In your arsenal of go-to home remedies, you need to have some vinegar. It is a remarkable substance that can be used inside or outside the body. It is perfectly safe to consume and breathe so no worries about children or pets. You can liberally use this substance on everything from countertops to garden plants to rashes. Internally, vinegar is believed to do everything from help shake the common cold to boost your metabolism. Here are 10 exciting uses for vinegar that you may not know about.
Itchy, painful and traumatizing, a case of poison ivy is an incredible inconvenience that can take or even weeks to heal. While oatmeal baths and calamine rub downs can help, consider adding vinegar to the regime to help get rid of this terrible rash. A cold vinegar compress with a 1:2 ratio of vinegar and cold water eases the pain and itch of poison ivy and can help speed healing.
Acne is something many people struggle with well into adulthood. A breakout or pesky pimple is sure to pop up at the most inopportune time. Date tomorrow, pimple. Interview set up for a couple days from now, you can bet on a breakout. So what to do? An astringent made with a 1:2 ratio of apple cider vinegar and water will help fend off breakouts. An overnight application of pure apple cider vinegar will help you get rid of blemishes more quickly. The application can be used on acne scars as well to help heal and clear the unfortunate side effect of suffering from ongoing acne.
Over dyed or over heated or treated hair suffers from a serious loss of moisture. Dry, dull, and damaged hair can be unmanageable and cause frustration. Apple cider vinegar can improve hair when added to hair your wash routine a couple times a week. Some people even report improvements in hair volume and a decrease in dandruff. A small amount of apple cider vinegar and just a few extra minutes in the shower can help improve the health of your hair and give you a beautiful shine.
Whether you inflict muscle soreness on yourself through hard work or you suffer from an ailment that inflicts soreness upon you, like arthritis or fibromyalgia, you can seek some relief in vinegar. When used as a muscle soak, vinegar works in conjunction with the warm water to relax the sore muscles and ease the inflammation that causes pain. It is as simple as adding two cups of vinegar to a bath or soak. Be sure to spend at least 30 minutes in the mixture for best results.
Commonly called tennis elbow, bursitis is the inflammation and fluid collection on the joints caused by repetitive movement. It isn't limited to the elbow either. You can experience bursitis in any of the major joints including your shoulder and knee. A common remedy for the inconvenience involves hot apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper used as a compress. However, the hot, spicy mix may cause more irritation to those with particularly sensitive skin.
A powerful stain remover with antimicrobial properties, apple cider vinegar is a great option for replacing difficult home kits and expensive doctor's visits. Applied directly to stained teeth, vinegar will make a significant difference in the whiteness of your teeth. Make sure to rinse your mouth of all vinegar, because consuming it pure can cause damage to the lining of your stomach and esophagus.
Cold and flu season and allergy season leave throngs of people struggling to breathe. Whether you are suffering from allergies or a lower respiratory issue, the pressure in your head and sinus can feel overwhelming as you struggle to breathe. You could find a simple solution in your cupboard with vinegar. Use vinegar in a vaporizer or diluted in a humidifier for at least an hour or overnight while you sleep. As little as a quarter cup can clear your airways in a vaporizer.
Reduce the occurrence or duration of infections in your throat by gargling warm water with a teaspoon of vinegar in each cup. Vinegar's natural antimicrobial properties will get to work on your tonsils and help clear away bacteria and viruses that are hanging and causing the inflammation. Follow up with a drink of plain water to reduce irritation to sensitive tissue from contact with the vinegar.
Just as vinegar relieves muscle soreness, it also relieves the tension associated with debilitating headaches. Mixed with warm water and used in a compress, vinegar can relax the muscles in the head, neck, and shoulders. Relaxation can extend to the head. Many recommend using herbal infused vinegar to add an aromatic note to the treatment and increase its effectiveness. Basil, lemongrass, and lavender infusions are particularly effective. To maximize the effectiveness of the treatment, lay down to allow the muscles to relax.
Finally, the most common use for vinegar is a soothing agent for the summer sunburns. As a spray, a compress, or in a bath, vinegar soothes the stinging redness that accompanies the effects of long days by the lake. It is also effective against small kitchen burns and 1st-degree burns. For more serious burns, you should consult your doctor or visit a clinic for advice.
This site offers information designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on any information on this site as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or as a substitute for, professional counseling care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.