Apple Cider Vinegar: Uses, Health Benefits and FAQ

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.

What are the ratios of Avc to water?

Misha, how about lowering your dosage?

Your skin rashes may have been caused by excessive amount of toxins released into the body when the ACV may have inadvertently too quickly killed-off a large amount of bacteria or fungus; this is known as the Herxheimer reaction. I have had this type of thing happen to me recently.

Hey Earth Clinic Friends! It's back! I posted on this site back on 4/03/2011 about taking ACV and a resulting Pityriasis Rosea rash. I discontinued the ACV at that time, and waited about 3 months for this condition to clear up. Just recently, I started to take the ACV 3x a day before meals 2 tsps diluted in water for about 2 weeks and I have Pityriasis Rosea AGAIN! This is the third time I have had this rash and when I first got it, my doctor and numerous websites have noted that it is usually something you get once in a lifetime; rarely twice. But this is the third time! At this point, I don't care. I am going to continue to take the ACV because it has done wonders for my energy levels, even though I haven't seen any weight loss yet.

I've been drinking ACV for a few weeks now -- one shot morning and evening, with some water, and throughout my work day (a tbs or 2 in a bottle of water). I have so much more energy and end up not needing as much coffee as I used to. It also helps flush out candida and "junk" from the body. I'm hoping it'll help me shed some weight.

Yesterday my eye started feeling really itchy, not sure if it's allergies or a stye but immediately after it started swelling up I took 2 tbs of ACV with a little water in a shotglass and 30 minutes later the swelling went down tremendously. I woke up today and my eye is 90% better already!! Usually when I have allergies it takes a few days for the swelling to calm down but ACV sped up the process. Will definitely keep taking ACV :)

I have found a way to prevent enamel erosion when drinking a cider vinegar tonic. Get a handful of dark lettuce or other greens. Put the greens in your mouth and chew them to a mush, but do not swallow them. Push the greens to both side of your mouth so they coat your teeth. Then use a straw to drink the tonic. After you drink the tonic, you can chew the greens a little more and swallow them. With a little practice, you will find that you can keep the acid from ever touching your teeth.

I store my Mother's ACV in the refrigerator.... But you don't need to. It is fine either way. I just like the taste better in a cold drink, so I keep mine cold. :-)

You don't have to store ACV in the fridge. I keep all of my vinegars in my kitchen cabinet. I don't know anyone else who stores theirs in the fridge, either.

I have an Apple Cider Vinegar bottle opened and I was wondering if I can store it room temperature or is it better to store in the the refrigerator?? Thanks!!

Try drinking apple cider vinegar twice daily after your meal. I drink 4 to 6 teaspoons diluted with water and a bit of ice. It has made a huge difference in my life.

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~

Hi recently I saw this site it impress me a lot and I thought I should aske some question which maked me confuse. I am breast feeding mom ( first baby 2 and half month) I want to start apple cider vinegar for weight lose but vinegar can effect on baby is it good or not?

I just use a straw. That way it goes straight to my throat without the Apple Cider Vinegar lingering inside my mouth.

I could stand to be corrected but because your drinking the ACV, it's cleaning out the impurity in your system and that's the reason why your acne may have gotten worse to get rid of that blockage or germs. Everyone's system is different and your body is trying to expell it. You should be fine.

I am a 25 year old female and I have been using ACV for almost a year now mixed half and half with distilled water for a toner after using a mild cleanser on my face 2 times a day. I have had horrible issues with acne since I was 13 years old and have spent over thousands of dollars for invasive lazer treatments, chemical peels, medication, creams... EVERYTHING... And yet... Still not the results I wished for. This product has changed everything about my skin. My pores are smaller, the dark spots have faded, I rarely get any acne anymore, and when I do, it goes away within days. For the first time in my adult life... I can say that I am happy with my skin. I don't have to hide behind make-up and sunglasses any more and that has been the most amazing thing I could have ever dreamed of. This product is absolutely amazing. I have recommended it to tons of my friends with the same issue, and they too have been able to appreciate the benefits from ACV!

FYI baking soda works too :)

How have you been doing with the ACV? Any long term improvements cure? I have been wanting to try it, but I was worried because it's a vinegar and I know vinegars burn? Did u find it to "flare you ever"? Thanks!

