7 Apple Cider Vinegar Uses and Benefits

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a fermented product made from crushed and aged apples. The healthiest versions contain “the mother” which is a colony of beneficial bacteria with many health benefits.

ACV is naturally high in phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, calcium and others. It has been rumored to help with weight loss and digestive uses. It was even used in the time of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, as a remedy for many ailments.

If you are going to use ACV for a health remedy, look for organic, unpasteurized vinegars with “the Mother,” which are available at most grocery stores. Bragg’s is one popular brand (I get mine here).

Apple Cider Vinegar Uses & Benefits

There are many health related uses for apple cider vinegar. It has been used as a natural remedy for many things, and while science is yet to prove many of the health claims associated with ACV, it is generally considered harmless to try. If you suffer from any of the health concerns below, consider trying ACV as an inexpensive natural remedy. Of course, with any medical condition, consult your doctor before changing any part of your lifestyle.

1. Reduce Acid Reflux and Heartburn

ACV mimics the acidic environment of the stomach and helps food to break down. Many people report reduced symptoms of reflux or heartburn after using Apple Cider Vinegar, which is logical, since many times these conditions are caused by too little stomach acid, rather than too much. Whenever I’ve had heartburn or reflux, a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in water takes care of it!

2. Fight Candida (yeast) in the Body

If you suffer from yeast overgrowth in the body, and many people do, ACV might help. Some research shows that the acid and enzymes in Apple Cider Vinegar help kill excess yeast in the body. For those with severe yeast problems, the symptoms may get worse initially when they begin taking ACV. This is caused by the die off of the yeast, called a Herxheimer reaction, when the body can’t remove the toxins from the yeast fast enough. It is actually a good sign, though an uncomfortable one. If you suspect you have yeast overgrowth, consider taking 1 tsp- 1 TBSP of ACV in water before each meal or twice a day, preferably on an empty stomach.

3. Relieve Sunburns and Bug Bites

I can vouch for this one personally! If you suffer from a sunburn or insect bite, Apple Cider Vinegar can help alleviate the pain. For sunburns, apply ACV and water (25/75 mix) with a cotton cloth or washcloth directly to the skin to cool and relieve pain. You can also soak in a bath of warm water with 1 cup ACV. For bug bites, apply a 50/50 mixture directly to the bite, or soak the area in vinegar water.

4. Lower Blood Pressure

Some studies suggest that the acetic acid in Apple Cider Vinegar may help power blood pressure. ACV may help increase production of the blood vessel relaxing compound nitric oxide. It may also help inhibit enzymes that cause blood vessels to constrict. One person I know who used this with success took 2-6 TBSP a day in water for several months.

5. Kill Foot or Skin Fungus

Just as ACV can help kill Candida in the body, it is often useful against yeast and fungus on the skin and nails. If you have foot or toe fungus, soak the feet in 1 cup of ACV in water or apply directly to the affected area. For skin fungus or yeast, apply a 25/75 mixture of ACV and water. It will burn but will help clear up even the worst cases of fungus. Especially in children or those with sensitive skin, it is best to dilute the ACV with water before applying to the skin.

6. Natural Skin Toner

When mixed with equal parts of water (and a few drops of essential oil for fragrance) ACV makes an excellent firming toner for the skin. It has also been shown to be effective against acne without drying the skin. To use as a toner, keep the mixture in the fridge, and apply with a cotton ball after showering. The vinegar smell disappears completely when dry. Some people do better with a 24% vinegar/75% water mixture.

If you’d like to take your apple cider toner up a notch, try this DIY recipe.

7. Treat Dandruff

Apple Cider Vinegar can be very effective against dandruff. Mix with equal parts water and apply to scalp with spray bottle or cloth. Leave on for 1-2 hours with a shower cap and rinse. This can be done 1-2 times a week for best results.

Note: Apple Cider Vinegar should not be swallowed undiluted or applied to the skin undiluted, especially in children or those with sensitive skin. Be careful not to get ACV in the eyes. Plain white vinegar and other types of vinegar should not be used for these purposes.

Have you ever used Apple Cider Vinegar as a natural remedy? Tell me about it!

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

230 responses to “7 Apple Cider Vinegar Uses & Benefits”

Debbie

February 9, 2014

I use it in a spray bottle as conditioner for my hair.
I recent bought a big jug of store brand acv and when I read the label later, discovered it is Apple flavored and made from corn!!! Ewww!

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Cheri Mayott

February 9, 2014

I have adopted your suggestion of taking gelatin, and I use the Great Lakes brand in the orange container, but I found it unworkable to add it to coffee or water. What I do is mix in 1 T. daily with a small amount of room temperature water, then add 1 T. of honey, 1 T. of Bragg’s ACV, a shake of cinnamon. I fill the cup with boiling water and stir. It makes a pretty good apple cider drink and is a way to put several good things into my body.

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1. Katie
  
  February 16, 2014
  
  I wouldn’t use boiling water. You will kill the good bacteria in your ACV. Moderately warm should do the trick!
  
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2. Samantha
  
  July 18, 2014
  
  The Green bottle of Great lakes gelatin will mix better with water or coffee.
  
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gail

February 9, 2014

I use it on my horses feet for thrush. And then just spray it on as a maintence áfter it clears it up. If you have a real bad case of thrush you could use fungus cream mixed with neosporin to get it deep in the frog area and have it stay there.

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1. Julie
  
  February 10, 2014
  
  The timing of your post was perfect. I was just trying to figure out a better remedy for thrush instead of using harsh chemicals. Thank you. I’m going to try this.
  
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katie

February 9, 2014

I’ve used ACV successfully to prevent stomach bugs

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Melanie Anderson

February 9, 2014

I put two teaspoons in an 8 oz. cup of water and drink it when I feel like I am coming down with a bladder infection. It really helps! And it also seems to help prevent bladder infections.

