Apple cider vinegar: uses and benefits in health and beauty

Apple cider vinegar has been used since ancient times as one of the natural remedies for treating some conditions, as well as healing and curing skin and weight loss.  The following are some of its most prominent uses:

• Helps heal skin problems like acne, oily skin, blackheads, etc.
• A very effective remedy for treating joint problems.
• Useful for treating chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Helps treat allergies.
• It has been very effective at treating diabetes, gout, heartburn, harmful cholesterol.
• Very useful in cases of respiratory conditions, like cough, sore throat, colds, etc.
• Produce very effective weight loss results.

How to use apple cider vinegar for certain illnesses:

Diabetes:

Apple cider vinegar helps control glucose levels in the body.  One teaspoon after eating is sufficient.  If combined with a healthy diet, low in saturated fats, eliminating refined sugars and flour, as well as cow’s milk and packaged foods, strengthens the effects.  Include one glass of fresh carrot juice with aloe in your daily diet, and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.  This is an excellent remedy for diabetics.  You should drink it with meals and do not eat anything sweet at mealtime; no fruits, pastries, or sugar-sweetened drinks.

Joint problems (arthritis and osteoarthritis):

This condition affects not only the bones, but the muscles as well.  This condition could cause quite a bit of pain and discomfort, and apple cider vinegar is a very effective remedy for curing it.  It causes wounds to heal quicker and reduces tension and stress.  Apple cider vinegar contains malic Acid which fights bacterial infections and helps dissolve uric acid deposits that form in the joints, causing them to become rigid and painful.

Weight loss:

Apple cider vinegar is very effective at detoxifying the liver of harmful fats, chemicals, bile, etc., when used in proper doses.  This helps with weight loss.  This vinegar also accelerates the metabolism and helps burn fat quicker after meals.  It is important to mention its contraindications and not to take too much of this vinegar because this could be counterproductive and could damage the stomach and liver.  In order to lose weight, all you need to do is drink one teaspoon after each meal.  If you continue a diet in which you avoid refined sugars and flour, as well as processed foods, you will see very fast results.

Apple cider vinegar in hair

This useful remedy keeps the scalp healthy, because applying it regularly controls the scalp’s pH (acidity) and helps eliminate and prevent dandruff.  It is very useful for oily hair and for cleaning residue from the hair, giving it a special shine.  You should, however, use it in moderation because misusing it could cause burning or itching on the head.

Here is a recipe for rinsing your hair (you should use it once a week):

You will need:

• One cup of vinegar
• Two cups of distilled water
• One half liter spray bottle

Dilute the vinegar in the distilled water and place it in the spray bottle.  After shampooing, rinse with this water and let it dry without rinsing.  It is important that you rinse with the spray so the vinegar is spread out very well and proportionally, without having direct skin contact.  You should remember that apple cider vinegar will leave a slight odor in your hair that some people may find unpleasant.  Avoid using it on dyed, damaged, or dry hair.

Acne and skin marks:

Vinegar contains certain acids that help destroy oil deposits on skin, preventing peeling.  In order to use vinegar on your skin, make the same preparation as used for hair.  Once you have the water in the spray bottle, spray your skin once before going to bed.  It is important that you do not apply the vinegar if you are going out or it you are going to expose yourself to the sun, because this could be counterproductive.  You should apply it at night, rinsing your face in the morning and apply an aloe or honey cream afterward.

Hypertension and cholesterol:

The acetic acid contained in vinegar is an effective remedy for lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol.  All you need to do is drink half a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar after eating.  To accentuate results, follow a diet in which you avoid refined sugar and flour, as well as all junk food and processed food.  Drink vegetable juices every day as well as fresh water, at least two liters a day.

Secondary effects of apple cider vinegar

You should use this vinegar with caution and in moderation because it has certain corrosive effects.  Using too much of it or applying it improperly could cause problems in the digestive tract and could damage your esophagus.  This could damage to the stomach, the duodenum, and the liver.  If you drink it straight it could damage tooth enamel.  You should not consume it excessively.

When using it on the face, use with extreme caution because directly applying it to the skin could burn the skin and cause marks or burning.

People that should avoid use:

People with osteoporosis, low potassium levels, and people that take medication to control potassium.

Ways of consuming apple cider vinegar

You can take in liquid or pill form.

Revised by: Dra. Loredana Lunadei on 12/31/2017

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