There's no denying the power behind natural remedies. Many common health problems can be addressed through simple, natural solutions — some of which might already be part of your home pantry!
Understanding what natural ingredients can do for you is the key to creating a sustainable, holistic health routine. In our previous article on 'How to Use Wheat Germ Oil for Scars & Skin', we talk about its skin repairing effects for issues like eczema, scars, and dry skin.
For today's post, we'll talk about another powerful, versatile natural ingredient that's both easy to find and use. That ingredient? Good old apple cider vinegar.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Natural Remedies and Uses
ACV Skin Toner
You might not know this, but your skin's natural pH level is actually a little acidic. Using a natural toner like diluted apple cider vinegar can thus help balance your skin's pH, reducing the chances of breakouts and oiliness.
Byrdie talked to skin experts and found that ACV is a great first-choice toner for people with acne-prone skin. The light acid in apple cider vinegar helps kill off bacteria that can cause breakouts, and also have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties to strengthen your skin's defenses.
It also helps with gentle exfoliation, which can make your skin look brighter and healthier.
ACV Household Cleaner
Apple cider vinegar makes a great natural home cleaning agent, which is good news if you or anyone in your household is sensitive to commercial cleaners. SF Gate says that ACV's acetic acid is the key to this process, as this mild acid is able to kill bacteria and break down dirt and some mineral deposits.
Although apple cider vinegar might not be as potent as chemical bleach, it can still damage softer materials like some stone and floor surfaces.
One way to work safely with apple cider vinegar as a cleaner for most surfaces is through diluting it with equal parts water. Another bonus is that ACV doesn't result in harmful chemical fumes, and is easy enough to wash off when you're done.
ACV Health Supplement
Apple cider vinegar also has a ton of health benefits, many of which might not be as widely known to the public. For one, due to its fermentation process ACV actually contains probiotics and good bacteria that are great for improving your digestive health.
Research has also proven that ACV can help reduce the chances of blood sugar level spikes. These are all great reasons to start taking ACV regularly.
Unfortunately, even diluted apple cider vinegar can still damage your tooth enamel and esophagus. A good alternative would be the ACV gummies by Brightcore, which have all the benefits of apple cider vinegar but without the tartness and acidity of its liquid form.
ACV gummies are also more portable and have other nutrients that can boost your energy and overall health.
ACV for Food Preservation
Another way to make use of ACV's capabilities is by using it as a food preservative. According to FoodPreserving.org, ACV is commonly used for pickling vegetables.
The acidity in the vinegar allows it to inhibit bacterial growth and slows down the enzymatic activity that leads to food spoilage. Also, if you prefer your preserved foods to have a mellower taste, ACV is a better option for this than white distilled vinegar.