How much is too much?

I'm wondering if it can be detrimental to drink more than 2 tbsp of ACV in a glass of water morning and evening? I find it an enjoyable and refreshing drink (sometimes I use Perrier instead of flat water) and could happily sip on 4-5 glasses per day, just adding Baking Soda to the first and last drink. I use it for silent reflux and general stomach calming. I add a capsule of Cayenne to the glasses I drink at work, but not once I get home in the evening.

I understand the teeth enamel concerns, so lets assume I manage that separately and sufficiently. My question is more around ingesting too much and causing some negative impact internally.

Thanks

I realize that this is a little late in coming, but I must stress: Do not EVER take ACV straight. It will damage your esophagus and could cause esophageal cancer if taken straight for prolonged periods of time. Always dilute it in a glass of water, don't put yourself at risk. I'm a medical student. Our GI pathology lecturer showed us pictures of this and it is horrible and incurable. It's not a guarantee to cause cancer, but you're definitely at increased risk. The esophagus is not meant to be exposed to acid like that.

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

Hi, As strange as it seems I remember when I was young a boyfriend had a large wart on his hand and a friend of his mothers did the stone thing, thanks for reminding me. His wart went and it was huge. When I had one a few years ago I couldn't remember how it was done so I left the wart and it grew over a couple of yours but notably as soon as I did some work on my immune system is vanished!

I know this is going to be hard to believe.... But, trust me, it works! My mom had my niece do this for several warts she had on her hands and it worked. A couple of years ago, I had a wart on my finger... Tried everything.... Compound W... The duct tape... Then I remembered how my mom got rid of my niece's warts.. And tried it. IT WORKED! You put a stone or rock for each wart you have in a small bag and throw it out the window... I live in the country... So I threw it as hard as I could out the window.... And leave it. Two weeks later my wart was GONE! Completely! I have told other people about this... And they have experienced sucess also. Worth a try.

I had the worse pain in my life from what they think is gallstones. After listening to an infomercial on you tube it recommended ACV one teaspoon in a glass of Apple juice. After drinking it the pain immediately decreased and in fifteen minutes was completely gone. Best thing ever.

Kevel and U Taylor, it seems to all boil down to whether one has TOO LITTLE or TOO MUCH acid in the stomach. For too little, the apple cider vinegar (ACV) is marvelous, but if someone doesn't get benefits from it, and the situation is agravated, then the opposite measure (baking soda) would probably be more helpful.

I wanted to respond to Kevel from Marysvill, Washington regarding apple cider vinegar (ACV). First of all, I am not a professional health provider, but I did want to relay my own experiences so far, using ACV, and hopefully add some suggestions. The first thing I would recommend is to see a doctor for all of your symptoms. That being said, here are my own experiences, which some are similar to your own. I have been diagnosed with acid reflux and have been taking the "purple pill" for years!! Like you, I searched the internet for more natural solutions to my many illnesses. I also have adult onset asthma, chronic sinusitis, hives, allergies, mild acne, and high blood pressure.... But I am also a lot older than you, so hopefully you won't have to go through what I did! Not to mention the tremendous money I have spent for all of these meds over the years... I could have bought a small country!! Anyway, in my search, I found several websites that basically said the same things about apple cider vinegar, which was that it has been used for centuries, starting with Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician, who was considered to be the father of western medicine, who not only advocated ACV, but used it himself!

