September is Raw Month at Amazingy HQ. After all the indulgences of the summer, it’s time to get back to basics; every week we’ll be posting an article on a completely natural product – telling you all about their amazing(y) properties, and adding DIY tips & tricks as a bonus. The best part: you can incorporate these products into your beauty rituals, and even stock ‘em up in your kitchen cabinets for a health boost from the inside out.

Raw Apple cider vinegar is an age-old remedy – and by “age-old”, I’m talking ‘Father of Western Medicine’ old. Hippocrates was using it as a medicine for cough & colds back in 400 BC. It’s a health elixir from the past, which in recent times (since ‘healthy’ has become the new ‘sexy’) has gained traction for its miracle healing powers – curing everything from athletes foot to cancer. But there is little solid evidence to back up those claims, and a lot of what you find on the internet may be untrue. There are, however, some home remedies passed on to us by earlier generations that can prove just as effective.

I will tell you now: I am a hardcore apple cider vinegar fan – simply because my grandmother told me to drink it when I was younger. And anything your grandmother tells you is right… right? All those home remedies tested and tried throughout the generations is where I place my faith. That being said, there are a fair few things this fermented apple drink can help with – including health & beauty hacks, and its ability to multi-task as both a food source and a ’round-the-home cleaning product.

How it’s made…

Raw apple cider vinegar is made through the process of fermentation. By crushing whole, organically grown apples and then storing them in wooden barrels to mature, the period of fermentation is hastened. The longer it lasts, the better quality vinegar you’ll end up with. This process differs from that of the more refined and / or distilled vinegar you may find at your local grocery store. Bear in mind the three properties that are most important when you look for high quality raw apple cider vinegar – it should be unheated, unfiltered & unpasteurized.

A high quality specimen, when matured, will look cloudy with strings of web like bacteria, which is referred to as ‘mother’. Mother contains an array of beneficial live enzymes, amino acids & minerals; therefore, when it is present at the bottom of a bottle, it is a sign that the vinegar is unfiltered and of a higher quality. It is for this reason that you should always shake the bottle before use.

Reaping the benefits

Health
Apple cider vinegar contains pectin, live enzymes, acetic and malic acid, all of which give it antibacterial & antiviral effects beneficial to the body. This is why it should remain unheated. When heated, the enzymes & minerals of the vinegar lose their value, weakening the healing effect it has on our body.

The bacteria it contains also work as prebiotics for the body, feeding good bacteria to the gut. If the make-up of your intestinal flora is disturbed by intrusive, lethal bacteria, it will directly influence your immune system and promote an overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria or fungi (such as candida). This may lead to other problems, as well – like thrush, head aches and/or itchy skin. Thus, introducing apple cider vinegar to your daily routine will give you numerous health benefits.

Drink
Best taken upon waking. Just before breakfast, dilute raw apple cider vinegar in room temperature water. The dose is dependent on the individual palate but usually ranges from 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 mL) to 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 mL) per day. For added flavor, you can also add lemon juice, ginger and/or some honey to whip it up into a delicious, healthy and refreshing drink.

Note: do not drink apple cider vinegar without diluting it first, as it is extremely acidic and may cause damage to the esophagus, stomach, etc.

Balancing blood sugar levels
This is probably the most important use of of apple cider vinegar, especially in the treatment of people with type 2 diabetes. Taking apple cider vinegar before a meal allows the acetic acids to help regulate the glucose in your body. Simply put, apple cider vinegar will stabilize blood sugar levels after a meal and improve insulin sensitivity.

Digestive health and associated weight loss
If you suffer from poor digestion, bloating and gas, drinking diluted apple cider vinegar can help sooth the conditions and improve digestion. It contains acetic and malic acid, both of which are said to help with weight loss. One short-term study in obese persons demonstrated that daily consumption of diluted apple cider vinegar lowered abdominal fat, lessened waist circumference, LDL cholesterol – the ‘bad’ type of cholesterol – and overall BMI. (It’s important to note that short-term weight loss studies are not always indicative of long-term, sustained weight loss.)

