The Many Fabulous Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar
More than just a fancy salad dressing, apple cider vinegar (ACV) is everyone’s favourite health tonic. Made from apple juice, it is fermented twice. The first to produce a hard apple cider & the second to become a cider vinegar. The longer fermentation process creates a rich bioactive vinegar which provides antioxidant & antimicrobial benefits. The thick accumulation of yeasts & acetic acid bacteria form ‘The Mother’. Sounds scary but ‘The Mother’ contains proteins, enzymes & friendly bacteria which give the ACV its murky appearance & provides the most benefits.
Get shiny hair
Give your locks a lustrous shine as you rinse your hair after shampooing. Fill a (BPA-free) bottle with ½ tablespoon of ACV & a cup of cold water. Use the solution after shampooing several times a week. ACV will boost your hair’s body & shine. It won’t happen overnight but it will happen.
Throw Away Your Skin Toner
Dilute one part ACV with two parts water & dab over face with an (organic) cotton ball or pad. Use after cleansing & before applying your moisturiser. The acetic acid is a great astringent for the skin. You can also dab neat on your face & leave overnight. ACV will help to fade age spots or acne scars.
Sooth Your Sunburn
If you’ve forgotten to apply your natural SPF30+ suncream, add a cup of ACV to your bath & soak for 10 minutes to sooth your red skin.
Put down the Brut
Fill a bottle with equal parts apple cider vinegar & water, shake & apply to the face instead of an aftershave. Mmmmm scent of salt & vinegar.
Stop the coughs, sneezes & sore throats
Research suggests that ACV will help with allergies as it reduces mucous & sinus congestion associated with allergies. Gargle with third of a cup of ACV mixed with warm water to treat sore throats.
No more chemical laden teeth whitener
Rub directly onto teeth & rinse with water to help remove stains.
Switch from lemon detox
As part of balancing the body’s pH, ACV creates an overall detoxification of the body. Research shows that it can help stimulate cardiovascular circulation & help detoxify the liver.
Help with weight management
Add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to 500ml of water & drink through out the day. The main active ingredient of ACV is acetic acid. According to a Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry 2009 study consuming acetic acids for 12 weeks experienced reductions in body weight, abdominal fat & waist circumference.
When choosing an ACV make sure its colour is of a pale to medium amber. The best ACV is raw, organic, unfiltered, unpasteurized & contains The Mother.