And so with all of the knowledge that I gained in my investigation of ACV, along with a LOT of testimonials, especially here at EC, I decided to try it! I am so glad I did! I have been taking ACV now for going on 7 weeks and it has "quieted" my system! I find I have so many benefits.... Some I hadn't expected! I no longer need "the purple pill" because I don't suffer from the symptoms of acid reflux; I am weening myself off of all my medication... Just to see if all I need is apple cider vinegar... But I still have my meds on stand by... Just in case! My mild acne has totally gone away; my blood pressure has stabilized; my sinus are just as clear without sinus meds... AND without the side effects! I also don't have upset stomach, and my appetite has subsided a LOT!!! Other side benefits is that I'm losing weight and I sleep a little more soundly at night! I don't know what kind of ACV you're using, but make sure that it unpasturized, raw and organic with "The Mother", which is the enzyme that settles at the bottom of the bottle, and part of the normal production process with natural apple cider vinegar. That's where all the "good stuff" is. Each time you use it, make sure to shake the bottle very well before using. For a while, there was a company that is pretty popular for making this type of apple cider vinegar (ACV), but now another familiar company that is known for making vinegar of all kinds, (found in grocery stores) has just introduced their own version with "The Mother", and it's just as good! I take about 3 tablespoons with 3 tablespoons of raw honey (the raw honey needs also be organic, and also has a lot of health benefits! ), mix that together well, then add 8-12 ounces of purified drinking water. I add ice, then sip through a straw, (otherwise, the ACV eats at your tooth enamel over time). I do this twice a day... Like clockwork. I am so pleased with my results, and I hope you will continue to take it! I hope it works as well for you as it has for me!! God Bless you in your quest!!

I have been a Dental Hygienist for over 12 years and.... Yes, acidic foods and drinks do cause you to lose tooth enamel. This can contribute to sensitivity to hot/cold, sweets, touch; especially if you have any gum recession that causes the roots of the teeth to be exposed. An oral environment that is acidic leads to tooth decay as well. You may also notice yellowing of the teeth because as the enamel on the tooth gets worn, the yellow dentin (the layer under the enamel) will show through more. I would suggest rinsing with a mixture of water and baking soda immediately following the ACV. This will help to neutralize the acid. Do not brush afterwards, this will cause further abrasion to already weakened enamel. Also, it is best to drink the water and ACV quickly rather than sipping it over time. Each time you drink there is an "acid attack" in your mouth that can last for 20 minutes or so. Drinking it fast will limit the exposure time of the acid on the enamel. Hope this information is helpful.

ABOUT TEETH- To anyone reading this: DO NOT USE ACV AS A MOUTHWASH and if you still choose to, immediately rinse out your mouth thoroughly with baking soda and water. ACV can and will errode your teeth and its enamal.

If you find that you have halitosis ask yourself these questions: 1. Is your diet full of suger or overloaded in carbs? (suger being a prime culprit) 2. Are you drinking lots of water daily? 3. Do you have cavities, abcesses, or tarter that need adressing? 4. Are you constipated? 5. Are you flossing; especially the back teeth? 6. Are you scraping (smple metal spoon works) your tongue before brushing?

I've found that vigorously straining, gargling, and rinsing out the mouth with plain water soon after eating, keeps halitosis to a minimum. I now practice something that a fellow EC viewer practices: Using a toothpaste mix of BAKING SODA, COCONUT OIL, & PEPPERMINT OIL DROPS. This takes advantage of the ant-bacterial qualities of coconut oil, the scrubbing, deodorizing & cleaning qualites of baking soda, and the freshmess of peppermint oil. Every now and then I will add hydrogen peroxide for an even more thorough bubbly clean but found that HP used every day makes my teeth yellow. I also oil-pull 1-2 times weekly as this really keeps my teeth white and firmly embedded -- no more loose teeth or sensitivity to cold!

In Zimbabwe we only have refined ACV. I have bought some ACV with the mother from UK. Can I mix the refined ACV with the ACV with mother to make a new batch of vinegar with mother. I cannot find Apple Cider in Zimbabwe

I have been taking apple cider vinegar (ACV) for three years now on a pretty regular basis. Now and then I slack off for awhile, but I always come back to it. I have allergies, acid reflux and a weight control problem. I have managed to conquer all three of these issues, plus keep down colds and infections by using ACV on a regular basis. I LOVE the taste. I mix mine in warm water and add a teaspoon of raw honey just to make it a little more palatable. I started doing this at night because that's when my acid reflux is the worst. I was terribly overweight at the time and I noticed my weight started dropping. I was pleased and continued to take it. I am now within 20 lbs of my desired weight and I will get there by using this formula. I mix 1 TBSP apple cider vinegar, 12 oz. warm water, 1 tsp raw honey and I drink it slowly at bedtime. I also have a blood pressure problem that is now completely under control and has been for some time.

