Apple Cider Vinegar: Uses, Health Benefits and FAQ

Sprains

Posted by Brooke (Montgomery, Tx, Usa) on 08/15/2010
★★★★★

Mon. Of this week my boyfriend sprained his ankle at football practice. I got on EC to see what was recommended and I saw ACV. This is what I did - I put approx 3 Tbls of ACV, 5 Tbls of olive oil, about 1/2 cup of salt and Kidney Drainage liquid herbs, 3 squirts, and then rubbed his feet for about 1/2 hour. The swelling went down by the next morning and he could walk on it, however, it was sprained really bad. So I did it again the next night and by the morning it was 90%, and the next day it is 100%.

Gout

Posted by Deirdre (Mission, B.c. Canada, British Columbia, Canada) on 08/12/2010

I have arthritis and a naturopath tested that my blood has acid crystals. I checked with Dr. Paul C. _____'s book "Apple Cider Vinegar Health System" and he advocates = 2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar with 1 tsp honey in small glass of water, twice a day. Apparently when acid crystals are allowed to harden in joints and tissues, joints become stiff and tissues are hardened. When acv programme is given the precipitated acid crystals enter into a solution form and pass out of the body. Have you any thoughts on this?

Brands of Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Kathy (Las Vegas, Nv) on 06/17/2010

One day I dropped my husband off at his physical therapist and all of a sudden I got really sick (like i was going to vomit) I ran to Trader Joes because that was the closest store and bought applecider vinegar (not with the mother) and poured some in a water bottle and drank it as fast as I could and I felt better in a short while. So in my opinion it works and if I don't have the other ACV I will use a generic brand..

ACV and Probiotics

Posted by Joyful (Memphis, Tn) on 06/16/2010

I currently take 2-3 tsp of ACV (with the mother, of course!) daily. In the morning, I pour between 2 and 3 teaspoons into a measuring shot glass then place that in the refrigerator. Whenever I fill up my glass with (steam-distilled) water I add a smidgen of the ACV at a time so by the end of the day the ACV in the shot glass is depleted. I've been doing this for about 2 months with good results (will post those later).

Last week I added a very good priobiotic to my daily regimen. Will consuming ACV interfere with the probiotic? I'm also considering taking the cayenne capsules (which includes ginger, garlic, onion and hawthorn berry), but I am also concerned this would interfere with the probiotics.

Blessings!

Liquid Vs. Pills

Posted by Derbychick77 (Mayfield, Ky, Usa) on 06/11/2010

Thanks Carly for your information. I will try it that way. Maybe it will make it a bit easier to swallow:)

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!

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Posted by Lillian (Chicago, Il) on 05/26/2010
★★★★☆

Have been having severe IBS-D symptoms for the past week and on and off for months--nothing has helped, except sometimes peppermint. Finally decided to give apple cider vinegar a try, since it's so highly thought of. Stirred a tablespoon into a glass of water with a little cinnamon and ground ginger, plus the tiniest drop of honey. Not only was it delicious, but my stomach feels great for the first time today. I hope the good results stay consistent!

Dental Enamel Issues

Posted by Nuri (Tacoma, Wa, Usa) on 11/11/2010

Hi, sorry you feel a connection between ACV and yellow teeth. I haven't heard that problem before so perhaps there are other more complex reasons for this sighting. I have several homemade tonics which I take each day. I give you one which I use that covers the
ACV question:

I make this big health mixture every two days:
Start with a big pitcher or jar that will hold 40 oz or more. Pour in 32 oz of clean water
Put in 1/4 cup of Ted's magnesium/carbonated water concoction, plus 1/4 cup of organic ACV,
Plus 1/4 cup of organic unsulphered Black Strap Molasses

