Simple Things About Vinegar

"They also gave Me gall for my food, and for My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink." (Psalm 69:21)

Imagine a simple substance that is cheap and easy to make, can be taken internally for a variety of ailments, can be applied externally for all kinds of cosmetic and disinfectant purposes, and can be used in so many jobs around the house that it merits the name "panacea." This special simple medicine and cleanser from Nature is apple cider vinegar, or ACV. In ACV we find the concentrated essence of the best apples coupled with limitless by-products of bacterial fermentation, including acetic acid.

Vinegar holds a rich place in history and is mentioned often throughout the Bible. Its been said that God is always trying to make vinegar, and its the winemaker's job to interrupt the process at wine.

Since the days of the Old Testament, laborers would add vinegar and salt to water to create their own "Gatorade" drink to keep their energy levels up while sweating under the hot sun. Ancient Persian physicians would recommend a drink of vinegar, lime juice and sour fruit juice to help prevent fatty accumulation in the body. Early Greek, Roman, and Asian physicians would use vinegar to treat scurvy, digestive problems, and bile reduction.

Vinegar has played a major role in human history. The Roman army that once conquered much of the known world, relied heavily on vinegar to survive the changes in climate and combat stress. Roman soldiers also used fire and vinegar alternately to heat and contract rocks in order to break their way through the Alps mountains. Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, won a major bet by dissolving a pearl in a glass of vinegar and drinking it, thus proving that she could consume a meal worth a fortune. 

Lacking refrigeration, our ancestors either had to eat the entire animal in one sitting or figure out some way to preserve the meat lest it rot. Vinegar solutions, or "pickling," along with salting and smoking became the favorite ways to keep food from rotting.

The term "vinegar" is derived from French words "vinaigre" meaning "sour wine."

Unfortunately, the vast majority of vinegar sold in the U.S. is distilled. In this last, and highly unnecessary, phase, the processor exposes the vinegar to heat and then catches the vapors. The result is a light amber colored apple cider vinegar that looks more like beer and is a mere "cadaver" of the nutrient-dense ACV before the distillation process.

The consumer is as much to blame for this distillation phase as the manufacture. We buy food with our eyes. The unprocessed ACV is dark, cloudy, and has spider web things floating through it.

Several varieties of vinegar are manufactured. Wine vinegars, produced in grape growing regions, are used for salad dressings and relishes. Tarragon and raspberry vinegars are flavored by the addition of the herb or fruit. Malt vinegar, popular in Great Britain, is known for its earthly quality. White vinegar is made from industrial alcohol. Because of its less distinctive flavor, it is often used as a preservative. Piquant rice vinegar is used in Orential countries. Aged, richly-flavored nalsamic vinegar is an Italian specialty.

Vinegar is to panaceas what Abraham Lincoln was to public speakers ~ one of the best.

In summary, ACV is an amazing gift from Nature ~ a phenomenally versatile simple substance that should be in every home, kitchen, first aid kit, workshop, and pharmacy.

              Enjoy the following facts and remedies from this wonderful food!

                     Amazing Facts About Vinegar & Recipes

The difference between modern medicine and folk medicine is that we can scientifically document how modern medicine works, but we don't know how folk remedies work. ACV has the "pole position" in folk medicine. Thousands of years of successful use in millions of people can't be all wrong.

Since no drug company is going to spend the time and money to research a product, like vinegar, which cannot be patented, there is precious little interest among scientists to study the effects of vinegar in humans. In spite of the lack of funding and respect for vinegar, there have been a few studies, here are the best of the best.

Stings and Bites ~ Stings from jellyfish and other creatures are no trivial matter. They can easily send a person to the hospital. Numerous medical journals now endose the use of vinegar as first aid for fresh stings. Australians are familiar with jellyfish stings, which can cause pain, nausea, headache, chills and possibly even heart attack and death. Medical researchers find that splashing vinegar on the sting immediately afterward may substantially reduce swelling and other symptoms. (Kaufman, MB, Pediatric Emergency Care, vol. 8, no. 1, pg. 27, Feb. 1992) Bee stings, wasps, jellyfish, and many other bothersome creatures can be eased by soaking the hurting area in full-strength vinegar. For best results, the vinegar should be applied immediately fter the encounter.

