Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been overlooked as one of the top products to have on hand when in comes to maintaining a natural, healthy farm. ACV can be used for almost anything. It is very cost effective and it WORKS!
Running an organic farm is rewarding. When I was putting my small farm into operation, the cleanliness of my herd and property was very important to me. I wasn’t about trade in my natural and organic standards for a few, easy but toxic “cleaning” techniques that could have harmful effects on not only the animals, but eventually on my family. I am so thankful that history is our best teacher. For thousands of years people have been putting into practice natural, organic farming techniques. I think I will do it their way!
First of all, you need to know that not all apple cider vinegars are equal. You need to find a raw, unfiltered, oraganic brand. I do love the BRAGG Brand of ACV. It doesn’t look or smell pretty but it does its job! Just some of the reasons why you want to stay away from products with pasteurization, refining, or distilling is because these processes actually kill most of the healthy benefits of the ACV. When buying raw, unfiltered ACV you will be receiving a product that is full of potassium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, copper, plus so much more. These wonderful minerals would have been killed in the pasteurization process otherwise.
I hope that you start to add ACV into your daily routines so that you and your farm can start to see the difference it makes. These are some of my favorites ways to use ACV:
Pest Control
If you have animals you have had to face pest control one way or another. Flies, fruit flies, fleas, and ticks will have met their match once you have your rinse or spray formulated. For heavy contamination of bugs, a rinse with 50/50 ACV and water mixture should be used to bathe the animal. For maintenance, have a spray bottle diluted 50/50 ACV and distilled water and spray down animals once a day. It also helps to disinfect the coops, pins, buckets, and feeders.
NOTE* ACV isn’t a friend of metal pans or feeders.
Digestive Health
ACV is a great way to maintain a normal pH balance in our animals and in us! When our bodies have the proper pH, we can absorb the nutrients it needs to function and fight off disease. It helps to fight off bacteria and candida overgrowth that could lead to many health problems. This also helps pest control when taken internally. It literally makes the bugs NOT want to bite! WIN WIN!
For Humans – 1 TBSP added to 1 cup of warm water daily
For Poultry- 1-2 TBSP for 1 gallon of water
For Dogs and Cats- 1 tsp in water bowl
For Goats/Sheep- 2 TBSP for 1 gallon of water
Chickens
I already listed why chickens need ACV for digestive health but they benefit from it in so many other ways. Both meat birds and egg layers need ACV in their diet. With ACV being so rich in minerals, it aids in the production of healthy eggs. It also helps them recover lost feathers after molting. We want our meat birds as healthy as they can be. ACV gives them the health boost they need along with providing very tender meat.
Disinfectant
Remember me talking about keeping the coops and pins clean? A 50/50 spray will be in every tack room you have. You can spray down nesting boxes, feeders, bowls, kennels, brushes, and combs. ACV can help to kill pathogens, including bacteria. It can be used topically or internally, which makes it perfect for cleaning and disinfecting. It can also be used as a food preservative (very important in canning foods) which can stop the growth of bacteria like E. coli.
*NOTE -ACV isn’t a friend to metal pans or feeders.
Fruit and Veggie Wash
Of course I am going to promote buying only organic produce. However, sometimes that just isn’t an option. I have had to rely on conventionally grown produce more than just a time or two. A great way to clean all those toxins off is in a veggie soak.
Dilute 1 Tbsp ACV in 1 cup of water.
Add fruit or veggies.
Soak and stir (literally shake the food around) for about 5 minutes.
Rinse well, dry, and store properly.
If you’re not sure it works, just look at the bowl after you have removed the food. YUCK!
Now, giving your produce a ACV wash isn’t just to clean them. It also preserves them a bit so your produce will last longer in the fridge.
Here are some great tips on how to store your produce after an ACV wash:
AIR-TIGHT CONTAINER
bell peppers
broccoli
cabbage
carrots
cherries
cucumber
radish
spinach asparagus
VENTILATED CONTAINER OR PLASTIC BAG IN THE FRIDGE
berries
eggplant
mushrooms
snap peas greens and lettuce (they can be washed and stored in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel however, I have had better luck with them in an air-tight container)
ON THE COUNTER
avocado
bananas
mango
melon citrus peaches and plums
tomatoes (don’t ever put tomatoes in the fridge, it may preserve them but it will greatly affect their taste)
Hives
My final use for ACV that I am going to share is for hives. A diluted formula of 1/5 ACV to water (in a glass spray bottle) works wonders. My daughter kept breaking out in hives after an ATV accident. It was from many different issues that was going on with her but we turned to the ACV spray for immediate relief. We added in a few dietary changes to help as well but every time she broke out, her hives would dissipate in a matter of minutes after the spray had soaked in.
Need More Help?
I hope that you have found some new and beneficial uses of ACV. I have my favorite brand linked straight to amazon if you can’t wait to add this to your natural medicine cabinet. I have used ACV in many other ways such as removing moles and warts and it is a great aid in helping to regulate blood sugar. These are just some of the ways that a CNHP can help show you how natural methods can improve your health. You can set up a consultation and learn of all the ways you can benefit from being on my client list.
https://myfitfarmlife.com/holistichealth/
I am also leaving y’all my favorite coleslaw recipe…enjoy!
As always, I am here for any questions or health concerns you have. Feel free to email me and don’t forget to follow me of FB, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest @myfitfarmlife.
Blessings,
Stacey Upchurch, CNHP
Star Member through Young Living
Disclaimer
All material on this website is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.
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