Cover the jar tightly and shake well. It mixes up real good. Pour yourself an 18 oz glass every morning and take 4 good swallows of it before brushing your teeth, then brush your teeth right after swallowing the tonic using nothing but baking soda to brush with. Spit and rinse, spit gain. Follow with a nice "food grade Hydrogen Peroxide 1/10 ratio mix". Slush it around for a few minutes and spit it somewhere. Then sip the mixture again every couple of hours like a little snack instead of soda pop or coffee. Then sip right before your 3 major meals and before bedtime, and brush with baking soda, rinse with peroxide mixture after each meal and before bed. The magnesium ought to take care of the constipation, if not eat a wider variety and larger quantity of garden vegetables

High Cholesterol

Posted by Sathiananthen (Singapore) on 02/14/2010
★★★★★

Hi,

I have been taking ACV for almost some time now.
Reason high cholesterol and so on.
My reading taken on the 23/10/09
Cholesterol 7.73, Trigleycerides 1.33, HDL-C 0.94, LDL-C 6.19 and Chol: HDL Ratio 8.22 all in mmol/L measurment. I went on an offensive method thats ACV 2 cap full, Lemon 2 teaspoon and 1 teaspoon of honey with pipping hot water drinking slowly.

Current result taken on 07/01/2010
Cholesterol 4.63, Trigleycerides 1.55, HDL-C 1.05, LDL-C 2.88 and Chol: HDL Ratio 4.41 all in mmol/L. For me it works well but in term of loosing weight I don't see much. I introduced ACV to my Manager who has the same problem and never once see his result pass from the test. After my advise and taken for 3 or 4 weeks on daily basics last week result out shine my report.

Those with high cholesterol please try but please check with your doctors advise. I tried after reading from the net on the benefits. One important thing I was on medication too for cholesterol (Lovastatin). My managers report was the thing which confirm of ACV coz he never see a better result in all his testing.

Thanks
Sathia

Brands of Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Tonya (South Texas, USA) on 05/20/2022
★★★★★

Hi, I used to swear by unfiltered, organic acv....

Today with all the geo-engineering if our skys, admitted to by our government, there is no longer organic food, unless it's a green house product, then the leached chemicals in the soul still spoil that.

Doing research, the best, and safest Apple Cider Vinegar today is filtered, the floaties are simply the apple skin, which is toxic today!

True mother is a clear ovalish disk you can find living near the bottom of the bottle. Mother will grow in distilled acv, as my grandmother's always had it there ..

The effects for everything I've used Apple Cider Vinegar for have not diminished as I first thought they would by changing from the organic with the skins floating in them, to the distilled ..

I'm nearly 70 yrs old, and my grandmother and mother used Apple Cider Vinegar for everything...

God's richest blessings on everyone persuing natural health in this toxic world.

Dental Enamel Issues

Posted by Dott (Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Usa) on 12/13/2009

Dilute your ACV with water, a couple ice cubes, and a couple crushed mint leaves..... and drink it through a straw. (Pretend it's a mint julip.) Then, brush your teeth after. Problem solved! ACV is an mild acid, but, I have heard that it is modified in the body by calcium, phosphate, magnesium and other alkalines; eventually winding up rather alkaline itself.

Apple Cider Vinegar Soak

Posted by Deirdre (Earth Clinic) on 09/24/2009
★★★★★

I started soaking both feet and toes in about 1 inch of straight apple cider vinegar in a pyrex casserole dish (the same one I use for the magnesium oil soak) a few days ago to treat nail fungus and severe cracks in my heels, which I suspect to also be fungus related. Well, it seems soaking is a great way to get the benefits of acv without drinking it! You know the rosy, healthy glow you get after drinking apple cider vinegar in water? Well, it's happening after soaking. Also a great increase in energy. Too soon to say if I am losing weight with the soak.

I was finding that drinking apple cider vinegar lowered my blood sugar levels drastically at times, making me feel faint, but have not had any side effects from soaking thus far. The blood sugar reaction from ACV is a new thing. I had been drinking it regularly for many years before that without any problems.

