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.
Hives
Posted by Jeff (Atlanta, GA) on 08/05/2008
★★★★★
For the past two years I suffered from a severe case of chronic urticaria and angiodaema that manifested itself on my palms and soles as well as my legs and face. My particular condition would not respond to the traditional prescription medications of H1 and H2 inhibitors (anitihistamines) even though I was taking twice the daily recommended dosage. I was even put on low dose cyclosporine therapy by my allergist/immunologist in a vain attempt to control this condition. The only alternative that succeeded in temporarily relieving the urticaria was prednisone (which is too dangerous to be considered a long term solution). My condition was so severe that I was unable to leave the house because of the embarrassment of the visible wheals on my arms and face. The hives and swelling kept me from going in to work on more than one occassion, and kept me from being about to go out and socialize as well. It also was exacerbated by exercise as well as hot or cold weather. Needless to say I had exhausted what I thought was all the possible causes and possible means to cure my ailment to no avail. That was until my mother called me after reading a book about the benefits of apple cider vinegar. My further research led me to this site (and for that I thank God!), and my condition has ceased completely! I contine to use raw ACV along with baking soda and don't plan on ever stopping. I am no longer on any medications whatsoever...which I think is Truly Amazing. Thank you Ted and the good folks at earthclinic for the website and the willingness to help people. It really is amazing that something so simple accomplished what literally thousands of dollars of prescription medicine could not.
Chronic Stomach Issues
Posted by Netsy (Richmond, VA) on 06/14/2008
★★★★★
To Sandhi/Tracy: Yea or Nay??? I started using 4 tbsp BS to 8 oz water for constipation. I used it about once a week for months. Worked fine initially, but eventually totally stopped working. One day had a sense of fullness, went to restroom and passed 2 thumb-sized white shiny looking pellets that were floating. It frightened me to no end so I put on gloves and fished them out to carry to my MD. They looked hard but didn't add up to the floating. I decided to squeeze one over a piece of plastic and it broke. Looked like an accumulation of baking soda (powdery form) inside some type of membrane that was keeping it waterproofed. It amazed me but I totally stopped using BS. This is the puzzlig part. I've suffered with stomach problems for 30 years. Started out diagnosed as duodenal ulcers ended up as acid reflux. I was put on different types of meds to include intensive antibiotic treatments for H-Pylori bacteria. I ended up using only Aciphex. I couldn't explain why about a year ago I stopped having stomach pains and indigestion. I never gave it anymore thought until I came across this website and realized it was around the time I started taking the BS remedy that I stopped having pain. I'm wondering if it was the BS and if it cured my Acid Reflux because I've been pain free and off all stomach meds for over a year. I eat spicy foods, dairy products, fried foods, all without any bloating or pain.
Side Effects
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 06/16/2008 392 posts
If you know about fungus growing on cement walls, those are calcium carbonates which are alkaline in nature. It appears that the blood calcium is very high in the case where the body responds favorably to apple cider vinegar to remove calcium buildup in the body and thus reducing the candida that way. Candida usually grows well in calcium rich blood where blood calcium is high. In most cases people respond to baking soda alone high because of acidity in the blood.
Apple cider vinegar often causes urinary pH to be acid in most people with normal blood calcium and below normal bicarbonates, which is often the physiological parameter of most people. However, in some people, which can exist where blood calcium is high, bicarbonates is high, causing the effect of ACV to be slightly acid at 6.8. The interesting thing is to consider ACV is good is a relativistic term. Continued taking long term of ACV can backfire, by lowering bicarbonates level and calcium levels, resulting again in an acid urine below 6.
The optimum pH can be anywhere from 6.5 to 7.0, but usually it is 7.0, because people's demand for alkalinity tend to be in that region needed fight the sickness. However, another criteria I used is some people will feel well at certain urinary pH, but the single most important issue is probably not the ACV or the baking soda.
The most IMPORTANT issue was the salivary pH was not considered. This is because the alkalinity of the body is determined by two factors, the pH of the urine and the pH of the saliva. The urinary pH is governed by the sodium bicarbonate and the salivary pH is governed by the potassium bicarbonate or potassium citrate. The single most important issue where ACV has responded well is that the potassium level is low to begin with and the salivary pH was acid, that was below 7 and hence, candida.
