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Bodily Uses for Vinegar

Vinegar has been used for more than 10,000 years for its food and medicinal properties, according to The Vinegar Institute website. The word "vin aigre" comes from the French language and means sour wine. Vinegar has been made from many materials such as apples, honey and grains, but it is always based on the same ancient principle --- the fermentation of natural sugars to alcohol and then a secondary fermentation to vinegar. Vinegar has many bodily uses, including treatment of chronic health conditions.

  1. Medical Conditions

    • Some studies have shown apple cider vinegar to show promise for medical conditions, according to the WebMD website. For type 2 diabetes, vinegar may help lower glucose levels. Laboratory studies have shown that vinegar may kill cancer cells or slow their growth. Other studies have been conducted on rats and showed promise for reducing blood pressure and high cholesterol. In the area of weight loss, vinegar has been used for thousands of years to increase metabolism; adding vinegar to the diet helps people feel full longer.

    Internal Uses

    • For internal uses, apple cider vinegar should be diluted with water. The natural antibiotic properties of vinegar are used with equal amounts of water for a sore throat gargle. For indigestion and gas, add 2 tsp. of vinegar to a glass of water. For heartburn and acid reflux, add baking soda to the apple cider vinegar and water mix to create a pH balance of 7. Apple cider vinegar is often used as a cure for constipation and diarrhea, to improve digestion, for the prevention of bladder stones and urinary tract infections, and to reduce cellulite.

    External Uses

    • For external purposes, pure apple cider vinegar can be used safely at full strength. To clear up athlete's foot, vinegar can be used for four to five days and then periodically for results quicker than any medication, according to the Life Events website. Apple cider vinegar works on fungus conditions on any part of the body, stops ringworm and quickly clears up dandruff. The acidic properties of apple cider vinegar make it an effective remedy for bad breath. As a treatment for yeast infections, vinegar is added to bath water for sitting and soaking. Additionally, apple cider vinegar is a natural cure for acne, age spots and underarm odor.

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