Apple Cider Vinegar... what doesn't it do?

What isn't vinegar good for?  The list seems endless from culinary uses to health and beauty. A great balsamic vinegar on caprese salad will put a smile on anyone’s face.  Got a sun burn, put vinegar on it… did it every year when I was young.  Got a bee sting, make sure the stinger is out and apply full strength vinegar.  Got stung by a jelly fish… vinegar!

But one of my favorite things to use it for is on my hair.  With all the chemicals and fragrance oils that are in over-the-counter shampoos and conditioners people are trying DIY beauty aids.

After shampooing, combine ¼ cup Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and 1 cup warm water if you have dandruff or frizzy hair. Vinegar is also a natural detangler.

If you have oily hair use one part ACV and one part water to get rid of the oil.

I know what you are thinking… "I am going to smell like a pickle".  Once your hair is dry the smell of vinegar will be gone.

It is great for your skin.  If you have acne use one part AVC to 2 parts water. Wash your face as you normally would.  Afterwards dab the water and vinegar mixture on your face with a cotton ball.  Repeat in the morning.  The vinegar will help balance the pH on your skin. Again, once the vinegar dries the smell will be gone.

Many people will use it as a deodorant. Wipe your arm pits with a moist cloth with vinegar and stay fresh for hours.

Problems with smelly feet? Soak your feet for 10 minutes every night in one ounce vinegar and a gallon of water.  No more stinky feet.

Want to do a natural body detox? Add 2 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a 1 or 2 liter filtered water bottle. Drink this throughout the day to cleanse your body and kidneys all day long.  

Apply vinegar to a cold sore to help it heal quickly and relived the pain and discomfort.

Apple Cider Vinegar is great for keeping fruit fresh. Mixture of one part ACV and 10 parts water. Dump your fruit into the mixture and swish in the water. Drain, rinse and put in the fridge. The vinegar kills any mold spores and other bacteria that might be on the surface of the fruit. Fruits will last a week or two longer.  This is especially great for berries. 

So what else does it help with?

• Upset stomach 
• Bladder infection
• Hiccups
• Chronic fatigue and nighttime leg cramps.
• Yeast infection
• Tires achy muscles, hands and feet.
• Poison Ivy
• Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol
• Kills weeds

So before you run to the store for something expensive that could be loaded with unwanted chemicals, do a little reach.  Odds are you already have what you need in your kitchen cupboard.