Apple Cider Vinegar
Health Benefits

Apple Cider Vinegar: Uses, Health Benefits and FAQ

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.
Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Giglez2u (Morrill, Ne, United States) on 09/30/2009

Here's the thing, I've recently adopted the acv ritual of 3tbsp acv, 16oz. glass water, 2 sometimes 3x's day. I like the taste of it, no necessary sodas or honey to add, and I find that I crave it throughout the day. I AM concerned however, about tooth sensitivity to it. I've not experienced it but have read previous posts that problems with sensitivity and softening of the enamal occurs. Is that true? Am I going to have to stop? I will admit, I am completely obsessed about my teeth and my dentist is on my speed dial! lol, Can't help it, I love to keep my smile looking its best. So, should I cut back or not worry? I've used a straw, but honestly, I don't think that works. Contact w/ teeth isn't minimal to me. Thanks in advance for any feedback.


Apple Cider Vinegar Soak
Posted by Tricia (Ireland) on 09/25/2009 84 posts

To Deirdre Re cracked heels. I have had great success with the following -

Before you put your feet in any liquids use an emery board to remove any dry flaky skin. Your feet MUST be dry for this. Wet skin will only move with the emery board not fall away. The type of emery board is important. Here we use the black style. The types for nails that come in different colors i.e. pink blue etc. The reason you don't want to use the metal ones or the one designed specifically for the feet that are like cheese graters is that they are too hard and pull too much skin at once from what is already a very dry area. Think of how they would leave the cheese looking. I always recommend that this can be done while watching the telly or listening to the radio cos you can't damage yourself with these as you can with the metal type. Try to get the hard bit on the edge of the cracks without making yourself sore. You will be very surprised at the amount of dust that you will see coming away from your skin but this is normal. The brown old fashioned emery boards are too gentle and the black ones are perfect. When the dust stops flying move to the next part. If you are getting sore at all you have done enough for the day. More will come off tomorrow.

Rinse that dust off your feet as while it is blocking your pores you will absorb nothing transdermally. And it should only be dust, if you see larger bits of skin the emery board is too strong for you. At this stage you can soak your feet in any liquid of your choice i.e. anti-fungal, vinegar, peroxide or oils or salts for as long as suits you. Doing this with a couple of sports clubs some of the men chose to do it with plain old washing up liquid (detergent). So it is a case of whatever suits you. Use antiseptics or peroxide if there is any chance of an infection or dirt being caught in the cracks as it may close over the dirt and cause a diferent problem.

Then this is most important. Pack the cracks with some kind of thick oil. Our choice at the time we did this was vaseline but some would not choose this because of the petrolatum issue. Whatever you use press it over the crack to ensure that it has gone in the full depth. These cracks cannot heal while they are dry. If you had an operation on your stomach and the skin dried out to the same extent it would not heal either. We usually put large medical issue bandages over them to keep the vaseline on the feet.This won't suit everyone so a cotton pair of socks will do. The people we did this with all had to walk home so bandages were needed to keep the vaeline well packed. Wash next day as normal and leave bandage off. You want your feet fairly dry to repeat the process the next evening.

Remember it will be easy to slip on the floor until this is washed off. Do the same the next evening and continue til necessary tapering the amount of times done as they heal.

This worked within 3 days for some and some took approx 2 weeks. But it makes sense that the hard skin needs to go and the skin to be wet for the cracks to knit together.

As for the fungal infection. Many people will only treat the area that they can see the infection on. The human eye cannot see all of a fungal infection so if it spreading nor can they see it when it is at the last stages of treatment so it is very important to treat outside the area and for a lot longer that you can see it or feel it. My husband picks up an athletes foot while he is travelling for business on a regular basis. He never feels it but we can see it between his toes. We only know he has it when I catch it because I get the itching and burning long before I can see it. We use a providone iodine antiseptic wash which is normally used for pre-operation swabs in a footbath then antifungal medicated creams. Because he gets the moccassin type we bathe and cream his feet up to the ankles. I only get the moccassin type around the toe area so I only need to cover the shoe area. This is a long winded way of telling you how to do it but it actually doesn't take long perform it. The longest part of it is how long you choose to soak you feet and it is our tried and tested method.

EC: Tricia - Wow, thank you so much for these detailed instructions! Much appreciated. I will start immediately.

P.S. Your feedback has been cross-posted to the cracked heels page.


Yeast Infections
Posted by Meg (Edison, Nj, USA) on 09/02/2009
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

ACV has a lot of benefits but one thing that ladies have to be careful about is Yeast infection. I am 29 and never got Yeast infection in life and now got twice in 2 months as I started ACV. But then I read that its because I wasn't using Organic one but just the regular store brand. I have the Organic one now but I am too afraid to try it as I cannot deal with Yeast Infection misery again. I thought I will inform the girls about this to be extra careful when using ACV...thanks!

Energy
Posted by Mac (Atlanta) on 09/10/2013

More than 8oz of water is too much... Do not mix or dilute it to much or you will not see results in a timely manner.


