Author: Lily Mazzarella MS, CNS
Vinegar: From the French for "sour wine." Vinegar is an aqueous, fermented solution, containing 5-20% acetic acid. Vinegar has been used to extract and preserve plants for 3000-5000 years!
Medicinal vinegar: A fluid preparation of a botanical in which vinegar is the solvent. Vinegar extracts many plant constituents reasonably well, especially minerals. A medicinal vinegar can be used topically (eg, Queen of Hungary's Water, mugwort vinegar liniment, hair vinegars) or internally (eg, Fire Cider, mineral-rich vinegar).
Oxymel: A medicinal preparation of botanicals, vinegar, and honey.
Shrub: "Drinking vinegar." A beverage vinegar, mixed with soda water and/or spirits. The traditional components of a shrub are fruit, sugar, and vinegar, often in equal parts. One ounce of the shrub is diluted with 5-8 oz of neutral fluid, such as sparkling water.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (ACV) USES
Supported by studies, in humans
- Hypoglycemic effect. Ingestion of ACV lowers post-meal blood sugar and reduces morning fasting blood sugar. 1-2 oz/day
- Weight loss and visceral fat loss. 1-2 oz per day
- Anti-bacterial effect (restricts the growth of E. coli)
- In animals: reduces blood pressure and cholesterol
Folk uses
- Internal for muscle cramps and spasm
- Internal and topical for rosacea
- Digestive aid—normalizing to stomach acid production. ACV appears to have benefits when there are low stomach acid and overproduction of stomach acid.
- Deodorant—brushed with a cotton ball or sprayed into armpits
- Rinse for hair health—growth and shine
- Topical as a skin toner for health and beauty
- Internal for liver "cleansing" and detoxing
- Topically for fever—ACV soaked socks!
- A solvent for extracting herbs, such as nettle, mugwort, and Fire Cider brew!
- Internal for allergies—food and seasonal, especially when mixed with raw local honey
For more recipes: Strawberry-Mint Shrub, Meyer Lemon-Ginger Shrub, No-sugar Celery Shrub, Springtime Mineral Vinegar
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