Vinegar has had a long history of helping a number of ailments -- scurvy, cholera, diphtheria, high fever, dysentery, urinary infections, scarlatina, tonsillitis, hoarseness, external inflammations, contusions, joint injuries, apathy, obesity, hay fever, asthma, rashes, food poisoning, heartburn, bad eyesight, brittle nails, and bad breath...to name a few.
Modern science doesn't endorse all of the traditional uses of vinegar, but this article offers a picture of the seemingly endless healing qualities vinegar may have. We'll start with those stubborn aches and pains:
Backaches: Soaking in a bathtub of hot water and 2 cups vinegar for 30 minutes will help relieve a minor backache and soothe sore muscles.
Bursitis: Boil 1 cup apple cider vinegar, and add 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper during the boil. Cool this mixture, then apply it in a compress to affected area. Make sure the cayenne doesn't irritate the skin. The compress should make the area feel warm but not burning.
©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
Vinegar is one soldier in the battle over the flu.
|
Headache: To ease a headache, lie down and apply a compress dipped in a mixture of half warm water and half vinegar to the temples. Also try an herbal vinegar such as lavender to provide aromatic relief.
Leg Cramps: Ease the pain of a leg cramp or other cramp in the body by using a soft cloth soaked in full-strength vinegar as a compress.
Muscle Sprain: Apply a paste of white wine, vinegar, and bran to a recent sprain.
Use a towel soaked in hot vinegar as a compress to ease the pain of a recent muscle strain or sprain. Apply for 20 minutes at a time. If the pain persists, consult a physician.
Ready for flu season!
When flu hits, there's no time to lose. You need to be ready to fight the battle, and vinegar can help.
Cough: Sprinkle your pillowcase with apple cider vinegar to control nighttime coughing.
Homemade
Cough Syrup
with Vinegar
During a period of cold or flu, make your own cough syrup to have on hand.
Mix 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, and pour into a jar or bottle that can be tightly sealed. Shake well before each use.
Take 1 tablespoon every 4 hours. If the cough persists for more than a week, see a physician. |
Respiratory Congestion: To treat head or chest congestion, add 1/4 cup vinegar to a vaporizer, and run it for an hour or more.
Sinus Congestion: Breathing in steam from a vaporizer can be beneficial in treating the facial pain of a sinus infection. Add 1/4 cup vinegar to a vaporizer and breathe in deeply.
Sore Throat: Vinegar can be used for a sore throat. Use 1 teaspoon per 8 ounces of water, and gargle.
When Summer's Not Fun
Summer offers a lot of fun possibilities, but it does have its dangers. Vinegar can help with summer hazards.
Bee Stings and Bug Bites: Use vinegar mixed with cornstarch to make a paste. Apply the paste to a bee sting or bug bite, and let it dry.
Poison Ivy and Poison Oak: Soothe the rash from poison oak or poison ivy by using a vinegar compress. Mix 1/2 cup vinegar in a 1-pint container, then add enough water to fill the container. Chill the container in the refrigerator. When it is cool, dampen a cloth or gauze with the solution, and apply to the rash.
Sunburn: Vinegar has a cooling effect on sunburn. Splash it over the sunburned area, then lightly rub into the skin. Or simply cool sunburn with diluted vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray on the affected area.
As you've seen, vinegar can be versatile cure for a variety of home remedies. Give it a try next time you are feeling not-so-good. ©Publications International, Ltd.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
