Apple Cider Vinegar - The Wonder 'Drug' of Yesterday and Today

What is Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is an effective natural bacteria-fighting agent that contains many vital minerals and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine that are vital for a healthy body. 

Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is made by crushing fresh, organically grown apples and allowing them to mature in wooden barrels. This boosts the natural fermentation qualities of the crushed apples, which differs from the refined and distilled vinegars found in supermarkets. When the vinegar is mature, it contains a dark, cloudy, web-like bacterial foam called mother, which becomes visible when the rich brownish liquid is held to the light. The mother can be used to add to other vinegar to hasten maturity for making more Apple Cider Vinegar. 

Natural vinegars that contain the mother have enzymes and minerals that other vinegars in grocery stores may not have due to over-processing, over-heating, and filtration. For this reason, it is recommended that you purchase only unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar, with an ideal acidity (pH) level of 5 to 7, this health drink is a natural probiotic.

What are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?

Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is a wonderful natural cure for a number of ailments which usually require antibiotics and other medications that have a number of side effects. In particular, Apple Cider Vinegar has been known to:

• Reduce sinus infections and sore throats
• Balance high cholesterol
• Cure skin conditions such as acne
• Protect against food poisoning
• Fight allergies in both humans and animals
• Prevent muscle fatigue after exercise
• Strengthen the immune system
• Increase stamina
• Increase metabolism which promotes weight loss
• Improve digestion and cure constipation
• Alleviate symptoms of arthritis and gout
• Prevents bladder stones and urinary tract infections

Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar:

General Health Problems:

Weight Loss

The use of apple cider vinegar as a home remedy for weight loss is centuries old. D.C. Jarvis, M.D maintained that an overweight person could lose weight gradually by taking 2 teaspoons of ACV in a glass of water before meals.

Bad Breath

Due to its anticeptic properties, Apple Cider Vinegar makes a wonderful remedy for bad breath or halitosis. Simply add 2 teaspoons of ACV into a cup of water and gargle the mixture in your mouth for 10 seconds at a time and spit the solution out. Repeat until the cup is empty. 

Body Odor

Apple Cider Vinegar is an effective body odor remedy, since it can help adjust the skin's pH level which helps to eliminate odor-causing bacteria. For armpit odor, simply wipe them once each morning with undiluted apple cider vinegar (using a cotton ball). For foot odor, fill a pan with warm water and add 1/3 cup of ACV, then let your feet soak in this mixture for 15 minutes once per week. 

Skin Problems and Infections:

Acne

Apple Cider Vinegar is a natural cure for acne. Apply a solution of apple cider vinegar and water (2 tablespoons to 1 eight ounce glass of water) with a cotton ball several times a day. This will help reduce infection and dry out inflammation.
You can also use Apple Cider Vinegar as a facial toner. 

Directions:

For sensitive skin: Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 4 parts water

For normal skin: Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 2 parts water

For oily skin: Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 1 part water

using a cotton ball rubbing over face AVOIDING the eye area.

For Hair

Apple cider vinegar removes clumpy residue and gunk in hair from product buildup. It also works as a natural detangler. When used regularly in your natural hair careroutine, apple cider vinegar can revitalize your hair, leaving it soft and smooth. The vinegar also works by closing the cuticle of the hair, which makes light reflect off of it. 

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
1 part apple cider vinegar
1 part water

Directions:

To revive your hair to its days of smoothness, mix the apple cider vinegar and water together. After shampooing, pour the mixture into your hair. If you have a spray bottle, that works even better. That way you can spritz your hair with the mixture and massage it into your scalp. Let the apple cider vinegar concoction sit for a few minutes before rinsing fully with water. No need to use conditioner! The apple cider vinegar will leave hair feeling smooth and soft.

Age Spots

Apple Cider Vinegar contains sulfur that fights the effects of aging, which makes it suitable for treating age spots. Apply daily, to these darkened areas of the skin, a solution containing 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of onion juice. According to this home remedy, the spots should begin to fade within 2 weeks.

Cellulite

Many women have found that Apple Cider Vinegar can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. 