General Feedback
Posted by Knute (Sacramento, CA) on 07/02/2009

While the information at WebMD is interesting, and I often like to refer to it also, it must mentioned that WebMD is very much in line with standard mainstream medicine.

Regardless, when proponents of standard medicine voice their concern for risks of different alternative ways, we should always keep the following in mind:

A fully referenced report from a few years back showed that as many as 2.2 million people in the US have in-hospital, adverse reactions to prescribed drugs per year, and 8.9 million were exposed to unnecessary hospitalizations. But the biggest one is this: US number of deaths caused by conventional medicine annually: 783,936.

So, without a doubt, there are HUGE risks with standard mainstream medicine...

Morale: Always consider the source when they talk about risks!


Fountain of Youth
Posted by Val (Tampa, Florida) on 06/27/2009

Anyone taken ACV for 10 years or more consistently? Just wondering if you look younger than others in your age group who haven't? And how? Or do you know someone who has been taking it for 10 years or more? Thank you!

Fountain of Youth
Posted by Tara (Clarkston, Washington) on 07/05/2009
★★★★★

My mother in law is in her eighties.She doesn't drink or smoke and takes her acv everyday and has for decades.Her skin is beautiful!!!!!!It has not helped her emphysema at all or her weight but she barely has wrinkles.


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!!

EC: Yes, many YEA reports for ACV and sore throats here: https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/sore_throat.html#ACV


Flus and Colds
Posted by Vinicius (Malden, Ma, Usa) on 02/24/2013

just a heads up, don't drink too much water while you are eating, too much water in the stomach will just weaken the acid during the digestion. Stay healthy


Bacterial Vaginosis
Posted by Kh (Oklahoma City, Ok) on 12/18/2009

I have used regular vinegar for years now to clear up any problems in the region. I just buy the disposable douche bottles in the box with solution already in them, pour the solution out and replace with 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water. Do this twice a day for 2 days and then Im fine. It does sting a little at first, but nothing unbearable. The vinegar odor does not last long at all (maybe an hour or two). ACV is alot more powerful than regular vinegar so I would imagine it works better.


Broad Benefits
Posted by Judy (Hubert, North Carolina) on 01/15/2009
★★★★★

As everyone should be I was very skeptical when I read of all the cures acheived with ACV. I started out looking for relief for my partners enlarged prostate. When I kept looking at all the things ACV could do, I said what the heck and tryed it along with him. Well let me just say that I feel like a brand new woman! I have had sever back pain and degenerative disease since I was 11 yrs old. About 6 yrs ago I was in an auto accident that I have had constant neck pain from. More recently, with my age now being 48, I have had knee and hip pain on my right side. After taking ACV in water, 2 tbls in 8 oz, for three days my hip no longer hurt! I decided to follow the recipe better and slowly drink 3 to 4 glasses of the same recipe all day. While at the gym I realized I could move my neck and look over my shoulder with no pain!! When I get up in the morning I no longer have to hang on to the counter when I kneel down to get something from the bottom of the cupboard!! I wake up everyday now PAIN FREE! I can't wait to see what happens next! As for my man, well he see's what it is doing for me and wants to do it too but hates the taste and doesn't have the patients. I have been doing all I can to get him to do it. He will now and again but won't do it every day. Does anyone have any ideas how to make it taste better for him? I am used to it already and really with everything it has done for me wouldn't care how it tasted.Thankyou so so so much for this site! Who would have thought that a little bottle from the grocery store costing all of one dollar could make me feel younger then I ever have!!

Broad Benefits
Posted by Diana (Palmetto, FL) on 01/09/2009
★★★★★

I have been suffering from cronic sinusitus for several years now and I have tried everything with no help. When I say everything, belive me, if it is out there, I tried it. I have used every over the counter medicine, nasal sprays, netti pots, heat packs and prescriptions and none helped. It has recently gotten so bad that I developed extremely dark circles under my eyes and asked a dermatologist what I could do to deminish them and they said "nothing". They were wrong! I have not only found relief from my sinus issues, but the dark circles are practically gone in a matter of days. I found your website and thank God for it. I took 1/8th cup of ACV for my sinus problems and that evening, I became very ill that night and instantly thought, it was due to the ACV dose. That night however, I went to bed and again took the ACV the next morning to help with my sinuses. In two days I woke with no congestion for the first time in 7 years!! This is an amazing remedy that has been sitting undiscovered by me in my pantry. I am on my third day of dosing with ACV and am equally excited about the prospect of it helping with my acne issues as well. I was really happy when my sinuses cleared, but am even more excited about the dark circles beginning to lighten. ACV is the one item I will never be without.


