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  You may have had vinegar on a salad or used it as a condiment, but you may not have thought about its holistic uses. Vinegar has been used as a folk medicine for thousands of years. It was used to treat scurvy during the U.S. Civil War and to help heal wounds during World War I. Today, many households turn to vinegar as a reliable and all-natural option for treating various ailments.
  
  

Acid Reflux

• Acid reflux is a common condition in which the liquid content of the stomach backs up into the esophagus. This liquid backup can be quite painful and can linger for long periods of time. One remedy for the treatment of this common ailment is apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar lowers the body's calcium level. Excess calcium levels create the involuntary contractions that mark acid reflux. A simple holistic recipe to treat acid reflux is to mix 2 to 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar into an 8-ounce glass of water and then drink this mixture either before meals or during an acid reflux or heartburn episode.
  
  

Varicose Veins

• Varicose veins can result from a chronic increase in blood pressure which can dilate the veins. This causes dark blue blood vessels to appear, usually on legs and feet. Apple cider vinegar is believed to help lower blood pressure. Applying apple cider vinegar is said to reduce the appearance of these dark blue veins. The recommended treatment involves applying a cloth saturated with apple cider vinegar to the affected area for 30 minutes twice a day. Drinking 2 teaspoons of the vinegar is also said to help. Other holistic treatments for varicose veins include rubbing legs will full-strength vinegar and then mixing 2 tablespoons of vinegar and honey into a drink. Another remedy includes mixing 3 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 1 pint of warm water, then drinking 2 ounces of this mixture every day.
  
  

Colds and Allergies

• You can also use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar to reduce symptoms associated with colds and allergies. White vinegar is rich in antimicrobial and anti-fungal ingredients. According to Patricia Bragg, a well-known nutritionist and member of the Bragg family of apple cider vinegar makers, apple cider vinegar with its high concentration of potassium helps alleviate the symptoms of common colds such as mucous formation, sinus blockage, throat blockage and watery eyes. Acting as a detoxifier and a purifying agent, cider vinegar breaks up mucous and phlegm deposits, allowing you to breathe and swallow more easily. Mixing a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar with a quarter cup of honey is said to be a helpful alternative to fighting off cold symptoms. You can drink this mixture up to eight times a day.