Apple Cider Vinegar is one of the top 10 items every household should have in it’s pantry. And not just sitting on the shelf, looking all pretty BUT every household should USE it. It’s one of the most economical and versatile substances straight from mama earth. It has so many uses!
Particularly beneficial if you are going to consume the vinegar is the kind with the mother in it (that murky stuff that settles at the bottom). I recommend Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Unfiltered Unpasteurized with the Mother, Braggs is a great brand to find in most stores.
Word to Your Motha’
The first question most people new to the ACV game is, “what is the mother?” Basically its a complex web of amino acids that appear to have some really important health benefits. Not to mention that acetitc acid is a product created during the secondary fermentation process when Apple Cider Vinegar is made…guess where else acetic acid is used…in medications to reduce high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and help balance blood sugar. Researchers are closely studying this link, and alternative wellness practitioners (like muah!) have been singing it’s praises for years.
What it’s good for
Aside from being a sweet pro and pre-biotic (hello gut health!) Research that has come out in the recent years linking ACV to:
- Reducing yeasts (candida), molds, and fungus growth in the body: this is helpful for a whole host of things, including inflammation which is a pre-cursor to so many chronic illnesses.
- Antimicrobial properties: think topical, healthy skin applications for this, there have been reports of it helping improve acne.
- Treatment/removal of warts: pretty self explanatory, but you apply it nightly until the wart is gone.
- Joint health: Reducing calcium deposits and slowing the progression of inflammatory joint diseases.
- Digestive health: it carries digestive enzymes, pro and pre-biotics.
- Balance of blood sugar fluctuations: this helps with weight loss and helps people who fall into the “pre-diabetes” category.
- Lots and lots of other things!
How to Use ACV
You can use it topically or take it by mouth. DON’T DO IT UNDILUTED! IT WILL HURT! I like to have a glass of room temperature water in the morning, with 2 capfuls of ACV in to reap the benefits. Sometimes for an energy boost I will add the ACV to my water glass later in the day also.
Topically, you can use it as a toner or rinse your hair with it.
You can also cook with ACV, one of my favorite recipes is cucumber salad made with ACV. You can use it to make salad dressings and sauces as well.
What is your favorite way to use ACV? Let me know in the comments below.