Apple Cider Vinegar: Uses, Health Benefits and FAQ

Flus and Colds

Posted by Nancy (Arlington, TX)
★★★★★

I have been real sick with a viral infection and flu my neighbor fixed me some Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey. Equal parts of each. It has worked wonders. It cuts the phlegm in your throat and helps with all that was ailing me. I am so glad to find out about this. I also heard that cinnamon with it works wonders as well. Just a teaspoon or so. Thank you and God Bless.

EC: 8 Readers have found success by drinking apple cider vinegar (diluted or straight) the moment they started to feel ill and continuing to take it until all symptoms subsided. (24 - 48 hours).

See our other, "Beat the Flu!" remedies.

Fungus

Posted by Jacky (USA)
★★★★★

My husband had a fungus under his skin in the abdomen and drank 3-5 tablespoons of ACV each day and it cleared up in no time at all. Since the doctor could not explain or cure his problem, I have a theory. My husband had been on a lot of different antibiotics over the past several years for some issues he had and the antibiotics messed up his immune system where he contracted this fungus. Thanks be unto God for ACV!

EC: Read many more fungus remedies here.

Ulcers

Posted by William (Las Vegas, NV)
★★★★★

It just stopped the the abdominal pain caused by my stomach ulcer. I thought I might have to go on antibiotics. I guess I won't.

Varicose Veins

Posted by Catherine (Nairobi, Kenya)
★★★★★

[she has, to her amazement, found her varicose veins disappearing after taking apple cider vinegar daily!]

Apple Cider Vinegar and pH Balance

Posted by Bill (Norton, Va) on 11/10/2012

I am writing to clarify some statements broadly made on this site. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is composed of 5% acetic acid with a pH of 3 clearly making vinegar acidic rather than alkaline. The pH would need to be higher than 7 in order for the vinegar to be alkaline and then it would not be vinegar, it would be sodium or potassium acetate and would likely do little for those of us taking it other than possibly elevating blood pressure that might be caused by the increased levels of sodium.

Capsules

Posted by Zolton (Solon, Ohio) on 05/15/2014
★★★★★

I have been using ACV for years and it does work. I suggest people to buy it in capsule form at your local drug store or online.

Bitter Taste and Sometimes Exceedingly Acidic

Posted by Dcaplinger (Southwest Missouri, Usa) on 08/06/2016

If you turn the acidic ACV into a base tonic, it's much easier to take. I usually mix 1/8 cup of ACV with a full teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), plus 1/2 to 1 full cup of water makes it so much easier to take. It waters down the bitterness, and the bicarb completely neutralizes the acidity. To me, when I drink this mix, I taste baking soda more than I do the ACV, and there is very little after taste. Always be sure to follow it up with at least 1/2 cup of water, or you are going to start burping because of the mixing of the baking soda with your stomach acids.

Heating ACV

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 08/05/2016

Dear Robert Henry,

Thank you for letting me know about the temperature at which enzymes would be destroyed! I love that I can learn something new at EC (and everywhere!) every day.

~Mama to Many~

Broad Benefits

Posted by Gina Marie (California ) on 04/01/2016
★★★★★

Raw apple cider vinegar with the mother. I start with 2 tbsp of ACV and 1tsp of raw honey in a cup of hot water. I drink 3-4 cups a day, daily.

This decreases inflammation, pain and you can lose weight. Lowers your cholesterol. Boost your immune system, and flushes your kidneys....etc...

Broad Benefits

Posted by Rama (Bangalore India) on 08/08/2013
★★★★★

I have been reading everything in this site for quite some time. And I have also read many people enquiring about the benefits of using Filtered, clear, ACV like the one from American Garden, for in India, we only findthis type of ACV, and the other one is the same type from Heinz, which more expensive than the American Garden.

I have also read elsewhere, that it doesn't really matter whether it is filtered or raw, the benefits would be more or less the same.