Blood Glucose Regulation ~ One of the more important aspects of overall health is maintaining the proper level of sugar in the blood. Too much sugar in the blood and diabetes sets in, with gangrene, kidney failure, heart disease, and other problems to contend with. If sugar is highly elevated, the person throws off prostaglandin balance, which is one of the most potent substances made in the body. Too little sugar in the blood and the person will experience headache, jitters, loss of memory, anxiety, irritability, and weakness. scientists find that a simple salad dressing which includes vinegar may help to stablize blood sugar levels during and after a meal. (Brighenti, F. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 49, no. 4, pg. 242, Apr. 1995)

Are You absorbing Your Vitamins? ~ Americans purchase nearly $6 billion each year of vitamin supplements and health food. The health food industry is growing, which is a positive sign that Americans are starting to take charge of their health. Unfortunately, not all vitamin pills are created alike or even useful. Some vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other pills are manufactured under intense pressure, then coated with shellac or wax to ensure a longer shelf life. These vitamins eventually become like a rock, which passes through the intestinal tract and therefore wasted. You can accurately determin how well absorbed your vitamins will be by dropping your pills in a glass of lukewarm dilute vinegar water. Scientists find that this nicely perdicts how well you are absorbing that pill. (Whiting, SJ, Journal of American College of Nutrition, vol. 11, pg. 553, Oct. 1992)

Food Borne Infections Reduced ~ Americans occasionally experience a bout of food poisoning, other countries around the world are under constant siege with life threatening bacteria and other parasites in the food and water supply. Ethiopian researchers found that vinegar was a champion at killing a tough cyst (Cysticercus bovis), which is the nearly-invincible egg phase for some intestinal parasites. The only thing more lethal to these parasites than vinegar was intense close X-rays! (Ghebrekidan, H. Ethiopian Medical Journal, vol. 30, pg. 23, Jan. 1992) If you are going out to dinner or, especially if you are visiting a foreign country, make sure that you have a 1-2 teaspoon "cocktail" of vinegar before dining on any unquestionable food.

Health-Promoting Salad Dressing ~ Add 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup flax oil, and 1/8 cup honey. Mix well and serve with meal to help keep your whole family in good health. For added flavoring, use spices: Lite salt (half potassium), garlic powder, mustard, basil, and thyme. This will darn near cure what ails you.

Cucumber-Onion Vinegar ~ Slice very thin, 2 pickling cucumbers and 1 small onion. Add 1 pint boiling vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt and a dash of white pepper. Seal into a glass jar for 5 weeks and then strain. Allow sediment to settle and pour int a clean bottle and cap. Onion may be left out for a light vinegar that is especially good on fruit.

Herb Tea Vinegar ~ Add 1/2 cup of strong herb tea to a quart of vinegar.

Tarragon Vinegar ~ Put 1/4 cup tarragon leaves in a pint bottle of vinegar and let set for 8 weeks. Use on cooked and raw vegetables.

Garlic Vinegar ~ Separate and peel all the cloves of a large garlic bulb. Put them in a quart of vinegar and allow to steep for 2 weeks. Strain off the vinegar and discard the garlic. Only a few drops are needed in most dishes.

Mint Vinegar ~ Stuff a bottle full of mint leaves. Fill the bottle with hot vinegar, cap and let set for 6 weeks. Strain and use with meats or in cool drinks.

Beauty Vinegars ~ You can use them as a refreshing aromatic addition to bathwater or as an invigorating facial splash. They also make a delightful salad dressing.

1) 1 quart apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons dried herbs (or 2 tablespoons fresh herbs). Place vinegar in a ceramic or glass pot. Bring to a brief boil. Turn off heat. Add herbs. Pour into vinegar jar. Use leftover vinegar for body wash or add to bath.

2) 1 quart apple cider vinegar, 1 handful fresh mint or tarragon (or 3 tablespoons dried mint). Wash mint, bruise leaves well and pack into jar. Add vinegar. Cover tightly and let stand 2 weeks. Strain out the herbs. (If dried mint is used, first simmer the vinegar, bring to boil, and then pour over the mint.)

3) 1/2 pint apple cider vinegar, 1 ounce rose petals, 1/2 pint rose water, 1/2 pint vinegar, 1 ounce several different kinds of aromatic flowers, such as lavender, sweet violet, rosemary. Mix and steep for 2 weeks.

