Apple Cider Vinegar
Health Benefits

Apple Cider Vinegar: Uses, Health Benefits and FAQ

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Hair and Scalp

3 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  100%

Posted by Reader (Boston, MA)
★★★★★

I'm so happy that I found this site. I have applied straight apple cider vinegar 30 min before washing my hair and the flaking is almost gone. It has taken five treatments and WOW what a difference. It make my hair shiny too (extra bonus).

EC: Click here for many more remedies to cure SB and dandruff.


Hair Conditioner

4 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  75%
1 star (1) 
  25%

Posted by Ellenf (Leander, Tx, Usa) on 03/06/2012
★★★★★

Thank you EarthClinic contributors... You have made me the happiest mom!!!

My eight year old daughter has had dense, curly hair since she was two. I have for six years of my life dealt with her screaming and crying while brushing or combing the tangles out of her hair. I literally had to chase her when she was younger and brush her hair while running. I only brush her hair when it's wet or it turns into a puff ball. I have tried every shampoo and conditioner you can imagine. Even special (expensive) products made for curly children's hair.

I read the posts here, washed my daughter's hair, then rinsed. Next, I mixed about 2 tbsp of ACV mixed with warm water in a 16 oz squeeze bottle. I applied it to her scalp and worked it down through her ends, then rinsed and towel dried. I applied a small amount of leave in conditioner and began brushing her hair with a special (expensive) brush made for curly hair.

As I brushed her ends, the tangles fell out with VERY little effort. I then brushed from scalp to ends... Completely dumbfounded. I finished in about one minute and she ran off to play with her sister. I stood there, paralyzed in amazement, on the verge of tears. I could not believe that 2 tbsp of ACV solved this long standing problem. I think of the time, energy, frustration and tears that have gone into brushing my little girl's hair over the last six years and all I can do is shake my head. Bless you all!


Hair Conditioner
Posted by Faith (Forest Park, Ohio) on 12/20/2011

Take 1/2 cup of vinegar in an extra large cup, add a pinch of baking soda and let it fizz, then add some hot water, then rinse your hair BUT let it sit on the head for 30 minutes LIKE A CONDITIONER. This will STOP anything and cure it in the scalp! Repeat each time you WASH THE HAIR. I did this for my daughter's whose hair was falling out badly, she now has a full head of hair. The DOCTOR wanted to put her on THREE months of antibiotics..


Hair Conditioner
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 05/30/2010
★☆☆☆☆

My husband and I have tried.... it didn't help us! His dandruff is not going well and I didn't notice a difference with the hair problems I have.


Hair Conditioner
Posted by Renee (Kingman, Az) on 05/29/2010
★★★★★

I've been using ACV as a hair rinse for decades. We keep a bottle of it in the shower with a plastic cup. After washing my hair, I dump about 1/2 cup ACV in the cup, fill with water, and then rinse my hair with it. I do not rinse again with plain water. The vinegar smell goes away when your hair dries and no, it does not change the color of your hair. I got my husband to try it years ago and he hasn't needed to use dandruff shampoo since - yay!


Hair Conditioner
Posted by L (South Portland, Maine) on 05/24/2008

I put two glass jars in my shower. One filled with a mix of borax and baking soda. (More borax for dry hair...more baking soda for greasy... half and half for normal.) I get in the shower and sprinkle approximately 2 tablespoons in the empty jar and fill it with water and shake it around. I then dump that over my head and rinse it out. I keep a bottle of ACV in the shower as well and pour approximately 1/4 of cup into the now empty jar add water pour over my head and rinse. The drying process looks a little funky but my hair is clean, shiny, flake free and dare I say fabulous. I'm actually a little dismayed that I have spent so much money over the years on toxic products that didnt make my hair look half as good. I switched to white vinegar for a week once and my hair became much blonder. The ACV brings out more amber highlights. Good Luck.


Hair Conditioner
Posted by Barbara (Phoenix, Arizona)
★★★★★

I have been using vinegar once a week for years and years as a hair rinse. It gives my hair the perfect pH balance. As a result, at the ripe old age of 63, I have very thick, healthy, shiny hair. When I tell people about it, they think I am crazy, but it works!! I remember when I was very young, my mom would wash my hair in rain water and then rinse it with vinegar.

