THE BENEFITS OF CIDER VINEGAR,
The powerful health and healing qualities of natural Apple Cider Vinegar have been known and used since 3,000 B.C. Included are remedies for 36 ailments using Apple Cider Vinegar; the merits and make-up of its enzymes, minerals and trace minerals explained; and a living testimony, and her introduction to “nature’s perfect food” and an ancient Biblical wonder.
The Power of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar is a great health additive to anyone’s diet. I am always looking for new ways to improve my health and Apple Cider Vinegar is the latest for me. The first thing you have to think about is: “What is apple cider vinegar good for?”
When I first decided to take this stuff I researched a lot of stuff and found that apple cider vinegar is good for lots of stuff as we will see in this article. Also, I had to find out how to take this and even though you may think it is going to taste terrible in fact it is not bad.
I just take 2 teaspoons in a glass of water once in the morning and then in the evening before I go to bed.
It is important to be careful if you are going to take Apple Cider Vinegar to actually get the right kind. I got Braggs Raw organic unpasteurized apple cider vinegar (the regular stuff in the store is no use for health benefits).
This stuff says that it has “the Mother” which is just a nice way to say the silt, sediment, and enzymes are in the bottle. So shake it up before you pour the teaspoons in your glass (The mother won’t mind)
Michelle Kwon wrote this article about the history and benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar. I thought you might be interested in this as well.
In addition to being a tasty, low-calorie dressing, apple cider vinegar could be a miracle elixir for melting away fat, boosting the immune system, and even restoring arthritic joints.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an old folk remedy claimed to be beneficial in treating. a list of ailments. It’s thought to guard against osteoporosis, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, heal infections, assist in digestion, and relieve everything from headaches to heartburn and hay fever.
It is still not known why apple cider vinegar provides benefits. Some proponents say it is due to its enzymes, minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, fluorine, silicon, trace minerals, and pectin.
Yet research shows that it actually only contains very slight amounts of these. Others say its natural malic and tartaric acids help fight body toxins and inhibit unfriendly bacteria.
Though nothing has been clinically proven, researchers can’t discount the myriad of accounts of healing that have been collected throughout history.
The qualities of apple cider vinegar have been known for thousands of years. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, used it as an antibiotic and antiseptic in 400 BC. It was used in Biblical times as a healing agent and is mentioned in the Bible. In Paris in the Middle Ages, it was sold from barrels by street vendors as a body deodorant and health drink.
Even Christopher Columbus had it on his voyage to discover America in 1492 to prevent scurvy. In 1820, poet Lord Byron made the vinegar and water diet popular. During the US Civil War, soldiers used it as a treatment for pneumonia and indigestion.
Apple Cider Vinegar was also used to treat wounds during World War 1. For centuries in Japan, Samurai warriors drank it for strength. The vinegar is now officially recognized in Japan as a functional food because it is said to stimulate Bifidus bacteria in the bowel, contributing to gastrointestinal health.
This conclusion was also reached by popular 1950s author DC Jarvis, who advised those with GI problems to consume a tonic with each meal to destroy harmful bacteria in the gut. His book Folk Medicine praised apple cider vinegar as the solution for ailments including chronic fatigue and fat reduction. He declared that cider vinegar tonic would reduce body fat because it caused fat to be burned instead of stored.
But what about the Apple Cider Vinegar science?
In May, a Newsweek Magazine investigative feature on apple cider vinegar stated that scientific research to support health claims remains scant.
But it also reported that one study provides evidence that there may be advantages for diabetics who take vinegar.
Carol Johnston, a nutrition professor at Arizona State University, found that vinegar could help maintain blood-glucose levels. In her research with diabetic patients, those who drank a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar before meal times had lower blood glucose than those who did not.
Her trials observed that some vinegar drinkers consumed fewer calories, slimmed their waist and hip circumferences, and trimmed body fat.
What are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?
Though poor eating habits and insufficient exercise are the major causes of gain, some research suggests that a prime cause of obesity is insufficient oxidation of the blood, and that cider vinegar may boost the blood’s oxygen. However, the other possible reason for loss seems more likely; that in revitalizing the digestive system, digestive disorders including obesity can slowly be eliminated, making the body’s metabolism work better.
Two teaspoons of cider vinegar should be taken in a glassful of water before breakfast in the morning and before each meal to prevent over-eating and promote digestion.
Patricia Bragg, whose father was a health food pioneer and whose company is one of the product’s leading producers, extols its benefits in her book, Apple Cider Vinegar: Miracle Health System.
She believes that the vinegar helps thin the blood and the body because of its natural acids and enzymes. She even says that people naturally crave and serve cranberry sauce (which contains four different acids) with turkey, applesauce with pork, lemon with fish, and steak with mushrooms because all of these condiments are rich in natural acids.
