Bodily Uses for Vinegar

Available in white and apple cider varieties, vinegar has many uses beyond cooking and cleaning. This substance offers a less expensive alternative to many over-the-counter health aids and causes fewer side effects. Save money and avoid the effects of harsh chemicals by using vinegar as a remedy for several common health conditions.

Soothe Stings

Jellyfish contain stinging cells that release poison when they brush against you. Dr. Herbert Luscombe, a professor emeritus of dermatology at Jefferson Medical College, recommends rinsing the affected area with vinegar as soon as possible after a sting.

Sunburn Relief

Sunburn causes itching, irritation, pain and peeling skin. Traditional sunburn relief products have a high cost and contain substances that could cause further irritation. The Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students program, managed by dermatology faculty members and medical students from Saint Louis University of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine and University of Kentucky School of Medicine, indicates that a vinegar bath or wet vinegar compress may soothe sunburn irritation. While no controlled research studies have proved the benefits of vinegar for sunburn, anecdotal evidence indicates apple cider or white vinegar provides relief. Do not use vinegar on sunburned skin if you have open blisters.

Dandruff Relief

Dandruff, a form of eczema, causes itching, irritation and other symptoms. The Health Services department at Columbia University recommends rinsing your hair with two or three tablespoons of white vinegar mixed with one cup of warm water to relieve itching and irritation caused by dandruff.

Bug Repellent

Spending time outdoors often means dousing yourself with harsh chemicals to repel bugs and prevent bites. For an easier way to repel bugs without using chemicals, spray vinegar directly on your skin. Dr. Leonard Perry of the University of Vermont Extension recommends vinegar as a natural bug repellent.

Foot Odor Relief

Dr. Suzanne Levine, a clinical assistant podiatrist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, recommends a vinegar foot bath to relieve foot odor. Soak your feet for 15 minutes in one-half cup of vinegar mixed with one quart of warm water. Do this treatment twice each week.

Earwax Removal

In humans, the skin of the ear canal grows outward and carries earwax out of the ear canal. As humans age, the skin growth slows, allowing wax to dry out and accumulate. Dr. Terence M. Davidson, Professor of Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery, at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, reports that vinegar mixed with water and 70 percent isopropyl alcohol softens earwax and reduces accumulation. Mix one part of white table vinegar, one part rubbing alcohol and one part water to achieve these results.