Discover the surprising benefits of apple cider vinegar for gut health, skin care, metabolism, and immune strength — plus practical tips and personal stories on how to use it daily
Love this! Also, ACV works great as a shampoo/conditioner - I've used it almost exclusively for ten years and my hair is healthy and shiny. Just dilute a couple tablespoons in a cup of water, and rinse your hair with it once a week.
Yoo S.E.! I totally forgot to mention this—you’re epic for bringing it up. I actually use a conditioner from Living Libations that has ACV in it, which probably explains why my hair feels so amazing. Everyone needs to know about this trick. Thank you for sharing! 🙌
I personally like mixing ACV with a clay mask—I'll use ACV as the base and dilute it slightly with water. When I worked at the skincare company Alitura, we did this because the ACV helped break down the clay and colostrum so your skin could absorb it better.
Another option is to make a simple toner: mix about 5 parts water to 1 part ACV, dab it on a cotton pad, and gently wipe your face. Then go out and get a little sunshine—see how your skin feels. Just experiment! I don’t recommend using it full strength, since it can burn. Always dilute and go gentle with it.
Great article and I enjoy reading your your experiences with apple cider vinegar. I’ve been experimenting with making my own vinegar the past couple years with whatever fruit the universe sends me.
Last year’s was wild grape vinegar and this year I’m definitely going after the apple 🍎! There’s lots of recipes for DIY out there, and I’m still learning. You have me looking forward to fall production!🦋
PJ, sounds like you’ve got some epic experiments going on at home! Thanks for the love. I seriously want to hear more about these vinegar recipes—if you ever write about them, send one my way! Can’t wait to see what you cook up this fall. Keep the vibes high! 🍇🍎🦋
You’re on… I will be glad to send you my recipe next time I make vinegar, since Ive cobbled it together from a few tries and fails.
And while we’re waiting…. Stock up on large glass jars/containers with wide mouths, wooden spoons, large mesh strainer and clean cotton squares for covering the jars. I use one gallon and one quart jars gathered over the summer from thrift stores. Lids not necessary, since they’re covered with cloth and a rubber band.
PS start saving the mother sludge at the bottom of the jars you buy. Add a dash of filtered water to keep from drying out and place in the fridge.
Hey Anfisa, thanks so much for the comment ❤️ I used to have the same reaction—ACV would totally burn my throat. But when I started using oxymel (which is just raw honey mixed with ACV), that issue went away completely. Have you tried it? I think you’d love it.
My favorite oxymels come from Free Verse Farms, a beautiful organic farm in Vermont. They make amazing blends with herbs and adaptogenic compounds—super soothing and creative. Let me know if you check them out!
Also, I saw your newsletter—you’ve got some beautiful writing. Keep it up! Sending good vibes your way 🌿✨
I live in Ireland where I can get a brand called Natural Umber. It's organic, raw with the mother but due to their process is naturally sweeter, no honey required. I take it every morning in water with powdered turmeric and a medicinal mushroom blend which tastes awful without it. It has completely resolved my age related knee pain.
It's also delicious as a refreshing drink with sparkling water.
I never thought about adding herbs but I will now. Thanks!
Great information on ACV! You've inspired me to start using it again, I got out of the habit. I used to make a quick dressing with ACV, Greek yogurt, olive oil, herbs, and salt. I also was downing a shot once in a while, but I've never tried it with sparkling water. It's on my to-try list.
Thank you so much for sharing this information! I had randomly started using diluted acv as a toner on my skin for the past month, and my skin LOVES it. But I wasn’t able to find an explanation online for why it works, and my functional medicine doctor also did not know why. Now I’m excited to try the Oxymel!
What are the differences you have noticed between making and drinking the oxymel in the same day vs. waiting to drink it after it sits for 2-3 weeks?
Thanks for reminding me about Apple Cider Vinegar. I used to drink it (with honey) for quite a long time, and then (who knows why) I stopped. I think I'll start again. What's good for the gut is good for everything. Yes?
This is amazing! I have been using ACV for years too...I am certain mixing it with blackstrap molasses healed an ovarian cyst once, mixing it with honey is new to me! Thanks for the salad dressing recipe :)
Love this! Also, ACV works great as a shampoo/conditioner - I've used it almost exclusively for ten years and my hair is healthy and shiny. Just dilute a couple tablespoons in a cup of water, and rinse your hair with it once a week.
