The Chronicle

At home Ancient remedy for ills

Benefits of apple cider vinegar known for thousands of years

- with Jody Allen Jody Allen is the founder of Stay At Home Mum: www.stayathome­mum.com.au

MADE from the juice of whole apples that have undergone a fermentati­on process until their sugars turn to vinegar, apple cider vinegar has been used since 5000BC as a tonic and beverage. Here are my 12 top uses for apple cider vinegar: 1. Improve your sleep. Mix one or two teaspoons with a little honey and some water, and sip prior to bed. Traditiona­lly this mixture was used to help bring about sleep.

2. Improve digestion and help lose weight. Sipping apple cider vinegar mixed with water during a meal helps to keep blood sugar and insulin levels lower, helping to reduce cravings and increase your fullness after eating.

3. Neutralise stomach acid. After consuming a fatty meal, take two teaspoons of cider vinegar in a glass of water to relieve the nauseous feeling and get your digestion working better. Indigestio­n and acid reflux sufferers can also use apple cider vinegar to help relieve symptoms. For best results, dilute one to three teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in warm water and consume before every meal. 4. Boost your hair’s radiance and shine. Add half a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a cup of cold water to a clean plastic bottle. Pour the solution through your hair after shampooing. Careful you don’t get it in your eye’s though – it stings. 5. Fresh, healthy complexion. Dilute one part apple cider vinegar to two parts water (dilute further for sensitive skin) and use a cotton ball to dab on your face after cleansing and before applying moisturise­r. Apple cider vinegar helps to balance the pH level of the skin and the antibacter­ial and anti-fungal properties of the cider vinegar help prevent acne problems. 6. Keep pet fur shiny and eliminate odours. Add cider vinegar to your pet’s drinking water and smell the difference. 7. Remove lint from clothes. Don’t you hate it when the washing comes out of the machine covered in lint? Add half a cup of cider vinegar to your rinse cycle and watch it disappear. 8. Deodorise the fridge. Place a cup of apple cider vinegar inside the refrigerat­or for two days for a fresh clean smell. 9. Clean and disinfect wooden cutting boards. Simply with a wipe of full strength apple cider vinegar.

10. Remove spots and film from glasses. Milk can leave a film on glass and water spots are the worst! Rinse glasses in water and cider vinegar. 11. Clean windows and floor tiles. For a sparkly clean, add cider vinegar to the wash water. 12. Extend the life of fresh cut flowers. Make those blooms last longer by adding two tablespoon­s of cider vinegar and one teaspoon of sugar to each litre of water in the vase.

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