by Nanette Piotrowski

Created on: November 02, 2009   Last Updated: July 07, 2010

Vinegar (which literally means 'sour wine') has been around for thousands of years. It is created when wine or another alcoholic liquid is allowed to ferment a second time, turning it acetic. Its acetic quality enables it to kill bacteria (99%), mold (82%) and germs (80%), while being safe enough not to harm the body or the environment. Vinegar is actually bacteria spores that convert a fermented liquid.

Vinegar can come from the juice of sweet fruits and grains such as barley (malt beer), apple (cider) and grape (wine), yet it can also be made from roots or wood (often the base of white distilled vinegar).

The miracle of vinegar is that it can be used in several capacities like: cooking (100 grams has only 16 calories), cleaning, beauty and grooming, and for animal and human health. One could dispute many of the curative remedies attributed to vinegar, however vinegar certainly has properties that have helped in many different situations. As a homeopathic remedy, it can be used for: coughs, sore throats, upset stomachs, bites and burns.

Ailments and treatments include:

*Coughs

Combine 1/4 cup cider vinegar and 1 cup honey into a cup of warm water. This mixture can be taken by the tablespoon 6-8 times per day as is necessary.

*Sore Throat

To relieve a sore throat, just mix 1 teaspoon of vinegar into a glass of warm water. Gargle first, then swallow. If you cannot tolerate the taste of the vinegar, mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar. Put on a small spoon and slowly suck the mixture off the spoon.

*Nausea

Sip on a mixture of 2 teaspoons of vinegar in a glass of water.

*Athlete's Foot

Soak feet in a solution of equal parts vinegar and warm water or use a spray bottle of undiluted vinegar directly on feet.

*Bacterial Infections on Hands

Soak hands in a solution of half vinegar, half water.

*Bites and Burns

Saturate a cotton ball with undiluted vinegar and apply to areas, or try a paste made with cornstarch and vinegar.

Poison Ivy and other rashes can be treated by using a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water applied to the skin and allowed to dry.

For a sunburn, use a spray bottle with ice-cold white vinegar. Repeat whenever necessary.

As you can see, vinegar has many healthful solutions and is more economical and safe, than other options available.

Source:

Vinegar by Vicky Lansky

Learn more about this author, Nanette Piotrowski.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.