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.
Apple Cider Vinegar Tips
Posted by Harold (Lantana, Florida) on 09/29/2009

After reading this website I went to the grocery store to buy ACV. All the brands had what was called 5% reduced> Are these effective as Organic? If not where do you purchase organic? And what do they mean by 5% reduced?

Thanks
Harold

EC: Many grocery stores are now selling organic apple cider vinegar. We've seen it stocked at Publix and Kroger in their "healthy eating" section.

Apple Cider Vinegar Tips
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 10/11/2017

What IS special about expensive "organic" ACV is its lack of pesticides. Apples are one of the most heavily pesticides crops. If "regular" store vinegar were "organic" it would be declared boldly on the label because "organic" is a selling point that allows them to demand a higher price for it. "Regular" vinegar is neither "organic" nor equal to organic ACV.


Apple Cider Vinegar Soak
Posted by Tricia (Ireland) on 09/26/2009 84 posts

One thing that I forgot to say in my previous post is to mark your nail file in some manner i.e. nail polish. Make it obvious so that you never use it on your finger nails or that somebody else might use it inappropriately. If you are carrying an infection of any kind (and most people do) it will be transferred to the fingers. The nail file can be cleaned with peroxide or rubbing alcohol but the dust is so minute and nail files are not easy to fully clean without a steriliser. So make sure it is kept for YOUR feet. As we say in Ireland "to be sure, to be sure".


Apple Cider Vinegar Tips
Posted by Eric (Lethbridge, Alberta) on 03/03/2016

Mixing with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) would neutralize all the acids (acetic, malic, ascorbic, etc.) that are in apple cider vinegar defeating the purpose of taking it!


Constipation
Posted by Noelle (Denton, Tx, Us) on 09/21/2010

Yes, I have been on a similar high protein/low carb diet, through a weight loss center, but in their case when I reported constipation as a side effect of the diet, their remedy was to sell me their "cleansing tea" which while pleasant tasting was just a teabag version of senna-based laxatives! It seems that the ACV is helping in this regard but it may be too soon to tell just yet. Of course the weight loss center will not like this because they don't sell ACV or make a lot of money off it...


Constipation
Posted by Sam (Florida, US) on 01/07/2015

Careful with those protein diets. They are harmful for the kidneys and the livers. I know from experience


Website Articles
Posted by Rachel (Reinholds, Pa) on 11/04/2009

I agree that while Mercola has a lot of good things to say and is helpful in getting Americans to THINK about their health, he has a lot of interest in getting us to buy his things. ie imported herb etc. I am especially interested in helping folks relearn how to use the simple things at hand like apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper and activated charcoal. When we take back the responsibility for our own health we will be in better shape as a nation. Thank you Earth Clinic for your part in this re-education.

I have used ACV for the flu and warts before but I never did much research on it. Two days ago I bought a small book on the benefits of ACV. One paragraph got my attention. It claimed that ACV will lower the blood pressure. I am a good subject to try it on because I have extremely high blood pressure. (200/115) and none of the meds that the doctor has given have lowered it. I do eat a healthy diet and am a master herbalist and have tried ALL the right things and they did not work. I used the ACV - 4 times a day taking 2 Tbls of vinegar in a glass of water. I did not add the honey because I do not need the extra sugar. Today, after only 2 days my B/P is 175/100. That is dramatic since the b/p meds were not even bringing it down. I will try to report in week to tell you if it has continued to lower my b/p. I am hoping that it will.

Thank you all for this helpful information


Heartburn
Posted by Nancy (Shreveport, LA) on 05/22/2009
★★★★★

Colleen:

I too had terrible heartburn after having my gallbladder removed. I started with the 2 tbsp of ACV in 16 oz of water and sipping throughout the day. It was better but the I noticed that EC recommended 2 tsp so I switched and got much better results. I used to take 3-4 (minimum) Tums a day after getting off Prilosec and Zantac. Now I never take any.