Cosmetic Vinegar Formula (for bath, hair and skin) ~ Mix together 2 ounces fresh or 1 ounce each of dried thyme leaves, lavender flowers, spearmint leaves, rosemary leaves, and sage leaves. Steep with 4 cups of apple cider vinegar or wine vinegar for several weeks, then strain. Mix together 1/4 ounce gum camphor, 1/2 ounce gum benzoin, and 3 tablespoons grain alcohol until dissolved. Stir into vinegar, cover, and let stand for three days. Strain, bottle, cap tightly and label.

Age Spots ~ also called liver spots, may fade by using them with a mixture of onion juice (1/2 squeezed onion) and 2 teaspoons of vinegar.

Ants Repelled ~ Ants will stay away from a kitchen or any other area wiped down or sprayed with a solution of equal parts of water and vinegar.

Arthritis ~  Drinking 2-1/2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water at each meal helps alleviate arthritis.

Athlete's Foot ~ Relieve the itching of athlete's foot by rinsing the feet several times a day with plain or herbal apple cider vinegar.

Birth Control ~ Attempts at family planning have been going on for years. Some ancient methods, though crude, were based on sound ideas. Example, women were advised to put honey, olive oil, or olive of cedar in their viginas. The stickiness of these substances was thought to slow the movement of sperm into the uterus. Wads of soft wool soaked in lemon juice or vinegar were used as tampons, making the vigina sufficiently acidic to kill the sperm.

Brighten Carpet ~ Rejuvenate carpet colors by brushing with a mixture of 1 cup vinegar in 1 gallon of water.

Burns and Sunburns ~ To alleviate the pain of minor burns and sunburns, including lye burns, pat cold apple cider vinegar on affected area every 20 minutes.

Carpet Stain Remover ~  While carpeet is still fresh, apply a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and let it stand a few minutes. Sponge from the center out and blot with a dry cloth.

Check Calcium Supplements ~ To check absorbability of calcium supplements, drop them into vinegar. If they dissolve quickly, they are of good quality.

Chapped Skin ~ Chapped hands heal quickly when treated with a homemade mixture of equal parts rich hand cream and vinegar. Use it every time you wash your hands.

Clothes Get Whiter ~ Add 1-1/2 cups vinegar to rinse water to brighten laundry.

Congestion Relief ~ Inhale the steam from boiled vinegar. Be careful not to burn yourself.

Cough ~ May be soothed by sprinkling the pillowcase with apple cider vinegar.

Crayon Stains Erased ~ Moisten soft toothbrush with vinegar and rub out crayon from fabric or surfaces.

Cut-Flower Solution ~ Keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 tablespoon of sugar to each quart of warm water at 100 degrees F.

Dandruff ~ Massage full-strength vinegar into the scalp several times a week before shampooing.

Digestive Problems Eased ~ Mix a small amount of peppermint with 1 tablespoon of vinegar in a glass of water to help ease upset stomach.

Disinfectant ~ Add a splash of vinegar to hot water and use it, with a little soap, to disinfect baby's toys. Be sure to rinse well.

Douche ~ Althought frequent douching is no longer recommended, women who are prone to vaginal infections can help prevent them by occasionally douching with a solution of 1 ot 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a quart of warm water.

Drains Unclogged ~ Bring vinegar to a boil and pour a small amount down the drain. Let sit for 5-10 minutes, then run hot water. Repeat if necessary.

Ear Infection ~ Grandmother told us to put diluted vinegar in the ears to ward off infection. Head and neck physicians suggest using a mixture of vinegar and alcohol in the ear to prevent "swimmer's ear."

Electric Iron Cleaned ~ To remove dark or burned spots from the bottom of the iron, rub with a mixture of vinegar and salt, heat in an aluminum pan, then rinse with clear water.

Fleas and Ticks ~ Adding a teaspoon of vinegar to each quart of your pets drinking water acts systematically to deter fleas and ticks.

Furniture Polish ~ Wipe furniture with a soft clean cloth moistened with a mixture of 3 tablespoons vinegar and 1 quart water. This removes cloudy film from varnished surfaces. Rub with grain of wood. Polish with soft dry cloth.

Gargle For Sore Throat ~ Just gargle with a glass of warm water in which 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar has been added. This also acts as a great mouthwash.