I am using the organic brand of acv right now, even though you can buy a gallon of regular grocery store acv for the same price. I am thinking about ordering organic acv in bulk, since it takes up almost half a bottle of organic acv to fill the small dish with enough liquid to cover my toes. I must admit, right now I am re-using the acv a few times, otherwise it just isn't cost effective. But yes, I wash my feet before soaking them!

Sorry to say that I have had cracked heels for 11 years now (coincides with when I started training at the dojo). Only recently did it move into toenail fungus. Getting rid of it once and for all is long-overdue. Bad idea to have a fungal infection lingering on for years and years. I am determined to keep this up for months if necessary.

Sinus Infections and Sinusitis

Posted by Bobby (Glasgow, Scotland) on 06/02/2009
★★★★★

Having suffered sinus problems.. 4 operations..pills.pills and more pills. for over 30 years. pain killers.. anti biotics.. i was desperate.. pains from teeth, ears, jaw neck .. i tried acv.. within 20 minutes the pains had eased off...to a gentle ache.. and slowly disappearing 2 table spoons of acv with some lukewarm water did the trick... i also used acv (straight not dilluted ) on a wart on my eyebrow.. and it turned black and came off.. wonderfull juice

Sinus Infections and Sinusitis

Posted by Vicki (Beaumont, Ca) on 07/27/2010
★★★★★

I am so happy to writing this email right now. I like so many others were skeptical about trying Apple Cider Vinegar. I had high hopes but since nothing had helped in the past I wasn't going to hold my breath. Since I didn't have any ACV on hand I ran to the store to buy some. I was so excited to try I almost opened it on the way home. I mixed 2 tablespoons with 8 oz of water and chugged it. TASTE GROSS! Really gross. Sorry but it does. I could feel it starting to work. So after an hour I took a shot of straight ACV and soaked some paper towels in it and stuffed it up my nose. NO REALLY I DID. Laid down and inhaled it for 10 mins. An hour and half later I feel so much better. I have suffered with this for many, many years. I was starting to look into surgery for it. Hopefully now I don't have to. Thank you so much for advice. I really can't thank you enough.

Website Articles

Posted by R (South Florida, FL, USA) on 06/03/2009

I have been using Apple Cider Vinegar for a few months for GERD and weight reduction. After reading Dr. Mercola's report on ACV, I checked my blood glucose level from my recent lab report. I went from 97 to 62! My husband's has remained in the 80s. I read on the internet that levels below 70 are hypoglycemic. I have lost 21 lbs while on ACV and eliminated sugars from my diet. Has anyone else experienced this? I eat plenty of fruit. Thank you.

Warnings

Posted by Sangeetha (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands) on 05/10/2009

*** THYROID MEDICATION AND APPLE CIDER VINEGAR WARNING!

Deirdre, apple cider vinegar (ACV) is wonderful, but may be you should post a warning for people with thyroid (and may be other conditions) to give a gap of at least 4 hours between taking thyroid medication and ACV, because otherwise ACV seems to interfere with the absorption of thyroid medicine and the results are not what we would like to see. This might also be true for iron supplements.

Regards, Sangeetha

EC: *** APPLE CIDER VINEGAR SIDE EFFECTS

We have compiled a list of ACV side effects here.

Sore Throat

Posted by Melissa (Berlin, WI) on 03/28/2009
★★★★★

I had a sore throat that came on suddenly yesterday. It started bad and went to worse very fast. It was so painful I could not swallow. I used to drink apple cider vinegar with hot water and honey daily but because of this goofy diet I was on I stopped. My best friend reminded me of the apple cider vinegar concoction so I tried it. Litterally within an hour my sore throat was gone. I am not sure but I really think I have strep throat. Bottom line is I think it may have cured it. Time will tell but at the very least it aleveated the pain I was experiencing. I love this stuff!!

