Since Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV for short) is a key ingredient in our Shampoo Bars, I thought it only fitting to shine the spotlight on this amazing ingredient!
First a little history. Vinegar folklore varies somewhat! Some say a courtier in Babylonia (c. 5000 BC) “discovered” wine, formed from unattended grape juice, leading to the eventual discovery of vinegar and its use as a food preservative. Others believe that the discovery of vinegar was probably by accident; maybe a a jug of wine or beer was left uncovered too long. No one really knows.
What we do know is ACV has been used both for a remedy and a staple in the kitchen for centuries. The use of vinegar goes back at least 8000 years, as containers with traces of vinegar dating back to 6000 B.C. have been found in Egypt and China. Around 5000 B.C. we have written records that the Babylonians used vinegar made with dates both as a preservative and as a condiment, and it was the Babylonians who began experimenting with flavored vinegars using herbs & spices. The ancient Greeks treated wounds with it and while the versatility of vinegar in the kitchen had already been known for thousands of years, it was Hippocrates (circa 400 B.C.E.) who first started prescribing vinegar for a variety of illnesses and preventive needs.
Personally, I can’t say enough about Apple Cider Vinegar. It has so many uses. Although ACV is not a cure for Diabetes, there have been studies proving that it can help with controlling blood sugar. ACV may also help with weight loss when added to a healthy diet and exercise plan. It may help ease hiccups and stop a sore throat in its tracks! I know from experience that it helps with indigestion.
ACV has also been reported to have some skin benefits, as it has some anti-bacterial properties. It may help prevent acne breakouts when used as a part of a daily skin care routine. It’s great used as a hair rinse, restoring the hair’s ph balance after shampooing.
When shopping for ACV, make sure you get raw, unfiltered with the “mother”. An example is Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar. You can also make your own! I’ll save that for another day!