While I do still take medication, I now only take ONE pill daily instead of three different ones twice daily. Apple cider vinegar is one of the best cures I have found and it works no matter how old you are. I was very ill for 8 years before I discovered ACV and its many uses. I started taking it three years ago and I am amazed at the difference in my energy level, my ability to move around, my quality of life in general and my overall health. My doctor is even more amazed. I also take a tablespoon of bee pollen every morning for my vitamins, but that's another story altogether. I encourage anyone who has health issues to consult your doctor about taking ACV and honey and bee pollen, but I assure you, unless you are allergic to something in the bee pollen, you WILL feel better. It will happen gradually and one day you will realize you feel better than you've felt in years and you are doing more than you have in years.

Lisa, You rock! Thanks so much! Going to make it soon! It's great that we share info in this space!!

Thanks again, Tina

Hi Tina, I'm sorry if I was unclear. I will try to make it more comprehensible:

1 cup of Raw apple cider vinegar (the one with the mother in it)

1 cup apple cider

Put in a jar and cover with a coffee filter over it. You can use a rubber band to secure it. Put this in your pantry/ cupboard for about 1 month. At this time you will have a mother at the top or a thin film. Taste it to see if it is strong enough. If so, continue on-

For the next batch, use 1/2 cup of your vinegar in a mason jar and fill the rest with apple cider. This batch will go much faster and will be done at about 2 weeks.

You will no longer need to buy apple cider vinegar. You can share this with others and also the mothers can be given to friends and family for their use. Spread the love!

Hope this is much clearer! Lisa

Dear Lisa, Thank you so much for sharing this piece of information. You are a blessing to Earth Clinic Community. You may live long and thrive.

Bless you Lisa, you are an inspiration. I have just emptied a huge glass jar of pickled veg and was thinking it needed a reason to be in my home. Having made kombucha years ago I shall now give the ACV a go. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Lisa, this is awesome! TY for sharing :)

My question is the first time round, what is the ratio of apple cider vinegar (with mother) to apple cider. Please give more specifics.

Thanks again, Tina

Hi Everyone, I thought this would be of interest to many on here since Apple Cider Vinegar plays a starring role on EC. It's how to make your own apple cider vinegar. It's not unlike how I explained making my coconut kefir.

It's as easy as first buying a raw apple cider vinegar (the type with the mother in it) and then mixing a cup of this with apple cider. It's best to put this in a glass container, then cover it with a coffee filter and put it at the back of your pantry/ cupboard undisturbed for about a month. At this time you will see a mother floating on top or at least a thin film. Give it a taste and if it tastes strong enough you now, not only have more ACV but can then begin to make another batch. Now that you have a mother, the second batch will go faster.

Your next batch can be made in a large mason jar with 1/2 cup of the new ACV and then fill the rest with apple cider.

This is the same process for making kombucha. You can then share your mothers with friends and family and will no longer need to buy ACV.

Best of health to all, especially during the holiday season! Lisa

As for the white hair take more Vitamin C. Many claim to have reversed the process. I think Ted has some words of wisdom on the subject!

Is it true that if a person in they're 50's started using Apple cider Vinegar on a daily basis... Could there be healthy benefits manifesting themselves because of this new daily ritual? Thankyou, Dragontattoo

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.

Hi Henny, Yes, it is safe to take apple cider vinegar during pregnancy. It can help gently detox and it will keep you alkalized which is a healthy thing for you and the baby. Another problem that can arise during pregnancy is constipation so it can help keep you regular and promote digestion. Another issue during pregnancy is heartburn as the pregnancy proceeds and you get bigger. ACV can help with that as well. You mention your allergies but nothing about actually being pregnant. ACV would be a healthier, safer and natural alternative over medications, that's for sure! Of course, whoever attends to your pregnancy, you can run this by them. Hope this info helps, Lisa

Is it safe to take Apple Cider Vinegar during pregnancy? I have a very bad Hayfever for the last 3 years and lost my sense of smell. Had many medication but none work. I am really desperate for cure.

