cured by soaking in a warm bath with 1 ½ cups of ACV and soak for 20 minutes (5).
17. Allergy Medicine
Since ACV can help clear congestion and ease a sore throat, it can safely be used to manage allergy symptoms. Simply drink a glass of water with 1 tablespoon each of ACV and raw honey.
18. Cramp Relief
Traditional medicine practitioners swear by rubbing ACV on muscle cramps to diminish the intensity and pain.
19. Weight Loss Aid
The acetic acid and fiber in raw unfiltered ACV help to increase satiety. Take ½ tablespoon in warm water everyday before meals to help control your appetite.
20. Liver Detox
To clean your liver, take 1-2 teaspoons of ACV in an 8 oz glass of hot water first thing in the morning. Make sure to eat clean and stay hydrated for best results (3).
21. Fights Candida
Candida is the genus of yeast responsible for most fungal infections in humans. According to the CDC, there exists 20 species of Candida yeasts that target humans (6). ACV can be apply topically to areas affected by the fungus, although it should be diluted if used on sensitive skin.
22. Relieves Gout
Vinegar is a common traditional remedy for inflammation. It’s said that vinegar can dissolve the uric acid that gathers in your joints and causes gout. To use, take 2-3 tablespoons in water, 2-3 times a day. To prevent damage to your tooth enamel, quickly rinse out your month after taking it or drink it through a stainless steel straw.
23. Cleanser
If you have oily skin or suffer from acne, a little apple cider vinegar is all you need to reset your skin pH. Simply soak a cotton bud or washcloth in 2-3 parts water 1 part vinegar and add it onto your face. Do not wash it off unless you have very sensitive skin.