If you’re like me, you’ve heard about the miraculous wonders of apple cider vinegar for years — I can remember my high school math teacher affirming its powers! But I didn’t investigate to see if the ingredient would be beneficial for me until recently. Apple cider vinegar, made from fermented apples, is an age-old cure for many ailments and beauty issues. Though its use is not new, incorporating it into a daily routine has gained popularity over the years.

To reap all of the possible benefits, it’s crucial to purchase organic, unpasteurized, unfiltered apple cider vinegar that contains the “mother” — a cobweb-like substance full of vitamins, minerals, and more healthy microorganisms. This substance is harmless even though it looks odd to ingest. The vinegar is quite acidic, so it’s important to dilute it appropriately when used topically. Now that I have done more research, I’m happy to share my results with you below as well as a couple summertime recipes.

Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits

-Aids in digestion

-Relieves stomach aches

-Reduces acne

-Combats cold symptoms

-Lowers blood pressure

-Enhances heart health

-Relieves allergy congestion

-Balances pH levels

-Regulates blood sugar

-Reduces sugar cravings

-Fights yeast infections

-Reduces swelling

Face Toner: helps remove unnecessary oils and balances pH levels

You Will Need

1 part apple cider vinegar

2 parts distilled water

Cotton ball

To Make

Combine the apple cider vinegar and distilled water. Apply to your face with a cotton ball and let dry.

Hair Rinse: removes leftover product and adds shine

You Will Need

2 TB. apple cider vinegar

1 cup water

To Make

Combine the apple cider vinegar and water. Massage into your hair and rinse off after 10 minutes.

Sunburn Soother: cools sunburned skin

You Will Need

½ cup apple cider vinegar

4 cups water

Washcloth

To Make

Combine the apple cider vinegar and water. Soak the washcloth in the mixture, and apply to your sunburned skin as needed.

Bruise Relief: helps release pooled blood under skin

You Will Need

Cotton ball

Undiluted apple cider vinegar

Bandage

To Make

Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar. Place the cotton ball on the bruise and secure in place with a bandage. Let sit for one hour before removing.

Danielle Williams is the assistant senior managing editor for Stampington & Company. She lives in Costa Mesa, California, with her husband, Casey, and opinionated cat, Holly Golightly.