The first time I met my future mother in law, we were in their home in the mountains of North Carolina. She was unpacking the groceries she brought from home, and jabbering a mile a minute. At some point, she offered me a glass of apple juice, and then kept on talking. After one sip, I knew I was in trouble. She had apparently taken apple cider vinegar and put it into another container, thinking it was juice. Wanting to make a good first impression, I panicked; should I spit it out? Should I try to swallow it? Should I tell her it isn’t apple juice? We still laugh at the moment all these years later. It is she who should get the last laugh, since the health benefits of apple cider vinegar are now being touted everywhere!
Apple cider vinegar has long been a folk remedy, but today it is thought to have curative powers to treat everything from warts to indigestion.
Here are just a few of the uses for the this healthy tonic, other than an ingredient in salad dressing:
Use apple cider vinegar to treat acid reflux. While most believe that reflux is caused by the over production of stomach acid, it is often the case that the stomach does not produce enough acid. Just a couple of teaspoonfuls of vinegar each day, are thought to help balance the acid levels, bringing relief to the burning sensation associated with reflux.
Some swear by the fact that just one teaspoonful of apple cider vinegar halts the hiccups immediately.
Just a little on a cotton ball dabbed on a mosquito bite takes the itch away.
To soothe a sore throat, gargle with a mixture of hot water and 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar. Others prefer to sip a drink made with a tablespoon of vinegar mixed with hot water, lemon and honey.
Studies have shown a moderate drop in blood glucose levels when a 2 tablespoons are taken before bed each night.
Swish it around as a mouthwash to freshen breath.
While all of these are said to be beneficial, experts at the Mayo Clinic advise people to exercise moderation. The high acid content of apple cider vinegar can erode teeth and bones, as well as interact with some medicines. Discuss using vinegar as a health tonic with your doctor before embarking on frequent or excessive use.
photo: Glasshouse Images
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Tags: acid reflux, apple cider vinegar, folk cures, hiccup remedy, lowers blood glucose levels, Mayo Clinic, medicinal uses for apple cider vinegar, mosquito bites, mouthwash, sore throat remedy
Indigo jones 
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