Moles
Posted by Katy (Eu ) on 05/03/2015

Hi, so I've seen alot about Apple Cider Vinegar working to remove moles so I thought I would try it, I only put it on a q tip and held it in for about an hour yesterday and just over an hour today and it has got a lot bigger, like it has gone brown around the mole. If anyone can tell me if this is normal or what? Im really worried :( thanks


Hair Conditioner
Posted by L (South Portland, Maine) on 05/24/2008

I put two glass jars in my shower. One filled with a mix of borax and baking soda. (More borax for dry hair...more baking soda for greasy... half and half for normal.) I get in the shower and sprinkle approximately 2 tablespoons in the empty jar and fill it with water and shake it around. I then dump that over my head and rinse it out. I keep a bottle of ACV in the shower as well and pour approximately 1/4 of cup into the now empty jar add water pour over my head and rinse. The drying process looks a little funky but my hair is clean, shiny, flake free and dare I say fabulous. I'm actually a little dismayed that I have spent so much money over the years on toxic products that didnt make my hair look half as good. I switched to white vinegar for a week once and my hair became much blonder. The ACV brings out more amber highlights. Good Luck.


Iodine Depletion
Posted by Sean (Toronto, Canada) on 08/18/2008

Just came to know that my itching was due to another problem. An insect bite. Just wanted to post this clarification. I am very happy with ACV and Honey drink and no complaints. Thanks!


Local Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Maria (USA) on 07/13/2007
★★★★★

apple cider vinegar-formulated to not destroy enamel of teeth. I have seen a product locally in Ohio, and cannot find it elsewhere, it contains organic apple cider vinegar and curcumin. I believe in the form they have made it, I can have my apple cider vinegar fix in a drink without worrying about it eroding my teeth or esophagus. I know you dont like to publish products, but this one is called Haldi. They had a tea drink, but I believe only the fruit drink had ACV. It seemed unique, so I thought I would tell you about it. thanks, Maria


Detox
Posted by Michele (NY, USA) on 04/04/2007
★★★★★

Thanks to you I started using ACV and the results are wonderful. I still get breakouts occassionally therefore I am thinking of doing a internal cleansing. There are so many detox/liver clensing methods, however I will only trust my earth clinic community. Thanks.


Inhaling Method
Posted by Jackie (Kamiah, ID) on 11/04/2006
★★★★★

If you would like to enjoy the benefits of inhaling ACV while sleeping, you can add a cup or two of ACV to the tank (usually 1 gallon) of a cool-mist vaporizer along with enough water to fill. Then plug it in and set it next to your bed so the vapor flows in your direction. Also, the book Vermont Country Medicine by Dr. D.C. Jarvis offers a wealth of information on benefits of ACV, kelp, etc. It's out of print but you can still find copies. Thank you all for your contributions to this website. It's a treasure.


IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
Posted by KEELY (CHINO VALLEY, ARIZONA) on 05/02/2006
★★★★★

ACV HAS HELPED MY IBS AND ALSO I HAD REALLY DRY SKIN AND MY FACE LOOKS SO MUCH BETTER

EC: 4 Readers report a CURE!


Allergies
Posted by Patrick (Boulder, CO)
★★★★★

I had extremely bad spring allergies. A former Professor (bothered by my sneezing attacks) suggested this and it works! Two Tblsp. ACV and 2 Tblsp. local raw honey. The honey has pollen and allergens and the Vinegar is a stringent. Take one a day for 2-3 weeks and notice the difference!


Allergies
Posted by Lasa (Littlerock, AK)
★★★★★

I am a singer with severe allergies. I was on the road for several months playing music. My allergies got so bad I thought I had nodules that would need removing. I became unable to perform and every state I traveled to contributed to my condition making it worse. I returned to Little Rock to see my doctor but they did not remedy my condition. I was gigging in Biloxi a couple of days later and a friend of mine, who is also a musician, had contacted an ear nose & throat specialist about my condition. The doctor advised me to try apple cider vinegar. The relief was immediate. I was able to sing my low range repertoire that night. Within a couple of days, I was no longer hoarse and back to normal. I keep a bottle on hand at all times and use it as soon as symptoms occur. What a difference!


