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”

Dorothy

March 21, 2014

another thing that ACV helps is gout
Last time I had a session, my foot was red and swollen almost to the ankle and I thought – why not, and took some ACV and water. Next morning the foot was normal. couldn’t believe it.
Wish I had known this when I had my other attacks – haven’t had an attack since and perhaps it is the ACV that I now take on a regular basis.

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Julie B.

March 11, 2014

Drink ACV mixed with Raw Honey in warm water, is also very effective for dissolving Kidney Stones.

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Krissy

March 10, 2014

i recently switched to a natural shampoo and have started using diluted ACV for a conditioner (1:3 i believe) as well. I only have to shampoo every other day now and i could never ever do that before and condition 1 or 2x a week. My hair smells a bit like ACV when its wet but goes away when its dry. I love it and it works as a hair detangler too. I highly suggest it as a natural alternative to all those chemicals, and its so much more cost effective too!

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Goldi

March 3, 2014

Among other things I use it to condition my hair. I have fine thin hair that tends to break and get dry on the ends. New year’s day I resolved to stop using store bought shampoo and conditioner.

It seems counter intuitive, but it leaves my hair with a light apple scent, not the vinegar smell.

I have also used to cure ringworm, I drink it everyday (my cat likes it too, I catch her drinking it all the time as I keep it on my nightstand so I can drink it first thing), my husband get dandruff and t stops that.

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Robyn Heud

March 2, 2014

Not sure if someone already mentioned this, but one teaspoon of ACV in a cup of water is my go-to cure-all for all my stomach problems. It was especially great while I was pregnant for heartburn.

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Rachel

February 25, 2014

Hi, Ive been trying to find out if ACV kills also off beneficial yeasts from Kefir? Would you have any idea about this?
Thank you.

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Anna

February 23, 2014

I use acv once a day diluted in a little apple juice to treat my acid reflux. I drink it through a straw though to prevent the acid damaging my teeth. It’s also got rid of my tonsil stones and the disgusting taste in the throat and back of tongue associated with this problem. Very happy bunny!

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Amanda

February 18, 2014

ACV is good for arthritis. It eases the pain by breaking down the crystals which form in the joints causing the pain. I’ve tried it and it does work . Taken daily mixed with water.

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1. Dree
  
  January 5, 2015
  
  how much water? And how much ACV?
  
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Andrea

February 18, 2014

Hi katie
Im trying to use the ACV for a skin fungus, can i add tea tree oil and water to it? What measurements should i use?
Thanks

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1. Andrea
  
  February 18, 2014
  
  Sorryy… Also what can i use for a blister on the skin ? Doing crossfit people often get what we call buttcherry and its of doing butterflies.. Any suggestions?
  
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2. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  February 18, 2014
  
  Sure. usually 1/2 and 1/2 with water and the tea tree might be more effective used after the ACV dries
  
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  1. Andrea
    
    February 19, 2014
    
    Thank you !!!
    Btw i loveeee you recipes 😀
    
    Reply
Unice

February 14, 2014

Any suggestions on how to take ACV if it upsets your stomach? I have taken it in capsules & in water, with the same stomach ache resulting.

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1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  February 15, 2014
  
  I’d work up really slowly… that can be a sign of yeast problems or digestive issues though
  
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  1. Unice
    
    February 19, 2014
    
    I have digestive issues (due to nerve damage). I’ll stick with warm lemon water until the nerves regenerate.
    
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Camille Jones

February 12, 2014

I’ve used ACV to completely remove a mole on my arm in less than 3 days! There is hardly a scar, it just dried up and fell off. Amazing.

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Gabriella

February 12, 2014

Hi! I use ACV for a number of things as well, one way I use it but have not seen suggested on this post or in the comments yet is use it to whiten your teeth! YoungandRaw.com says to : “Simply rub your teeth with a cotton swab that has been soaked in apple cider vinegar to reveal your sparkly whites!” You can do that or I just swish a little around in my mouth for about 20 seconds, and I find doing this a few times a week and brushing with activated charcoal once every few weeks has significantly whitened my teeth. Hope someone can add this to their routine who may not have known about it yet! 🙂

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1. Marilyn
  
  April 17, 2015
  
  Seems like using ACV on your teeth would be really hard on your enamel. Do you rinse afterwards or?
  
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Kim

February 11, 2014

How much water to cider vinegar would you use fir the toe fungus? You just say to dilute. Wondering exactly how much. Thanks!

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1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  February 15, 2014
  
  half and half with water
  
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  1. Anna B
    
    April 5, 2014
    
    Loving this for the foot problems.. I have recently contracted this junk – probably because Hubby has it !!
    How long is the treatment .. 1x daily for 1week , for 1 month ??
    making him do it with me
    Thank you
    
    Reply
catherine

February 11, 2014

I took glass of purified water mixed with 2 tea spoons full of ACV It is now3days
but my teeth are still sensitive

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Michele Burklund

February 10, 2014

Hi Katie,

Great article. I’m a big fan of apple cider vinegar and it’s many uses. I’m always prescribing it to patients.

xo,
Michele

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Aimee

February 9, 2014

That’s a great post! We’re always telling clients and friends to buy it and try it but it’s hard to explain how to use it, so to have one place with all that info we can direct them to is perfect, thanks!

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Malori

February 9, 2014

I’ve started drinking 12 oz. of water with 1 tsp. of ACV in the morning before I eat or drink anything else. A little over a year ago I went to the hospital with severe stomach pains from probably acid reflux. Of course, they prescribed me Nexium (and I ended up going w/ Prilosec), but stopped taking it after about a month when my doctor told me that taking it for an extended period of time will prevent you from absorbing nutrients!!

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Victoria

February 9, 2014

I use ACV daily. I sip it all day in my water container. Its a fantastic cheap way to get your mineral and vitamin fix and fabulous alkaliser! Great for your horses too! I syringe it 20/60 into their mouths. My dad drinks it watered down of course to rid the uric acid from his joints. On the earthclinic website you will find a myriad of uses and stories of people who have used it to treat and cure many ailments. Love this stuff. And wouldnt be without it. If you live in NZ Coral Tree Orchard provide a great organic ACV.

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1. Jennifer
  
  October 27, 2014
  
  I don’t doubt that you and your family have had success with ACV. However, I’d like to point out that vinegar is an acid, not a base (alkaline). Therefore, it does not promote an alkaline environment in the body.
  
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  1. Michelle
    
    March 26, 2016
    
    “Vinegar is naturally acidic so it helps restore balance to the skin’s pH which should be slightly acidic (here’s why). Though it helps restore the skin’s pH it has an alkalizing effect internally and can also help aid digestion for this reason.”
    
    Reply
Katrina

February 9, 2014

I use ACV for gallbladder attacks. Half an ounce straight works almost instantly. I also use it for the acid reflux. I’ve been able to reverse the Symptoms of my gallstones, making them small enough to pass without having surgery.

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Carol

February 9, 2014

Just a bit of personal info regarding “the smell goes away after it dries”…..
Yes, it does. But I tend to perspire quite a bit, always have. I do notice a bit of a vinegar smell when I perspire. I use it as a hair conditioner, and rinse, I always wonder if others can smell it too. So just be aware that the smell usually goes away but if you perspire a lot, it may come back to a lesser degree if you sweat.

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