Yeast Infection

Apple Cider Vinegar has been found to be an effective treatment for yeast infections. 

Stomach Problems:

Heartburn

This usually occurs after eating, sometimes up to two hours later. This very unpleasant feeling can be alleviated by taking 2 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar in 8 OZ of water, taken three times a day before meals.

Constipation

Apple Cider Vinegar is frequently used as a natural cure for constipation. 

Diarrhea

There are various causes for diarrhea, and although it should not be left untreated, it is often a natural way for the body to rid itself of harmful compounds and ingested materials. Apple Cider Vinegar is a fantastic natural remedy for diarrhea since the high pectin concentration acts as a protective coating which soothes the irritated lining of the colon. A suggestion is to add 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to a large glass of water, and drink this 3 times daily while the symptoms persist.

Major Illnesses:

Diabetes

Apple Cider Vinegar may help to control high blood sugar levels, which is why it is often used as a natural treatment for Diabetes.

How to take it?

For daily maintenance, weight loss and pH balancing:

• 2 teaspoons in 8 oz of water 3x a day (taken before your meals) 

For treating an acute condition like acid reflux, cough, bronchitis, or sore throat:

• 2 Tablespoons in 8 oz of water 3x a day (taken before your meals) .

To help with the taste you can always add a teaspoon of raw honey. 

Washing Your Face With Honey

After washing my face with the Oil Cleansing Method, when I shower in the morning I just wash my face with warm water. But the mornings that I workout and I'm all sweaty; I use honey. I'm not talking about the honey they sell that is processed; I'm talking about real honey straight from the beehive; RAW HONEY. I topically use raw honey in the place of sugar for everything except when I have an occasional cup of coffee.

Let me define RAW HONEY:

When we look at the word "raw", we associated it with the preservation of important vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Just as raw vegetables are preferable because of their nutritional content, the same is true of honey. Raw honey is honey that has not been heated, pasteurized or processed in any way. The differences between raw and pasteurized honey are substantial. Raw honey is an alkaline-forming food that contains natural vitamins, enzymes, powerful antioxidants and other important natural nutrients. These are the very nutrients that are destroyed during the heating and pasteurization process. In fact, pasteurized honey is equivalent to and just as unhealthy as eating refined sugar. 

Some of the benefits of Raw Honey:

Anti-viral                                                                                 Anti-bacterial

Anti-fungal properties

It promotes body and digestive health

Is a powerful antioxidant

Strengthens the immune system

Eliminates allergies

An excellent remedy for skin wounds and all types of infections

Can also stabilize blood pressure

Balance sugar levels

Relieve pain

Calm nerves

And has been used to treat ulcers

It is also an expectorant and anti-inflammatory.

And not only that, it taste good. Raw Honey can be purchased from your local health food store. If your grocery store has a health food section you might even find it there.

Yes, it cost more than the other honey. But anything that is good for you will cost more. It's very inexpensive to fill up on processed foods and preservatives. McDonald"s and others have "$1.00" menus; try buying a bunch of Broccoli for a dollar. God gave us the responsibility of taking care of our bodies. Preservatives and processed foods don't grow out of the earth!

The many varieties of honey

There are many varieties of honey, some of which are used to treat specific health conditions. Manuka honey has strong anti-bacterial properties and is used to treat a variety of conditions which include colds, sore throats, indigestion, stomach ulcers, and acne.
Acacia honey cleanses the liver, promotes intestinal health, and reduces inflammation in the respiratory tract.
Buckwheat honey, a strong tasting and dark honey, has strong antioxidant properties. Unfortunately, Buckwheat Honey is very scarce, especially in the United States. An alternative would be Red Gum Honey that also has strong antioxidant properties.
Eucalyptus honey can be used to prevent colds and headaches.
Heather honey has been used since ancient times for its medicinal properties. This honey contains a high level of protein.
Linden honey is known for its sedative and antiseptic properties. It is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, colds, coughs, and bronchitis.
Neem honey is highly esteemed in Ayurveda for its medicinal properties. Neem Honey is used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, skin conditions, periodontal infections, throat infections and allergies.