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Tiffany H

February 9, 2014

I used to work in a book store and saved an old apple cider book written by a doc in the early 1900s – 1930s. He had done case studies on women who would regularly take it verses some who did not. Those that did take it, within a period of 6 mths, noticed weight loss. While those who did not take it, did not see any changes. In the book, it gives other remedies and such but no one had mentioned it in aiding with weight loss on here. So there you go! Ladies drink up, eat right, and take a nice walk today.

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1. Anita
  
  March 1, 2014
  
  ‘Folk Medicine’ by Dr. Jarvis is an old book, full of information about uses for vinegar and/or vinegar and honey. A great book, if you can find it!
  
  Sunburn is helped by ACV; so are other burns. I keep a quart of vinegar in the fridge, and apply it immediately to burns. We have seen some incredible ‘saves’ with burns that seemed like they would be very damaging.
  
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Laurinda

February 9, 2014

I keep an applicator bottle (for hair dye) in my bathroom, so I have an easier way to get it on my scalp before showering. We give our animals probiotics & ACV four times a year, but now I wonder if we should increase that.
Thank you for the great article!

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Kelly

February 9, 2014

Hi, i love all these natural remedies!! I just started using ACV with my my toddler for his sinus and respiratory issues and. In 3 days he seems much better. I have tried it for myself but it gives me severe heartburn and also makes my mouth burn and tongue swell like crazy even when diluted by 75%. Is this die off or a side effect that i should not continue using it? Thanks so much!

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1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  February 10, 2014
  
  That could be a sign of an intolerance or allergy…. I wouldn’t use until you talk to a naturopathic doctor or someone who can help you know for sure
  
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Nicole

February 8, 2014

phytic**

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Nicole

February 8, 2014

you can also use ACV when making bone broth to pull the minerals from the bones. And you can use it when soaking grains to pull the physic acid out.

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Laura Parker

February 7, 2014

Totally effective for Relieve Sunburns!!!
Thanks for this article. This is the first time I read yours. Just saw your profile. Went around the site. It’s very informative. As of today, I am a fan!

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Dee

February 6, 2014

ACV isn’t the greatest tasting but it does work. My husband thinks im nuts for drinking it but it has worked for me its not so bad after awhile. When I feel a UTI coming on I drink a Tbsp of ACV in a glass of water and chugg-a-lug. If the uti gets bad then I put 1/8 tsp of baking soda in water & drink it. Both of these recipes also help with acid reflux. You can also put both ingredients in a bath for a detoxing relaxing bath. Wellness Mama has the bath detox on her site.

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katie

February 6, 2014

After weeks of Dr giving meds to my son to treat thrush, and a two week stint of using “gengin violet” swabed

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1. katie
  
  February 6, 2014
  
  In his mouth, I heard it was highly linked to cancers of the mouth. So I began diluting a little ACV in water and soaking a baby size face cloth in it and washing out his mouth daily. Cleared it right up!
  
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Sam

February 6, 2014

I use ACV for sore throats or if I’m getting strep throat. I gargle with a diluted solution (don’t measure but mix of water/acv) a couple times a day. Works like a charm.

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chris damstrom

February 5, 2014

Katie, I love all the great info you have! Sometimes it seems a little overwhelming with all there is to do in life. Short of coming to live with you or unless you are having a “boot camp” soon, could you give us a run down on a day in your life? What do you take, do and eat starting in the am. Not trying to get personal, just wondering how to put it all together as there is so much to remember. Have a great day!

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Ashlee

February 5, 2014

My son has acid reflux. He’ll be in 2 in March. Do you have any advice on how to give it to a toddler? Is there anything I can mix it with that won’t kill the ACV?

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1. Katie
  
  February 16, 2014
  
  Look at my recipe a few comments up from yours. He might be asking for more….and more. 🙂
  
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Aspen

February 5, 2014

Any time I bite my cheek/lip or feel a canker sore coming on, I dip a q-tip in ACV (undilited) and hold it on the sore for a couple minutes, up to 3 times a day. It’s worked 9 times out of 10 to get rid of the sore within a day!!!

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Rachel

February 5, 2014

I use ACV for a lot of things. I add 1-2 tablespoons with a tbsp. of honey and 8 oz of water, and drink it before each meal. It is very delicious and has helped with weight loss, acne, heartburn and it gives me a little natural boost of energy. I also use it as deodorant, I dip a cotton ball in the ACV and wipe it under my arms and when it dries the awful smell goes away and I am fresh all day. I will try it on my son’s warts next. I have also heard that it works well if used during the rinse cycle of laundry for a fabric softner. I only use Braggs ACV.
I saw this: FROM WebMD: Long-term use of apple cider vinegar could cause low potassium levels and lower bone density. If you already have low potassium or osteoporosis, talk to your health care provider before using apple cider vinegar.

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Brenda

February 5, 2014

We use baking soda (1 TBSP per cup of water) to wash our hair and use vinegar (1 TBSP per cup of water) to rinse our hair. Does not smell like vinegar. Really great.

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1. Tamika
  
  March 29, 2014
  
  Can you use apple cider vinegar rinses for children also?
  
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Devra Buhler

February 5, 2014

I take a shot glass of ACV every morning (chased with water) for general health. I haven’t been sick in over two years (since I started taking ACV). I also use a 1:6 mixture of ACV to water as a toner/acne treatment (on a cotton ball morning and night). I got rid of a planter’s wart on the bottom of my foot with straight ACV (soaked the cotton part of a bandage and left on overnight, repeated for 5 nights). I use baking soda and ACV as my shampoo/conditioning routine for soft, shiny hair! Got rid of my partner’s athlete’s foot. I love my ACV!! 🙂

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