Last Updated on January 28, 2023 by Lori Geurin
Who knew that a simple pantry staple like apple cider vinegar could be so powerful? Not only does it make an amazing salad dressing, but it can also improve your health in a variety of ways!
From boosting immunity to aiding digestion and weight loss, there are countless benefits of adding apple cider vinegar to your daily routine.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 22 uses for apple cider vinegar that will have you reaching for the bottle every time you need a natural remedy or pick-me-up! Let’s get started!
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Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a well-known home remedy that’s been around for centuries. It’s great for your hair and skin and has gained popularity in recent years for its ability to help boost weight loss and regulate blood sugar.
This versatile vinegar is affordable and has many benefits. Some people even call it miraculous. This common kitchen staple is antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral.[**]
It’s also easy to find in most grocery stores. And, most importantly, it’s all-natural.
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When you’re shopping for ACV, be sure to look for one that is raw, unfiltered, and organic, such as Bragg’s ACV. Also, make sure it includes the mother – a colony of healthy bacteria, enzymes, and protein that looks kind of like a cobweb.
(But don’t let that scare you because it’s worth it because it’s normal to be a little freaked out by the strange-looking ACV mother.)
Keep reading to learn about all the ways you can use ACV to improve your health and life.
- 22 Apple Cider Vinegar Uses for Health
- 1. ACV Soothes A Sore Throat
- 2. ACV Clears Up Dandruff
- 3. Cleansing Hair Rinse
- 4. ACV Deodorant
- 5. ACV Calms Bruises
- 6. ACV Cuts Foot Odor
- 7. Fabulous Facial Toner
- 8. ACV Wipes Out Warts
- 9. Sensational Sunburn Relief
- 10. ACV Eliminates Acid Reflux
- 11. ACV Whitens Teeth
- 12. ACV Enhances Food
- 13. Wicked Weed Killer
- 14. Germ-Killing Cleaner
- 15. ACV Neutralizes Odors
- 16. ACV Beats Bad Breath
- 17. Fantastic Fruit And Veggie Wash
- 18. Diabetes Prevention
- 19. Weight Loss Apple Cider Vinegar Drink
- How To Drink Apple Cider Vinegar in the Morning Video
- 20. ACV Cures Congestion
- 21. ACV Enhances Baking
- 22. ACV Improves pH
- Final Thoughts – 22 Apple Cider Vinegar Uses For Wellness
22 Apple Cider Vinegar Uses for Health
1. ACV Soothes A Sore Throat
For throat pain, you can make an elixir by mixing 1 teaspoon ACV with 2 to 3 teaspoons of clover honey. Then simply swallow this comforting mixture.
Or, you can mix 1/4 cup ACV with 1/4 cup water and gargle.
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2. ACV Clears Up Dandruff
Mix equal parts of water and ACV in a spray bottle. After shampooing, spray the mixture on your scalp to get rid of dandruff. Do this 2 to 3 times per week to keep dandruff or dry scalp away.
3. Cleansing Hair Rinse
ACV helps remove product build-up and unveil gorgeous, shiny hair. My mom taught me this trick as a girl, and it really works!
First, make a rinse with 1/3 cup ACV and 4 cups of water. Then after washing your hair, apply the rinse. Leave it on for a few seconds, then rinse it out.
And, voila! You have super shiny, squeaky clean hair!
4. ACV Deodorant
Dab a bit of ACV under your arms to kill odor-causing bacteria. And don’t worry about the strong vinegar scent because it fades when it dries.
5. ACV Calms Bruises
Apply ACV to bruises to relieve swelling and discoloration faster. ACV reportedly increases blood flow to an injured site which helps speed healing.
6. ACV Cuts Foot Odor
Wipe smelly feet with ACV to kill odor-causing bacteria, which cause stinky feet. Dilute it with water first, especially if you have sensitive skin.
7. Fabulous Facial Toner
Mix 1 part ACV with 3 to 4 parts water. Apply with a cotton ball after washing your face. This can help eliminate and prevent acne by killing bacteria.
Just don’t overdo because it could dry your skin out if you use too much or do it too often. You might try a small area first, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Check out our social media detox challenge!
8. ACV Wipes Out Warts
Soak a cotton ball in ACV. Apply a bandage to hold the cotton in place. Wear it overnight and remove it in the morning. Apply this nightly until the wart disappears. Voila!
Related: 8 Proven Health Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar
9. Sensational Sunburn Relief
There are several ways ACV can help your skin and sunburn relief is one of the best!
You can soothe a sunburn by gently applying ACV with a cool compress to the affected area. Or, add 1 or 2 cups of ACV to your bathwater. (And the next time you’re in the sun, you might want to try using coconut oil as a low SPF sunscreen.)
You can learn more about coconut oil in 81 Uses For Coconut Oil.
