Apple Cider Vinegar
A modern household vinegar made from fermented apple juice, most commonly used at home as a diluted hair and scalp rinse.
Also known as
Apple Cider Vinegar · ACV
- hindi:
- Seb ka Sirka
- tamil:
- Apple Vinegar
- telugu:
- Apple Vinegar
- bengali:
- Apple Sirka
- marathi:
- Apple Sirka
- gujarati:
- Apple Sirko
Key components
- Fermented apple juice
- Acetic acid, typically around five percent
- The cloudy "mother" of cellulose and bacteria in unfiltered products
Traditional overview
- Diluted heavily and used as a final scalp rinse after shampoo
- Used in dressings and cooking as an ordinary vinegar
- Diluted in water as an occasional drink in modern household practice
Common traditional forms
- diluted rinse
- culinary use
- diluted drink
Wellness tags
- scalp care
- hair rinse
- kitchen staple
Body focus
- scalp
- hair
- stomach
Concerns
- dandruff
- scalp itching
- dull hair
What to know before use
Always dilute. For a scalp rinse, use roughly one tablespoon in a cup of water, pour over after shampooing, leave briefly and rinse out with plain water. Never apply neat to skin or scalp. If drinking at all, dilute a teaspoon in a large glass of water, take it with food, use a straw and rinse your mouth afterwards. Stop immediately if there is burning, stinging or reflux.
Important cautions
Acidic enough to cause real harm if used undiluted — chemical burns on skin, enamel damage and throat irritation are documented. Properly diluted, occasional use is reasonable. It is not a treatment for weight, diabetes or any disease, and this site makes no such claim.
Who should avoid it
- People with acid reflux, gastritis, ulcers or a hiatus hernia
- Anyone with low potassium or on potassium-lowering medicines
- People with kidney disease
- Anyone with sensitive teeth, thin enamel or dental erosion
- People with broken, inflamed or irritated scalp or skin
Medicine interactions
- May lower potassium further alongside diuretics, insulin or laxatives
- May affect blood sugar control alongside diabetes medicines
- May interact with digoxin because of its effect on potassium
PregnancyOrdinary culinary vinegar in food is fine. Do not take vinegar drinks or concentrated preparations in pregnancy. Unpasteurised vinegars are best avoided.
ChildrenDo not give apple cider vinegar drinks to children. Diluted scalp use in older children only, after a patch test.
Quality and buying guidance
Choose a labelled food-grade vinegar with the acidity percentage stated. Unfiltered products contain the cloudy mother and are usually unpasteurised. Store capped, away from light and heat. Never use industrial or cleaning vinegar on skin or in food.
Evidence note
Some early laboratory or small human studies exist, but they are limited and not conclusive. Traditional use remains the main basis for this entry.
Related ingredients
Traditional wellness information only — not medical advice. Start small, and check with a qualified practitioner if you are pregnant, nursing, treating a child, or managing a medical condition.