10 Health and Beauty Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is probably one of the best things to keep in your home ~ not only is it helpful if you are making bone broth, it also works wonderfully for your health and skin care.

ACV, Cod Liver Oil, Coconut Oil and Bee Pollen are all several supplements that I take daily for many reasons – it helps give me energy, helps me with clear skin and works wonderful for my body – we don’t usually allow ourselves to run out, but in the case that we do, I can definitely tell because I truly don’t feel quite the same.

Apple Cider Vinegar has tons of benefits – it’s great for supporting healthy skin, hair, and body. 

Why is pH so Important?

Proper pH of the body is necessary for maintaining tip top health – having the right pH not only gives you a stronger immune system that protects you against sickness and disease, it also helps prevent that common cold & flu from creeping in because your body is in balance.

pH is the imbalance of acidity and alkalinity that allows unhealthy organisms to proper in the body –those organisms can create a disruption in your immune system.

pH is determined by the level of alkalinity & acidity that’s in your body.  A normal range is between 6 and 7.5 – but an alkaline body is higher (0-14, 14 being highest).   I use test strips to test my body (and the kids) ever few weeks.

Your kidneys play a really big part in pH levels — they also maintain your electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium).  These 4 electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium) are all used to combat acidic substances – so when you have a body that is very acidic, your body takes minerals from the bones, tissues, organs and cells to try to combat that acidity.

When those 4 minerals are taken from the body to fight acidity, then your cells don’t have enough of those minerals to dispose of waste from your body or to oxygenate your body properly.  Not only that, your body won’t be able to absorb the vitamins properly due to a loss in minerals.  This can lead to cavities, osteoporosis & more.

That leads to the buildup of toxins in your body – thus affecting your immune system function.

Lots of things can cause your body to be more acidic ~ which is why your diet and lifestyle are so important.   This is also one of the biggest reasons to eat whole, raw foods and stay away from processed foods (Over 70% of what is sold in grocery stores). Much of our health rests on the food that we eat.

Acidity can be caused by:

• Food coloring
• Animal Meat that is NOT Grass Fed
• Overuse of Antibiotics
• Sugar and artificial sweeteners
• Foods that are laden with pesticides or herbicides
• Processed foods
• Chemicals from cleaners, soaps, body washes and other beauty products
• The use of alcohol or drugs
• Stress
• Low fiber and lack of exercise

Disturbing the pH of your body can lead to frequent colds, candida, infections, sleeplessness, cold sores, and even hormonal problems.

A typical Western diet creates an acidic pH in our body and for the majority of Americans, this is the cause of their extreme health problems. Apple Cider Vinegar can help make our body more alkaline as it reacts to some of the toxins in our body – it converts them into less toxic substances and over time can help us improve our health problems.

Lack of Research

There is very little research on using apple cider vinegar for health purposes – you can, however, lots and lots of claims about it. Keep in mind that there are few scientific studies on many natural and alternative therapies – you have to remember that although studies are few and far between, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t work.

Unfortunately there is not as much money to be made from Apple Cider Vinegar as there is from Pharmaceutical Drugs, which is more than likely the reason you tend not to see too many studies.

In order to get the full benefits of apple cider vinegar (ACV) you need to use raw, organic ACV with the mother of the vinegar – the mother has the raw enzymes and gut friendly bacteria.

Not only is ACV great for your health, it’s wonderful when incorporated into your beauty regimen too.

Indigestion: ACV can help prevent indigestion when you mix 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 tsp ACV to warm water. Drink it 30 minutes before you sit down to eat.

Hiccups: The rest of low stomach acid (slowing digestion) or eating too much, ACV is great when taken in a glass of water (1 tsp to 8 oz).

Treat your Throat: If you feel a dry throat coming on, you likely are getting the start of a cold. Mix 1/4 C. AC and 1/4 C. warm water in a cup and gargle every hour to help promote an alkaline environment in your body and prevent germs from thriving. The same mixture can help prevent bad breath when gargled frequently, too.

Yeast infection: A yeast infection is the result of an overgrowth of candida in the body – as you work to eliminate processed foods, starches and sugars, treat your body to an ACV bath by putting 1/4 – 12 C. ACV in the bath filled with warm water and soak for 20 minutes. Repeat several times each week.

Hair Rinse: Instead of conditioner, mix 1 tsp of ACV in 8 oz of water (keep in a squirt bottle for ease of use).  After shampooing your hair, rinse thoroughly and squeeze out the excess water. Pour the ACV in the hair and work through the scalp and hair and let sit for 2-3 minutes before rinsing out (close your eyes!)  ACV has acetic acid and that acid helps remove the build up from your styling products and can help you balance the pH level in your hair, eliminating your chance of scoring dandruff.

Facial Mask: Mix equal parts of ACV with bentonite clay and a tablespoon of raw honey – apply to your skin and let sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. Incorporate 1-2 drops of Lavender or Frankincense Essential Oils to help support healthy skin.

Acne Remedy: ACV balances the pH in the skin and absorbs excess oil – it kills off the bad bacteria that can lead to acne. Mix ACV with water in a 1:4 ratio and apply to your skin with a cotton pad – leave on the skin for 5-7 minutes, then rinse off.

Skin Toner:  Use ACV as an astringent on your face by applying to a cotton ball and rubbing over your skin.

After Sun Relief:  Skip all the fancy lotions and creams in store and resort to ACV for pain relief. Apply a solution of ACV and water and combine with 10-15 drops of Lavender Essential Oil for after sun relief by spraying on.

Seasonal Relief:  Skip the over the counter meds in store and opt for ACV —  it’ll help break up that mucous in your body and support lymphatic drainage so you can breathe easier and have relief. Put 1 Tablespoon in a glass of cold water and drink several times a day -add raw honey should you need sweetener.

 And that isn’t all – there are SO many other uses for Apple Cider Vinegar!  You can use it to clean your home, find relief after a long day in the sun, and more.