Grass and Weed Killed ~ Unwanted grass and weed along the edge of driveways or between stepping stones meet their demise when you pour vinegar on them.

Headache Helper ~ Dab an herbal toilet vinegar on your temple while resting. Aternatively, dampen a cloth with some of the vinegar and lay it across your brow.

Heavily Soiled Hands ~ Simply scrub with cornmeal, moistened with apple cider vinegar. Rinse in cool water and dry.

Ink Stains ~ Remove ink marks from fabric by moistening the area with vinegar or by wiping it with a vinegar dampened clean soft cloth.

Iron Without Shine ~ To keep wool and other fabrics from becoming shiny when ironing, place cloth dampened with 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water over fabric.

Kitchen Work Surfaces ~ Wipe down with full strength white vinegar to clean them and to prevent mold. This disinfects and cleans them.

Knives Sharpened Better ~ When sharpening knives, dampen the whetstone with vinegar.

Leg Cramps ~ Dink a glass of water mixed with apple cider vinegar at meals.

Linens ~ Vinegar in the rinse water of linens, napkins, sheets and pillowcases, keeps them from yellowing in storage.

Liniment ~ Unse herbal cosmetic vinegars as a pleasing alternative to alcohol as a rubbing lotion for aching muscles. Apply to sprains as a hot poultice. Onion slices dipped in vinegar and rubbed on bruises immediately after they occur are said to prevent black-and-blue marks.

Mildew Remover ~ Use vinegar at full strength or mix with water to remove mildew from clothing, furniture, bath tub.

Morning Sickness ~ Upon rising add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drink it.

New Clothes ~ Add 1/4 cup vinegar to the tub to eliminate manufacturing chemicals and their odors.

Nail Polish ~ Make nail polish more long-lasting by soaking fingertips in a solution of 2 teaspoons vinegar in 1/2 cup warm water for a minute before applying polish.

New Skillets Seasoned ~ To keep food from sticking in new skillets, first boil some vinegar in pan.

Oven Cleaner ~ Apply vinegar at full strength with a sponge to door and walls.

Produce Rinse ~ Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar per gallon of lukewarm water to remove much of the pesticide residue on fresh fruits and vegetables, it also kills bugs and germs.

Perspiration Ordor Eliminated ~ Wipe or rinse article with vinegar.

Rust Stains On Fabric ~ Moisten washable fabric with vinegar, then rub in some salt. Place in sun to dry, then launder as usual.

Salt Stains On Leather ~ Wipe salt stained boots, shoes or purses with a soft clean cloth moistened with vinegar.

Seed Starting ~ To improve germination of woody coated seeds, such as asparagus, okra, and sweet peas, rub seeds between two sheets of coarse sandpaper, then soak overnight in a pint of warm water with 1/2 cup of vinegar and a squirt of liquid soap. Use water treatment without sandpaper for nasturtium, parsley, parsnip, and beet seeds.

Skin Protector ~ Skin is protected from the ravages of the summer sun by applying a protective lotion of olive oil and applle cider vinegar. Mixed half and half, this combination helps prevent sunburn and chapping.

Stickers, Decals, and Glue Remover ~ Apply vinegar directly or with a clean soft cloth to remove price tags, bumper stickers, decals or glue.

Toothache ~ Rub calendula or acacia vinegar for temporary relief.

Urine Neutralizer ~ When urine leaks onto delicate skin surfaces, it can irritate or even burn sensitive skin. Vinegar compresses, applied to the skin, help restore its natural condition, neutralize leaking urine, and promote healing.

Water Spots ~ A splash of vinegar added to rinse water will keep glasses from water spotting. It kills germs too.

Weight Loss ~ Drink a glass of warm water, with a single teaspoon of apple cider vinegar stirred in, before each meal. It helps moderate the appetite.

Windows And Mirrors ~ Several variations of window cleaner can be made at home. 1) Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar in 1 quart of water. 2) Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 3 to 8 tablespoons of ammonia in 1 quart of water. 3) Mix 1/4 cup of vinegar and ammonia with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in 1 quart of water.

Wood Scratches ~ Can be repaired with vinegar and iodine. Mix equal parts of each in a small dish and apply with an artist's paint prush. Add extra iodine for a deeper color, more vinegar for a lighter color.