Nature's Remedies

**Important reminder: This article is referring to pure red apple cider vinegar only. Red apple cider vinegar is made from apples. Other vinegars such as white vinegar are made from different products. White vinegar can be made from various by-products such as wood pulp. Only pure red apple cider vinegar is suggested in this article for use.

Question and Answer

Q: What's this about using vinegar to clean and treat skin infections? Why?

A: Vinegar is a naturally occurring germ killer and is one of the very first medicines known to man. It was used as a healing dressing on wounds and infectious sores in Biblical times, and it is credited with saving the lives of thousands of soldiers during the Civil War. It was used routinely as a disinfectant on wounds. It kills germs on contact and it contains bacteria which is unfriendly to infectious micro-organisms. It is a natural remedy and most of all, it is SAFE.

...........More on VINEGAR, and maybe this is why Bulldogs are sometimes said to be a mixture of 'spit and vinegar'.

Medical scientists do not know exactly how or why vinegar promotes healing but they do know it is both antiseptic and antibiotic.

Vinegar is particularly useful for neutralizing alkali burns. And it relieves itchy skin too. We coat the 'hot spots' with vinegar, full strength, using a cotton ball or poured directly from the bottle. For a full body treatment, add four cups of vinegar to the bath water. Be careful not to get the vinegar/water mixture in the ears and eyes.

The vinegar/water rinses are a quick remedy to relieve minor skin irritations such as hives, chigger bites, other insect bites and rashes. Just stand the Bulldog in the bathtub of the vinegar/water mixture and massage it into the skin. The Bulldog will love this special treatment, the fast relief, and you will be amazed at the results. Since this is a safe remedy, you cannot overdo it, or hurt the skin. Soaps and shampoos are irritants in themselves to some Bulldogs. No soap or shampoo is necessary prior to the rinse. His body will be cleansed by your massaging his skin. And their coats just glisten after a vinegar rinse.

To relieve rectal itching, apply vinegar to the rectum area. This should help end the scooting on the carpet and the sit and spin act some bullies perform.

Vinegar will eliminate offensive odors for several hours. After hosing down the kennel area, we splash a little vinegar on the floor under the dri-deck tiles. Instead of expensive carpet shampoos, I use vinegar and water. This not only cleans the carpets splendidly but also eliminates the ‘pet’ odors. The house will smell like vinegar for about two hours, and afterwards it will smell nice and fresh. The vinegar revives the color in the carpeting too since it removes the residue of the old soaps and scum from the fibers.

Bee stings, insect bites and hives can be relieved by the application of a paste made from vinegar and cornstarch and applied directly to the spot of injury.

Heavily soiled skin can be cleaned with a mixture of corn meal and vinegar (wrinkles and paws)

Dilute vinegar and warm water 50/50 to clean the ears. Vinegar is used to treat chronic ear infections and middle ear diseases. Take a washcloth and soak it in the mixture, then squeeze the excess water out, and wipe and clean the ears. I also dip Q-tips in the mixture to finish the cleaning of hard to reach areas in the ears.

My Bulldogs have never had a flea problem. Could it be from the cup of vinegar I add to the final rinse after washing their blankets? I am not sure about the answer to this but the cup of vinegar does get rid of the doggie odors sometimes left in their blankets even after washing.

These remedies work just as well on humans as they do on Bulldogs. Try it, you'll be surprised at the results. Try rinsing your own hair with vinegar and water. It will shine.

A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed in a cup of water and drank each day, is a dieter’s wonder drug. The extra weight will just disappear. Gargling with vinegar and water will cure a sore throat quickly. A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed in a cup of water and drank, will chase a cold away. Vinegar poured full strength on a cut or wound will clean the wound and medicate it at the same time.

Articles from other sites...
Herbal Healing for Pets	Echinacea	More Apple Cider Vinegar
The Herbal Encyclopedia
Gathering, Storing, and Using your Herbs
Herbal Combinations

*Natural Tips*
Do you have any "Natural Tips" to add? E-mail them to us and share your tips with others!
	Remedy for constipation: Try feeding a couple of apple slices on a regular basis. Small portions of fresh fruit and cooked vegetables might be helpful. This tip from George.
	Remedy for Diarrhea: 1 Tbsp. stewed pumpkin on food each meal. This tip from Charlotte
	Importance and health benefits of water. It prevents many of the kidney and bladder infections/stones that dogs sometimes develop. Also, a dehydrated dog can be more prone to heat exhaustion in the summer. This tip from George