Now a candida can exist in various parts of the body depending on the sodium and potassium balance. A lack of potassium bicarbonate (or a better potassium citrate) causing acid saliva will promote candida growth along the mouth, throat and esophagus region. A candida growth in other areas such as gut, urinary tract, are usually governed by the sodium bicarbonate.
Therefore in event the baking soda and ACV was non responsive, but ACV had better result, it means the person was taking a low sea salt diet and drinking too much water which resulted in UTI. Therefore 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt should be added per one liter of drinking water. While another remedy of alkalizing is used, in which case, a candida in the mouth and esophagus region, where salivary pH is acid, is as follows:
1/4 teaspoon of potassium citrate plus 1/4 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in 1/2 glass of water twice a day.
or a stronger remedy:
1/2 teaspoon potassium citrate plus 1/8 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in 1/2 glass of water twice a day. Plus 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt in 1 liter of drinking water throughout the day.
It's difficult to cover all the nuances of a candida issue, however, one important guideline is always measure the urinary and salivary pH, if possible. But in most instance, while it is true that baking soda will usually work, certain dietary issues comes to play, such as high fruit consumption, which contains fructose and worsen the candida issues, drinking water and low sodium diet, potassium deficiency from doctor's med, which can also play into the equation.
Ted
General Feedback
Posted by A (Jersey City, USA) on 06/01/2008
I am posting this question for commentary from informed readers and Ted.
First of all, I am NOT an expert, and all my knowledge is really just based on what I've read. I have been grappling with the issue of whether combining ACV & Baking Soda diminishes its effectiveness in any way in the body. I've read practically all the comments on the Earthclinic website related to this in great detail. A nagging suspicion in my gut tells me that taking ACV with baking soda is NOT the same as taking ACV and/or baking soda alone. Unfortunately, I don't have enough expertise or knowledge to put together a plausible thesis; and all my exhaustive research has NOT provided me a convincing answer yet. Therefore, I am merely positing a hypothesis for question/commentary from informed readers.
Here it goes. My gut feel, and based on whatever information I can gather, taking ACV with Baking Soda (or Lime with Baking Soda), is probably NOT the same as taking either of those alone. The body needs to break down complexed minerals (such as sodium ascorbate, magnesium citrate, etc.) into ions before they can be absorbed. Therefore, when you react ACV with baking soda, that is no different than taking a complexed mineral of sodium acetate and sodium malate, together with whatever else might be in the ACV. Now, does the body absorb the sodium malate and sodium acetate the same way as it would the acetic acid and malic acid to be found in ACV alone? How easily does the sodium malate or sodium acetate breakdown in the body for absorption vs. just taking the ACV alone? That's the question? My nagging suspicion is that the body doesn't treat them the same way, in which case the effectiveness of ACV would get diminished by combining it with Baking Soda.
I understand Ted's point that the body is going to neutralize the acids anyways with its mineral buffers. But what comes first? Does the body absorb the malic acid and acetic acid first before neutralizing? If so, then is sodium malate or sodium acetate correspondingly harder to absorb by the body b/c it has to be broken down and ionized first?
I was reading Tim O'Shea's online book on how minerals get absorbed in the body (http://www.thedoctorwithin.com/minerals/Minerals.shtml). He says that acidic state is necessary for ionization of complexed minerals. In other words, for a sodium malate to breakdown into ionic sodium and malate to be absorbed by the body. I quote from his online book "If the pH is too alkaline, the ions won't disassociate from whatever they're complexed with, and will simply pass on through to the colon without being absorbed." So, my question is, does most of the ACV when combined with baking soda just gets passed through the body without getting absorbed? Is an ACV absorbed better by the body when it is by itself? If you want to alkalize, while also get the benefit from drinking ACV or limes, then is it better then to just take them separately some hours apart?
Also, I have read in many places that the absorption rate of complexed minerals is only about 1 - 20%, i.e., rather low. As per Tim O'Shea and others I have read, minerals get absorbed by two ways. (1) The body needs them in which case it sends protein messengers/transporters to the lining of the gut wall to absorb that particular mineral. (2) Diffusion. So, if your body doesn't need sodium, say for example, then is it just going to ignore the sodium malate or sodium acetate? In that case, would the malic and acetic acids in ACV alone be better absorbed by the body?
