Apple cider vinegar is made by adding yeast to cider to cause fermentation, thus converting the natural sugars into alcohol. Generally sold unpasteurized, the amber-colored liquid usually comes with “mother of vinegar”, a natural by-product of acetic acid bacteria and cellulose that converts the alcohol into ethanoic acid to form vinegar with the help of oxygen. Mother of vinegar is often found at the bottom of the bottles, and while it may not be appealing to look at, it is harmless and can even by eliminated by pouring the vinegar through coffee filters if desired.
While other forms of vinegar are used for cooking, apple cider vinegar is touted more for its medicinal properties, and has been used to heal a variety of ailments since Biblical times. Although most people today think of it in terms of aiding in weight loss, apple cider vinegar uses include the detoxification of the vital organs such as the liver, kidney and bladder by helping the body breakdown fatty deposits and flushing them out of the system. It also helps dissolve deposits of phlegm and mucous, helps with oxidizing the blood and preventing it from thickening too much, and it can assist with fighting hardening of the arteries as well.
Various mixtures of the liquid and honey have also been used as internal remedies for everything from arthritis to asthma and coughs to colitis. However, when mixed with water, either as a bath or topical wash, it can often be an excellent external treatment for conditions such as shingles, eczema, itchy scalp and acne.
Although apple cider vinegar can help with a wide variety of physical ailments, users should consult with their physicians before relying on it as a “cure-all”, as it may interact badly with certain prescription medications and can cause a number of side effects in some people, including palpitations and nervousness, as well as irritability. In addition, some people have experienced burning of the throat caused by its high acid content so that is something to watch out for as well.