A lot of things go wrong as you age – you’re tired, sick, and just not young. But one of the most painful inflictions on you comes in the form of arthritis, which brings the dreaded joint pain. If nothing else does, this definitely makes you feel your age.
So, what’s the solution for this? You definitely can’t get any younger and over-the-counter drugs make you want to pop a pill so often that it turns into an addiction. A good solution is to find a natural remedy as it won’t make things worse at the very least. And one of your best bets might just be apple cider vinegar (ACV).
While there’s a lack of research on this home remedy, many people advocate the use of ACV for pain relief. Here’s how you can use apple cider vinegar every day to relieve you of pain and help you stay active.
How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Arthritis
1. Drink With Water
ACV does not taste that great to drink as is. So, mix the vinegar with enough water and drink it at least once a day. While the water dilutes it, the mix can still taste a little yucky. But this makes it no less healthy.
2. Soak In It
ACV can be quite harsh if directly applied on your skin. So, mix the vinegar and water in the ratio 1:6 in a large bowl. Soak the affected body part in this mixture. If it’s your neck or shoulder that’s giving you the pain, soak a towel in the mix and place it on the affected area.
3. Apply With Oils
Mix the vinegar and olive/coconut oil in the ratio of 2:1. Apply this on the affected area and give a gentle massage. Leave it on for a few minutes so that the skin soaks up the mixture. Repeat the use as and when required.
4. Add To Cherry Juice
When mixed with cherry, the mixture works as a great anti-inflammatory. Make a glass of cherry juice and add 1 tsp of ACV. Drink this combination at least once and a maximum of 3 times a day. Do this before meal times.
5. Run A Bath
Soaking in a long, hot bath as is gives you a heavenly relief when the pain is too much to bear. With a little twist, it can get much better. Add about 2–3 cups of ACV into the hot water and soak in it for half an hour. Massage your body from your feet to your torso slowly and gently while in the bath. Later, give a dry massage to your body.
6. Make A Poultice
Add 3 cups of water and 1/2 cup of ACV to water and heat in a pan. Once it gets comfortably hot to touch, soak a cloth in it, wring it, and place it where it hurts. You can place a dry towel on the wet cloth to retain the heat for at least 15 minutes. Once it dries, repeat the process and reapply as needed.
7. Use With Honey
The mixture of ACV and honey are a brilliant way to remove toxins from your body. Add ACV and honey to a glass of water and drink thrice a day. Alternatively, add the two ingredients to warm water and drink as soon as you wake up, on an empty stomach.
8. Make A Tonic
You can make a tonic of ACV by mixing it with peppermint tea. This is believed to work as a great antibacterial and antifungal agent. Prepare a glass of peppermint tea with no sugar. Add 1 tsp each of ACV, honey, and cinnamon. Drink this once a day to reduce pain.
Make sure you use organic, raw apple cider vinegar of good quality. Also, ensure that you’re not allergic to the vinegar or that it won’t react with any medications you’re already using before trying out these methods. ACV might be too strong and decay your teeth, so use a straw to drink the mixtures.