Anyway, washing your face with honey is easy and it leaves you face feeling real soft.

You only need a teaspoon. Wet you face with warm water then smear the honey all over your face being careful not to get it in your eyes. Massage it in for a few minutes then rinse off.  If you don't like the oil method you can do the honey one.

Next I will talk about Apple Cider Vinegar and all the many benefits as to why we should be not only be drinking it but using it on our body also.

WELCOME. Welcome, welcome

Adrienne’s ETC

The purpose of this blog is to introduce my friends to the natural way of life. With so many chemicals in our food and products its time to take control for wellness sake. I will be posting different articles I come across as I search the web. KNOWLEDGE IS INFORMATION. Some folks don't want to know. As I was making this transformation, there were things I actually got mad reading because it was one of my favorite foods or cosmetics.  But God has given us these bodies that house the Holy Spirit to take care of. So because I want to please and obey God I'm taking this journey and also considering it as an abundant life. 

I will posting juicing and smoothie recipes that I actually tried  as well as food and beauty recipes.

Besides my eating habits changing I want to first start out with the body products.

My first project was washing my face with oil. YES, I said oil. Sounds crazy yes; but it works. I've been washing my face with oil for six weeks now. I am absolutely amazed on how my skin looks now. No more noon and 3 pm wiping the excessive oils off my face. That also means no more department store products that cost so much that was only producing more oils because it was stripping the natural oil with the chemicals in the products.

There are several websites that tell how to face your face with oil with a suggested formula.

The main ingredient used is Castor Oil (Pure Therapeutic Grade). Though I started out with regular Castor Oil from Walmart; I did which to the therapeutic grade, I read somewhere that there is no difference. Castor Oil has many benefits for skin and hair. just to give you a few: 

Castor Oil Hair and Skin Benefits

• Castor oil has a small molecular size, this means that it penetrates easily, deeply and quickly into the skin. This makes it one of the super penetrative carrier oils besides coconut and olive oil.
• Castor oil soothes inflamed skin including the hair scalp.
• Castor oil provides a moisturizing effect to hair and scalp, because of its penetrative qualities castor oil does not only coat the hair strand but enters the cuticle imparting its numerous minerals and nutrients thus guaranteeing long lasting hydration and nutrition to hair and scalp.
• Castor oil thickens and promotes hair growth even in places where hair would not grow before. Castor oil can also be used to thicken other areas where hair is sparse on your body like your eyebrows and eyelashes.
• Castor oil can repair chemical damage due to hair abuse with regular use. The omega-9 fatty acids in castor oil also nourishes the hair and prevents the scalp from drying out.
• Castor oil is a humectant as it draws moisture into the hair and skin. Applying castor oil on hair will keep it soft and supple.

I will tell more about the hair later, but back to the face. Washing with the oil does take more time but it is so worth it. Depending on your skin type use the following formulas:

• Oily skin: Use 2/3 castor oil to 1/3 carrier oil. (Or measure out 2 tsp castor oil and 1 tsp carrier oil.)
• Normal skin: Use equal parts castor oil and carrier oil. (Measuring out 1-1/2 tsp castor oil and 1-1/2 tsp carrier oil.)
• Dry skin: Use 1/3 castor oil and 2/3 carrier oil. (Again, 2 tsp carrier oil and 1 tsp castor oil.)

These ratios are NOT set in stone, but they’re a great jumping off point. Again, when I do this, I just eyeball it in the palm of my hand and go from there.

