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Herbal Vinegar to the Rescue
The uses of this kitchen staple go well beyond the culinary
realm.
by Maggie Howe
The Herb Quarterly, Fall 2004
Most herbal vinegar recipes I've found extol the uses of this flavoring in
foods, from salads and sauces to marinades, soups, and much more. But while we
can't deny vinegar's indispensable role in the kitchen, its applications go well
beyond salad dressing. In fact, the unassuming vinegar bottle sitting in your
kitchen cupboard has uses of which you may never have dreamed.
Since ancient times, vinegar has been used as a skin toner, mouthwash, hair
rinse, and deodorant. It's also a preservative and was, at one time, a medical
"cure-all." The addition of herbs to vinegar only increases its
versatility, not to mention its effectiveness as a natural cleanser, deodorizer,
skin toner, and conditioner.
For the past few years, I've experimented with many non-food uses for herbal
vinegars, and have been delighted with the results. Making herbal vinegars, is a
wonderful, inexpensive way to experiment with the bountiful produce of the herb
garden. The process is simple and almost foolproof, bringing both practical and
therapeutic results.
The recipes and suggestions listed here represent but a few of the many
household applications of herbal vinegar. Once you start using it as a
replacement for the more expensive, harsh, and possibly toxic cleansers and
beauty products in your home, you'll begin to see that vinegar's potential has
almost no limits.
Herb Vinegar: The Recipe
To make your own herbal vinegar, first select a clean, clear, wide-mouth
glass jar or jug. Next, select your vinegar. An organic, raw apple cider vinegar
provides the most beneficial properties, but white and/or non-organic vinegars
will also work (and can be much easier to find). Finally, gather your herbs,
choosing your favorites or using suggestions in the recipes that follow.
Fill the jar with roughly chopped herbs or spices, fresh or dried. Pour in
your vinegar to the top of the jar, cap, and set the jar in the sun for a week
or two to let the flavors infuse. When you judge the vinegar to be strong
enough, strain the herbs, using cheesecloth or a coffee filter, and rebottle the
vinegar. You're now ready to use the vinegar around the home, with the help of
the suggestions that follow.
| Mints, sages, and rosemary refresh
the skin, helping mitigate the presence of oils. |
| Comfrey, calendula, and chamomile
make soothing vinegars, excellent for dry or sensitive skin. |
| Lavender and rose create
beautiful, jewel-toned bathing vinegars that make wonderful gifts when
packaged in clear, recycled glass containers. |
Take a Bath
Herbal vinegar makes a wonderful bath additive, as it naturally balances skin
pH, gently toning excess dryness or oiliness. Its mild, natural antiseptic
action helps deeply cleanse the largest organ of your body -- the skin --
without being harsh or drying. Adding herbs to vinegar heightens these healing
properties, and allows you to tailor your bathing vinegar to the needs of your
skin type.
To create your own bathing vinegar, first choose your favorite herb or herb
blend -- or use the suggestions at the bottom. Make the vinegar using the recipe
above, then simply add 1/2 to 1 cup to a warm tub, and soak for 20 minutes.
Vinegar also makes a wonderful sunburn-, rash-, and insect-bite soother. Use a
cotton ball to apply undiluted herbal vinegar to an insect bite, and the itch or
sting will subside.
Sunburn Soother
I wouldn't make it through the summer without my own special bathing vinegar.
You'll be amazed at how it helps take the itch and irritation out a sunburn.
Fill a wide-mouthed container with freshly picked rose petals and calendula
blossoms. Cover with organic apple cider vinegar, and steep for two weeks.
Strain, bottle, and keep next to the tub for sunburn emergencies.
To use: Add 1/2 to 1 cup to a tub of warm water and soak for 20 minutes.
After bathing, gently pat your skin dry, and apply aloe vera or a natural
lotion. You can mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water and place it in a spray
bottle to use as a sunburn soother, applying as needed to help soothe itching.
Happy Hair
Herbal hair vinegar rinses are my absolute favorite beauty secret, as they
work wonders for the hair and scalp. Hair, like skin, looks and feels best when
slightly acidic. Hair has a cuticle that opens with shampooing, which makes the
hair feel rough and promotes tangling. Using a vinegar rinse after shampooing
will gently smooth an close the hair cuticles, helping to restore the scalp's
natural acidity. It will also remove any residue left behind from the shampoo,
conditioner, and styling products. As an added benefit, vinegar is a wonderful
tonic for your scalp -- and a healthy scalp produces healthy hair.