Since modern science/information can be so corrupted, one thing I am learning to do whenever presented with a remedy, etc is to ask how this might have been done several thousand years ago, when perhaps things were less corrupted. Although I could be totally wrong, I don't imagine our ancestors and the Ayurveda folks mixing ACV with Baking Soda. They probably drank the ACV or baking soda alone.
On another note, I have tried ACV with Baking Soda for about 10 days now. I don't feel much effect, other than getting my urinary PH in the above 7 range. If the sodium malate and sodium acetate are simply getting passed through into the urine, surely they would make the urine PH alkaline. My salivary PH is still in the 6.25 range, which is another whole issue that I need to figure out. (I am scared of one of Ted's commentaries in one of these postings that suggested that a urinary ph higher than salivary is indicative of fungus or cancer. I am 35 years old, and believe I have Candida). This is another reason that made me really think hard about ACV & Baking Soda b/c I didn't feel that this remedy was alkalizing my salivary PH, therefore, I was wondering if it's just passing through in the urine? I am vegetarian, and have been trying to include more fruits and vegetables recently. So, I don't think I have a potassium deficiency issue per se.
I know that that the ACV and Baking Soda remedy has been tried by numerous readers with great success. Therefore, I am merely positing this inquiry in an effort at greater understanding, rather than pretending to know what I am talking about.
Many thx, and I look forward to engaging more with the Earthclinic community!
General Feedback
Posted by Bret (Phoenix, Arizona) on 06/05/2008
It is nice to see a second person make the correlation between alkalinity and oxygen. The sodium thing kind of throws me though and I am intrigued by what Ted has written. The points I am having issues with are related to sodium. It is not a strong electron attractor, it does not cross cell membranes like potassium and heavier salts do. You can not change the ph of blood nor inside the cell with sodium. Even calcium carbonate does not enter or cross the cell membrane unless there is a higher energy state for a calcium ion. Please try to explain to me the correlation between sodium and CO2. I have taken organic chemistry in college and cell physiology. SO, I am one of those that needs to visualize the exact mechanisms before I can even comment.
Raising urine ph and/or saliva ph doesn't mean blood ph or intercellular ph has changed at all.
Also, Ted, when an antioxidant donates it's hydrogen and neutralizes a free radical, (-OH) what is left is a double bonded oxygen, which most people seem to forget about. Nice to neutralize free radicals but how come nobody mentions that antioxidants can actually donate this oxygen molecule? Thanks, Bret
Body Odor
Posted by Lana (Somewhere, Israel) on 05/25/2008
★★★★★
Body Odor Remedies: Hi All! Just wanted to share with you - after drinking the standard recipe for ACV and soda [1/4 tsp soda and 2 Tbs ACV in a glass of water] twice a day for a couple of months, I have no need to use deodorant of any kind! If I do perspire, it has no odor. My hubby even claims that my poo has no smell. How's that for a complete natural deodorant?
Hives
Posted by Kenny (Strathclyde, Scotland) on 02/20/2008
★★★★★
I have suffered from Cholinergic Urticaria or Hives as it's more commonly known, for the past 15 years. I have attended Dermatologists galore, tried anti-histamines and all sorts! To no avail. So... I did some research and tried a number of things, natural and herbal, like Quercetin tabs (found in red onions) which is natures anti-histamine, with mixed success. Interestingly though, my ailment appears when stressed, hot - in warm weather or artificial heat, like a sauna, sweating or excercising vigorously and is manifest with red bumps all over my arms, legs, neck and torso which can become itchy - not to mention unsightly. I found the best treatment is an Air Bath - cool or cold air outdoors, minus the clothes, not always possible though!! ;-)I've been on ACV for a while (read my last post on 2/19/08) and decided to manipulate the system I had adopted and over-and-above my two cups of ACV/water solution a day, I decided to try the ACV/bicarb of soda (2tablespns to 1/4teaspn mix in water) about half an hour before vigorous excercise. The red bumps were hardly noticeable, I was wearing a short sleeved t-shirt for the first time in ages, and when I finished, I went for my usual 'sauna, cold shower, steam bath then another cold shower' routine to finish off. Normally,I'd look like I had been stung by a thousand bees! Literally. However, on this occassion, my skin was pretty clear, not red and inflamed looking - very few small red bumps but hardly noticeable, I felt fantastic!! No skin experts, doctors or snake oil salesmen could break the code, but I think I may have. Interestingly though, I beleive wholeheartedly that part of the problem is acid/alkali PH balance in the body and crucially, when out of kilter, renders the body susceptible to all-sorts of conditions. Thanks to Ted for the tip!!!
