Gender: Feminine
Element: Water
Planet: Venus
Zodiac Sign: N/A
Celtic Zodiac/ Date: N/A
Lunar Month: N/A
Tarot: N/A
Rune: N/A
Ogham: N/A
Crystal: N/A
Deities: Pomona, Venus, Dionysus, Olwen, Apollo, Hera, Athena, Aphrodite, Diana, Zeus, Iduna
Associated Festival: N/A
Chakras: Solar Plexus
Birth Month: N/A
Meaning: Healing, Preserving
Type: Fermented apples
Grows in Zone: N/A
Plant for Bees?: N/A
Natural pesticide?: No
Poisonous/ Toxic: No
Apple cider vinegar has been used since 400 BCE, and pure vinegar dates back to 5000 BCE. Apple cider vinegar has a long history in folklore and traditional medicine, and was originally used to flavor and preserve foods, heal wounds, clean surfaces, and fight infections. Apple cider vinegar has a long history as a home remedy, used to treat things like sore throat and varicose veins. in recent years, some researchers have been taking a closer look at apple cider vinegar and its possible benefits.
Vinegar can help kill pathogens, including bacteria. People have traditionally used vinegar for cleaning and disinfecting, treating nail fungus, lice, warts, and ear infections. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used vinegar to clean wounds more than 2,000 years ago.
What IS apple cider vinegar?
Vinegar comes from the French phrase vin aigre, meaning sour wine. The sourness comes from the acetic acid. Making apple cider vinegar entails taking advantage of controlled-spoilage.Yeast digests the sugars in apples and converts them into alcohol. A bacteria, acetobacter, then turns the alcohol into acetic acid.
Apple cider vinegar, or cider vinegar, is a vinegar made from fermented apple juice, and used in salad dressings, marinades, vinaigrettes, food preservatives, and chutneys. It is made by crushing apples, then squeezing out the juice. Bacteria and yeast are added to the liquid to start the alcoholic fermentation process, which converts the sugars to alcohol. In a second fermentation step, the alcohol is converted into vinegar by acetic acid-forming bacteria. Acetic acid and malic acid combine to give vinegar its sour taste.
Apple cider vinegar has various healthful properties, including antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. What’s more, evidence suggests it may offer health benefits, such as aiding weight loss, reducing cholesterol, lowering blood sugar levels, killing bad bacteria, hunger management, and improving the symptoms of diabetes. However, very little extensive research exists, and further studies are needed before it can be recommended as an alternative therapy.
Some people say the “mother,” the cloud of yeast and bacteria you might see in a bottle of apple cider vinegar, is what makes it healthy. These things are probiotic, meaning they might give your digestive system a boost. When buying, you always want to purchase one with the mother still intact, as that is the part of the vinegar that retains many of the beneficial ingredients. Make sure you shake it well to disperse the mother before you use it. But, the importance of the mother has not been well established with research. Aside from probiotics, ACV has a vitamin profile similar to apple juice. Hence, the sour drink is ripe with B-vitamins and polyphenols (plant-based antioxidants).
The fermentation process that yields apple cider vinegar encourages the growth and proliferation of good-for-your-gut microbes. Consuming probiotic- rich fermented foods has been shown to improve digestion, boost the immune system, and even positively affect mental health. Apple cider vinegar has also been shown to have antiviral and anti-yeast and anti-fungal benefits, all helpful in supporting microbiome and overall immune balance
ACV won’t cure diabetes, but it may moderately lower blood glucose levels. It won’t take the place of any medications for diabetes, but it’s a safe enough addition to a diabetes treatment plan (as long as you don’t have kidney disease).
