Apple Cider Vinegar
Health Benefits

Apple Cider Vinegar: A Complete Guide to Benefits, Uses, and How to Take It

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.
Parasites
Posted by Heather (Napa, California)
★★★★★

I have been doing research on parasites and have found that if you take 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar morning and night, in a week you will pass parasites!

Sinus Infections and Sinusitis
Posted by Marie (USA)
★★★★★

I was skeptical in believing that ACV would help my sinus infection. However, I took 2 tablespoons by itself and I felt my throat burning. Immediately it cleared up my nasal passages, and my throat was so much better. It was instantaneous! Forget going to the doctor!


Sinus Infections and Sinusitis
Posted by Kate (Chandler, AZ)
★★★★★

After years of sinus problems, the apple cider vinegar has allowed me overwhelming relief. Thank you.


Sinus Infections and Sinusitis
Posted by Jessica (San Diego)
★★★★★

acv cured my sinusitis - caused from living in polluted California.


Apple Cider Vinegar and pH Balance
Posted by Doris (Il, Usa) on 11/06/2014

Have u read Dr Jarvis' book? Vinegar is an acid. The whole reason for taking it is to make the urine more acidic. Alkaline urine demonstrates u are not healthy. It all works biochemically via electrical energy. His explanations are very strange, but he proved this folk remedy with cows, horses, and dogs so he could see for himself whether it had all of the benefits espoused. However, he added Lugol's iodone to the mixture as well - at least 3 drop to one serving 3 times weekly. If one has a health problem, they are to drink with each meal. The vinegar & natural honey are supposed to be mixed together well in a glass before adding water. The honey adds solar energy to the concoction.


Apple Cider Vinegar and pH Balance
Posted by Bill (San Fernando) on 03/13/2015

I've read quite often in allopathic research and in doctor's articles that the pH homeostasis mechanism in the human body always operates perfectly and never goes wrong. Really?

So even though the western diet is so bad and so poisonous, even though people have all manner of sickness in huge numbers, including autoimmune and other diseases and even though our immune systems and hormone systems have been thoroughly trashed through our poison processed food diets -- through all this the final conclusion for some people is that our homeostasis pH regulating mechanism always remains untouched, works perfectly and never fails us?

Here is some interesting research evidence from my side on the direct association of acidosis that is increasingly accumulated in the body and which is caused by poor processed food diets over a period of many years. This research looks at our dietary evolution and the ultimate corruption of our older but healthier natural diets in terms of the rising acid levels in our bodies that are apparent today.

Diet, evolution and aging


Making Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Susan (USA)

If you live in a country where apple cider vinegar is difficult to find, try making it at home. Click here for the recipes.


Application Tips
Posted by Haines 2154 (Chicago) on 08/16/2023
★★★★★

Starting today using ACV on my back probably 20-25 spots all over….figured out an easy way to reach those unreachable spots!

I used a long handled “ baby bottle brush”…the wire kind with the stiff bristles at the end. I wrapped a cotton pad around the bristles and you can just dip the cotton pad into the bottle of ACV and apply! So easy!

Hoping it works!


Capsules
Posted by Deirdre (EC) on 10/29/2022

Hi Anne,

I would check the reviews under Apple Cider Vinegar capsules or tablets on Amazon. Braggs finally started selling ACV capsules with added D3 and Zinc, so perhaps! However, on Earth Clinic, there are old posts that say capsules or tablets are not as effective as liquid.

Here are the customer reviews for Bragg's on Amazon.


Capsules
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 12/02/2023

Dear Sheila,

I was skeptical at first but do think that Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules are helpful. I get mine from Costco. Huge bottle and I generally like all the supplements I get from Costco.

~Mama to Many~


Warnings
Posted by beverly (Texas) on 02/04/2022

Are you absolutely sure about this? I have researched and cannot confirm this.


Capsules
Posted by Kaur (Canada) on 09/08/2014

My son is 13 years old and we take webber naturals apple cider vinegar capsules. It says max you can take is 6, but how much can my son take?

General Feedback
Posted by Marie2mil (Adelaide, South Australia) on 10/04/2012

Dee, I drink ACV through a straw too, make sure the straw is way back in your mouth - that way it will surely bypass your teeth no problems. Good Luck. Marie


Best Time to Take Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Peter (Perth, Western Australia) on 09/23/2012

Found some ACV today at the supermarket. It is the kind with "mother" in it. Not knowing how much to take I did what the bottle said and threw a couple of tea spoons in a cup with warm water (about 1/3 full) and drank it.

Any reccomendations on how much and when to take it? What is it supposed to do? Mine is the _____ brand and it says 5.6% acidity and says it's organic. Does any of this matter?

Do we need alkalinity or acidity?

Cheers.