I use approximately 1/2 to 3/4 cup vinegar diluted with about 1/2 cup water. I shampoo and rinse first then pour on the vinegar - let it sit about a minute and then rinse out the vinegar and then shampoo again and rinse very well so there is no odor of vinegar. This was even recommended to me by a beautician once, and I hadn't even told her that I was already doing it!! The vinegar also removes all the old shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, etc. build-up in the hair.

Replied by Marcie
(Dallas, TX, USA)
09/27/2008

i am anxious to try using ACV as a rinse for my hair to see if it can help with hair loss. will the ACV lighten the hair at all? i have very dark brown hair that i LOVE ( my natural hair color) and am afraid that the ACV will make it lighter. i plan to use it about 3 times a week as a rinse after the shampoo part and use a conditoner on top of that.

can anybody tell me if it's safe for me to use? i DON'T want to bring out highlights or anything i just want to keep my color as is.

thanks in advance!!


Hair Growth

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Anna (Elk Grove, California, USA) on 04/09/2008
★★★★★

I'm 48. Twenty years ago I had hysterectomy and my hair thinned very badly. I was embarrassed but doctors said there was nothing they could do. I tried everything. I finally gave up and 20 years later started taking ACV for other things and it worked great. The woman who cuts my hair asked if I was taking vitamins or what I was doing different. She said there was new hair growth and my hair was thicker. Now, 6 months later, and for the first time in 20 years my hair is back to normal. You dont understand how happy that made me. I couldnt believe it and wanted to share with Ted and readers. Thank you for your website!

Replied by Maria
(Jacksonville, FL)
06/25/2009

Would you please let me know the amount of ACV you were taking on a daily basis, I have a seventeen year old daughter and noticed her hair line is thinning.

Replied by Alex
(Frankfort, Kentucky)
07/06/2009

2 Tablespoons in a glass of water / 3 times a day

Replied by Noreen
(Los Angeles, Ca)
10/14/2009

thank you

Replied by Deborah
(Denver, Colorado)
01/26/2015

I am 60 plus and I have been losing my hair and I need to know what are the amounts of ACV and water, how often, do you let sit, do you scrub your scalp, I need to know I am so embarresed to be in public, won't go to social event because of it. I even went to the Womens Hair Club and they said there is nothing they can do for me. I work but wear a head band; it helps kinda, of course it is so thin from my forehead back to crown. Help me please

Replied by Timh
(KY)
01/27/2015
2048 posts

D: Check out the E.C. page for hair loss. Come back here for any additional help or updates as to your condition.

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/hair-loss-alopecia-women.html


Halitosis/Bad Breath

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by ReeRee (Dallas, TX) on 03/07/2007
★★★★★

Apple cider vinegar is a great mouthwash, it actually takes and conquers the odor of bad breath for long lengthy hours try it

EC: Click here to read more remedies for bad breath.

Replied by terri
(martinsville, va, usa)
10/18/2008

How do you use the ACV for bad breath? I recently started drinking ACV, with 100% grape juice (no sugar added).

Replied by Lins
(Syracuse, NY)
05/02/2009

YIKES ACV is an acid and very corrosive to teeth so I would strongly suggest that you stop using this as a mouthwash STAT.

When one is on an ACV regimen (which is ALWAYS diluted with water),it is highly recommended to use a straw aimed at the back of the throat to help reduce contact with teeth followed by a thorough gargle.

Good luck with your condition.


Headache and Migraine Cures

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Lucy (Malta) on 12/22/2011
★★★★★

I've been taking apple cider vinegar (ACV) for the last two years and it's amazing how wonderful I feel... My headaches/regular migraine attacks/nearly disappeared... I am hardly sick with flu and my sinuses are absolutely clear... Now I rinse my hair with diluted ACV and it's so shiny and fresh.... Heartily recommend for anything...vinegar/Honey and ACV/ in winter to boost your immune system.


