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When Barbara Rivero has a sore throat or feels like she’s about to get sick, she immediately goes into her cupboard and begins taking Apple Cider Vinegar.
“I dilute some in water and drink it three times per days, and also gargle it about 5 times per day,” Rivero said, “this immediately kills any infection I may have, so by that day I already start feeling better.”
Many people, especially those living in the United States, are not aware of the power of natural remedies, which is why they continue resorting to Western medicine. Barbara Rivero, 48, was one of them.
“When I was younger, I suffered of a rare skin condition which caused me to get rashes all over my body, so I was prescribed all types of antibiotics and ointments that would sometimes make my skin worse,” Barbara said, “but after many years of research, I came across apple cider vinegar which completely cured my skin condition.”
Although many people resort to Western medicine because they believe it will cure their illnesses, a $5 bottle of apple cider vinegar is oftentimes the cheaper, healthier and more effective way to cure sore throats, infections, acid reflux, acne and other skin conditions, according to Tony Gordon, MD, owner of the Gordon Clinic in Hialeah, Fla.
“Unlike the natural remedies produced in ancient times, which consisted of herbs and plants, Western medicine introduced many unnatural and harmful medicines” Gordon said.
As Western civilization began to grow, so did the introduction of Western medicine. Western Medicine is also known as conventional medicine, which is distinct from traditional Chinese medicine, according to Medicine Net.
“Unlike the natural remedies from the past which had little to no side effects, Western medicine is dangerous and can lead to many side effects,” Gordon said.
Some people however, prefer taking Western medicine.
Ernie, a student at Florida International University, trusts that Western medicine is the cure to many ailments.
“It’s easier to take a pill than to have to make a tea or create something out of herbs that will supposedly cure me,” Ernie said.
Some others have only been exposed to Western medicine, and therefore do not know the role natural remedies play in curing illnesses.
Johanna Marino, a secretary who works in South Miami, was exposed to Western medicine from a young age.
“I used to get very sick as a child, and so my mother would always take me to the doctor, who would immediately prescribe me antibiotics,” Marino said.
But, regardless of how many people resort to Western medicine, there are still many others who believe in the power of natural remedies.
Barbara Rueda, a paralegal who works in Downtown Miami, believes in the healing power of natural remedies. For many years, she too, has been using apple cider vinegar to cure many ailments. This natural and inexpensive product made from apples, can be bought in places such as Whole Foods, a store that exclusively sells organic products.
“I’m so glad I found apple cider vinegar,” Rueda said, “I used to take antibiotics because it’s what doctors prescribed me, but not anymore.”
There have been studies performed which have proven that apple cider vinegar has helped people diagnosed with diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and cancer, according to WebMD.com
Because Rueda believes in the healing powers of apple cider vinegar, she has spoken about this miracle remedy to most people she knows. One of her colleagues, Marlene, also uses it.
“I used to suffer from high cholesterol and high blood pressure, so I began taking apple cider vinegar, and in about two months of drinking two tablespoons of it diluted in water, three times per day, my high cholesterol and high blood pressure was gone,” she said.