Beauty talk: raw apple cider vinegar for the skin

Apple cider vinegar can work externally as well as internally. Since the skin has a naturally acidic pH level, the acidity of the vinegar will work towards it. Because of this it makes a great skin tonic. When your pH balance is maintained, your skin will actually be at its optimal settings, thus promoting a clear complexion.

Since researching for this article, I started wiping my T-zone day and night with apple cider vinegar, and have seen improvements in the skin quality in and around this area. I usually tend towards a more oily complexion, and my skin seems to have been clearer and smoother because it effectively produces less oil. For some skin types, even diluted apple cider vinegar can be too aggressive. In this case, submerge a cotton pad in water before putting a bit of vinegar onto it.

For pimples or acne, try applying it (diluted or undiluted, depending on your skin’s reaction) to those affected areas with a cotton ball several times throughout the day. It will not only prevent infection, but will also dry out those areas and reduce inflammation.

DIY tips

For an apple cider vinegar facial toner, mix 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water.

This works best after cleansing and will help to keep moister, purify and refresh the face. Don’t worry, the smell will leave after a few moments. If you have sensitive skin, consider diluting the vinegar more.

Hair
There are numerous benefits for apple cider vinegar in the hair. If diluted in water, use it 1:2. Massage into the scalp, this will help maintain your skin’s natural pH value and remove dandruff. The mixture will also remove a lot of the residue built up from various hair products.

I was dubious about this, so I tried it for myself in the shower this morning, and it surprisingly detangled (my below shoulder-length) hair, and left it feeling softer and shinier. I was pleasantly surprised, and will be doing it on a more regular basic, to say the least.

For an apple cider vinegar hair rinse, mix 1 part apple cider vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle and spray to scalp after shampooing and massage. Leave for a few minutes, and rinse. No condition is required!

Around the home
Vinegar in general is known to kill pathogens. In addition it also works as a antiseptic to prevent bacteria multiplying, which makes vinegar great for a cleaning disinfectant.

Non toxic all-purpose cleaner
Mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part water, filter that into a spray bottle, shake well and get to work. Apple cider vinegar diluted in water will also help with washing non organic fruits and vegetables as it strips the herbicide and pesticide that may have been applied in the farming process.            

Air freshener
For the unpleasant stench that wafts from dishwashers, drains or toilets, apple cider vinegar can  leave it smelling like apples. By pouring apple cider vinegar into the toilet or drain letting it sit overnight, you will have a refreshed smell in the morning. Or half a cup in the dishwasher before using.

Apple cider vinegar is easy to find in supermarkets, grocery or health food stores. There are a multitude of apple cider vinegar brands, but don’t forget that the higher the quality the more effective it is: it should be made of organic apples, should be unheated, unfiltered and unpasteurized.

I would say my grandmother was pretty spot on by telling me to use apple cider vinegar. These simple and effective ways show that apple cider vinegar works wonders in so many different ways. Perhaps it holds up to the claims of its miracle healing powers, but for now, I’m going with what I have seen to work.

References

Kondo T1, Kishi M, Fushimi T, 2009, ‘Vinegar Intake Reduces Body Weight, Body Fat Mass, and Serum Triglyceride Levels in Obese Japanese Subject,’ Bioscience, Biotechnology, Biochemistry. Vol. 73, No. 8, pp. 1837-4. Online: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19661687
Rutala W, Barbee S, Aguiar, 2000, ‘Antimicrobial Activity of Home Disinfectants and Natural Products Against Potential Human Pathogens.’ Infection control Hospital of Epidemiology. Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 33-8. Online: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10656352
http://gerson.org/gerpress/8-amazing-uses-for-apple-cider-vinegar
http://authoritynutrition.com/6-proven-health-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/06/02/apple-cider-vinegar-hype.aspx
http://www.foodmatters.tv/articles-1/apple-cider-vinegar-the-wonder-drug-of-yesterday-and-today