Headache and Migraine Cures
Posted by Reviewer (Amazon.com)
★★★★★

In Dec. '97 and Jan. '98 My wife and I spent the holidays in Costa Rica. I had already read "Folk Medicine" by D.C. Jarvis and while we were visiting one of my wife's friends I noticed our hostess (the wife) seemed in pain. Upon querying her she said she only had one of her daily migraines which she has suffered most of her life. The migraines began when she was around 12 years and she rarely went even one day since without them. No doctors had done anything for her. She "lived" on Ibuprofen, 1000mgs 2/3 times a day. She was 52 Y.O. I mentioned the Folk Medicine book and 2 tsp vinegar with 2 tsp honey in a full glass of water. I told her it was worth a try, but (fearing it may take a while to take effect) I told her to try it faithfully for at least a week before abandoning it. I returned next day (1/2 block away) to find her bright and smiling giving me a big hug! NO MIGRAINE!! This was surprising enough, but I was skeptical ... placebo?...

To be brief, she ran out of vinegar at 25 days, and thought she was cured...no migraines, no pain killers. After 4 days with no mixture she had her first migraine again, and we quickly got her some more vinegar. Immediately, on re-starting the vinegar/honey drink, no migraines. When we left to return to USA she was on her 45th day without migraines except for the day mentioned. She now drinks 2 glasses a day and so far, NO MIGRAINES!! I of course felt delighted to have been able to help her this way. She had the real thing with flashing lights, sounds, grinding pain. She really looks like a different, bright, person. Any one wishing to verify this I can give her name and address in C.R. Her daughter is married and lives here in the USA near us.

EC: Click here to read many more remedies to cure headaches and migraines.


Heart Pain

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Tim P (Montana)
★★★★★

Last night I was feeling a huge pain in my chest and my heart felt heavy and I even was weak in my left arm. Thinking it may be something serious I almost called the hospital, but remembered someone once said that ACV cleaned arteries and has helped many from serious problems. I woke up this morning and drank 1 cup straight of ACV and within minutes I felt the pain go away. After 1 hour I had my strength back and was feeling back to normal. (Although throughout the hour I had to drink about 3 glasses of water and eat a few teaspoons of honey since my gut was bloated.) No waiting in a hospital line for me and I am back to feeling like I have more energy than I can remember in just a few hours time. I was say that without a doubt that ACV saved my life and saved me a ton in hospital bills. Now, I am stocking up on that great stuff and will eat much more healthier. By the way, I also ran across a website about High Fructose Corn Syrup and its deadly dangers. You may want to read more about it since it is a very dangerous ingredient in almost all of our foods. For me, its fresh veggies and fruit for the rest of my life with a few shots of ACV once in a while.

EC: Earth Clinic note: If you are having heart pain, please do call or doctor or visit and emergency room!

Click here'for more heart remedies.


Heartburn

4 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  75%
4 star (1) 
  25%

Posted by Colleen (Fort St John, British Columbia, Canada) on 05/21/2009
★★★★☆

I am using about 1 - 2 tbsp of ACV every day for about 2 months now. I have been able to get off of my prescription heart burn pills, finally. I find that I get heart burn more often, but ACV relieves it. I am thinking now of using the only 2 tsps to one 8 oz glass of water though, as I do get concerned to taking too much.

Replied by Nancy
(Shreveport, LA)
05/22/2009
★★★★★

Colleen:

I too had terrible heartburn after having my gallbladder removed. I started with the 2 tbsp of ACV in 16 oz of water and sipping throughout the day. It was better but the I noticed that EC recommended 2 tsp so I switched and got much better results. I used to take 3-4 (minimum) Tums a day after getting off Prilosec and Zantac. Now I never take any.


Heartburn
Posted by Connie (Eugene Oregon)
★★★★★

I recommend anyone with heartburn to keep ACV with cloves of garlic in the refrigerator and drink an ounce of that mixture next time it occurs. The results is almost immediate.


Heartburn
Posted by Ray (New York City)
★★★★★

I used to get severe heartburn after eating spicy things. Last year a friend recommended me to drink a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. In less than a minute the burning sensations were gone. Ever since that I have never had any burning sensations. I used to take tums and rolaids or drink milk and it would not provide fast relief.

I used to suffer from heartburn after every meal. Even after breakfast! After stumbling on ACV, I have not suffered from heartburn ever since. It has cured my sinus headaches and also a wart that I had on my finger for 5 years! ACV is better than the doctor. I don't drink ACV but rather eat about 5 tbls. of it on a cabbage salad recipe. I eat it every day.

EC: Click here for more heartburn remedies
Click here for more acid reflux remedies.



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