How to Take
Posted by Cat (Austin, Tx) on 02/05/2016

Comment on Gargling with ACV:

I would not frequently do this, folks! The enamel on your teeth will eventually erode making it very easy to get cavities, plus, your teeth can thin. Best to mix with warm water in a small baby jar with a lid -- about 2 ACV tsps with 3 tablsps of water and 1 tsp of honey or molasses (if you are not worried about sugar-diabetes) and either chug down or straw-down toward the back of the throat. And certainly never gargle with ACV without quickly rinsing your mouth out thoroughly afterwards. If you want to thicken thin teeth, look into ingesting a tsp a day of FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth (DE) for a couple of weeks to a month. Many report that it thickens teeth (it did mine - from playing card look to corn bulb look and it tightened my loose teeth. You can even brush once a week with it to whiten your teeth); helps with thin hair, gum health, arthritis, shoulder, wrist, knee and other joint pains. Do your "safety" research first. Peace out, CAT


Recipes
Posted by Deb (Brockton, Ma Usa) on 03/25/2012
★★★★★

Sunday, 3/25/12. This is my first day on this web site. I was looking for something for my horrible swollen ankles and lower legs. Not sure if my ankles are gout or just the effects of this salt-a-holic eating too much corned beef for St. Patty's Day (and leftovers). I am amazed at all the things ALC can cure or alleviate. I just tried the apple cider recipe with ACV (an old bottle I had), honey, cinnamon and nutmeg. Delicious. I actually like the taste. I was tempted to drink another glass right away, but decided to spread it out three times a day, morning, noon and night (unless I find another recipe I like then I will alternate).

Thirty minutes after drinking the apple cider, I started feeling more awake and alert. It was affecting something in my brain. Time will tell with some of my other ailments. I have not noticed any bad after effects. The air also feels cooler when I breath, maybe its also affecting my sinuses. In any event, I will continue drinking it and reading some of the other remedies listed on this web site. Who knows, maybe it will change my life for the better and I can shed some of my unwanted pounds. Thank you for your recipe. I have to go to the store and buy a new bottle of ACV, the one I have is pretty old, and some more honey. Great web site.


Apple Cider Vinegar With the Mother
Posted by Mamaleah (San Rafael, Ca) on 01/17/2012

What kind of Apple Cider Vineger is everyone using? I have a bottle that says Organic pasteurized Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar but I heard it's supposed to be raw for the affects? Does anyone know if that is true? Thank you.:)

Apple Cider Vinegar With the Mother
Posted by Zai (Houston, Tx) on 02/12/2012

Best kind of organic Apple Cider Vinegar is B______(there is a book available for it with the zillion of reasons why you should drink acv) and So____. Don't bother with Heinz - you want the organic acv. You want it slightly cloudy and with some residue at the bottom. I am currently looking for research regarding Apple Cider Vinegar and cancer. I would presume that taking Apple Cider Vinegar would be a good choice because it would neutralize the effects of sugar on the body.


Recipes
Posted by Alexg (San Antonio, Tx) on 12/21/2011

I drink the apple cider vinegar like a tea... Boil some water w/ a stick of cinnamon and let that steep 20 min, then add ACV, honey and lemon. Makes it taste better! :) And the medicinal properties of cinnamon helps me as well. :)


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..


How to Take
Posted by Lady Day (Somewhere, In) on 12/13/2011
★★★★★

My daughter turned me on to apple cider vinegar (ACV) a while ago. I would like to suggest a WONDERFUL way to consume it. You will look forward to your daily cup if you will try the following:

Add 2 teaspoons of ACV to a hot cup of green tea. I sweeten with Sugar in the Raw (turbinado sugar). Add a couple sticks of cinnamon and voila!

Trust me... (1) cup won't be enough. You 'll think you're drinking apple cider and not only are you getting lots of antioxidants, you're lowering your blood pressure, glucose and acidity.


Recipes
Posted by Billie (Melbourne, Australia) on 12/10/2011

I found the best way to take Apple Cider Vinegar is as follows.. In a large glass add the below then top up with hot water and let it all brew for a few minutes before drinking.
1 tbsp ACV
1 tsp Manuka honey

half lemon squeeze

1 teabag of peppermint

1 teabag of rosehip

I drink it this and have done for abut 5 yrs... even my husband likes it this way and drinks it all winter to avoid getting sick...

I call it my magic long life potion :-)


Making Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lori (Watertown, Wisconsin, Usa) on 10/16/2011

I've tried two different methods for making cider vinegar. I used the method described on the website that calls for making hard cider first. Although it worked okay, it produced a milder-tasting vinegar and it took more time. (My DH did like the hard cider though, and set aside a bottle for his own consumption.) Using fresh, unpasturized, unfiltered apple cider, fresh from the orchard is my preferred method. It helps to have everything prepared before you leave for the orchard to pick up the cider. Wash and stage an appropriate number of large, wide-mouthed glass containers (the kind that bulk foods come in). Lay out cheesecloth and rubber-bands for covering the container openings after filling them with cider. Set aside a warm location out of direct sunlight for fermentation for the jars. (Out-of-the-way tables and counters work well. Cold shelves close to the floor do not work. ) Pitfalls of this method: 1) If you don't have everything prepared the cider will need to be refrigerated until then. 2) There is more of a chance that a jar will get a mold-growth on top of the mother. I've had to throw out a few jars because of this.

One thing I have learned over the years is that some orchards (combo's of apples) produce better vinegar results than others. Once you find an orchard with good results, stick to it. One more note: The best batch I ever made was from windfall apples collected from random trees. If I'm ever able to make my own press I'll be using this method exclusively.


Storing Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tara (Los Angeles, Ca) on 05/01/2011

I bought a bottle of organic apple cider vinegar from Trade Joe's. Does it matter if it's refrigerated or not? Does it ever expire? TIA!

Storing Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Liz (Boston, Ma) on 05/02/2011

No, apple cider vinegar does not require refrigeration. The bottle I have (the popular B's brand that's often mentioned here) says right on the bottle; Refrigeration not necessary. Shake well before using.



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