It would be much easier to write a list of what raw apple cider vinegar (ACV) is not useful for. Made from fermented apples, this amazing substance can be used for a wide range of health issues and gentle enough to be taken on a daily basis for general well-being. 1-2 tablespoons in a little bit of water can be taken regularly to detoxify the liver, promote healthy skin, provide heartburn relief, balance blood sugar levels, and as a good source of probiotics. Raw apple cider vinegar is also antiseptic and astringent, making it useful for skin conditions and mosquito bites. It also makes a fantastic pimple remedy- dabbing a cotton ball in vinegar and applying it a few times per day should help it shrink by the very next day. It’s certainly the best “overnight” treatment for acne that I’ve ever tried.
I recently started making an infused vinegar that has been called “Queen Of Hungary’s Water.” It was considered an old gypsy remedy, and it contains a mixture of aromatic herbs that are infused in vinegar and then strained after about 4-6 weeks to be used for skincare. The list of plants for this remedy can be quite long but usually includes lemon balm, rose, sage, lavender, etc. For this batch I used dried calendula, plantain, and lavender. I just filled up a quart jar about a third of the way with the dried plants and poured raw ACV over it and let it sit for about a month. I have been mixing it with rosewater for use as a nightly cleanser. In a small glass bottle, the ratio is about 1/3 vinegar to 2/3 rosewater. I have also used this mixture for bug bites with great success in keeping the swelling down.
There is a popular tonic remedy called “Fire Cider” that was popularized by famous herbalist Rosemary Gladstar decades ago. To make this remedy, you can take any combination of garlic, onion, ginger, horseradish, spicy pepper, and kitchen herbs (optional), place them in a glass jar and cover with apple cider vinegar. The food/herbs can be filled halfway through the jar or 3/4 of the way. Whenever you work with vinegar, make sure to use a plastic lid so that the vinegar doesn’t corrode the metal. Let this sit for about 2-4 weeks, then strain and re-bottle. A healthy sweetener can be mixed into it for taste, or it can be left as is. You can take 1-3 tablespoons per day throughout the autumn and winter months to keep the germs away or while congested to open the sinuses. This “fire cider” is probably found in every herbalist’s kitchen, especially during the cold months.
ACV is also anti-fungal and contains beneficial enzymes. I had someone tell me that to heal foot fungus, some vinegar was placed in a basin with water and baking soda and after 1 treatment that fungus was gone. You can also use it as a gargle for sore throats if you dilute it with water. I have recently learned that since vinegar is a vasodilator, it can be helpful in bringing down a fever. To use this way, you would take a small or medium size bowl and add 1/4 to 1/3 cup of vinegar to cool water and place compresses on the person’s forehead. For general prevention and to promote health, try taking it every morning in a little water.
A Spoonful of Garlic 