Increase your energy, soften your skin and add shine to your hair with apple cider vinegar.

For centuries apple cider vinegar has been widely used for its health benefits. In 400 BC, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, used it for its natural cleansing, healing and energising qualities.

The Egyptians used it in 300 BC, and Julius Caesar's army used a vinegar tonic to fight off disease and maintain health. Many recent medical studies document the health benefits. My thought is that there is clearly something remarkable about apple cider vinegar and that it is certainly worth consuming every day.

Apple cider vinegar can be used for everything from helping to support a healthy immune system, control weight, maintain cholesterol levels, balance pH levels, promote digestion, remove toxins, and these are just the internal benefits. When applied externally it is wonderfully effective in supporting healthy skin and hair, soothes irritated skin and helps to relieve muscle pain from exercise.

Internal suggestions

• Start the day with a glass of water with two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. If you need a sweetener, add a half teaspoon of honey or maple syrup. If you're really keen, have another glass 15 minutes prior to dinner. Try this for 30 days and observe the difference in your overall health and beauty.
  

• Add apple cider vinegar to your salad dressings. Recipe suggestion: one-quarter of a cup extra-virgin cold-pressed olive oil with one tablespoon apple cider vinegar and a pinch of cracked pepper and sea salt.

External suggestions

• Gently pat your skin with a soft cotton ball dipped in apple cider vinegar to help exfoliate dry skin and clear non-cystic acne. This simple beauty ritual will help your skin to soften and glow.
  

• After you wash your hair do a rinse with apple cider vinegar to give your hair improved shine as well as an itchy scalp relief.
  

• Add one cup of apple cider vinegar to a warm bath to help relieve dry, irritated skin. An apple cider vinegar bath is also helpful in relieving muscle pain after exercise by helping to restore the acid-alkaline balance.

Remember: Make sure you use raw, organic apple cider vinegar. Never choose dead, distilled vinegar because the natural enzymes, minerals and nutrients are destroyed in the distilling process. Natural raw apple cider vinegar should be pungent, with a rich, brownish colour and a visible strand-like substance at the bottom of the bottle.