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10. ACV Eliminates Acid Reflux
To relieve digestive problems, drink 1 tablespoon ACV in a large glass of water, tea, or juice daily. If the taste is too tart, simply add a drop of liquid Stevia or clover honey.
(For more about drinking ACV, check out the video in number 19 below.)
Despite what you may have heard, acid reflux may be caused by having too little acid in your stomach and not too much. With this in mind, drinking ACV may help raise the acid level and reduce the symptoms of acid reflux.
11. ACV Whitens Teeth
This one should be done with caution only, or you could risk damaging your tooth enamel. To eliminate stains and whiten your teeth simply rub ACV directly on your teeth. Then brush your teeth with your favorite toothpaste and rinse with water.
Likewise, you can swish a dilution of ACV and water, then rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.
But please note, because ACV is highly acidic it’s best to only do this occasionally. If you do it too often, the ACV can eat away at the enamel of your teeth.
12. ACV Enhances Food
Because of its many health benefits, ACV is a great addition to tangy marinades, sauces, soups, meats, and salad dressings. Just keep in mind that a little goes a long way.
One of my favorite ways to include ACV in my diet, especially in the summer, is by making a cucumber salad:
- First, chop a cucumber and an onion.
- Then, mix equal parts ACV and olive oil.
- Finally, add Himalayan pink salt, pepper, and a few drops of Stevia (optional) to taste.
This dish is best chilled in the fridge for a couple of hours.
Related: Stevia Health Benefits, Safety And Inside Information
13. Wicked Weed Killer
According to The Dirt Doctor, this recipe is effective at killing weeds in your garden:
Herbicide Formula:
- 1 gallon of 10% vinegar
- 1 teaspoon liquid soap or other surfactants such as Bio Wash
- Add molasses at 1 tablespoon per gallon to the vinegar formula.
- 1 ounce of orange oil or d-limonene
- Do not add water.
Just be sure to only apply the solution to vegetation you want to get rid of. It will damage whatever it comes into contact with!
14. Germ-Killing Cleaner
Mix equal parts ACV and water and use it to clean almost any surface in your house. The vinegar smell goes away after the solution dries.
15. ACV Neutralizes Odors
Put some ACV in a small bowl close to the offending odor. This works just as well as Febreze at neutralizing odors without the cost and chemicals.
Win-win.
16. ACV Beats Bad Breath
To eliminate bad breath simply mix equal parts of ACV and water. Then swish the solution and spit it out in the sink.
The ACV works to kill the bacteria that cause bad breath. Brilliant!
17. Fantastic Fruit And Veggie Wash
ACV is great at removing bacteria and harmful pesticides from your fresh fruits and vegetables. Briefly soak your produce in a solution of 10 percent ACV to 90 percent water. Then rinse.
This solution is not intended for use with berries because the ACV can soak into their delicate skin.
18. Diabetes Prevention
Drink a tablespoon of ACV in a large glass of water before bed to lower your blood sugar. Always make sure you dilute it before drinking!
Related: 6 Natural Ways To Prevent Diabetes
19. Weight Loss Apple Cider Vinegar Drink
Because of its many health benefits, drinking a tablespoon of ACV in a glass of water each day can be good for you. Plus, it cleanses and removes toxins from the body and can even help you lose weight.
Below is my favorite recipe for apple cider vinegar drink.
Dr. Berg recommends diluting ACV with water and adding a teaspoon of lemon juice and 2 ounces of pure cranberry juice.
You can also add a couple of drops of whole leaf Stevia to sweeten it up a bit if it’s too tart for you. This drink is so delicious that I crave it.
How To Drink Apple Cider Vinegar in the Morning Video
Check out Thomas DeLauer’s video on how to make your own ACV drink.
20. ACV Cures Congestion
Apple cider vinegar helps break up and rid the body of mucus to relieve congestion symptoms.
21. ACV Enhances Baking
Using a bit of ACV in baked good recipes makes them light and fluffy. Here are some yummy baking recipes with apple cider vinegar.
22. ACV Improves pH
(Updated: Since I first wrote this post, I’ve learned that using apple cider vinegar to lower your pH is a myth. You can learn about how to restore the pH balance in your body here.)
Many health conditions and diseases thrive in an acidic environment. These include:
- Cavities
- Cancer
- Allergies
- Acne
- Weight gain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Joint pain
- Lactic acid buildup
- Immune deficiency
- Chronic fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Heart problems
- Free radical damage
- Osteoporosis
Drinking diluted ACV daily makes your body’s pH balance more alkaline. Being in this alkaline state is essential to good health and can prevent disease.
Final Thoughts – 22 Apple Cider Vinegar Uses For Wellness
I hope you enjoyed this post about the many uses of ACV and discovered some new ways to incorporate it into your routine. Apple cider vinegar can be used to improve the condition of your hair and skin, as well as make a great all-natural cleanser.