I have been using 1 and half tsp to 2 tsps daily three times a day before my meals. I found it went well with watery butter milk, for I could not like the taste of it with any other liquids. So I have 1 glass of thin, low fat butter milk three times a day before each meal with 2 tsps of ACV, I have not started to add the baking soda, but can add it if it is supposed to be more beneficial. I am using ACV for various reasons, for my weight loss (because of my menopause), my hair, my skin, and for one or two side effects of menopause. I have been using American Garden's all natural ACV(it does not have the mother) for the last two months without any side effects. But I have not lost weight, which I know will take time, but I have noticed my skin glowing(people have complemented me), the pigmentation marks are slowly fading, my hair is improving, my dry eyes are feeling lot better etc. So all good things only. I also drink it with a straw.

Another thing I noticed is that instead of feeling full, I feel like having something to eat at other times, but not during the meal times. I am also a fitness instructor and love exercising, I do exercise for minimum2 to 2 and half hours, not in one stretch, but in a day. And I exercise 5 days in a week. I know, that too much exercise also will trigger some hormones which might defeat my purpose to lose weight for intead of losing weight I would only be putting on weight or might just remain the same, but I just love exercising.

So tell me does it really make a big difference whether ones uses alll natural American Garden ACV or only Braggs raw ACV? And making this at home is a big hassle. I would request you to post your reply to my email: rama.ananth (at) gmail (dot) com.

Thank you very much.

Broad Benefits

Posted by Karen S (Canada) on 10/22/2013

It matters very much if the "mother" is with the vinegar, I'm afraid. I know that even using clear Apple Cider Vinegar will still give you a nice complexion. However, the amazing wonderous enzymes that exist in the "mother" are what heals us. Maybe that's why they call it that.

Broad Benefits

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

Comment on 'lovin the buttermilk but not losing weight'

Rama - I noticed you said you can't lose weight despite the fact that you are a fitness person. Suggestion: Eat full fat buttermilk or not at all -- better for you because of more nutrients! But, you may possibly have a milk intolerance (many people from your part of the world do) and your body protects you by keeping you full of fluids (food sensitivities can do this). I suggest going a week with no milk products (ice cream, cheese, milk & buttermilk...) and see if that makes a difference. OR, perhaps your body is getting too many carbs from the usual sources (rice, wheat, corn...) Remember this: It is not fat that makes us fat but way too many carbohydrates. Lower your carbs just for 1 week to between 70-100 a day and see how you feel and if your weight recedes. If it does, you have your culprit! Tally your carbs on-line or get a good carb-counting book. Love & Happiness...CAT

ACV and Breastfeeding

Posted by Mama To Many (Middle, Tennessee, Usa) on 06/15/2013

Yes, it is safe. I took it all through my last two pregnancies and drank it daily (mixed with water) all through breastfeeding my babies.

~Mama to Many~

General Feedback

Posted by Matin (UK) on 08/16/2013

Hi Tracy, The white lines in the sky are called chemtrails and will cause sneezing itchy eyes, tiredness and lessen the effects of the ACV.

Chemtrails in our skies, GMOs in our foods, radiation and oil spills in our seas, micro waves from mobile phones and Wi-Fi in our air, and now Gas fracking leaking toxic chemicals in to our natural water systems more and more Pharmaceutical vaccines and toxic drugs in our blood, trees cut down to take away our oxygen, and all this is going on in our world today. PLEASE join the dots and the domino's should start to fall that there is a depopulation going on right now in our world, PLEASE WAKE UP those of us that are awake Invite you all to stop taking the blue pill, the blissful ignorance of illusion TV and main stream media and take the red pill embracing the sometime painful truth of reality. Taking the red pill means switching of your tell e vision because that's what they are doing and that's why they call them programs to program you. One week on the internet checking out information on these topics will open your eyes to the real world the you are living in. Home work to help you wake up.

1) Agenda 21
2) What in the world are they spraying full version
3) Why in the world are they spraying.
4) Geoengineering Destroying Our Atmosphere (Rosalind Peterson) Chemtrails & Light bulbs exposed.
5) Barrie Trower 1-13 Microwave Radiation
6) Illuminati and the CFR (Myron C Faga
7) Nasa: The end of mankind "Leaked document 2013. The most important

Positive News in our fight for a better future.

