Apple Cider Vinegar: Uses, Health Benefits and FAQ

Arthritis

Posted by Marcia (Fairforest, SC)
★★★★★

I am a huge proponent of RAW apple cider vinegar. My husband and I have been using it three times daily for about five weeks. He no longer has the joint stiffness and pain associated with arthritis. We did quit using all sugar and white processed flour as well.

Canker Sores

Posted by Sharon (Western New York) on 10/10/2013

I struggled with canker sores for years, no dentist or doctor could tell me why..... After researching on line I discovered that SLS ( sodium lauryl sulfate) could be the culprit.. Most toothpaste has SLS in it. I started making my own toothpaste with baking soda, coconut oil and peppermint drops and have NOT had a canker sore since.... I will not buy shampoo that has SLS in it.... hope this helps...

Depression

Posted by Connie (Portland, OR)
★★★★★

I suffered from depression and anxiety for many years. I tried at least six or seven medications over a five year period but nothing worked. They all were just expensive and had bad side effects. A naturopathic biologist told me to take ACV and after a couple of days I felt much better for the first time. I believe there are people who need the prescription medications -and counseling is a great help to most of us- but for those of us suffering from occasional recurrent depression/anxiety I believe it is a fantastic cure. I have only taken it when my depression pops up and found relief every time. After reading the benefits for weight loss though, I believe I will begin taking it daily - and brushing my teeth afterward!

EC: Read more depression cures here.
Read more anxiety cures here.

Depression

Posted by Elizabeth (Fort Gibson, Oklahoma) on 07/15/2016

I started the Apple Cider Vinegar in hopes that I might get a better A1C score in the next 3 mo's.I'm also think'g of try'g cinnamon tablets from the health food store. Really the only way to turn this around is I got to loose weight. My thyroid is normal but my good cholesterol is not high enough w/in range and my bad cholesterol is too high, like the consistentcy of ketchup.I cook w/canola and olive oil I try to eat heart smart foods like honey nut cheerios and I like salads when I can but I like dressing on my raw vegetables.I try to cut back on soda pop, Coke, Ginger Ale and drink more water. When I was n school I weighed 134-150 and b4 I got out of high school, I slowly went up to 170 and slowly climbing.I was @ 235 lbs, now I'm @ 270.Its like I slowly gain and maintain the weight. My nutritionist doesn't reccommend that I try any of those as advertised on TV stuff like Cambodia Garcinia and all that other stuff. It might work but once u stop takg it, probably blow up like a tick on Dracula.I do like sweats but I'm sure I'm a modest Eater when it comes to food and sweats.I nvr eat till I get full and I have a hard x eatg bf by the x I do eat its like high noon.my nutritionists says that's part of the problem and that I must train myself to eat @ the same x everyday. I'm like who does that?

Anyhow, the point of writing is I think a good idea would b to brush your teeth and then take a swig of milk and then drink the vinegar water thru a straw.That's what I'm doing now.I might opt to get the vinegar tablets.

Ear Infections

Posted by MB (Belgium)
★★★★★

[Note: the following reader used white vinegar, not apple cider vinegar, to heal an ear infection. ACV might work just as well.]

My husband was suffering from an ear infection. He was confined in the hospital for almost 2 weeks still nothing happened, so we decided to check out of the hospital. And then I remembered when we were still small, whenever we had throat problems or ear infections, my mom always told us to apply vinegar on it & gargle for the throat. So I told my husband why don't we try it, true enough just after 1 day of applying white vinegar in a water on it, his ear was dry and we continue to apply it twice a day until it was completely healed, but sad enough he lost part of his ear bone because of the that infection before we found this "VINEGAR WONDER", but we are thankful to GOD, now his ear is totally healed.

EC: Read many more testimonials and cures here.

Fever

Posted by Siberianwolf (Omsk, Russia) on 05/24/2008
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Whoa!Whoa! Whoa! FEVER is your FRIEND !!!! It is the indication that your body is FIGHTING the infection. Mess with it at your peril. Let your body do the work it was designed to do...heal itself. NO outside interference can do that.

Fever

Posted by Erica (Us) on 12/05/2015

Only if the fever doesn't get too high. 102 is ok but 105 degrees is not.

Food Poisoning

Posted by Teresa (Ventura, CA)
★★★★★

After eating at a local restaurant, I had the irregular bowel movement and the runs really bad. For 5 days it lasted until I started taking ACV. I started taking it religiously, 2Tbs. morning and evening. The next day I was amazingly cured! I became regular. I know this stuff works like VOODOO.

Gout

Posted by Mae (Maumelle,AR)
★★★★★

ACV is a miracle cure. The whole world should know about it! It's cured my family af allergies, my husband of gout, my dogs of skin ailments...we love it..its changed our lives.

Gout

Posted by Al (Big Lake, MN)
★★★★★

I was having the worst gout attack in years, the pain brought me to tears, as my left foot was swollen to the ankle. Ibuprofen did not work even in large doses. My wife gave me 2 tbsp of organic apple cider vinegar mixed with 2 tbspn of organic honey (2 times daily); within 3 hours I was walking around with minimal pain and 1 day later I was able to put on my shoes and walk with little pain on the third day it's almost all gone. Amazing, considering it usually lasts for at least 1 week, I am an absolute believer in this remedy.

