Many home remedies use vinegar to help with health conditions or situations such as stings or skin problems. The long-time use of vinegar for cleaning may also be considered healthy, since it is an alternative to using cleaning products that may contain harmful chemicals, toxins or fumes. The health benefits of vinegar are primarily associated with its weak acid properties, which provide relief or improvement naturally.
Diet
You can use vinegar as a healthy way to replace some foods in your diet that may be higher in fat or to help spice up foods without raising your cholesterol. A half cup of vinegar has only 25 calories. According to the Discovery Channel's Planet Green website, vinegar helps the body absorb calcium and may be helpful if you don't drink milk. Vinegar has also been reported to help adults with type 2 diabetes, because it may improve the body's sensitivity to insulin.
Nail Fungus
Using a home remedy such as vinegar to help with nail fungus is a long-time practice. The Mayo Clinic website reports that there is no scientific proof that soaking your nails in vinegar will cure the fungus, although it can stop bacteria from growing. Soak your feet daily in two parts water and one part vinegar for about 20 minutes. If your feet become irritated, add more water or reduce the amount of vinegar.
Stings
Stings such as bee stings and jellyfish stings can be very painful, and allergic reactions from some stings can be life-threatening. Stings that do not require medical treatment and are tended to at home may benefit from the application of vinegar. It can help reduce the pain from the sting and doesn't have any harsh chemicals, which an alternative product may contain. You can pour vinegar on a jellyfish stinger that may still be attached to the skin to stop the release of venom. The exception would be a Chesapeake sea nettle, because vinegar can actually cause a stinger to release the venom in this case.
Lice
Lice has a stigma attached to it as a dirty, undesirable condition. The truth is that you can get lice even if you practice excellent personal hygiene. There is special shampoo to treat head lice, and after you use it, the Mayo Clinic website states that you can rinse your hair with vinegar. It can help remove the leftover lice that may be in your hair.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a skin condition that primarily occurs around the noses or mouths of children. It appears as small, red sores and can be passed to another child easily. A solution of 1 tbsp. of vinegar in a pint of water can be applied to the skin to help soften and remove impetigo scabs.
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