Animal proteins and fats have a tendency to thicken the blood and be difficult to digest, while cider vinegar and other natural acids help keep the blood healthier and aid elimination which increases loss. She’s sold over five million copies of her book that prescribes raw apple cider vinegar and raw honey in a glass of water three times daily for longevity.
How is Apple Cider Vinegar Made?
This refers only to unfiltered, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar that has not been distilled. Apple cider vinegar is made by crushing apples and allowing them to naturally ferment in wooden barrels.
Sugar and yeast is added to start fermentation, which turns the sugars into alcohol, then is converted by acetic acid-forming bacteria into vinegar. Acetic acid gives vinegar its sour taste. It should be a rich, brownish in colour and contain a cobweb-like substance that makes it look cloudy.
Forgo the pasteurized, refined brands that don’t offer health benefits. It’s unfortunate that popular food trends haven’t recognized raw apple cider vinegar like balsamic vinegar and other highly promoted varieties.
Today, the most popular vinegar in supermarkets is a clear imitation vinegar made from coal tar with no health value.
Consider apple cider vinegar instead, not only for flavouring, pickling and marinating but as a tonic. The first hurdle, though, is getting over the taste! Your first swig of apple cider vinegar may take a little while to swallow
MENSTRUATION:
Chronic pains and profuse menstruation has afflicted women for centuries. The cider vinegar therapy certainly regulates and normalizes profuse bleeding. The dosage should be as normal i.e. two teaspoons of cider vinegar in a glassful of water three times a day. The diet should also be taken into consideration, as a high animal protein diet together with wheat products will cause considerable pain when the periods begin. In other words moderation should be used if one is partaking of these foods. However, meat, poultry, fish and wheat should be completely eliminated from the diet, together with the other unnatural foods of which man is so prone. A noticeable improvement will be experienced when the diet is kept to the fresh raw fruits and fresh salads, together with the apple cider vinegar therapy. Also plenty of water should be taken whilst menstruating, as this helps in a speedy elimination.
MUCOUS DISCHARGES:
Postnasal drips and watery eyes are also due to a faulty diet, here again this should be thoroughly investigated, as the body is eliminating excessive mucous caused by the wrong types of food. This is often caused by a lack of potassium in the diet too, hence the cider vinegar therapy will help considerably. The usual dosage as prescribed above should be taken three times a day before meals. Wheat should be eliminated from the diet completely and rye and corn products should be substituted, if required.
NAIL PROBLEMS:
Brittle, cracking, fragile and thin nails are a sign of some deficiency and faulty metabolism in the body. Cider vinegar has been known to remedy this particular complaint, with the results of healthy, strong nails. Also any white spots which were present on the nails previously will be eliminated. Dosage being: two teaspoons in a glassful of water three times a day.
NERVOUSNESS:
There have been cases where nervousness has been remedied with the cider vinegar and honey treatment. In this instance a glassful of water mixed with two teaspoons of each i.e. cider vinegar and honey to be taken three times a day. Refined flour and sugar products should be completely eliminated from the diet, together with wheat products. One should also cut down on the starch and high protein foods as much as possible and eat plenty of fresh salads and fruit.
NOSE BLEED:
As an excessive nose bleed is caused by the blood being unable to clot as it should normally, the cider vinegar treatment will prove efficacious in this respect i.e. two teaspoons of cider vinegar in a glassful of water three times daily.
NOSE – STUFFY:
In this respect the cider vinegar can be used as an inhalant. Use as per method described under the heading Headaches. The nasal passages will shortly clear after having inhaled the vapour. This treatment is very effective in removing the congestion in the sinuses, together with any inflammation which may result from this excessive accumulation of mucous.
OBESITY:
There are a number of reasons why a person is assailed with excessive fat deposits. This is apparent in both sexes and cannot, from professional data, be attributed to any one major factor. Obesity, often eventuates from the excessive intake of alcohol, thereby causing water retention in the tissues. This is often apparent by the ‘swollen’ appearance of the face. There are also certain drugs which are apt to cause obesity and thus the body increases in weight. Overeating, insufficient oxidation of the blood, insufficient exercise, lack of fresh air etc, are also attributed to this ailment. However, Cyril Scott mentions in his booklet on cider vinegar that the prime cause of obesity is the insufficient oxidation of the blood, he goes on to say, “Now the safe and salubrious treatment, proved over years of trial, is to be found in nothing more complicated than cider vinegar – the reason being, as already implied, that the ailment is conductive to the proper oxidation of the blood.” Two teaspoons of cider vinegar should be taken in a glassful of water on rising in the morning. To obtain the best results possible this should be taken before each meal and during the day over a period of some time. Natural methods always take longer to work, as the body has to adapt itself, especially the skin in this instance, as if too much weight is lost in a short period of time, then it will hang and look unsightly. The drink should be sipped during the course of the meal which will also prevent overeating and it will promote digestion. According to some authorities, the average weight reduction is 1.5 Ibs. a week. This all depends upon whether the diet has been adjusted. Salt should be discontinued immediately as this harmful commodity retains water – herbal beverages such as comfrey should take the place of tea and coffee. Wholesome, nutritious and MODERATION is the key to weightless, together with deep breathing and physical exercise.
