The Truth About Vinegar: Ancient Healing Remedy for Health & Home

Episode 42: Vinegar Health Benefits: Ancient Remedy for Your Health & Home

Hello BN friends and welcome to Episode 42. Today we're diving deep into the humble yet powerful world of vinegar—a kitchen staple packed with surprising health benefits, fascinating history, and practical uses that span health and home. We'll explore vinegar’s ancient roots, uncover its diverse types, and provide practical, science-backed tips for harnessing plain vinegar and apple cider vinegar (ACV) in your wellness journey and everyday living. I have to admit, I was still walking around in my uninformed world years ago when my husband started using vinegar for everything. It became a joke to me. We lived in Houston at the time and if you live in a humid area, you know the pain of towels that are dry, but still stink coming out of the laundry? Well, say hello to vinegar. John told me to put vinegar in the softener container in the wash in place of softener to remove the stink and make my towels fluffy again. I was certain he was crazy and my towels would smell like vinegar and, of course, I was proven wrong. I have never looked back and never used softener again. Not only does softener or even dryer sheets have terrible chemicals in them, they stay in the fabric and hold on to those stinky odors. Enter vinegar, which cleans out the softeners and leaves nothing behind to stink and is completely natural with no harmful residue. Next up, I had a sinus infection. I WAS completely over taking unnecessary antibiotics and he told me to boil vinegar over the stove and breathe the fumes into my respiratory pathways. It was amazing! And you can kill two birds with one stone there because I can’t stand the smell of bacon or broccoli lingering in my house and of course, John informed me that if you boil vinegar it takes the stink out of the air. He was 3 for 3 and I could not believe where he got all this knowledge, let alone did he have a page of 101 uses for vinegar? He was way ahead of me in the vinegar department that is for sure. To this day, we still buy vinegar in bulk at Costco. It is a staple in our house for cleaning. More to come on that if you are new to vinegar.

📜 Historical Deep Dive :

ck to ancient Babylon, around: 5000

“29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.”

But the historical uses of vinegar extend far beyond these well-known examples:

inegar was widely used around: 3000

Traditional Chinese Medicine has harnessed vinegar for thousands of years to detoxify the body, enhance blood circulation, and restore internal energy balance (qi).

Samurai warriors in ancient Japan relied on vinegar-based tonics to boost their energy, endurance, and recovery during intense battles and training.

Vinegar was also viewed as a tool for spiritual purification across many cultures. Ancient Egyptians, Chinese healers, and even early European traditions used vinegar in cleansing and protective rituals, believing it could ward off illness and negative energy. Throughout the Middle Ages, vinegar was a go-to remedy for cleaning wounds, preserving food, and even warding off plagues (people carried sponges soaked in vinegar thinking it would protect them!). Whether or not it saved anyone from the Black Death, vinegar was a staple for both the kitchen and the apothecary.

significant popularity in the: 1950

Clearly, vinegar holds deep cultural significance, intertwining with human history, spirituality, and healing traditions around the globe.

If you have been listening to BN for a time now, isn’t it remarkable how all our natural remedies we think are “new discoveries” are really quite old? And on top of that, less expensive than our current day, fancy, chemical-laden solutions? Things that make you think!

🧪 Vinegar Basics – What Is It Really? :

The word "vinegar" comes from the French term “vinaigre,” meaning "sour wine." because that’s how it started—fermented wine gone wrong. What was a mistake turned into an amazing medicine, food, and cleaning solution.

It was commonly made from fermented wine or other alcoholic beverages. How does vinegar becomes vinegar? Vinegar begins with fermentation. Fermentation is a natural, room-temperature process where friendly yeast first converts the sugars in fruits or grains into alcohol. Then, specific bacteria called Acetobacter turn that alcohol into acetic acid, vinegar's powerful active ingredient. It just takes time, microbes, and oxygen working together to transform simple ingredients into this tangy, powerful liquid. Vinegar is God’s gift of fermentation. Different base ingredients create different vinegars: apples for ACV, rice for rice vinegar, grapes for balsamic. It’s simple chemistry—yeast + bacteria + time = vinegar. You can even make your own at home with fruit scraps and patience. It’s the same God-designed process that gives us yogurt, sauerkraut, and kombucha, just taken one step further to become vinegar.