Oil Cleansing in 3 Easy Steps

1. Prepare. Either mix your oils together ahead of time, or have the bottles ready. Set a clean washcloth beside the sink. Turn the hot water on to warm up.
2. Cleanse. Starting with a dirty face (no need to pre-clean here, even if you’re wearing makeup), rinse your face lightly with the warm, running water. Pour the oil in the palm of your hand and then apply gently all over your face. Massage firmly, but gently, always moving upwards. Massage for 2 minutes, and then let the oil sit on your face for 30 more seconds or more.
3. Rinse. By now, you should have very hot water coming out of your faucet. Adjust the heat until it’s cool enough to apply to your skin, but warm enough to soften the oil (it’s probably going to be hotter than the water you usually rinse your face with). Dunk the washcloth under the hot/warm water until it’s completely soaked. Apply the washcloth to your face and hold it there for 10-15 seconds. Slowly begin to wipe off. Rinse your washcloth and repeat until you’ve wiped all the oil off your skin.

That’s it!

Your skin is now cleansed.

Now you may ask, what is a carrier oil; its also known as base oil or vegetable oil, is used to dilute essential oils and absolutes before they are applied to the skin in massage and aromatherapy. They are so named because they carry the oil onto the skin. Carrier oils do not contain a concentrated aroma, Some carrier oils are:

• Jojoba (all skin types, but very desirable for acne-prone skin)
• Sweet almond (all skin types, especially oily)
• Grapeseed (all skin types, especially oily)
• Avocado (dry and aging skin)
  
• Sunflower Seed (all skin types)
• Apricot Kernel (dry, aging, and normal skin)
  
• Argan (all skin types, especially aging skin … very pricey)
• Tamanu (all skin types … very pricey)

My favorite is Sweet Almond Oil.

When you first start out with Oil Cleansing Method, it might be better to use this on a “wash-by-wash” basis before you go mixing a whole bottle of oil together, just in case you want to change up the ratios if you notice your face is becoming too dry or too oily. Example: mix : 2 tsp castor oil, 1 tsp sweet almond oil. But start out using thirds according to your skin type.

Pros and Cons of Oil Cleansing

Pros:

• It’s fantastic for your skin, and works for many people to clear up acne, combat dryness, and maintain a radiant glow.
• It’s super natural (be sure to buy cold-pressed or expeller-pressed organic oils, as well as castor oil that’s consciously extracted).
• It whisks away makeup in a flash.  (It’s the only way I clean my face when I wear makeup now.)
• It doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils.
• If you use this nightly, you may not need to spring for pricey moisturizers anymore.
  

Cons:

• It may take a week or two for your skin to adjust to this new regimen.
• It’s more time-consuming than just washing your face with a cleanser.
• It’s a little more costly than using a cleanser, depending on the oils you choose.
• It may mean more laundry, due to the numerous washcloths you’ll go through if you do this every night.

Notes on the Oil Cleansing Method

The frequency at which you use the OCM is up to you. Some people do it every night. I don’t have that kind of hardcore dedication (nor do I feel like my face gets dirty enough most of the time to warrant it). The one thing I would probably steer clear of – completely – is switching up the OCM with a store-bought facial cleanser that contains sulfates or sulfides. You’ll just confuse the heck out of your skin and it won’t know what to do with its own oil.

You might not need to moisturize after you use the oil cleansing method. This is where I heartily encourage you to get to know your own skin, so you can tell if it’s feeling dry enough to use a moisturizer. Every time I’ve OCM’ed before bedtime, I’ve never felt the need to moisturize (save a little vitamin E oil around my eyes).

You CAN jazz it up with things like tea tree oil or lavender essential oil (if your face is oily or acne-prone) or carrot seed oil or rose hip oil for normal/dry skin or even some rose essential oil or myrrh essential oil if your skin is aging. In all cases, just use 2-3 drops of each oil in your mixture.

Don’t sweat it if you don’t enjoy the oil cleansing method. It does take some time, and it does take some time to get used to. Eventually, you may feel like you’re pampering your face in a whole new and incredible way. Or you may feel like you never want to go to bed, because. Only do it if you enjoy it – if you see and feel a difference you’re happy with.

If you decide to try it let me know. If you have any questions let me know. You might just thank me later.

You can Google "washing my face with oil" to check out other websites on the subject. Some of my favorite websites are:
http://www.crunchybetty.com/nitty-gritty-on-the-oil-cleansing-method
http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/
http://wellnessmama.com/7569/skin-oil-cleansing/