Wellness

The Many Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar by Kathryn Delaney

Roots of Alchemy

It’s quite likely that you have a little powerhouse for wellness tucked away in your cupboard with out even knowing it. Minute diluted consumption of this substance throughout the day has been proven to help with a variety of common ailments that over the counter remedies and often prescription medications create a dependency on. Consuming raw apple cider vinegar is not only less expensive; it is actually beneficial for your health in the long run.Raw Apple Cider Vinegar has a variety of known health benefits. One role that makes it one of our major allies is its ability to help us with digestion of food.

Nearly 80 percent of our immune system is in our intestines,” says Dr. Francesca Quinn, a Naturopath, during a nutrition class. “So you literally are what you eat, absorb and assimilate.” Being that raw apple cider vinegar still has enzymes present, as it is “raw”, and can help us to digest our food when we dilute just a little bit in water and drink this just before each meal.

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is rich in acetic acid. This acid is said to slow the digestion of starches, which can help to lower the rise in glucose that commonly occurs after meals.
It is also rich in ash, which gives it its alkaline property. This aids your body in maintaining balanced pH levels for a healthy alkaline state. If there are not enough minerals in the diet, and a person consumes an abundance of acid forming foods, the body will pull minerals from the body, and lend weakness to organs, glands, teeth, and nails, often even leading to osteoporosis and other conditions.

Raw apple cider vinegar is also a good source of potassium, a mineral often lacking in the American diet. This mineral is important for growth, building muscles, transmission of nerve impulses and heart activity. Potassium also helps prevent brittle teeth, hair loss and runny noses.

Raw apple cider vinegar is also said to help with allergies, including pet, food and environmental. It is also helpful in cases of sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol, flu, chronic fatigue, candida, acid reflux, sore throats, arthritis, and gout. It has important antiseptic properties that help prevent growth of harmful bacteria and viruses in the digestive tract. It has the additional benefit of not interfering with the body’s natural beneficial bacteria.

Dr. Quinn suggests raw apple cider vinegar as a helpful remedy for heartburn, which she states is caused by low hydrochloric acid. Drinking 1 Tbsp. of raw apple cider vinegar, mixed in 8 oz of water 5-10 minutes before a meal, can help to remedy this.

Hydrochloric acid’s action in the digestion system is to kill parasites, digest food, and assist with the absorption of protein and minerals. When a person has low hydrochloric acid levels, protein that is eaten sits in the stomach and is likely to lead to gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. Again, drinking 1 Tbsp. of raw, apple cider vinegar in 8 oz. of water just before a meal can help to remedy this.

Incorporating raw apple cider vinegar is also said to help with weight control. It helps the body sludge out stored up toxins. It may also have a role in blood sugar control and appetite suppression. Due to its impact on insulin secretion it is said to possibly help prevent fat accumulation.

In addition to being of assistance in all of the above-mentioned conditions, raw apple cider vinegar also has the useful ability to extract minerals and vitamins from herbs. Minerals are essential for bone strength. One of these essential minerals,

“Magnesium, is the number one deficiency in the American Diet,” states Dr. Quinn. Magnesium is relaxing for both the nervous system and the muscular skeletal system.
Extracts made with vinegar are generally used as nutritive additions to the diet, which may be added to foods or diluted in water for drinking. Hence, if you know that there are areas in your diet that you need supplementation, and you don’t prefer the pill, tincture, or capsule variety, or if you just want another way to add good stuff into your diet, you can make your own nutritive vinegar to supplement it, that is tailored just for your dietary and lifestyle needs! Some herbs that are commonly used in herbal infused Nutritional Vinegars include:

Alfalfa ~ due to its high nutrient content

Cayenne ~ Cardiac Tonic

Dandelion ~ the root is good for the liver; the leaf is mineral rich and supports the kidney and liver

Figs ~ excellent bone healing food; contains calcium, phosphorus and magnesium

Garlic ~ Anti-microbial which is good during the winter

Horsetail ~ Has a high mineral content and is rich in silica; hair strengthening

Nettle ~ Anti-inflammatory; it is good for allergy season and is high in nutrients

Oatstraw ~ high in calcium and magnesium; it is a nerve tonic

Orange Peel ~ high in vitaminC

Parsley ~ highly nutritive; freshens breath

Red Raspberry Leaf ~ high in iron; specific as tonic for female reproductive organs

Rose hips ~ high in vitamin C

Rosemary ~ stimulating nervine, anti-depressant, toning and calming for the Gastro Intestinal Tract especially if triggerd psychologically. (do not use if taking medications that are time released as it can speed the metabolism of them.)

