That's right, vinegar. It's that clear zesty liquid which you pour all over fish & chips, make tasty salad dressing from, and according to thousands, cure your psoriasis with. It sounds suspicious, doesn't it? How can acidic vinegar, the same type that is used as a disinfectant to kill bacteria and clean tough stains, actually be good for your skin? We're here to find out.
The use of ACV for cosmetic purposes and as a treatment for different skin conditions can be traced back all the way through history. It has been found in Egyptian urns dating to 3000 BC, it was used by Romans for healing purposes and as a wound disinfectant during the American civil war. Apart from that, ACV was fashionable during the 19th century, when it was bottled with different essential oils and sold as vinegar de toillete. Unsurprisingly, we don't see many perfumes marketed as having vinegar nowadays. It has a very pronounced smell (it stinks!) However, don't let that distract you from trying it out on your psoriasis; there are hundreds of testimonials in books and forums that apple cider vinegar can reduce itchiness, alleviate scalp psoriasis, reduce the inflammation of psoriatic arthritis... you name it, it can do it.
So, how does it work? The magic of ACV is that it is reported to make pH levels in and on your body more alkaline. According to some theories, this is beneficial because psoriasis is connected to an acidic body state. This pH imbalance is the result of the modern diet, which is over-dependent on acidic foods. As the pH levels plummet in the digestive tract, it can lead to "leaky gut syndrome", which eventually leads to toxins being released through your skin! This is when psoriasis pops up.
Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar for Psoriasis
Using apple cider vinegar internally is a popular treatment for psoriasis. All you have to do is mix 1 tablespoon of raw ACV in a glass of water and sip it slowly. Repeat this three times a day, and space it out throughout the day to make sure your body is in a continual alkalized state.
If you want the best apple cider vinegar for your psoriasis, make sure it is organic! It should be made from nothing but apples - no preservatives or other ingredients. Furthermore, the best brands have the "Mother" inside them. Essentially, this is a little tangled clot of enzymes, bacteria and living nutrients. It is created during the fermentation process and is the most nutritious thing in the whole bottle!
However, make sure to take the following precautions. Don't forget to rinse afterwards (as ACV can erode your tooth enamel), and for heaven's sake dilute it! Otherwise it can injure your throat and esophagus.
The brands that come highly recommended are Bobby's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Holland & Barrett's English ACV and Bragg's Raw - Unfiltered ACV.
Using Apple Cider Vinegar on Psoriasis
Apart from using it internally, you can also use it externally. It promotes blood circulation in the small capillaries of the skin, has antiseptic qualities which prevent bacteria, viruses and yeast from aggravating your psoriasis, and regulates pH levels on the skin. You might need to squeeze your nostrils shut with a clothes peg to stomach the smell, but it only lasts for a few minutes. When it dries, the smell evaporates away with it.
One way to use ACV externally is to take a vinegar bath 3 times a week. It's great for calming the effects of psoriasis over the whole body. To prepare one, start filling the tub with lukewarm water and mix in 2 cupfuls of apple cider vinegar as the water rises to the top. To make it a bit more nose-friendly and take advantage of aromatherapy, you can also add a few drops of lavender or chamomile oil. After that, soak in the tub for 30 minutes and just rinse of the water in a quick shower afterwards.
The other way is to dab it onto your psoriasis patches directly and rub it in. You can do it in the evening and leave it on overnight to get the most benefits. Applying it directly to tough skin - such as the scalp, the elbows and the torso is okay, but dilute it if it will be going anywhere near the face. To use it throughout the day, you can buy a small spray bottle / atomizer and squirt your spots here and there. The smell is temporary and can be masked easily by using aftershave and eau de toilette. Lastly, for fingernail and toenail psoriasis, just soak them in ACV for 5 minutes at a time; the quality of your nails will improve tenfold!
Apple cider vinegar might be one of most wallet-friendly treatments for psoriasis on the planet and it attacks the stubborn skin condition from all directions, inside-out and outside-in. Just remember, it takes a minimum of 2 weeks to start seeing any improvements, so wait a while before making your mind up. Who knows, maybe you'll join the existing number of psoriasis sufferers who practically swear by apple cider vinegar. It's doesn't just make tasty salt & vinegar crisps, it saves skin!
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