1) oppt-in One People Public Trust also known as I UV This should help to wake you up.
Oppt-in "Foreclosing all Governments Banks and corporations worldwide and set us free From debt, releasing us from this slave system that we were living under.
2) Keshe Imperial Collage (London) Offering free energy to the world and signing up courtiers to a peace treaty for a better world to live in. Is now working with oppt-in / I UV.
3) Thrive (Full version) and how it could be.
4) There are lots of thing you can do to make the changes.
5) Write to police force to report a crime against humanity every time you see chemtrails in the sky above you. Write letters, e-mail , or phone calls.
6) There are lots of Global movements you could get involved with.
7) Go on the Global march against Chemtrails on the 25 August 2013.
8) Pass on information to all, print of flyers and put up where you can.

This planet belongs to all of us not just the 1% and we need to take it back.

Peace Love and Freedom to All

Warnings

Posted by C. Jones (Cleveland, Oh) on 08/28/2012

Warning! I took apple cider vinegar (ACV) with lunch and dinner daily for about four years and developed ever-worsening fatigue. I never put the two together until I came across a book about copper toxicity and zinc deficiency. ACV is stored in copper vessels. Taking it daily can increase your copper levels and subsequently decrease your zinc levels. If your copper levels get high enough, you will develop thyroid and adrenal issues and be plagued with fatigue. Since cutting out the apple cider vinegar and taking a zinc capsule I cannot believe how much better I feel. I can exercise again and not be exhausted for days. I had tried EVERYTHING (dietary changes, medication, supplements) and nothing helped until I added zinc AND eliminated ACV (adding zinc only did not help).

How to Take

Posted by Leehofook (Plainville, Ct) on 01/15/2012

I did the obvious: I mixed the apple cider vinegar (ACV) with apple cider. It gives the cider a great kick and makes it a fantastic drink, and you don't even notice the apple cider vinegar going down!

Recipes

Posted by Veerybird (Hobe Sound, Fl) on 08/06/2011
★★★★★

I have discovered a great recipe for taking the ACV. I have always taken it with 1/2 juice and 1/2 water in my 24 oz water bottle with 2-3 Tbs. of ACV. That works for the faint of heart: I even got my kids to start taking it. I also carefully measure out a strong flavored juice in a wine glass and add the ACV. That is a great way to get it down. The best recipe that is healthiest and easy to travel with is 24 oz. of water, 2-3 Tbs. of ACV, and blueberry tea. I buy the True Blueberry from Celestial Seasonings and it has plenty of flavor. No "sugar" if you like sour things. Just make up the water and ACV then add a tea bag. Many people think that tea must be hot but it will steep fine in a few minutes. I tried it with Tazo Passion Tea (which I love) but it didn't work.

Detox

Posted by Aumber (Palm Springs, Ca) on 10/17/2010
★★★★★

Hi everyone, Just wanted to say no matter what detox or program you are doing, (ACV is very good) if your BM is not good then nothing is going to work as well as it should. If your colon is clean you hold much less toxins and anything you do will work much better. I use 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda & about 2 Tablespoons of honey mixed with 16oz. of water (tap temp.)not cold. I do this once a day. I am doing Oil Pulling and find this to help (empty colon) in the effects of OPing. Good luck to all and we are all so lucky to have this site, best one around. Have a great day.

Acid Reflux

Posted by Marti (Sedalia, Mo) on 10/10/2012
★★★★★

This is in response to comments made by mike of casper, wyoming. Your mixture of Apple Cider Vinegar and baking soda worked instantly for me! I have suffered from gerd for a long time due to a side effect from a med. I was put on ranitidine and then graduated to prilosec for this new horror. I have been trying desperately to find a natural way to control gerd. I don't want to take a medication to counteract another's side effects. So.. I found this site and read your comment yesterday and I simply do not know how to thank you! This horrible gerd has vanished!

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