First – do no harm

Hi – let me introduce you to the human guinea pig. That’s me – the friendly face you see to the right!

While I refuse to be a human guinea pig (in effect) for things like the swine flu vaccine (yeah, we desperately needed that one, didn’t we?), I actually delight in being a guinea pig for natural remedies.

You know why? Because a natural approach fits in well with my belief in managing your health: the proverbial first do no harm. You rarely are going to die or suffer any serious side effects from a natural approach. You’re not going to see small print such as: Warning: May cause diarrhea, severe headaches, heart attack and/or death! If you’re not dying or near, take the first do no harm approach.

I realized the other day that I guinea pig myself all the time … and have for years. That’s how I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. That’s how I’ve found natural ways that create and sustain good health.

However, I’ve put one remedy to the side over and over, except for very limited use of a day or two for a cold, cough or sore throat coming on. Why? Because I can’t stand the taste! Yeah, I’m a baby sometimes; I admit it. The item I’ve been trying not to try is apple cider vinegar (ACV).

I love a good vinaigrette, but ACV on its own makes my nose crinkle nearly in half! Tough to make myself get in a daily habit of hurting my nose and gagging. But, I’ve read too many times about the amazing health benefits of ACV so I’m back at it.

So far I’ve made it a couple weeks of a daily morning dose. And, honestly, I’m not gagging. Still a bit of nose crinkling, but it’s manageable! I’ve been using Body Ami vinegar because it is flavored with honey and fruit, figuring that would be more tasty. Tasty isn’t really the description, but it’s bearable. I’m next going to try Bragg’s ACV to compare, though. If the Body Ami version is more tolerable, I may return to it.

Why am I determined to work in daily ACV? The health benefits are just too numerous to sweep aside, particularly from an item that truly can do no harm. I especially am interested in its effect on arthritis. I stay on top of that one as my mother, her mother and numerous relatives suffered severely from rheumatoid arthritis. Thankfully, it seems I have been spared. But I have been noticing some issues with the joints in my toes so I figure it may be time to pay attention (or stop wearing cute shoes as often!). If I can do something that can avert arthritis – rheumatoid or other forms – I will. A daily dose of ACV sure seems like a no-brainer choice vs. not being able to get around, pain, losing energy and more.

ACV not only works for arthritis, it also helps alleviate allergies, sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol, flu, chronic fatigue, candida, acid reflux, sore throats, high blood pressure and gout. In addition, it protects against food poisoning so packing some for those summer picnics might be well worth it!

ACV also is an effective natural bacteria-fighting agent that contains minerals and trace elements vital for a healthy body like potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine.

With all of this, it truly seems like a dose of ACV (always dilute it in a glass of water) each day is a pretty simple way to insure your health. I’ll let you know what it has done for me in another month or so. Though I encourage you to try for yourself. And, if you already are an ACV user and have experienced great health benefits, I’d love to hear about your experience.