Worth the gag: Apple Cider Vinegar

I've been fighting a sinus infection for a few days and am pretty headstrong when it comes to using natural remedies.  I wanted to share my latest find.  Apple Cider Vinegar.  Hippocrates, the father of medicine, was said to have only used 2 remedies for ailments: apple cider vinegar and honey.  I heard this and thought, it must be good.  The research proved true.  This is what I found:


Apple cider vinegar plays host to a gamut of vitamins, beta-carotene, pectin and vital minerals such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, chlorine, sulphur, iron, and fluorine.

In layman's terms, it helps reduce bad choloesterol, regulate blood pressure, extracts calcium from other foods that you consume, helps with ailments such as hair loss, weak fingernails, brittle teeth, sinusits, (gasp for more air) runny noses, joint pain, contstipation, headaches, arthiritis, weak bones, indigestion, diarrhea, exzema, sore eyes, chronic fatigue, mild food poisoning,  It also helps break down fat, helps maintain firmer skin, fights fungal and bacterial infections.

Ummm...can you say Wonder Drug?!!!

So how in the world should one choke this not so pleasant elixir down?  I've been putting 2 tbs into a glass of chilled water, holding my nose and shooting it.  Yes, this does produce a bit of an unattractive gagging effect.  (Do this in private.) An option is to add a little honey to that concoction to sweeten it up a bit, but I prefer to take the hard core attack and just get it over with.

You can also take a more subtle approach but mixing it with a little olive oil, honey and using it as a dressing on your salads. 

Word of caution.  Apple cider vinegar is an acid and if taken on an empty stomach may cause a burning sensation.  (I learned this the hard way).  Be sure there's some food in the belly and follow with lots of H2O.  Also, be careful not to fall for that clear, sparkling, nutrition deprived apple cider vinegar found on most grocery store shelves.  You've got to go with the organic, unfiltered, nutrient rich version as mother nature intended.  Otherwise, your gagging will be done in vain.