Dosage and Tips
Posted by Tony (Aurora, Colorado) on 01/13/2008
★★★★★
re: ACV and baking soda -- It did help a lot. I feel that I should not take it more than once in the mornning before eating and once at night before going to bed and with almost empty stomach. I felt that taking too much did not help me.
Side Effects
Posted by Sarah (Northern, NJ) on 01/09/2008
It's been a week that i've been using ACV with baking soda to lose weight. Instead, I've never been this tired. I have lost all the energy & slept most of the day. I STOPPED taking baking soda, & instead diluted 2tbl of acv with 1liter water, & 1/2 tsp. of salt. & drink it with straw. Without baking soda, I feel much better & energetic.
Side Effects
Posted by Sherry (Longview, Washington) on 08/08/2008
Maybe you should not use the baking soda, just use the Apple Cider Vinager. Try using one teaspoon in water twice a day instead. Sometimes in life less is more. Be sure to drink it with a straw or rinse and brush your teeth right away.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Tricia (USA) on 12/26/2007
★★★★★
Hi Sandhi, I was taking ACV, baking soda, and water for a few weeks. I read baking soda supplies oxygen to the body, so I took it before I exercised. Worked well. Seeing I have weak knees, I thought my knees felt lubricated. (as i was reading on the earthclinic website about some guy taking it to cure his knee discomfort) but also felt later that my knees were feeling like they are all bone and no cushion.
I thought BS helped with my digestion as I was drinking it as a hot tea before bedtime w/ACV. I felt less constapated, which i liked. I noticed a slight weight drop too, I'm normal size so about 5 lbs. My relatives were saying I looked too skinny. I was thinking my body was missing some nutrients. But I was thinking calcium and not vitamin B. I also started to crave heavier foods and junk which is funny because I've always loved eating fruits and veggies, and I didn't want to turn back. I also developed a cough which lasted about 2 weeks, which i thought was unusual because I am type of person who never gets sick with coughs or colds. Was this baking soda getting to my me & my lungs? It gave me a good reason to suspect BS.
Have you ever noticed how BS has this calming effect on you? Then if you aren't taking it all the time, then your blood pressure seems to rise when stressed. I have....it almost felt like i was taking a drug. I didn't have a problem with any vaginal side effects. Maybe because I was taking small doses 1/8 or less tsp BS a day. With all said, I was thinking these related symtoms were just my thinking. But maybe not. I'm beginning to think that BS is the main cause being that it is an unknown substance to the body if you think about it. I started doing some research to see if there were any negative feedback on the internet about baking soda and stumbled upon this website. This gave me good reason to stop taking it. I was surprised by some of the BS additions out there. Hope this helps and I hope you can share it with others looking for a BS cure. With best intentions, Tricia
GERD
Posted by Linda (Squaw Valley, California) on 06/25/2007
★★★★★
I have a lung disease (sarcoid) which makes it easy for me to get every bug going around. I had bronchitis and pnemonia for three months. I took various antibiotics for those three months. I got better but I had a raging case of GERD from then on. The purple pill and others did not work. I tried ACV and soda, it works for me. I know that antibiotics are going to be a part of my life, but at least I don't have GERD any longer.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Tina (Dumont, NJ) on 06/20/2007
★★★★★
In previous post, I recommend starting slowly with ACV/baking soda. Another reason is that ACV left me feeling overly-energetic. Like I sprung out of bed the first few mornings at 4am (I usually drag out of bed at 8:30 or 9 & have always required lots of sleep). I have a tendency to get the jitters & be anxious- I'm no psych., but I would start w/ less than 3 tbsp/day of ACV if you have an anxiety, manic depression, etc. I love this stuff but it can give you the jitters. Anyone else had this problem?
