Apple Cider Vinegar is pretty incredible stuff. Commonly used in salad dressings, sauces, marinades, chutneys and preservatives, it also has remarkable medicinal properties. What I’m talking about here is raw, unfiltered, unpasteurised vinegar which contains the ‘mother‘. Don’t ask me to explain what the ‘mother’ is, all I know is that this is the real good stuff which is explained as strands of proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria that give the product a murky, cobweb-like appearance. This gives the vinegar its anti-bacterial, antiseptic, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. It means that any ailment that can be traced from bacteria, a virus or a fungus can be treated with the help of apple cider vinegar. The main reason this works is that apple cider vinegar, as acidic as it tastes, actually helps to alkalize your body (most of us are more acidic). A body that’s more alkaline may be more effective at fighting off viruses that cause colds and the flu. There is tons of information on the internet about this amazing stuff so why not ‘google’ it for yourself when you have a few minutes to spare.

Up to now I have been buying Bragg’s, made in the U.S. and widely available in Ireland in many supermarkets and health food shops and inexpensive at approx €5. However, I was excited to discover recently this wonderful Irish Apple Cider Vinegar from The Apple Farm of Tipperary (don’t you just love the bottle) which I bought in The Ballymore Inn* in Ballymore Eustace for approx. €10.

* a great spot for lunch or dinner plus they also sell a range of Irish food produce like this Apple Cider Vinegar.

I have used ACV to help relieve head colds, sore throats, urinary tract infections and I now take two teaspoons in a glass of water as a supplement at night time. If drinking apple cider vinegar straight up is too much for you (especially if your stomach is upset from the cold or flu) dilute it with a bit of warm water and some honey.

Cold Remedy
Drink a tablespoon or two of ACV (in a glass of water) at the first onset of a cold or the flu.

Urinary Tract Infection(UTI) (cystitis)
This is something I suffer from on a regular basis so I speak from (painful) experience! Apple Cider Vinegar can be useful in preventing the bacteria that cause UTIs from multiplying or growing. If you feel the a UTI coming on you can use apple cider vinegar to help relieve the symptoms.
1. Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. You can also add lemon juice and sweeten with honey. Mix well.
2. Drink this at least twice a day for a few days.

Note: It is important to catch a bladder infection early. Although the incidence is low, if left untreated a bladder infection can travel up into the kidneys. So, if you are  still having symptoms after a couple of days of treatment with raw apple cider vinegar, go to your doctor for medical help

Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing Recipe
Mix 3 parts olive oil to one part vinegar. Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard, and a splash of balsamic vinegar for a sweet taste if you like. Mix well and drizzle over your salad.

Using Apple Cider Vinegar Once You’re Already Sick
If you waited too long and are in the throes of a cold or the flu, keep drinking the vinegar anyway. It’ll help your body fight off the germs, give you some energy, and help improve your digestion.