Acid Reflux
Posted by Porky (Metro, Gab) on 01/14/2010
★★★★★

Try taking the ACV with honey (I think 1 tbspn or 1 tsp?) IN 2 tbspn of ACV or 2 tsp and a HUGE glass of H20. This will help lessen the raw stomach feeling or sick feeling with ACV and acid reflux. Won't eliminate it, but eventually you won't need the honey anymore. This helped me I am late 20's and have acid reflux. The ACV DID help SO much, and with energy. I only knew of _____s prior to this well written article. It costs a bit, so I haven't used in a LONG time, but a hair forumn made me realize that ACV is made by more people than _____. I will try the over the counter as long as it is not pasturized since on this forumn someone said that takes away a lot of the good properties.

Much love and blessings and I hope this helps everyone!


Diabetes
Posted by Faith (St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands) on 09/09/2008
★★★★★

I must say when I heard about Apple Cider Vinegar I was curious. I went out the same day and purchased a bottle. I'm a type 2 diabetic and I must say that I feel a lot better since taking it, my monthly cycle has changed to a more normal cyle. It used to be very heavy the first two days...no more.

I also started the pulling oil...that too is great. My mouth feels so clean all day. Just started it so I haven't really seen anything major, but I will report back. Thanks Earthclinic.

EC: Read more about apple cider vinegar and diabetes here.


Recipes
Posted by TERESA (GREENSBORO, NC) on 08/10/2008
★★★★★

I FOUND THE VINEGAR TASTE IS NOT SO BAD IF I ADD ONE OR TWO PACKETS OF PRE-MEASURED STEVIA W/2 TSP OF VINEGAR, W/6 TO 8 OZ WATER. UNREFINED, ORGANIC ACV WITH MOTHER IS AN INEXPENSIVE PROBIOTIC. I SIP IT THROUGHOUT THE DAY, AS A BEVERAGE. I ONLY USE DISTILLED VINEGAR FOR CLEANING.


Warts
Posted by Tina (DFW, Texas) on 06/06/2008
★★★★★

I had a plantar wart right on the edge of my heel that I could not get rid of. I tried the OTC freezing stuff and it did nothing. I starting putting ACV on a pinch of a cotton ball on it at night with a bandaid. I would also put a fresh one on in the morning and try to keep it on all day. This was during the summer even, I would just put a bandaid on it. It looked better than the wart anyway. After a few weeks, it turned white and eventually came out. The hold healed up and now you can't even see where it was and it has not returned after 2 years.


Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Chris (Seattle, Washington) on 03/07/2008
★★★★★

I have employed gel tabs to avoid unpleasant flavors with liquid or oil treatments. In the context of ACV, this could avoid dental enamel erosion. When you fill them with liquids, you want to consume them quickly because they will begin dissolving immediately. I have found vegetarian gel tabs readily available.


Sprains
Posted by Susan (Lawrenceville, GA) on 03/05/2008
★★★★★

I was looking for a home remedy cure for my female dog who has urinary tract infection for the second time. I did not want to pay the expensive vet bill again.This is how i found your web site. I hurried to the store to get some ACV, put a tps. in her food and in no time she was back to her self. Praise GOD for this miracle! The same night while i was walking her i fell off of my shoe and spranged my foot to where i could barely walk' I took 2 tbls. of ACV 2 times a day. By the end of the second day i was up and running, literally. It decreased the pain and did not even turn purple.


Recipes
Posted by Sanjay (Ahmedabad, India) on 12/27/2007
★★★★★

after trying to use ACV for some months now, i feel it is best to use it on & off, not religiously everyday, also my dosage now is very small, just a few drops in a glass of water. believe me, the smaller dosage is more effective. i have stopped mixing with Baking soda now, because the dosage is small enough.


Dental Enamel Issues
Posted by Merry (Coon Rapids, Minnesota) on 10/09/2007
★★★★★

I have a suggestion that should remedy the problem with ACV possibly damaging tooth enamel over time. Use a straw when sipping your ACV remedies. This wil drastically cut down on the amount of acid contact with teeth.


Hiatel Hernia
Posted by Kelly (Edmond, OK) on 11/05/2006
★★★★★

I find that a tablespoon of ACV with water before a meal significantly reduces the swallowing discomfort due to Hiatal Hernia. It is not a cure, but it definitely makes swallowing easier for me.

Hiatel Hernia
Posted by Cordell (Sj, New Brunswick Can) on 05/05/2010
★★★★★

After 3 weeks of continual use (2 tbsp. diluted in half a cup of water with every meal), I have almost completely cured my acid reflux, chron's, ibs, hiatal hernia, and closed illeocecal valve. Persistence, and consistence is KEY!!


Pms
Posted by Joni (Grafton, ON) on 09/30/2006
★★★★★

I started taking ACV about 3 weeks ago after finding this awesome website. This month, I had a short, productive period minus cramps, bloating, lethargy and moodiness!!! Hallelujah!! Also no more mood swings during the rest of the month. Been quite happy, actually, no negative thoughts or despair at all. I attribute this with the ACV. Actually I just realized how calm I've been... but this may be also due to the honey I take with it. Also has been great for my skin!! And I feel like I digest my food better and have tons of energy. What a great website!! Thanks Earth Clinic!

EC: Click here for many more PMS remedies.



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