Bragg’s Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar.  It’s something we talk about often on our MotherWise Facebook page, because of its many uses and healing properties.  But it’s important to know that not all ACV is the same.  Some brands are high-quality, organic, fermented, and raw.  Other brands are low-quality, pasteurized, and non-living/raw.

ACV is made by fermenting apple cider. Unpasteurized ACV contains something called the “mother of vinegar,” which has a stringy, congealed appearance.  The mother is made up of the byproducts of fermentation and yeast that are produced when the cider ferments to vinegar.  Most mainstream ACV companies filter the mother out, because it makes the vinegar look like it’s growing something– it really does, and that is the magic of this amazing liquid!  You should shake the bottle up to evenly distribute it before using.

There are numerous benefits and uses to ACV.  Listed below are a few of my favorites!

1. Body Detoxification

“Being rich in natural minerals, vitamins and enzymes makes apple cider vinegar a great addition to any detox. The unique acids in apple cider vinegar can bind to toxins and help the body eliminate them more effectively. Apple cider vinegar can also help to stimulate circulation and aid detoxification in the liver. In ancient cultures ACV was often used to purify the blood. Another way apple cider vinegar aids detoxification is by breaking up mucus throughout the body and cleansing the lymph nodes to allow for better lymph circulation. A healthy lymphatic system can remove toxins from the cells in the body while improving immune system response.” [1]

2. Wart Remover

Saturate a cotton ball with ACV, apply it to the top of a wart, and cover it with a band-aid. This will remove the wart in about 5-7 days.  You will need to leave it on over night for the best results. The wart will start to puff up, and turn white. Black dots will raise to the top over the next few days. After that, leave the band-aid off and the wart should fall off.

3. Skin Toner

Take an empty spray bottle and make a 50/50 mix of water and ACV. After you are done washing your face, you can mist the solution all over your face as a toner. It will help to balance out your skin tone, and will also help to shrink pores!  Use caution to not get it in your eyes.

4. Joint pain

Loaded with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, ACV can help provide pain-relief to neck, back, and shoulder joint pain. It can even bring relief to people who suffer with arthritis.

5. Cleaning

Mix 2 cups ACV and 2 cups water in a spray bottle. This is great for cleaning tiles, stove tops, floors, bathtubs, and countertops!

6. Bug Bites

Apple cider vinegar is a great antiseptic.  When applied to a big bite you will find instant relief.

7. Hair

I love this ACV haircare recipe from the Huffington Post:  ”Apple cider vinegar removes clumpy residue and gunk in hair from product buildup. It also works as a natural detangler. When used regularly in your natural hair care routine, apple cider vinegar can revitalize your hair, leaving it soft and smooth. The vinegar also works by closing the cuticle of the hair, which makes light reflect off of it. In other words, it makes your hair super shiny!

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

1 part apple cider vinegar

1 part water

Directions:

To revive your hair to its days of smoothness, mix the apple cider vinegar and water together. After shampooing, pour the mixture into your hair. If you have a spray bottle, that works even better. That way you can spritz your hair with the mixture and massage it into your scalp. Let the apple cider vinegar concoction sit for a few minutes before rinsing fully with water. No need to use conditioner! The apple cider vinegar will leave hair feeling smooth and soft.” [2]

8. Heartburn

Mix 1 tbsp ACV and 5 oz a water. Drink it as soon as you feel heartburn coming on and you will have immediate relief.

9. Woman’s health
Taking a warm bath with 1 cup of ACV mixed into it 2-3 times a week will help keep your vagina at a healthy pH level. This will ward off bacterial vaganosis, and will also keep away yeast infections. If you are suffering from one of those right now you can also make a 50/50 mix of water and AVC and spray it directly onto the vulva 2-3 times a day as well!

10. General internal health

General Health Tonic:

2 Tbsp ACV
1 Tbsp raw local honey
1 cup distilled/purified water

Drinking this 4-5 times a week can have numerous health benefits, including:
-Helps with asthmatics
-Lowers glucose levels in diabetics
-Helps prevent the flu
-Regulates pH in the body
– Detoxifies the body of heavy metals
-Helps to dissolve kidney stones
-Aids in weight loss, and health weight by breaking down fat in the body
-Helps to lower blood pressure
-Relives sunburns
-Kills foot fungus
-Dandruff treatments

As you can see there are many uses for this wonderful product, and there are many more, from pet care to gardening to laundry care to automotive care. It is something that I always make sure to have on hand!  Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar is my favorite brand.  It is an organic raw ACV with the wonderful mother that provides the magic in this awesome gift that mother nature has provided us with!

1. http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-3598/7-Reasons-to-Love-Apple-Cider-Vinegar.html

2. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/organic-authoritycom/apple-cider-vinegar-beauty_b_1924171.html

Author: Jackie Nikk  –  I am a radical peace preaching hippie, who questions authority, and loves to go against the grain. Compassion, empathy, understanding, and forgiveness are things I feel that are lacking a great deal in most people. Peace and equality is something I am huge on, making the world a better place.