Yoo S.E.! I totally forgot to mention this—you’re epic for bringing it up. I actually use a conditioner from Living Libations that has ACV in it, which probably explains why my hair feels so amazing. Everyone needs to know about this trick. Thank you for sharing! 🙌
How would one use this for their face? In place of toner, adding a dabble to a cotton ball?
Hey LCJ, thanks for the comment fam ❤️
I personally like mixing ACV with a clay mask—I'll use ACV as the base and dilute it slightly with water. When I worked at the skincare company Alitura, we did this because the ACV helped break down the clay and colostrum so your skin could absorb it better.
Another option is to make a simple toner: mix about 5 parts water to 1 part ACV, dab it on a cotton pad, and gently wipe your face. Then go out and get a little sunshine—see how your skin feels. Just experiment! I don’t recommend using it full strength, since it can burn. Always dilute and go gentle with it.
Tyvm!
Great article and I enjoy reading your your experiences with apple cider vinegar. I’ve been experimenting with making my own vinegar the past couple years with whatever fruit the universe sends me.
Last year’s was wild grape vinegar and this year I’m definitely going after the apple 🍎! There’s lots of recipes for DIY out there, and I’m still learning. You have me looking forward to fall production!🦋
PJ, sounds like you’ve got some epic experiments going on at home! Thanks for the love. I seriously want to hear more about these vinegar recipes—if you ever write about them, send one my way! Can’t wait to see what you cook up this fall. Keep the vibes high! 🍇🍎🦋
Yep, I’m one big old guinea pig.
You’re on… I will be glad to send you my recipe next time I make vinegar, since Ive cobbled it together from a few tries and fails.
And while we’re waiting…. Stock up on large glass jars/containers with wide mouths, wooden spoons, large mesh strainer and clean cotton squares for covering the jars. I use one gallon and one quart jars gathered over the summer from thrift stores. Lids not necessary, since they’re covered with cloth and a rubber band.
PS start saving the mother sludge at the bottom of the jars you buy. Add a dash of filtered water to keep from drying out and place in the fridge.
Too much information - let me know.
I love everything about the benefits of ACV but it hurts my throat so much !!
Hey Anfisa, thanks so much for the comment ❤️ I used to have the same reaction—ACV would totally burn my throat. But when I started using oxymel (which is just raw honey mixed with ACV), that issue went away completely. Have you tried it? I think you’d love it.
My favorite oxymels come from Free Verse Farms, a beautiful organic farm in Vermont. They make amazing blends with herbs and adaptogenic compounds—super soothing and creative. Let me know if you check them out!
Also, I saw your newsletter—you’ve got some beautiful writing. Keep it up! Sending good vibes your way 🌿✨
No but I have to try it out. Thank you for the tip!!!
I live in Ireland where I can get a brand called Natural Umber. It's organic, raw with the mother but due to their process is naturally sweeter, no honey required. I take it every morning in water with powdered turmeric and a medicinal mushroom blend which tastes awful without it. It has completely resolved my age related knee pain.
It's also delicious as a refreshing drink with sparkling water.
I never thought about adding herbs but I will now. Thanks!
Great information on ACV! You've inspired me to start using it again, I got out of the habit. I used to make a quick dressing with ACV, Greek yogurt, olive oil, herbs, and salt. I also was downing a shot once in a while, but I've never tried it with sparkling water. It's on my to-try list.
Also, thanks for the mention!
I love making oxymels!
Thank you so much for sharing this information! I had randomly started using diluted acv as a toner on my skin for the past month, and my skin LOVES it. But I wasn’t able to find an explanation online for why it works, and my functional medicine doctor also did not know why. Now I’m excited to try the Oxymel!
What are the differences you have noticed between making and drinking the oxymel in the same day vs. waiting to drink it after it sits for 2-3 weeks?
Thanks for reminding me about Apple Cider Vinegar. I used to drink it (with honey) for quite a long time, and then (who knows why) I stopped. I think I'll start again. What's good for the gut is good for everything. Yes?
This is amazing! I have been using ACV for years too...I am certain mixing it with blackstrap molasses healed an ovarian cyst once, mixing it with honey is new to me! Thanks for the salad dressing recipe :)