Vinegar comes in many varieties, including rice, grape, pear, and raspberry. However, apple cider vinegar is considered the most beneficial. It can be used to rinse hair for added shine, applied to the body to reduce fever, or placed on insect bites to relieve itching. But these are just a few of the many health benefits this remarkable product offers. Our ancestors regarded apple cider vinegar as a true panacea. It’s a natural cocktail of over 30 essential vitamins, pectins, and enzymes.
For centuries, people have used vinegar (fermented wine) as a flavor enhancer, medicine, and indispensable cosmetic product. Almost all ancient texts—from the Bible to magical books and writings from ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt—mention vinegar. During the Middle Ages, amid the Great Plague, every doctor used vinegar for disinfection when visiting or treating patients. In ancient China, vinegar is still made from rice today. The Japanese produce vinegar from unrefined brown rice, believing that this product can help maintain health, youth, and strength. Samurai prepared a special drink by placing a fresh egg in a glass of rice vinegar and leaving it for a week. During this time, the eggshell dissolves completely, leaving a transparent membrane. This membrane is then broken, and the contents are mixed with the vinegar. This drink is consumed three times a day in small doses with warm water. In Egypt, wine and vinegar were made from figs. In India, palm sap is still the most common ingredient for making vinegar, known for its healing properties for burns, wounds, snake bites, gangrene, and even for dissolving hard tumors. In the U.S. and Japan, apple cider vinegar is used to treat gastritis, otitis, and to disinfect hospital surfaces.
For those with high acidity, a mixture of a teaspoon of vinegar and a teaspoon of honey diluted in warm water can be taken to improve health. This remedy should be consumed half an hour before meals, twice a day. However, it’s crucial not to increase the dosage in hopes of speeding up recovery, as this can cause irreparable harm to the body. Also, avoid using low-quality, cheap vinegar produced through accelerated fermentation methods.
You can also make vinegar at home. To do this, chop unpeeled apples into large pieces and let them darken. Then, mash the mixture and squeeze out the juice, pouring it into a glass or ceramic container. Cover the neck of the container with a rubber balloon that will expand as fermentation occurs. Place the container in a very warm spot, where the mixture will ferment for 1 to 6 weeks. After that, pour the mixture into a wide bowl, cover it with a towel, and leave it for secondary fermentation. It’s advisable to add a vinegar mother—a film that forms in vinegar made up of acetic bacteria. While it’s possible to do without it, the fermentation process will take several months without it.
Apple cider vinegar is indispensable for treating flu, sore throat, and cough. Thanks to its easily absorbed iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid, apple cider vinegar is beneficial for anemia. Those suffering from arthritis, asthma, and kidney stones can also benefit from vinegar, as it lowers cholesterol levels through pectin, which prevents fat absorption. These same pectins, along with antioxidants, reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Vinegar can also be used to combat calluses. Here’s a recipe: soak a piece of bread crust in apple cider vinegar and apply it to your feet overnight. In the morning, the calluses will simply disappear. Tired, brittle hair will also appreciate a rinse in a vinegar solution, which can completely eliminate dandruff. If you have a sunburn, rub your skin with a solution of water and vinegar. The boron found in apple cider vinegar plays a crucial role in calcium metabolism.
Despite being an acid, vinegar’s pH is very close to that of the skin, making it suitable for cosmetic use on both dry and oily skin. If you rinse your mouth with a weak solution of apple cider vinegar, you’ll strengthen your gums and prevent plaque formation. It’s clear that apple cider vinegar deserves a prominent place in your home medicine cabinet. Stay healthy!