To Prepare an Herb Infused Vinegar


Choose the herbs you would like to use, and try to use one fresh.

Chop the fresh plant material and fill your jar ¼ – ½ full. If you are using all fresh plant material, fill the jar completely, lightly packing tio minimize the amount of air in the jar. If you are using dried plant material fill the jar, also lightly packing.

Add honey if desired.

Cover with vinegar, fill to the very top. Cap with a plastic lid, label and set aside for 2-6 weeks.

Strain out herb, bottle and label for use.

To Use your Herbal Infused Vinegar


~Pour 1 tsp.- 1 Tbsp. of Herbal Infused Vinegar in a glass of 8 oz sparkling water and dring before every meal.

~Sprinkle over Salads

~Add 2 Tbsp. to smoothies for a “brightening zing”

~serve with olive oil and bread

~play around with substituting in any food you would normally use vinegar.

A reliable source for organic herbs can be found locally in Denver, Colo. at Apothecary Tinctura, on 6th and Fillmore, at Herbs and Arts in Denver, at Rebecca’s Apothecary, in Boulder, or at Little Herbal Apothecary, in Lafayette. It is also very rewarding to grow your own and make vinegars out of your garden harvests. ***

Unknown's avatar

Published by Roots of Alchemy

Kathryn is a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist, Certified Herbalist, Nutritionist and Flower Essence Practitioner. Her experience within the field of holistic health is rooted in Clinical Aromatherapy, raw food preparation, and healing foods preparation. As a practitioner, Kathryn brings her attention to detail through observation, ability to listen on a deeper level, appreciation for the body’s expression, and an investigative interest. She believes that by listening and being watchful of the body and how it carries itself, along with tracking our daily rituals and routines, it allows for a deeper understanding of one’s state of wellness and where it would be most useful to set the attention toward self-care. Kathryn’s interest in plant medicine began at a young age when she realized she had sensitivities to chemicals commonly used in products such as fabric detergent and soap. This led to the discovery of one of her first plant allies, essential oils. Moved by the concept that essential oils have the ability to affect multiple levels of our being, what first provided a non-irritating alternative way to scent herself, laid a pathway into a study of the human body and holistic wellness. After years of her own study and learning medicine making skills, she went on to earn her Certification in Clinical Aromatherapy at the Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy in 2010. While in the Clinical Aromatherapy program she developed a series of Chakra Oils as a meditation tool to help people access and understand their energetic system. Her holistic practice is called Roots of Alchemy, LLC; She also makes all-natural body care and face care products through this company. Moved by learning of how many people were using essential oils inappropriately and experiencing unintentional negative outcomes, Kathryn was inspired to create Esenta, The Aromaticum App in 2016. This is a pocket resource guide to using essential oils safely. Kathryn’s reverence for the power of herbs and food as a primary source of healing was deeply anchored after her mother passed away at the age of 56, nearly ten years ago. After losing her mother, and months of being depressed and eating only minimally, Kathryn began to consider food as a possible route to finding her well-being. Taking purposeful steps in this direction created a shift in her awareness around self-care. She went on to study Healing Diets and Herbalism at the School of Natural Medicine. It was during her study here that she decided to pursue a deeper study with herbs, and through kismet timing and manifestation of a heartfelt wish, found herself studying Medical Herbalism at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism. In addition to her herbal interests, Kathryn has also studied astrology, numerology, and tarot as self-development tools and hand-drew her own tarot deck as part of a ten-year apprenticeship. She weaves imagery with words to allow for a story to open up possibility. Through life’s trials and storms, she has come to witness the mystery of the journey and how often our perceived weakness can lend light which allows one to find their greatest resources of strength. This intersection between our mind, body, emotions, and spirit, lays the foundation for our vital force to actualize. Kathryn developed a deep love for the mysteries and wisdom of the natural world at an early age. She grew up in Boulder, Colorado and has enjoyed a history of hiking and camping throughout the Front Range. Her core areas of clinical interest include skin issues, musculoskeletal concerns, digestive concerns, anxiety and stress management, pain management, nervous system support, restorative formulations, food elimination guidance and support, the emotional thread within wellness, and food preparation assistance, in addition to others.

Leave a comment