I love the many uses of apple cider vinegar with the mother.
This may seem like an unusual thing to talk about for soap/beauty care products, but in fact, it’s an ingredient that I use a lot in my products and I also consume it each day in a couple of ways.
Here is a bit of history surrounding ACV and how it was used.
Around 5000 B.C.E., we have written record that the Babylonians used vinegar made with dates both as a preservative and as a condiment, and it was they who began experimenting with flavoured vinegars using herbs & spices. While the versatility of vinegar in the kitchen had already been known for thousands of years, it was Hippocrates (circa 400 B.C.E.) who first started prescribing vinegar for a variety of illnesses and preventive needs.
Apple cider vinegar in specific has been used as a traditional home remedy for a number of years. In 1958, D.C. Jarvis, M.D published his book Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor’s Guide to Good Health and widespread medicinal use of apple cider vinegar took off. Jarvis recommended apple cider vinegar as a cure-all, explaining that it was unusually rich in potassium. He said that mixing the apple cider vinegar with honey enhanced the healing power of the vinegar.
The ACV I use is organic, unfiltered and contains a substance called mother which consists of proteins, enzymes, and friendly bacteria that give the product a murky appearance. The ACV will go through a fermentation process that creates a compound in the vinegar called acetic acid, which is well known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. This is the part that in my opinion, is so good for you!
- Each day, after breakfast and before bed, I take a `shot’ glass of ACV then I immediately take a drink of cold water to wash it down quickly. Yes, it has a strong taste but I’m used to it. Some individuals like to add a bit of honey, which helps with the taste but also provides the benefits of the honey. * Always remember to rinse your mouth and brush your teeth afterwards.
- If I notice a blemish starting, I use a drop of AVC on the area. After a day or two, I notice the blemish has diminished.
- I use ACV on my hair as a rinse twice a week. I mix 4 parts distilled water to one part ACV into a sprayer. After shampooing, I shake the mixture then spray onto the hair, wait to 2 minutes, then rinse. This is great if you are transitioning to a handmade Solid Shampoo Bar. It helps to remove any residual product on your hair and make it shine and easy to comb. It can also help with dandruff and soothe the scalp. * Do not use this if you colour your hair.
- As mentioned in the blog ‘Why Switch to Natural Deodorant?, ACV vinegar can be applied to the underarm. This will help eliminate odour by balancing the pH level of your skin. Some individuals need help to ready the underarms for a natural deodorant. (I didn’t need to do this because I had no problem with the transition phase). Soak a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar and rub it into your underarm, leaving it to absorb for a few minutes before showering.
- ACV is used in 2 of our soaps – Satin Sunrise and Satin Spice. It helps to lower the ph level in the soap, which can be very gentle for those with skin issues like eczema or very dry skin.
- If I have aching joints, I spray the ACV right on the spot that is aching and rub it in. It smells a bit for 2 minutes then will quickly dissipate. I find it relieves my aches. The only downside is you may have a craving for french fries.
- I make the best salad dressing using ACV. You can add different spices and herbs to change it up but here is the basic recipe:
Apple cider vinegar dressing
3/4 cup olive oil organic
1/4 cup organic apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons honey – local honey
pinch salt
pinch ground pepper
½ clove of garlic organic – no need to pre-chop
½ small onion organic – no need to pre-chop
I double this recipe because I use it so much. This is a salad dressing but I also use it on eggs or drizzled on pasta…use your imagination – keep in mind because of the olive oil used in this recipe, do not use this to cook something on high heat. Place all of the above ingredients into a container then use a stick blender to combine. After about 10 seconds, it’s done. Be sure to take this out of the fridge to warm up slightly so it can easily be shaken. It will thicken slightly when it’s in the fridge.
DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. I am not a doctor and I am not prescribing anything to you. This is simply what I do.