Dosage and Tips
Posted by Sue (Montreal, Canada) on 04/23/2007
★★★★★
I have been on your site for the last 3 hours and wish to congratulate Ted and the people participating in the interesting web site. I have learned a great deal reading the questions and answers. I remember my grand-father taking one cup of hot water with a little soda every night before going to bed. My mother told me it was for to help his digestion. Did not know about mixing with ACV. Again thank you for this web site. Sue, Montreal
Broad Benefits
Posted by Russel (Indiahoma, OK) on 02/13/2007
★★★★★
I take the ACV formula 3 times a day. I take 2 tbs Organic ACV 1/2 tsp Baking soda in 8 oz of water in the morning and evening, at midday I take 1 tbs ACV 1/4 tsp baking soda in 4 oz of water. This has worked GREAT, I sleep better, my allergies have greatly lessened, and I haven't taken my Prilosec otc (omeraprazole) since I started the ACV Baking soda 3 weeks ago. The whole process seems to be getting better as I stick to this daily regimen. I take it for 5 days on and then 2 days off. My first question is what can be done during the 2 days off to help with acid reflux since we are not supposed to take the ACV Baking soda during the off days. Is it just a matter of eating less or certain foods or can we take a little baking soda with a glass of water before a meal during that time? My second question is although my constipation issue is getting better since taking ACV, I have had a little bit of blood from straining? Is there anything I can take to help those blood vessels from bleeding during bowel movements? Thanks, Russell
Throat Issues
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 12/08/2006 392 posts
This comes from certain minerals in the ACV that reduces the oiliness of skin, quite possibly the zinc content. Also, the baking soda will normalize most biological parameters by causing the body to be much more antioxidant, as evidenced by the negative ORP reading of the 2 tablespoon ACV 1/4 teaspoon, giving a rare reading -175 millivolts which is quite antioxidants. Most foods we eat are actually oxidants, which steals the body of electron, causing the aging process to accelerate. My own estimate of most of the foods we eat are between 200 to 500 millivolts which is quite oxidating. This even is also true for most mineral water we drink which are also typically over 100 millivolts. So the wisdom of drinking more water really doesn't apply. It only applies when we drink antioxidant water, and the only way this can be done is a small amount of lemon with baking soda added will allow the water we drink to be antioxidants, thus a simple fountain of youth.
Side Effects
Posted by MH (Eastern North Carolina) on 05/12/2023
I am taking ACV/BS tonic for female issues (possible BV/interstitial cystitis). Been taking it for a week. Even with only 1 tsp of the ACV I'm getting diarrhea every day. What could be the reason for this?
Side Effects
Posted by Rosanne (Massapequa, N.Y.) on 02/12/2017
I tried acv and baking soda, my heart was racing, broke out in a sweat, and I was shaky. After 2 sips. I followed directions using less then 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda . Was that too much??? This stuff is powerful!!!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Angela (Dallas, Texas) on 07/29/2016
How much water do you add to the B.S and ACV mix that you drink in the more and right before bed?
Skin
Posted by Nickym2 (Wa, US) on 06/19/2014
★★★★★
I tried the baking soda and apple cider vinegar treatment and it is working great! I finally feel good about my skin, and can wear all my sun dresses again. I am so glad I found this site. THANK YOU!
Side Effects
Posted by Dessy (Rockhampton, Australia) on 06/28/2013
Hi Ted, For the last 6 months I have been taking ACV and bicarb both morning and night to balance my PH. I test my saliva and urine with Litmus paper, first thing in the morning and my saliva is usually around 6.4 with my urine around 7.6 or higher. For about the last 5 weeks my urine has been very, very cloudy, sometimes dark, and othertimes can be a thick cloudy yellow colour. This does not happen daily, but when it does it is quite alarming. Could it be a side affect of the remedy I am taking? I am thinking of changing over to the lemon/lime/bicarb treatment. I hope you can advise me. Thank you for your good work, it is much appreciated.
