Our feet do a lot of work carrying us around all day, and sometimes they do it in stuffy and uncomfortable shoes. The friction, bruising, and moist environment sometimes lead to the development of odor, pain, blisters, peeling toenails, cracked heels, and fungal and bacterial infections. Luckily, there is an easy solution to these problems and it can be found in your kitchen. A foot bath with apple cider vinegar can help with several stubborn foot problems.
What is an apple cider vinegar foot bath?
Whether your feet are dry, unsightly or no longer smelling so fresh, it's time to take an apple cider vinegar foot bath. Here you will find out everything you need to know.
What are the benefits of the vinegar foot bath?
Foot baths have long been used to self-treat tired feet. They can provide even more benefits with the addition of apple cider vinegar, a fermented tonic considered a natural cure-all.
- Fight athlete's foot:Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the foot that commonly occurs on the soles of the feet and between the toes. It can be caused by walking barefoot in public or at the gym and usually results in itchy, dry, flaky skin or, in more severe cases, inflammation, cracks and blisters.
- Against foot odor:Vinegar can also disinfect feet. This helpsEliminate foot odoror to reduce it by killing the bacteria that cause the odor.
- Smooth dry feet:While foot odor affects those around you, dry, cracked feet are a painful, less noticeable problem. The acidic properties of vinegar can do wonders for dry feet and cracked heels and moisturize the parched skin on the feet.
- For calluses and warts:Since vinegar is a mild exfoliant, you can also use it to treat calluses and warts. After soaking, you can file your feet with a pumice stone to get rid of the hardened skin.
Simple recipe for foot bath with apple cider vinegar
Bathe your feet in apple cider vinegar using the following recipe:
- Fill a basin with 1 part vinegar and 2 parts warm water until full.
- Soak your feet for 10 to 20 minutes.
- Rinse them off with water.
- Seal feet with a quality moisturizer.
- Repeat this process daily or until the foot problems disappear.
Epsom Salt & Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Foot Bath
Our bodies are regularly exposed to toxins from our environment – from sources such as the water we drink, processed foods, commercial meat consumption, and heavy metal pollution. Many of our organs, including the skin, are tasked with naturally removing toxins from our bodies. This foot bath can relieve tired and aching feet and also helps the bodyEliminate toxins through the skin.
Ingredients:
- 15 liters of warm water
- 250g Epsom salt
- 70 g Dead Sea salt
- 200 g Bentonite
- 240 ml apple cider vinegar
- 10-20 drops of essential oils, optional
Application:
- Fill a large bowl with warm water (enough to comfortably fit your feet). Avoid metal bowls as these can reduce the effectiveness of the bentonite clay.
- Add the Epsom salt, Dead Sea salt, bentonite, apple cider vinegar, and your favorite essential oils.
- Soak your feet for 20-30 minutes.
- After soaking, give your feet a little extra TLC by gently scrubbing them with a pumice stone or a foot scrub to remove calluses and dry skin. Finally, apply a foot lotion.
Foot bath with apple cider vinegar and baking soda
Baking soda is a wonderful addition to foot baths with vinegar. The many positive properties of vinegar are further enhanced by the white powder. In addition, the baking soda itself also has some positive effects on the feet: It softens the calluses, has an anti-inflammatory effect, relaxes the muscles and fascia, promotes the moisturizing of the skin and thus prevents it from drying out.
For this foot bath you will need:
- 20 g Natron
- 5 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 4 liters of warm water (If your feet are painful and swollen, use cold water)
Application:
- Mix the ingredients together.
- Place your feet in the bath and soak for 20 minutes.
- Then dry them carefully with a towel.
- Now you can start caring for your feet and remove calluses, push back cuticles or simply enjoy the beneficial effects of vinegar and baking soda.
Tip: Baking soda dissolves particularly well if you put it in a cup and stir it into very hot water. Then mix it with cooler water and vinegar.
Also read:Can apple cider vinegar cause morning blood sugar spikes? A biochemist explains it!
How often can you use a vinegar foot bath?
You can use a vinegar foot bath as often as needed - a few times a week or whenever your feet feel tired or sore.
If this causes skin irritation, stop immediately. Diabetics should speak to their doctor before using vinegar foot baths.
If you have sensitive skin, you may want to start with one application per week and increase as needed. You may also want to reduce the amount of time you soak your feet.
It is important that you only use vinegar, Epsom salts, and baking soda when your feet are free of wounds and injuries. If they get into an open wound, they cause a severe burning sensation.