Make your vinegar infusion using the choice of herbs mentioned below. Then
add 2 Tbsp vinegar to 1 cup of water and pour over your hair as a final rinse
after shampooing. (Keep this premixed formula in a container near the shower or
tub.) Massage thoroughly through scalp and hair. Rinse it out with fresh water
or, for extra conditioning benefits, just leave it in and towel dry hair.
| The combination of nettle,
horsetail, sage, chamomile, and rosemary makes a great all-purpose hair
treatment. |
| Nettle, lavender, and rosemary
condition dry hair. |
| Mint, horsetail, and sage benefit
oily hair. |
| Chamomile and citrus peels help
blondes achieve lightening effects. |
Honeyed Vinegar Hair Tonic
1 tsp olive oil
4 tsp vinegar
4 tsp honey
5 drops rosemary essential oil
Mix ingredients and place in recycled
squeeze bottle. Work it through hair with fingers and leave on for 20 minutes.
Shampoo as usual afterwards. Makes enough for 1 treatment for long hair, several
for short hair.
Pampered Pets
Pets, too, will enjoy the benefits of her-infused vinegars. A few ideas:
Ear Mites. Many dogs have problems with ear
mites and even yeast infections in their ears. An herbally infused vinegar makes
an excellent ear wash and treatment. Infuse vinegar with St. John's wort,
garlic, chamomile, comfrey, and calendula for a soothing and safe antiseptic ear
wash. To use, mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part distilled water an place in a clean
jar or plastic squeeze bottle. Use this solution to gently flush out dirty ears,
or place some on a cotton ball or pad and use to wipe the ear clean.
Fur Care. The same herbal vinegars that make our
scalp and hair healthy and beautiful can do the same for our pets. A diluted
vinegar rinse applied after bathing helps restore the acid pH to your dog or
cat's skin, while controlling dandruff and adding shine to the coat. A vinegar
rinse works especially well for those dogs or cats with coat or skin problems.
Simply add 4 Tbsp vinegar to 1 quart (4 cups) water, and use as a final rinse.
(Do not wash it out.) Towel dry as normal. For long-haired pets, keep a diluted
vinegar rinse of 1 Tbsp vinegar and 1 cup distilled water in a spray bottle for
use as a detangling solution during grooming sessions. As an added bonus,
vinegar will remove odors.
Scrubbing and Scouring
As an all-purpose kitchen and bathroom cleaner, vinegar has no equal.
Non-toxic, gentle, inexpensive, and safe, it's a great degreaser, cleanser, and
disinfectant. Vinegar fights a broad range of bacteria, yeasts, and molds, and
works especially well in removing inorganic soils and mineral deposits such as
hard water films. For my kitchen and bathroom, I tend to prefer a fresh,
citrus-scented vinegar infused with lemon balm, lemon zest, or lemon verbena.
Experiment with your own herbs to find your favorite combination.
Pour 1 1/2 cups infused or plain vinegar, 1/2 cup lemon juice, 15 drops
essential oil, and 1 cup distilled water in a squirt bottle, shake, and use for
everyday cleaning. Citrus oils and juice cut grease and grime, and both vinegar
and citrus oils have antibacterial properties. Try the solution on greasy
stoves, kitchen countertops, sinks, microwaves, tubs and showers. You can take
comfort in the fact that it's perfectly non-toxic and safe for use around pets,
small children, and those with allergies or chemical sensitivities.
| Lemon, lime, and sweet orange
essential oils clean any home surface naturally, leaving an uplifting
scent. |
Laundry Time
Vinegar also makes a useful addition to the washing machine. It softens
clothes naturally, cuts through grease and oil, reduces soap residue (which can
irritate sensitive skin), helps prevent static cling, and acts as a mild,
natural bleach. A general guideline: Add 1 cup of vinegar per load of laundry.
Try lavender, a classic laundry herb, or another scent of your choosing.
| Patchouli, lemongrass, and lemon
verbena have unique aromas that add a bright fragrance to clothes. |
Conquering Colds
Vinegar's natural antibacterial and antiseptic qualities make it a useful
treatment for many common health ills. To help soothe and heal a sore throat,
gargle with a mixture of 1 tsp vinegar in 1 cup water. A mixture of 1 part honey
makes a natural cough syrup that also soothers throat pain and helps cut through
mucus. A vinegar infused with rosehips, citrus fruits, sage, and hibiscus
flowers provides vitamin C and helps mitigate sore throat and cold symptoms.
Funky Foot Bath
A sage-infused vinegar makes a fabulous deodorizing, antifungal foot soak
that helps fight athlete's foot and toenail fungus, while keeping feet fresh and
clean. Add some mint and tea tree for extra refreshment.
Mix 2 cups sage-infused vinegar (or vinegar of your choice) with 2 cups
lukewarm water. Add 5 drops each tea tree and peppermint essential oils and mix
to disperse. Soak feet for 10 minutes, pat dry, then apply an herbal foot powder
or gentle dusting of cornstarch. Repeat this deodorizing, refreshing treatment
daily to revive tired feet or clear up foot problems.
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Natural Health Hut