EC: Click here for more testimonials about ACV curing gout!

Hair and Scalp

Posted by Brijette (Bettendorf, Iowa)
★★★★★

My Chiropractor told me to use vinegar on my baby girl's cradle cap. I applied it straight and let it sit for 10 minutes before her bath. I've done this only four times now and her cradle cap is almost gone already!!! Maybe this straight vinegar treatment could work for other scalp problems as well.

Indigestion

Posted by Brett (Milwaukee, WI)
★★★★★

ACV takes care of my indigestion. I just dilute about a teaspoon in some water and drink. Within 5 minutes, my indigestion is gone.

Indigestion

Posted by Chris (Dighton, Ma) on 07/22/2016
★★★★★

Yes, it cures indigestion in minutes.

Nail Fungus

Posted by Amy (Cincinnati, OH) on 05/21/2008

Hello - I'm a reporter looking for people in Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky who are fans of apple cider vinegar's health benefits. If interested, please email me at [email protected]. Thanks!

Shingles

Posted by Another reader (USA)
★★★★★

Yes, I tried vinegar, not orally, but rubbed it on the spot in my back that has given me horrific pain for 6 years, I have used Zonalon ($85 per tube, Empi ($45 per oz) and Capsascin, even athletes foot medicine, Aspercream, and this is so far, the most relief I have had. My shingles never blistered, but I was left with Posthepetic neuralgia which has been terrible. Worth a try, and you have it in your kitchen. I wonder how does it work, is it the acid?

Sore Throat

Posted by Dan (Myrtle Beach, Sc, Usa) on 01/03/2011
★★★★★

DEFINITELY!! My eyes were opened to the wonders of ACV on this site 6 months ago, and I've been almost regularly taking it since. TWICE since then (when I had been lax), I felt a sore throat coming on- the kind that for me, always leads to post nasal drip, and then a sinus infection. I read that I should "gargle with a mixture of 1 teaspoon ACV & a half cup of water, using 3 mouthfuls of mixture each hour until its gone. " Each time, I only had to do it twice and all symptoms were gone. Advil never hurts either! I am totally impressed and totally sold!

Sinus Infections and Sinusitis

Posted by Connie (Lake City, Florida)
★★★★★

I have had allergies all my life. I have tried claritin, allegra, and a lot others but have had drainage through all of them. Along with flonase and nasonax. In the last five months I have had two sinus infections. So I decided to try the internet and found your page. I have tried the tomato tea recipe and have taken it in the mornings for one week. I have also taken the acv cocktail three times a day. Both drinks have helped.

Ulcers

Posted by Glenda (Phoenix, Az) on 08/02/2010

I CANT TAKE EXCEDRIN OR ASPIRIN PRODUCTS. HOW MUCH AND HOW LONG SHOULD I USE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR FOR ULCERS?

Broad Benefits

Posted by Anonymous (USA)
★★★★★

Hi, Sifted, sterile wood ashes would help cut the acid some in drinking vinegar or lemon water. Wood ashes from trees, not lumber from the store, is full of minerals and is highly alkaline. Would this render the vinegar less potent? I don't know, but I think not. But for sure it would make it non damaging for the teeth. Lemon juice, the fresh squeezed kind of course is tough on tooth enamel as well. Wood ashes were used a hundred years back on farms as a mineral supplement and anthemelic (kills parasites) for livestock. It was mixed with sulfur and salt. I have used the wood ashes for the last month and never have acidity. Something I am prone to. A teaspoon per gallon of water is what I use.

Broad Benefits

Posted by SR (NC)
★★★★★

I happened upon this site by "accident." Actually, I think it was more of a "Divine intervention" because I have found SO much on this site that has been extremely helpful. Apple Cider Vinegar - I will ALWAYS make sure to have some on hand and will probably have a little each day from now on. Just a small amount-about a tbsp. in a glass of water has relieved PMS, sinusitis and a headache in less than minutes! THANK YOU!

Broad Benefits

Posted by Katie (Chandler, AZ)
★★★★★

I have been searching on the web for a site that promotes cleaning you meat with apple cider vinegar. This was a tradition in my family for at least 4-5 generations. I believe that a couple of capsulefuls won't hurt and gets all of that sticky, greasy, and nasty film of off meats like: steaks, poultry, porkchops, ribs etc. except for ground or chop meat. Ground beef or chopmeat is probably the only meat that I wouldn't suggest cleaning with vinegar just because of the type of meat that it is. I believe that apple cider vinegar minimizes alot of the bacteria found in our meat. Katie.

Gout

Posted by Phil (Wales, UK)
★★★★★

I have been taking 2 Tablespoons cider vinegar plus 1 Tablespoon of honey in 1/2 cup of boiled water 3 times a day for the last 3-4 weeks, plus doing chi kung exercises and have been able to stop taking piroxicam for gout (I've got the tablets nearby just in case!). I use Aspells organic cider vinegar - I live in Wales so _______'s cv is presumably not available.

Apple Cider Vinegar Tips

Posted by ALBIN (Illinois) on 02/24/2025
★★★★★

If the taste of ACV is not acceptable, use a straw to drink it....this will allow the ACV to bypass most of your taste-buds, as well as your teeth...the ACV acid is harmful to the enamel of your teeth.