Can Apple Cider Vinegar Help With Nerve Pain?

Apple cider vinegar has been lauded by many through the years for its beneficial properties as a lice killer, weight loss catalyst, and even as a hemorrhoid healer — but, spoiler alert, it won't help with those pesky bumps (per On Health). Weight loss is one of the biggest reasons people drink apple cider vinegar daily, as it helps boost fat loss, but only a bit. As for killing lice, you might want to skip the apple cider vinegar and head to the doctor or pharmacist.

While some people swear by the store-bought vinegar for many ailments, science says it can only help with a few. The Cleveland Clinic claims that the apple tincture has been used in healing for centuries, specifically for sore throats and infections. While the vinegar mixed with honey might help soothe your throat, there is not enough research to support those claims.

Another apple cider vinegar remedy rumor is that it can minimize nerve pain, which WebMD says an estimated 20 million Americans live with on a regular basis, but is this true?

There are more than 100 kinds of nerve damage and many causes behind the condition (via WebMD). From autoimmune diseases and nutritional deficiencies to trauma and slipped discs, nerve pain can occur at any time. If you have experienced this kind of pain, you might be willing to try just about anything to help it subside. 

There are some experts who say that apple cider vinegar can help with neuropathy. Board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Pharam Yashar says that the vinegar can help reduce nerve pain, either by applying it directly to the affected area or drinking a mixture of it with water. According to the Earth Clinic, apple cider vinegar minimizes nerve pain by removing pain-inducing toxins, and may also provide essential nutrients you might be missing. The vinegar contains vitamins C, B1, B2, B6, biotin, folic acid, and niacin, as well as a small number of minerals, according to MedicineNet.

There is no evidence that suggests apple cider vinegar is effective for treating or reducing nerve pain. However, Healthline concludes it is mostly safe in moderate amounts, so you can test it out and see if it works for you.