Research suggests that vinegar offers benefits for blood sugar and insulin levels. A small study suggests vinegar may improve insulin sensitivity by 19–34% during a high carb meal and significantly lower blood sugar and insulin response. In a small study in 5 healthy people, vinegar reduced blood sugar by 31.4% after eating 50 grams of white bread. A small study in people with diabetes reported that consuming 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before bedtime reduced fasting blood sugar by 4% the following morning. When taken before a high-carb meal, vinegar slows the rate of stomach emptying and prevents large blood sugar spikes. Numerous other studies in humans show that vinegar can improve insulin function and lower blood sugar levels after meals
Several human studies show that vinegar itself can increase feelings of fullness. This can lead you to eat fewer calories and lose weight. For example, according to one study, taking vinegar along with a high carb meal led to increased feelings of fullness, causing participants to eat 200–275 fewer calories throughout the rest of the day. Furthermore, a study in 175 people with obesity showed that daily apple cider vinegar consumption led to reduced belly fat and weight loss. Those who took 1tbsp led to a loss of 2.6lbs while those taking 2tbsp led to a loss of 3.7lbs. Overall, apple cider vinegar may contribute to weight loss by promoting satiety, lowering blood sugar, and reducing insulin levels. In fact, the people in the ACV group lost an average of 8.8 lbs over 12 weeks. On the other hand, the participants who did not receive ACV only lost 5 lbs over the 12 week study period. The researchers also found that ACV decreased cholesterol levels.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition associated with abnormal menstrual cycles, high levels of androgen hormones, ovarian cysts and insulin resistance. One three-month study found that women with PCOS who drank 1tbsp of apple cider vinegar with about 7 oz of water immediately after dinner had improved hormone levels and experienced more regular periods.
Vinegar is also a food preservative which has been used for thousands of years, and studies show that it inhibits bacteria like E. coli and salmonella from growing in and spoiling food. Even if your produce is organic, there can still be pesticides on it. Apple cider vinegar is a great way to wash those off and eliminate any germs from your fresh fruits and veggies. Research has shown that ACV reduces the number of salmonella bacteria on fresh salad vegetables. To boost the bacteria-fighting powers, mix in lemon juice, as this combination was found to be especially effective. In fact, the ACV/lemon juice mixture decreased Salmonella to undetectable levels.
Reports also suggest that diluted apple cider vinegar could help with acne when applied to the skin. Apple cider vinegar is a common remedy for skin conditions like dry skin and eczema as well. The skin is naturally slightly acidic. Using topical apple cider vinegar could help rebalance the natural pH of the skin, improving the protective skin barrier. The acidity and anti-inflammatory nature of ACV make it a great addition to your skin care routine. Dilute it with two parts water, and spread the concoction over your face with a cotton ball to replace your current toner. You can do this at night after washing and in the morning before you apply your moisturizer. The acidity helps slough away dead skin cells while soothing irritation. It is important to note that due to its acidic nature, apple cider vinegar alone may cause skin irritation. Always dilute apple cider vinegar before using topically.
Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties, so you can use it to clean everything from your kitchen counter to the bathtub. Use APV to clean microwaves, kitchen surfaces, windows, glasses, and mirrors. It can also be used in dishwashers as a substitute for dish detergent. Apple cider vinegar will even clean your toilets and leave your bathroom smelling like apples. Just pour it into the toilet and allow it to sit overnight. By using apple cider vinegar in lieu of other products, you can decrease the use of harsh chemicals in your home and daily life.
Witch Tip: Mix ½ cup apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water for a strong cleaning solution.
Your scalp and hair’s natural pH is around 5.5, making it acidic. Normal shampoo is alkaline, which can throw off your hair’s pH, causing brittle, dry strands. Water, too, can alter the hair’s pH, since water’s pH is neutral. Apple cider vinegar’s acidity makes it the perfect post-shampoo rinse to help restore pH balance, boosting hair’s shine and health.
Added bonus: ACV may help get rid of flaky dandruff. Due to its antifungal properties, it can work against some of the common causes of dandruff, like a buildup of oil or a yeast like fungus called malassezia. Vinegar’s acetic acid may alter the scalp’s pH, making it harder for yeast—one of the main contributors to dandruff—to flourish.
Witch Tip: You use any bottle or even a spray bottle. Fill it with ½ tbsp of ACV and 1 cup cold water. Pour the solution through your hair after shampooing or spritz and rub into your scalp.