Since Vinegar can come from many sources, each has unique flavor profiles and uses. Today, I am going to dive into the 2 most popular forms of vinegar…..White Vinegar and ACV, and their hundreds of uses around the house and in our health and beauty routines. Safety Note: Always dilute vinegar—its high acidity can damage tooth enamel and irritate your throat or stomach. And if you’re on meds for blood sugar, diuretics, or potassium—talk to your doctor first.

🌱 White Vinegar – The Ultimate Cleaning Companion :

While both ACV and White Vinegar can be used for many things, in my mind I think of vinegar as a cleaning/home agent while I tend to use ACV more for my body. And that is simply opinion because you can interchange their uses. As a broad overview, here is a table I will include in the blog of different vinegars and their health uses. *********

Plain distilled white vinegar, typically derived from grain alcohol, is an unsung hero in your cleaning cabinet, supported by oodles of scientific evidence:

rnal of Environmental Health (: 2010

Struggling with stubborn grime in your kitchen or bathroom? Simply sprinkle baking soda, spray diluted vinegar, and watch surfaces sparkle naturally. Vinegar effortlessly removes fingerprints and streaks from windows, mirrors, and stainless-steel appliances without harsh chemicals, easily replacing expensive glass cleaners.

Tired of harsh chemical odors? Vinegar eliminates lingering kitchen smells, pet odors, and musty laundry odors effectively and affordably—just simmer vinegar with water or add a half-cup in your laundry rinse cycle. It's a budget-friendly alternative to fabric softeners and deodorizing sprays.

Sinus troubles or seasonal allergies causing misery? Steam inhalation with diluted vinegar helps clear congestion by neutralizing bacteria and mold spores in the air, providing relief naturally and safely, potentially replacing costly nasal sprays or air purifiers.

As a multi-purpose wonder, vinegar can replace multiple commercial products in your home: expensive drain cleaners, harsh disinfectants, chemical-laden produce washes, and specialized pet odor removers—all at a fraction of the cost.

🍎 Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) – Your Wellness and Detox Ally (10-12 minutes):

Apple cider vinegar offers a unique wellness boost, rich in enzymes, probiotics, and essential minerals from fermented apples. For health benefits, look for raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with the "mother" intact. This unprocessed version contains beneficial bacteria and enzymes.

Modern science validates ACV’s health benefits:

A: 2018

Research from 2009 in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry showed consistent use of ACV can aid in weight management and reduce belly fat.

e-Based Integrative Medicine (: 2020

For daily wellness, dilute a tablespoon of ACV in water before meals to improve digestion, balance stomach acid, and support gentle detoxification. ACV aids liver function, helping your body naturally eliminate toxins and reduce bloating. I just put a cup of ACV in my bath.

Combatting a sore throat or common cold? Gargling diluted ACV can soothe your throat and reduce harmful bacteria. ACV also doubles as a beauty essential—use it diluted as a scalp rinse for shinier, dandruff-free hair, or to calm skin irritation from sunburn or bug bites. Friend uses it for cleaning body….goal for shampoo and conditioner.

ACV’s household uses extend to creating a safe, effective produce wash, removing pesticides and germs from fruits and vegetables without chemical residues, replacing costly specialty washes. I used it after wearing toenail stickers…it neutralizes the pH of a fungus…

Reflecting on Simple Wisdom :

It amazes me how something as simple and humble as vinegar carries such profound wisdom from ancient history into our modern homes. Whether you're using it for health, cleaning, or culinary purposes, its versatility is unmatched. Plus, it has a long and rich history that ties it to civilizations across the globe. Its amazing how God often uses the simple things—the overlooked things—to bring healing, comfort, and wellness into our lives. Just like vinegar, sometimes we undervalue the very tools and remedies readily available around us. I heard a podcast and this gal said she only used 5 products to clean her house and vinegar was one of them. That’s my goal. Simplify my life. Simplify the products, purge the cleaning closet.

Here's a comprehensive list of a few more ideas for how to use vinegar in your daily life. Discovering ways to use it is amazing. To be able to let go of slathering our bodies and our homes with expensive and unnecessary chemicals is empowering!