Bacterial Vaginosis

Posted by Sake (New York, NY) on 03/02/2009
★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar. I am a believer:

I had recurrent B.V for almost 1 year now. Went to the doctor twice, got 2 courses of metrodinazole. THat worked for a while but B.V kept coming back until just this past Saturday, I was lurking right here on Earthclinic and decided to buy some at the healthfood store. I swear the B.V cleared up that SAME DAY. It's been 2 days now, and nary an itch!

Acid Reflux

Posted by Sean (Asheville, NC) on 07/09/2009

In terms of adding more acids to your body while experiencing Acid Reflux you may also want to increase your alkaline mineral intake by drinking raw green drink or bone broth. Bitter greens will increase bile production but will strengthen digestion as well as alkalize you. As far as the lower digestive tract and liver pain have you tried colonics and flax/ psyllium/ charcoal stuff, early and late in the day, to promote more regularity? Or maybe only drink ACV water in the morning on an empty stomach. Good Luck!

Recipes

Posted by Nichole (Stanton, CA) on 11/26/2008
★★★★★

...Also a quick recipe to get kids to take ACV is to add a couple tablespoons to a bag of sliced apples, allow to sit for at least a day in the fridge and the kids gobble them up!

Dermatitis

Posted by Nan (Atlanta, GA) on 10/24/2008
★★★★★

ACV cured my dermatitis and is also healing my rosacea!

I'm amazed at how amazing this $6 bottle of organic acv is. I would have never believed it if I hadn't experienced it for myself. I've had rosacea now since May which was a result of a major stress factor in my life. I've been to the dermatalogist and have spent over a hundred dollars in topical creams and pills that just did not work. I then learned that the creams I was given for the rosacea was causing dermatitis so I was again given another cream to try and combat the dermatitis to no avail.

When the dermatologist failed to help me, I went to an esthetician. She put me on supplements stating that it was more likely an internal digestive problem. This actually made it worse. Whereas before the supplements I had the rosacea & dermatitis only on my cheeks, after taking the supplements it immediately spread to my whole face which freaked me out.

I then did a google and somehow found th Earth Clinic website with remedies and saw a few testimonials concerning dermatitis. I thought to myself, I'm desperate and what harm can it do in trying (as I've done about everything else short of doing laser treatments)to try and take care of this. I was even going out without makeup as the dermatitis caused my make up to look cakey and blothcy. On my way home from work on October 17th I stopped at a nutrition store and bought my $6 bottle of ACV. I washed my face and applied the ACV directly to my face with a cotton ball. Saturday it started looking better. I've applied it in the morning and at night after washing my face and follow with my moisturizer and a week later the dermatitis is completely gone and so is most of the rosacea. I also put 2 TBS in a 16 oz bottle of water each day.

I am now a firm believer in ACV!!

EC: Click here for many more posts about apple cider vinegar and dermatitis.

Dental Enamel Issues

Posted by Veronica (South Connellsville, Pa) on 10/14/2008
★★★★★

I began drinking the Apple Cider Vinegar several days ago. I LOVE how I feel from taking it but my only concern was my tooth enamel since I have read so many 'warnings' on postings, articles and advice pages.

I am using a recipe that I took from this site: Green Tea with Mandarin Orange, 1 Tbsp ACV, 1 Tbsp Honey, 7 drops of concentrated Lemon Juice and 7 drops of concentrated Lime juice (steeping tea bag until desired strength is reached) ... 3 times per day.

I am getting my friend started on it and she happened to have a dentist appointment today and so she asked him about it. She told him exactly what we are drinking and he said that the amount that we are drinking won't damage our teeth any more than the sodas we drink. He said that since we are diluting it, he didn't feel that we had any problems. He suggested rinsing the mouth within 20 minutes of drinking but NEVER brushing right away because brushing after eating or drinking anything that has a lot of acid WILL DAMAGE THE TEETH. That doesn't just apply to ACV but ANYTHING that falls into this category.

Then the dentist asked "May I ask WHY you are drinking ACV?" ... so she got to share that her crazy friend is insisting that she is going to feel better after drinking it. I can't wait to prove I'm right!!! ha ha