Apple cider vinegar is our new obsession in the Pumpd fit family.

I recently began taking apple cider vinegar shots (1 tablespoon) a few times a day for a quick and effective energy burst.

However, I’ve since discovered several other useful ways to incorporate apple cider vinegar (which I will refer to as ACV in the blog post going foward) into my daily routine.

ACV is just crazy effective for pretty much anything—your skin, your hair, your house, and even your pets can benefit from its qualities. Raw, organic, unfiltered and unpasteurized, apple cider vinegar is so much more than a salad dressing!

1. Apple cider vinegar can detoxify your home.

It’s made from apple juice and is fermented to hard apple cider through a process. It’s then fermented a second time to become apple cider vinegar. By you using ACV instead of other products, we instantly decrease the consumption of unnatural chemicals in our homes and daily lives (thus reducing environmental elements that can be cancerous).

2. It will make your hair shine.

ACV can be used as a rinse for your hair after shampooing, and will boost your hair’s body and shine. I recommend recycling an old shampoo bottle, then filling it with 1/2 a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a cup of cold water. Pour the solution through your hair after shampooing several times a week for dramatic results.

3. Natural apple cider vinegar regulates the pH of your skin.

Dilute ACV with two parts water, and spread the concoction over your face with a cotton ball to replace your current toner (so MAGICAL). You can do this at night after washing, and in the morning before you apply your moisturizer. A dab of apple cider vinegar can also be left on the skin overnight to fade age spots or acne scars.

It’s also a recommended agent for warts. For warts, soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar, then fasten the cotton ball over the wart with a Band-Aid overnight. The skin may swell some as it reacts with the solution. However, the wart will fall off. Once it falls off, the treatment should be continued for a few more days, to make sure the wart doesn’t return.

4. It will remove stains from teeth.

Rub ACV directly on teeth, and rinse with water.

5. It will soothe sun burnt skin.

Add a cup of ACV to your tub, and soak for 10 minutes to reduce discomfort from sunburn.

6. Apple cider vinegar can be used as a natural aftershave.

Fill a bottle with equal parts apple cider vinegar and water, and shake before applying to the face.

7. It’s an all-natural massage treatment.

Rubbing ACV on your hands and feet will give massage-like benefits and will provide relief to tired hands and feet.

8. Apple cider vinegar will aid in weight loss.

For daily weight management, add 2 teaspoons of ACV to 16 ounces of water. This concoction can be sipped throughout the day. Research Data shows some, yet significant, weight loss benefits from consistent daily intake of acetic acid (main ingredient in apple cider vinegar).

In a 2009 study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, it was found that subjects that consumed acetic acid for 12 weeks experienced significant declines in body weight, abdominal fat, waist circumference and triglycerides. Triglycerides contribute to the bad cholesterol that we want to avoid.

9. Apple cider vinegar will balance your entire inner body system.

The body constantly strives to achieve a state of equilibrium. What do I mean by this? Well there are several things that make your body acidic and when your body is in an acidic state you put it in an inflammatory state. Now when your body is in an inflammatory state that causes illness and possibility of cancer. Apple cider vinegar helps the body maintain a healthy alkaline pH level (opposite of acidic which is what you want). Research shows that higher acid levels (lower pH level) leads to a lack of energy and higher incidences of infection. Hence, my desire to sip some a few times a day for a natural boost of energy. (Also why I love adding Pineapple to my drinks because it contains bromelain which is a natural anti-inflammatory)

10. It will help you detox.

As part of balancing the body’s pH, ACV creates an overall detoxification of the body. Research shows that it can help stimulate cardiovascular circulation and help detoxify the liver. However, at a minimum you should be taking some milk thistle to support healthy liver functions.

11. ACV is great for your lymphatic system.

This miracle ACV helps to break up mucous throughout the body and cleanse the lymph nodes. Research suggests that ACV can help with allergies because of it reduces mucous and sinus congestion which several people do not know about. When reducing the effects of allergies, it can also help stave off sinus infections and their related symptoms, such as sore throats and headaches.

12. It can help your body get rid of candida.

This vinegar is rich in natural enzymes that can help rid your body of candida—yeasts that are attributed to thrush in humans. Candida also is blamed for creating symptoms of fatigue, poor memory, sugar cravings, and yeast infections.

13. ACV will help you reduce heartburn.

Though it might seem like an oxy-moron to say that to treat stomach acid with an acid-containing vinegar, there is research suggesting that apple cider vinegar works by correcting low acid, hence reducing heartburn. Natural remedy experts state you should begin to feel relief very shortly after taking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar followed by a glass of water. To clarify apple cider vinegar will not give relief if you have an ulcer.

14. The use of apple cider vinegar is effective in repelling fleas on your pets.

One part vinegar and one part water can be sprayed on your pets fur and rubbed in generously to the skin. Saturate the entire coat, and continue every day for a few days to a week. Any flea infestation will surely be gone.

15. It’s an all-natural room freshener.

Apple cider vinegar will clean your toilets and leave your bathroom smelling like apples! Just pour apple cider vinegar into the toilet, and allow it to sit overnight. It can also be used in dishwashers as a substitute for dish detergent. Mix 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup water, and you can use this solution to clean microwaves, kitchen surfaces, windows, glasses and mirrors, too.

I went beyond the health use of apple cider vinegar because its truly a magical thing to use which I hope you take value from the uses I wrote out. Well as for me it is now smoothie time so I will catch you all later!