Everyone has heard the old adage. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Indeed it proves to be true. In varying forms, either ingested or used externally, apples can help cure various ailments without having to use OTC drugs or even prescriptions.

Dating back to ancient times, Apples have been utilized as a medicinal health resource, cleaning agent and even a food preservative. You often hear from an older relative how they may have used an apple slice to keep cake fresh or used apple cider vinegar to treat a sore throat.

You can help promote your health and reduce your costs at the pharmacy or local drug store by keeping your kitchen stocked with fresh apples and medicine cabinet complete with apple cider vinegar. Use apple cider vinegar at the onset of a cold, sore throat, relieve asthma, control blood sugar, address nighttime leg cramps, decrease mild depression, stop hiccups, lower blood pressure, treat indigestion, address arthritis or use as a daily tonic.

Personally, I use organic apple cider vinegar for just about everything; especially as we approach the changing of the time and temperature that typically triggers the cold and flu season. I am a huge proponent of utilizing this form of apples since the fermented vinegar is rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements like potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, sulfur, phosphorus and healthy acids and enzymes. It is more concentrated and I prefer the brands that have a significant amount of sediment that rests at the bottom of the bottle…this is the good stuff.

It seems apple cider vinegar can address many of the reasons you would commonly make a run to your local CVS or Walgreens to buy a drug that may only just mask the symptoms and pain your feel. The benefit of apple cider vinegar is that you can treat the cause of your ailment thereby decreasing or completely eliminating your symptoms entirely.

How exactly does apple cider vinegar work? Or more importantly, why does apple cider vinegar work in remedying common ailments? In many cases, it’s status as a miracle natural remedy is due in part to the result of the fermentation process: healthy enzymes, amino acids and the ability to balance PH levels in the body.

Common Remedies using Apple Cider Vinegar:

For Sore Throat:

Apple cider vinegar has a very potent way of relieving soreness and killing germs associated with viral and bacterial infections. The most effective way to use the vinegar to treat sore throat is to begin gargling immediately when soreness arises. Gargle every hour with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water. Be sure to rinse only the mouth with water to reduce acidity and potential erosion of your tooth enamel.

Sunburn:

Apply apple cider vinegar to sites of sunburn; will relieve pain, prevent blistering and peeling.

Combat fatigue:

Individuals who work our frequently or suffer from chronic fatigue find this vinegar to help treat their fatigue. The amino acids in apple cider vinegar help release lactic acid build up in the blood stream. Similarly, potassium and enzymes also may increase energy levels. Consuming 3 teaspoons of vinegar to 1/8th a cup of honey at bedtime will help you wake up refreshed and energized.

To Prevent Yeast Infections:

The powerful pH balancing abilities of the vinegar can literally stop a yeast infection right in its tracks. There are a few ways to treat this effectively via a vinegar water douche or a sitz bath. Changing the pH of the vaginal environment is essential for a quick recovery. If you choose to douche, douche twice a day using two tablespoons of vinegar to one quart of water (room temperature). Repeat until symptoms disappear. To remedy via a sitz bath; fill a sitz tub or your own tub to hip height with warm adding ½ cup of apple cider vinegar and ½ cup salt. Sit in the bath for at least 20 minutes.

Cure cold/flu:

The acidity of vinegar helps align the alkalinity of the body. At the onset of a cold or flu the body is more alkaline. By adjusting the pH levels the body’s system can heal itself thereby kicking a cold. Take a teaspoon of vinegar in a cup of water three times a day.

Daily tonic -An apple a day super juice:

A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in water with a little honey functions as a daily multivitamin.

Treat Swimmer’s ear:

Filling an ear dropper with equal parts of vinegar and water or alcohol and dropping in about 3 or 4 drops of solution into the ear after swimming or showering will relieve the painful symptoms and can even prevent infection.

Internal Benefits & Treatments of Apple Cider Vinegar:

Reduces Lactic Acid buildup: muscle cramping,
Reduces inflammation of joints: arthritis
Maintains bone mass: osteoporosis and post-menopausal bone loss
Restores pH levels: colds, coughs, reduces headaches, indigestion, nasal congestion, ulcers, reduces yeast infections, promotes digestion and underweight conditions
Adds Fiber via Pectin to body: lowers cholesterol, treats constipation and diarrhea, controls blood sugar levels,
Cleanses and detoxifies liver: treats mild depression, helps with weight loss
Contains antioxidants: protects eyes from cataracts and slows aging process
Antiseptic and disinfectant properties: kills harmful bacteria in the digestive tract related to food poisoning

External Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar:

Promotes healing of skin: burns, cuts, rashes, sores from herpes, athlete’s foot,
Controls ear infections
Reduces foot odor
Controls itching of skin, scalp: insect bites, dandruff, ringworm, herpes/cold sores, poison ivy and poison oak,
Prevents acne and blemishes on the face
Decrease appearance of varicose veins (wrap legs in apple cider soaked cloth for 30 minutes twice a day—shrinks veins in 6 weeks)
Brightens blond and dark hair (vinegar and water rinse)

Once you start using apple cider vinegar as a natural remedy daily or just to address sore throat; you will find that your trips to the store and doctor will decrease and will be as big a fan as I of this amazing, natural remedy.