Organic (RAW) Apple Cider Vinegar Remedies

The vitamins contained in ACV are bioflavonoids (vitamin P), beta-carotene (precursor to vitamin A), vitamin C, E, B1, B2, and B6. Tannins from the crushed cell walls of fresh apples as well as malic acid, tartaric acid, propionic acid, acetic acid and pectin (fiber) are also contained in ACV. Be sure to purchase organic unfiltered, unpasteurized, naturally fermented ACV for its medicinal features. ACV ranges in color from a light golden to orange. You’ll know you’ve found the right stuff if you see sediment, referred to as the "mother of vinegar" on the bottom of the bottle. Do NOT buy white distilled vinegar, as it has none of the  beneficial elements listed above.
—Dr. Alicia McWatters, Ph.D., C.N.C





You may cringe at the thought of organic apple cider vinegar. If you know anything about it, you know it has a strong, loud smell and even stronger taste. It’s pungent, to say the least. It has a tartness a lot of people don’t care for. Some gag and almost cry and run away holding their nose—I am not one of those people! I love organic apple cider vinegar and appreciate all its benefits. It truly is a spectacular raw resource for many things, from beauty to remedies to heart health to weight loss.

Mother May I?

Organic apple cider vinegar with Mother…. Have you ever heard anyone say that? Perhaps someone has recommended you try it. When I’m singing the praises of vinegar, I’m often asked: Mother? What about the Father? (So many people find that little joke funny!) Of course, folks think that’s funny because they don’t understand what the Mother is. Mother simply refers to the living enzymes that settle in the bottom of the glass bottle. You see, organic apple cider vinegar with Mother has not been processed like distilled vinegar. If you’re going to be drinking organic apple cider vinegar and using it in recipes, you definitely want to spend the extra couple of dollars to get the good stuff. It’s raw, loaded with nutrition, and you’re health is worth it!


In this photo, I’ve tilted the bottle up so you can see the “Mother” settled at the bottom. This is what it looks like. It’s normal. Sometimes there’s more; sometimes less. Just shake before each use. The Mother can be consumed. If it bothers you, just put it back into the bottle or strain it out.





Fun Fact: Back in the 50’s companies started distilling vinegar and during this process, the living enzymes are killed. So, the vinegar becomes dead and of no nutritious value to you. Sure, it’s great for cleaning windows, fighting household odors, or killing grass and weeds, but that’s about it.

(Possible) Health Benefits:

•    Promotes alkaline acid balance
•    Relieves acid reflux
•    Clears up acne
•    Curbs appetite
•    Gives skin a healthy glow (taken from within or applied as a toner)
•    Aids in digestion
•    Helps cleanse the colon
•    Increases energy and gives a sense of well-being
•    Kills dandruff
•    Kills head lice
•    Gives a healthy shine to hair
•    Soothes sunburn
•    Soothes sore throat
•    Enhances immune system
•    Speeds up metabolism
•    Helps clean arteries
•    Helps lower cholesterol
•    Improves blood pressure
•    Reverses osteoarthritis and osteoporosis (by promoting new bone growth)
•    The list goes on…

Should you ever sprain your wrist or ankle or suffer muscle aches or soreness, reach for your organic apple cider vinegar. This stuff is so refreshing it’s hard to believe! Now, there are a few different ways you can use it: as a wrap, on sunburn, in a tub….

Organic (RAW) Apple Cider Vinegar Wrap

Supplies:

•    Organic apple cider vinegar
•    Brown paper bag
•    Plastic grocery sack (or plastic wrap)


Instructions:

•    Tear off a portion of the brown paper bag, large enough to wrap around the area that’s hurting.
•    Holding it over a sink, tub, or even a pan, saturate the brown bag with vinegar.
•    Wrap the vinegar-soaked bag around hurt area.
•    If it’s your foot or hand, cover it with a plastic grocery sack. If it’s another area (like your arm or leg) cover it with plastic wrap. If it’s your back, lay a plastic trash bag or piece of plastic over your bedding and then lay the vinegar-soaked brown bag (or towel) over that and lay down on top of it. If it’s your chest that has a strained muscle or soreness, just lay the vinegar-soaked bag over your chest.

•    Leave this on overnight.

Organic (RAW) Apple Cider Vinegar Soak

A nice hot bath is wonderful for a tired, achy body—but add organic apple cider vinegar to that bath water and you’ll be amazed!

Simply add up to a cup of the vinegar to your bathwater and enjoy a nice soak. Your sore, tired body will feel invigorated; your skin will benefit from it, too!

As I mentioned above, raw apple cider vinegar is wonderful for external treatments. It relieves soreness and muscle pain, is helpful to skin irritations or sunburn, and is a wonderful toner for your face! You can use it to remedy dandruff or head lice, or as a natural rinse for beautiful, shiny hair.

More Than Just a Wrap or Soak—It’s a Tonic!

Still uncertain about this tart vinegar remedy? Let’s talk about internal benefits….

What if I told you that raw, unfiltered vinegar is mineral-rich, loaded with potassium—tons more than you could ever get from bananas, even if you tried to eat lots every single day! And it’s filled with living enzymes (aka Mother). Raw apple cider vinegar has been known to aid in weight loss and helps push old fecal matter on out of the colon. It’s wonderful for sore throats and promotes a strong immune system. It also promotes a healthy pH balance.

Organic (RAW) Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic Recipe:

Ingredients:

•    1 teaspoon (up to 1 tablespoon) of organic apple cider vinegar
•    8-16 ounces of water
•    A small amount of raw honey to sweeten, if desired

Directions:

Add the vinegar to your water, stir, and enjoy the increasing health benefits!

Note: I do not add honey to my tonic. You can drink this recipe several times a day. You can also use hot water. This is nice during cold season, as it soothes your throat and warms you from within.

I use all of these remedies myself and enjoy reaping the many benefits. Apple cider vinegar is a frugal, raw and living resource that can be used from within and externally, with phenomenal results. So, the next time you’re out and about, go ahead and stop by your local health food store for a bottle of organic (raw) apple cider vinegar (with Mother). It’ll be the best few bucks you’ve spent in a long time, I’m sure!

Bonus: Organic apple cider vinegar can be used in various ways for pets, too! Horses, cats, dogs, goats…. The possibilities are endless!



Copyright 2009 Michele L. Tune All Rights Reserved


References:

Balch, Phyllis A., Prescription for Nutritional Healing (Third Edition), New York, Avery Publishing Group, 2000, page 87

Moore, Melodie, Vim and Vinegar, Harper Collins, 1997, page(s) 72-90

Thomas, Jean Karen and Laura Wallace, Oddball Ointments, Powerful Potions, and Fabulous Folk Remedies (A Jerry Baker Health Book), American Master Products, Inc., 2002, page 319


The preceding information is for education only and is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or treat illness. It is valuable to seek the advice of an alternative health care professional before making any changes.
 
These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. These products are not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before starting ANY exercise or nutritional supplement program or before using these or any product during pregnancy or if you have a serious medical condition.