Hi! I am a gastric bypass patient, 6 years out. I tried to drink Teds recipe of 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar to 1/4 tsp baking soda then adding 1 whole lemon and 8 oz of water. The first drink felt weird in my stomach, almost sickening, so I waited a bit to drink more. My stomach really didn't feel good when I drank it so I stopped. Has anyone else had this problem? I really want to do this to help get my body feeling better. Thanks! Sandra

Looks like it does matter what sort of cyder vinegar you are using. I tried this generic one, from Sainsburys, didn't to much, it did not hurt, made the whole wart swell up a bit, and when I soaked my feet in it, the skin started peeling from my sole. When I visited my parents, I had to buy a new bottle of vinegar, and it was pouring rain, so I went to the whole foods shop next door, and bought one of their ridiculously expensice fancy oranic cyder vinegars. That night I soaked a cotton ball in it, and bandaged it to my feet, and the next morning the wart was throbbing with pain so much I could barely stand on my feet. The middle has blackened, and as I continued treating it with the vinegar, peeled off in a few days. Once I had to wake up the middle of the night to take the bandage off the vinegar was hurting so much, but I kept a few days off between treatments, and it was not so awfully painful. About two weeks later the wart is almost gone, in fact I think it is gone, only the skin arond the hole is still hardened and whiteish. The winning vinegar-formula is from "bionic" ulfiltered and unpasteurised. I had the idea from Earth Clinic, thank you Earth Clinic so much!!!!

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!

Have you looked into eliminating grains, and milk from your diet for 2 weeks then slowly introducing each one back, monitoring your symptoms? Doing this, I found that these 2 foods were the bane of my existence; the ones giving me stomach aches, acid reflux, fungus, should er/joint pain, rashes, and a host of other problems that left when I stopped eating them. I'm talking about wheat, corn, oats, yogurt, cream cheese, and milk, period! And it did not take long for my symptoms to leave. For example: When I had extremely excessive bleeding from fibromalgia with a period every 15 days, I thought I was doomed to a hysterectomy. Relief came when I went on an extremely grain free diet. Within 5 days, the basketball sized, bloated stomach was GONE, the bleeding stopped and my next period was normal, with no cramping (I didn't even know I had started), no excessive bleeding, and, 10-15 days morphed into my normal SHORT days of 4.5. A fungus patch on my arm, went away within a week. Grain-free has helped every women with my symptoms and more that I have recommended this to. It's simple, and it works. As for milk, when I don't drink it for 2 days in a row, I wake up the 3rd day with a smooth complexion compared to rashed-up and dry. So, I have a choice, beautiful skin and no stomach pain, acid reflux.... or blueberry cheesecake ice-cream and pizza! I compromise by eating these "I gotta haves" one day, once a month - if at all because, I'm gettin better at this thing called "only taking in what's going to keep me running healthy and sane. " CAT

ACV is manufactured in tablet form, availability around the globe I dunno; much more convenient than liquid.

Dee, I drink ACV through a straw too, make sure the straw is way back in your mouth - that way it will surely bypass your teeth no problems. Good Luck. Marie

Hi everyone I must say this website is amazing. Since taking extra virgin coconut oil and ACV my energy levels have improved so much within one week of taking it plus I have been feeling calm and not angry anymore. I want to ask earth clinic and everyone out there what if I rub VCO on my teeth first and then drink ACV. Will it be helpful protecting my tooth enamel in anyways from eroding? Will it be work like a protection layer. By the way I use straw to drink Apple Cider Vinegar mix it with water, but still I feel my teeth are becoming sensitve to vinegar. Please help me with that I want to continue taking ACV without worrying about my teeth being rotten. Please waiting anxiously for any suggestions. Blessings!!!!

try using 100% pure castor oil AFTER the ACV. Rub it in like a lotion on your face. Castor oil is a natural sunscreen and moisturizer.

I'm so happy to have found this site, so much great info. I have been diagnosed several times with Candida. My body seems to be falling apart... Skin problems, allergies, lethargy and severe gastrointestinal problems for years. I started taking ACV twice a day with 5 drops of Grapefruit seed extract. It has been a week and I have so much more energy! Unfortunately, my cystic acne has broken out horribly... Worse than it's ever been. Is it possible that this means that my system is clearing out the bad stuff? Or am I making a mistake in using this as a solution?

You can drink at any time, there is no hard and fast rules. Best way to take it is:

add 1 tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar mix 1/4 baking soda let it fizzle out then add 1 glass of water, mix it and drink. Preferably early in the morning.