ACV also helps relieve itching and irritation from bites, stings, and minor sun burns. While the more common recommendation for a mild sunburn is a cool water compress, cool bath, aloe gel, or moisturizer, some people swear by apple cider vinegar. It can be added to a cool bath or mixed with cool water and lightly spritzed on affected areas (avoiding the face) to relieve pain and discomfort. Apple cider vinegar shouldn’t be applied full-strength or in strong concentrations to the skin, as the acidity can further injure the skin. It also shouldn’t be used for more serious burns.
If you have mosquito bites, poison ivy, or jellyfish stings, a weak apple cider vinegar solution dabbed onto bites and stings may help itching and irritation.
A time-honored throat elixir, apple cider vinegar drinks, and gargles are said to alleviate the pain of a sore throat (pharyngitis). Although there are many different recipes and protocols, a basic drink recipe calls for a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, a teaspoon of honey, and a small pinch of cayenne pepper stirred in a cup of warm water. If not properly diluted, vinegar can corrode esophageal tissues, causing persistent throat pain and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
To help keep smelly feet under control, proponents claim apple cider vinegar may help to balance the skin’s pH and fight the bacteria that causes foot odor. Typically, a bit of apple cider vinegar is mixed into water. Baby wipes, cotton balls or pads, small towels, or cotton rags can be dipped into the solution, wrung out, and used to wipe the bottom of the feet. Wipes can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container. Although a vinegar scent will be noticeable, it often dissipates when the vinegar solution has dried.
An apple cider vinegar solution can also help to neutralize odor-causing armpit bacteria. Typically, cotton pads, towelettes, or cotton rags are lightly spritzed with a very weak solution and swiped onto the armpits. The vinegar smell should dissipate as it dries.
Elevate your salad game by substituting your usual balsamic for apple cider vinegar. Just mix it with healthy oils, herbs, and spices. This is a great way to sneak in some extra health benefits.
CAUTION!!! CAUTION!!! CAUTION!!! CAUTION!!! CAUTION!!!
It has been recommended as a tooth whitener as well. DO NOT USE IT FOR THIS REASON. The vinegar may help remove stains, whiten teeth, and kill bacteria in your mouth and gums but keep in mind that vinegar’s acidity may also irreparably damage and erode tooth enamel with regular use. As someone who actually works in the dental field, I beg you NOT to purposely scrub your teeth with ACV. Vinegar is a 2.5 on the PH scale. The mouth is regularly at a PH of 6 and Enamel erosion begins at a PH of 5.5. I have seen so many x-rays where the enamel is so eroded that it shows up almost black on the image instead of white like it is supposed to. There are better, less damaging ways to whiten your teeth. TRUST ME.
If you do want to drink ACV for the other health benefits it brings, drinking through a straw and/or rinsing your mouth with water immediately afterward can help prevent these oral issues. The key is not to let acidic compounds sit on your teeth for extended periods of time multiple times throughout the day.
However, also do not brush your teeth right after using it either as your enamel is now in a weakened state and scrubbing your teeth right after consumption can actually scrub the enamel right off. Wait about 20-30 minutes if you do want to brush your teeth but rinsing with water afterwards will help remove most of it from the teeth so that it does not cause damage. Drinking through a straw keeps most of it from touching your teeth as well.
While drinking apple cider vinegar is associated with health benefits, consuming large amounts (8 ounces) every day for many years can be dangerous and has been linked to low blood potassium levels and osteoporosis.
Acidic foods or liquids like vinegar may exacerbate those suffering from acid reflux (GERD)
If you have chronic kidney disease, or kidney damage of any kind, your kidneys may not be able to process the excess acid that comes along with drinking apple cider vinegar.
If you’re looking to use it for health reasons, most say to add 1 to 2 tablespoons to water or tea.
Use level: Moderate
Nothing on this website should be taken as medical or legal advice. Please use herbs responsibly. Always consult your doctor before using any kind of supplements.
From our altar to yours, with love from the sea,
