Vinegar plays a valuable role in our daily lives. As an ingredient in salad dressings, mayonnaise, marinades and condiments, vinegar adds flavor to foods and tenderizes meat and poultry before cooking. Manufactured through fermentation, some vinegars, such as apple cider vinegar, may contain additional fruit or herbal flavors. The Vinegar Institutes reports that the process by which vinegar ferments was discovered more than 10,000 years ago. Today, vinegar appears in several natural remedies.
Skin Remedies
When applied directly to sunburn, vinegar may offer relief from the sting. Pour some into a clean spray bottle, and spray liberally as needed to ease the pain. Minor burns may also benefit from chilled vinegar that is applied before a blister can develop, reports The Vinegar Institute.
Two tablespoons of vinegar added to bath water will soothe itchy and dry skin. For localized itching, make a paste by combining cornstarch with vinegar, and leave it on the affected skin until the itching is gone.
A soothing foot bath made from two gallons of warm water and one cup of vinegar will soften hardened calluses and rough skin. Let feet soak for 45 minutes before drying and rubbing away calluses with a pumice stone.
Internal Remedies
Vinegar offers natural relief for arthritis when taken internally, claims The Vinegar Institute. Combine ½ teaspoon of vinegar with ½ teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of flavored gelatin in a glass of water to ease mild arthritis symptoms. Expectant mothers may find relief for morning sickness by adding vinegar and honey to water and sipping until the nausea subsides. Gargle with vinegar mouthwash, made by mixing one teaspoon of vinegar in a small glass of water, to soothe a sore throat. Add honey to taste, and swallow the mixture after gargling.
Other Remedies
Get rid of head lice by applying vinegar to the entire head after shampooing with a lice-killing shampoo, suggests the Mayo Clinic. Saturate just-washed hair thoroughly, taking care not to get the vinegar into the eyes, and don’t rinse it out. Comb hair to remove nits.
Inhaling the steam from ¼ cup of vinegar added to a pot of simmering water may alleviate chest congestion, suggests The Vinegar Institute. Apply vinegar to toenail fungus for 15 minutes a day to promote healthy toenail growth. Protect yourself from swimmer’s ear by mixing a drop of vinegar with a drop of rubbing alcohol and placing it in the ear after swimming to kill bacteria in the ear, recommends Medline Plus.
About this Author
Glyn Sheridan is a freelance writer with published credits in regional and national media. Sheridan specializes in health, fitness, construction and business writing. She is also a past editor of “Kansas Women – Focus on Fitness.” Sheridan’s education includes marketing and journalism.