Cleaning Purposes:

All-Purpose Cleaner: Vinegar can be used to clean countertops, windows, glass surfaces, and more. It's an effective and natural alternative to chemical-based cleaners.

Toilet Cleaner: Mix vinegar with baking soda to clean and deodorize toilets.

Floor Cleaner: Dilute vinegar with water to clean floors, leaving them shiny and streak-free.

Removing Stains: Vinegar can help remove stains from carpets, upholstery, and clothing. However, always test on a small, inconspicuous area first.

Wipe Down the Microwave Just fill a bowl with equal parts of water and vinegar along with two drops of lemon essential oil (this helps with the smell) and it will loosen the mess inside the microwave. You can use it to scrub if there are any stuck-on spots, too.

DIY Reusable Cleaning Wipes All you have to do is combine a quarter cup of white vinegar with two tablespoons of baking soda and a quarter cup of water. You can also add any essential oils you’d like to improve the scent of the wipes and to boost their cleaning power.Fill a container with reusable rags like paper towels or old pieces of towel. Then, pour the solution on top and you can use the wipes whenever they are needed.

Wipe Down Faucets

Use vinegar to remove lime buildup on faucets or other fixtures. Simply combine a teaspoon of vinegar and two tablespoons of salt to make a paste, then apply to your fixtures and wipe clean.

Laundry Uses:

Fabric Softener: Add vinegar to the rinse cycle to soften clothes without the use of commercial fabric softeners.

Stain Remover: Apply vinegar directly to stains before washing to help lift them from fabrics.

Gardening:

Weed Killer: Vinegar can be used as a natural weed killer. Be cautious as it can also kill desired plants.

Plant Fertilizer: Dilute vinegar with water and use it as a fertilizer for acid-loving plants like azaleas and rhododendrons.

The key here is to recognize it is working by changing the pH of the plant.

Health and Beauty:

Hair Rinse: Rinse hair with diluted vinegar to remove buildup and add shine.

Skin Toner: Mix vinegar with water as a natural toner for the skin.

Foot Soak: Soak feet in a mixture of warm water and vinegar to soften calluses and soothe tired feet.

Whiten Your Teeth Brush your teeth once per week with some white vinegar – it will serve as an all-natural whitening solution! Plus, it can help you banish bad breath.

Cooking and Food Preservation:

Pickling: Vinegar is a key ingredient in pickling vegetables, preserving them for longer periods.

Salad Dressings: Use vinegar as a base for homemade salad dressings.

Marinades: Vinegar can tenderize meat and add flavor to marinades.

Household Remedies:

Sunburn Relief: Apply diluted vinegar to sunburned skin to soothe discomfort.

Sore Throat Relief: Gargle with warm water mixed with vinegar to relieve a sore throat.

Insect Repellent: Vinegar can deter ants, mosquitoes, and other pests. Spray diluted vinegar around doorways and windows or use it to clean surfaces where insects are a problem. Save money on pest control and never worry about chemicals in your house for your pups or kids to get into.

DIY Fruit Fly Trap

Fruit flies tend to strike right in the middle of the harvest season. You can easily get rid of them by putting out a bowl of white vinegar.

Clean a Coffee Maker

I am absolutely terrible when it comes to cleaning my coffee maker. Vinegar makes it a lot easier, though. About once a month, you can fill the reservoir on your coffee maker with some white vinegar and then run it through a brewing cycle.

7. General Tips and Tricks:

Odor Neutralizer: Place a bowl of vinegar in a room to absorb unwanted odors.

Fruit and Vegetable Wash: Rinse fruits and vegetables with diluted vinegar to remove pesticide residues and bacteria.

Get Rid of Gum If you have gum on fabric or in your hair, heat up a small bowl of vinegar. Pour it over the area and the gu should dissolve.

Get Rid of Water Rings

If you have any water rings on wooden or leather furniture, you can usually get rid of it by combining equal parts of vinegar and olive oil. Just apply it with a soft cloth and rinse afterward.

Next time you reach for that bottle of vinegar, pause and appreciate its rich history, versatility, cost-saving benefits, and quiet power to enhance your family's health and home. We are truly capable of achieving a greater well-being through the natural resources we are already provided.