I enjoy it since it’s nutritious, simple to use, and cost-effective, so I always keep a supply on hand in my pantry as well. I hope you’ll consider giving ACV a try, especially if you’re looking for a way to improve your overall health and wellness. Thanks for reading!
Health and Wellness Printables
If you’re looking for more ways to stay healthy and well, check out the printables in our Thrive Berry Etsy shop!
For further applications of apple cider vinegar to enhance your health and life, check out the short video below.
How do you use ACV for better health? Share your apple cider vinegar uses and benefits below.
This blog post has been updated.
Thanks for sharing ACV Benefits. I’m going to make cucumber salad with ACV and himalayan salt. I have been using Himalayan salt in my cooking from saltean.I’m really impressed with your article. keep it up 🙂
You’re so welcome! I hope you enjoy the cucumber salad with ACV. I made it just tonight. Thanks for the kind words. 🙂
I use the apple cider vinegar as a hair rinse every couple months. It’s very efficient.
Perfect – I love how it makes my hair shiny.
I had no idea that you could use ACV on half these things. I have used it for cooking and had heard about the hair rinse back when I was a swimmer. I have some in my cabinet so maybe I’ll get it out more.
Hey, that’s great, Carolyn!
it is great for getting the stink out of athletic clothes. I put a cup in the laundry and the smell is gone!
Oooh, great tip, Kelly! Thanks for sharing this. I’m going to put this to use this week. 🙂
Gee, and I thought ACV was only for making the sauce in my sloppy joe recipe! Definitely going to look into ACV more.
This sounds like a recipe I need to try! I’m going to search for an ACV sloppy joe recipe now. Thanks, Jennifer!
I’ve only ever used ACV as a hair rinse and I don’t know how people drink it. The smell alone is enough to make me gag!
It’s great as a hair rinse, isn’t it?!
The smell is definitely strong. 🙂 Some people mix it into a drink (other than water) to dilute the strong taste. I love it in spicy tomato juice but throw it back in water too. It’s a personal preference.
Now I knew apple cider was definitely a GREAT home remedy for some things, but this list is great. I can see myself using it for so many of these things. Definitely sharing the diabetic solution with my husband, who has Type 1 Diabetes, and have issues with his blood sugar at nights. Thank you very much for sharing.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
Thanks, Ayana! I hope this helps, especially with your husband’s Diabetes.
I used to make an ACV drink every night. The taste got a little getting used to but it did help with my digestion. I love how ACV can be used for so many things. It’s nature’s little miracle.
“Nature’s little miracle” it is! Others have told me how much it helps them with digestion issues when they drink it before bed too. So glad you’ve noticed this benefit too, Cindy.
Wow that’s a lot of uses I didn’t know about before. I tried drinking ACV but was adding a full ounce…not a tablespoon. No wonder it was so pungent! lol
lol, Roxanne. You’re not kidding…you must have been quite committed to the process. 😉
Apple cider vinegar is a great product. So helpful but be sure you are being careful with it. It has helpful and nonhelpful properties, depending on how you use it.
True, Terri. Like anything you have to take precautions and should always dilute ACV. Never take it straight up because it can burn your esophagus. Ouch!
I love apple-cider vinegar! It is one of my favorite go-to home remedies out there. I do prefer to use the Brach’s Raw brand, but that is my personal preference. Blessings!
Claudia
That’s awesome, Claudia – Thanks!
These are great. I’ve used apple cider vinegar for a few of these but I had no idea about using it as a weed killer.
Thanks, Kara!
I love using Apple Cider Vinegar in our house! It’s seriously one of the best fruit and veggie washes out there.
Thanks for sharing this, Kaity! I agree…and so inexpensive too.
I love ACV and us it for so much! It is the best for sunburns, and I love using it to mix my Aztec clay mask as well. I never knew that it could be used to kill weeds though!
I’m glad you’ve found so many uses for ACV, Jessica!
I mostly use apple cider vinegar in cooking but I have used it on a really bad sunburn and I didn’t blister in the places that got soaked the most.
It’s great in so many recipes, isn’t it? That’s awesome that it helped you like this with your sunburn!
I heard of detox, hair rinse and veggie cleaning but a lot of these are new to me and didn’t know there were so many uses.
Hey Kristina, I know, right?! ACV is amazing stuff.
A few of these are surprising and didn’t know this product had so many uses! That’s pretty cool! Good for our bodies, cooking and cleaning!
So true, Jeanine. Thanks!
I’ve never used apple cider vinegar in any way other than cooking. But, my best friend swears by it and uses it all the time.
I love it when I hear about people who use ACV for so many things, like your friend. Thanks for sharing this, Joanna!