Food Poisoning
Posted by Amanda (Atlanta, GA)
★★★★★

I came to this site after being released from the hospital. I had been hospitalized from 2 days because of bacterial gastroenteritis (food poisoning) and severe dehydration that resulted. Needless to say, I was depleted, weak and tired the day I got out. After reading about Apple Cider Vinegar that first day out, I decided to give it a try and drank 1 tbsp straight. Within an hour or two I was bouncing around the house! I left, went shopping for hours, came home and did chores, started calling up friends... it was really amazing!

EC: We suggest that you drink straight apple cider vinegar the moment you feel you might have food poisoning. Don't wait!!! Better yet, take it before going to a barbeque, or any event where the food may have been sitting around for a while.

Dosage: In the case of food poisoning, we recommend pasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar as it is extremely strong. Grocery stores will carry at least one, if not more, commercial brands of ACV. Heinz is a good brand, but any will do. DO NOT DILUTE IT. However, be prepared for your throat and stomach to burn!

Make sure you brush your teeth with baking soda afterwards to protect your dental enamel.

Read many more testimonials about ACV and food poisoning here.teeth with baking soda afterwards to protect your dental.

Read many more testimonials about ACV and food poisoning here.


Gall Bladder Issues
Posted by Lindae (Ventura, CA) on 07/30/2009

If you are having gallbladder attacks, flush out the stones with a liver cleanse. olive oil, epson salt and grapefruit juice. You can use the apple juice to soften
the stones before you do the cleanse. The attacks could also mean that your liver is compromised by toxic materials like heavy metals besides the stones.


Gas
Posted by Denise (Brooklyn NY)
★★★★★

I have been taking ACV (2 teaspoons ACV and maple syrup) for almost a week. I have been having problems with gas--terrible gas. Everything that I ate gave me gas. I noticed in the very same day that I took the ACV my gas pains have disappeared. However, one of my tooth that has multiple fillings is hurting me. Now I understand why. I will just use a straw. I love my ACV. I am trying to lose weight also.


Hair and Scalp
Posted by Reader (Boston, MA)
★★★★★

I'm so happy that I found this site. I have applied straight apple cider vinegar 30 min before washing my hair and the flaking is almost gone. It has taken five treatments and WOW what a difference. It make my hair shiny too (extra bonus).

EC: Click here for many more remedies to cure SB and dandruff.


Hair Conditioner
Posted by Barbara (Phoenix, Arizona)
★★★★★

I have been using vinegar once a week for years and years as a hair rinse. It gives my hair the perfect pH balance. As a result, at the ripe old age of 63, I have very thick, healthy, shiny hair. When I tell people about it, they think I am crazy, but it works!! I remember when I was very young, my mom would wash my hair in rain water and then rinse it with vinegar.

I use approximately 1/2 to 3/4 cup vinegar diluted with about 1/2 cup water. I shampoo and rinse first then pour on the vinegar - let it sit about a minute and then rinse out the vinegar and then shampoo again and rinse very well so there is no odor of vinegar. This was even recommended to me by a beautician once, and I hadn't even told her that I was already doing it!! The vinegar also removes all the old shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, etc. build-up in the hair.

High Cholesterol
Posted by Susan (USA)
★★★★★

One reader found success in lowering her high cholesterol by diluting ACV with a small amount of grape juice; she also drinks close to 80 ounces of water daily.

EC: Click here to many more testimonials and remedies to cure high cholesterol!


Apple Cider Vinegar Tips
Posted by ALBIN (Illinois) on 02/24/2025
★★★★★

If the taste of ACV is not acceptable, use a straw to drink it....this will allow the ACV to bypass most of your taste-buds, as well as your teeth...the ACV acid is harmful to the enamel of your teeth.


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!



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