SHINGLES:
Cider vinegar relieves the pain arising from shingles if applied, undiluted, six times daily to the area of distress. It also promotes the healing. Take internally as well as prescribed above.
SORE THROAT:
To treat this, one should gargle with apple cider vinegar. One teaspoonful of vinegar in a glass of water is the dosage to be used. A mouthful of this solution is gargled every hour, and the second mouthful after gargling should be swollowed. This is to be repeated every hour until the condition of the throat is improved.
TEETH:
Due to cider vinegar improving the calcium metabolism of the body, it is excellent for improving the condition of the teeth. Tartar deposits can also be eradicated by using the cider vinegar as a mouthwash and by brushing your teeth with it to enhance the whiteness . For the mouthwash, one teaspoonful of cider vinegar should be added to a glassful of water – repeat this procedure each night until the required results are achieved This habit, together with the drinking of cider vinegar will prevent tooth decay quite considerably. The mouthwash can also be used for sore gums, or ulcerated gums – be sure that the solution is not too strong in this case, as it will slightly sting an open sore.
Editor’s note: Brushing your teeth with apple cider vinegar is probably not safe; it may be too acidic for your tooth enamel. Using the mixture as a mouthwash should not be a problem for your tooth enamel since it is a very weak mixture, but you can rinse your mouth out with plain water afterwards just to be safe. Drinking natural apple cider vinegar mixed with honey in a glass full of water for health should be no problem for tooth enamel since you drink it straight down and because this is usually done before a meal. But, you can always rinse your mouth out with plain water afterwards just to be safe.
VARICOSE VEINS:
Apply undiluted cider vinegar to the area where the veins are affected. This should be undertaken in the morning and evening. Massage well – always directed towards the heart e.g. as in the case of the legs, start from the ankles and move in upward strokes towards the thigh. Cider vinegar and honey should also be taken three times a day, i.e. two teaspoons of cider vinegar and two of honey mixed with a glassful of water.
WEIGHT GAIN:
As cider vinegar supplies those organs of the body which are deficient in some mineral and normalizes the functioning of these organs, those who are underweight will find that cider vinegar will help in normalizing their weight. In this instance the following dosage should be adhered to: two teaspoons of cider vinegar and two of honey in a glass of water three times a day.
WEIGHT LOSS:
(Also see Obesity) Cider vinegar will gradually decrease the weight of the body, as it tends to make the body burn up the fat instead of storing it. Some people have had results by just taking the cider vinegar without adjusting their eating habits. However, it is recommended that one should concentrate on the LIVE FOODS, rather than continue to live on the devitalized diet which is so prevalent today. The cider vinegar method, as mentioned under Obesity should be utilized three times daily.
EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS
The skin is a very important part of the body, as it is the major organ of elimination. Besides being an effective eliminator the skin also absorbs substances into the body. In view of this fact it is very important to understand that we should be very careful with what we place on the skin. Unnatural substances such as cosmetics, which contain chemicals are very detrimental to the skin health. This is also true for the comrnercial soap which we use for washing the body. The skin needs an acid mantle to maintain its lustre and glow – however, due to the extreme alkalinity of soap reacting on the skin, this causes a number of disorders. Soap also contains animal fats and hormones, synthetic perfumes and preservatives; therefore, it should not be used to cleanse the body.
However, cider vinegar is an effective method of cleansing the body. A hand bath or a full bath can be taken in cider vinegar and water. A hand bath should be preceded as follows: to half a glass of warm water should be added one teaspoonful of apple cider vinegar. Cup the palm of the hand and pour in approximately a palmful of the mixture. First apply to the arms and shoulders, rubbing the solution into the skin briskly. The legs and feet can be done in the same manner, together with the body. A brisk rubbing action should be used to massage the cider vinegar solution into the skin. You will soon find that the solution has been completely absorbed by the skin, therefore, no towelling down is needed.
FOR A BATH:
Instead of using soap, add a half pint of apple cider vinegar to the water and remain submerged in the water for at least fifteen minutes so that the skin surface of the body may have a chance to absorb some of the acid water. This is extremely important for those people who have an alkaline skin; this condition will be indicated by those people who continually suffer from skin irritation, and they are forever scratching their skin.
ITCHY SCALP:
Take one teaspoonful of apple cider vinegar mixed with a glassful of water – dip your comb into the solution and comb the hair thoroughly until saturated. This should be performed fifteen minutes or so before actually washing the hair. This treatment also helps with the elimination of dandruff. source