Bladder Infections
Natural Remedies

Apple Cider Vinegar Cure for Bladder Infections

| Modified on May 22, 2023
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Apple Cider Vinegar is by far Earth Clinic's most popular natural remedy for bladder infections. Over one hundred readers have reported success using apple cider vinegar as a stand alone treatment for a UTI, or in combination with other natural supplements!

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Bladder Infections

Hopefully when a bladder infection comes along you already have some raw and organic apple cider vinegar in your kitchen cabinet. The sooner you begin treatment for a UTI the better!

While a typical beginning dose of apple cider vinegar is 1-2 teaspoons per glass of water, for a bladder infection it is more common to take 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and repeat the dose several times throughout the day, and even when you wake up in the night. Some readers have even taken a shot glass of straight apple cider vinegar followed by a glass of water.

It is important to drink plenty of water with any treatment you pick for your bladder infection!

While most readers report using liquid apple cider vinegar, some have used apple cider vinegar capsules with success.

Choose one of the following to make your apple cider vinegar drink more tolerable:

  • Add the apple cider vinegar to a glass of juice. Cranberry or blueberry are good choices when you are dealing with a bladder infection.
  • Include honey in your vinegar tonic drink. Raw honey has ant-bacterial properties as well.
  • Add a pinch of baking soda to your apple cider vinegar tonic.

Apple Cider Vinegar Bath for UTI

Adding 1 cup of apple cider vinegar to a warm bath and soaking for 20 minutes has helped several readers with the acute symptoms of a UTI. If for some reason a bath is not possible, add 1/4 cup of vinegar to a sitz bath and soak for 20 minutes instead.

How Long Does it Take for Apple Cider Vinegar to Cure a Bladder Infection?

Some readers have reported feeling better in as little as a couple of hours. Others have found it takes more time, though usually improvement is noticed on the first day of treatment. Once you feel relief, do continue taking the apple cider vinegar for a few days to make sure it does not reoccur.

Side Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar

If you are not used to apple cider vinegar, a sudden large dose can cause digestive upset. Some who try and take it straight, without diluting it with water or juice, find that it causes vomiting. To reduce the risk of side effects, do dilute the vinegar in water. Add a pinch of baking soda to the apple cider vinegar drink to reduce the acidity. Take your apple cider vinegar with food.

Do always drink plenty of water when you have a UTI! Adding vitamin C to your treatment plan is a good idea as well.

Continue reading to find out how our readers have used apple cider vinegar to cure their bladder infections! Have you tried apple cider vinegar for a UTI? Be sure to share your story with us!




120 User Reviews

5 star (104) 
  87%
4 star (6) 
  5%
3 star (3) 
  3%
1 star (5) 
  4%
(2) 
  2%


Posted by KitCat (Washington ) on 03/25/2023
5 out of 5 stars

Apple Cider Vinegar for a Bladder Infection

This remedy WORKS!!! I woke in the middle of the night with pain when urinating. I immediately knew what it was. I've come to EC many times over the years for help so this is where I turned to first. I was hoping it worked because I had an event to attend. I immediately took 1 TBSP in water. After 15 minutes I felt better. 45 minutes later another dose, then twice more, each 45 minutes apart. I feel mostly normal. Good enough to attend my events. I will continue the ACV for at least 2 weeks. Thank you to everyone for their input.

Replied by RAIN
(CALIFORNIA)
04/09/2023
5 out of 5 stars

I tried 1 tb of ACV in a cup of herbal hot tea. It tasted great and I was amazed at how fast it worked, almost immediately. I followed up with 1 cup in a bath of shallow water.....another home run......! try it it really works.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Wendy (Canada) on 03/06/2023
5 out of 5 stars

My husband is an avid user of Apple Cider Vinegar and is always trying to get me to use it. I had a wicked uti infection the last couple of days and was miserable. He came upon this site. I tried it and am already feeling the relief. Just a note. If you are taking acv, use a straw because the acidity can damage your teeth. I'm so excited to find this cure.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Suzi (Montana) on 10/29/2020
5 out of 5 stars

Apple Cider Vinegar for Bladder Infections

Yay! ACV absolutely works every time for me and even once for a toothache. I also love what it does for my face😍


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rea (Brisbane, Australia) on 09/30/2018
5 out of 5 stars

Hi there,

I had the UTI coming on and took ACV. I know it works as I have used before with great success. However it does take awhile to get into your system and I needed to pee now! I had and empty small spray bottle filled equal measure of ACV and water and sprayed, yes sprayed down there and oh the relief was instant. I used it each time I needed the bathroom and no pain. It was quick and easy no sitting around in sitz baths. Simply the best treatment. No pain instant relief!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lesley (Yorkshire ) on 11/20/2017
5 out of 5 stars

Started my fifth episode of cystitis in the early hours of Sunday morning and was desperate for help by 9am! Having found many recommendations on this website I tried the apple cider vinegar and got relief almost immediately! Starting with two tablespoons in a large glass of water and then reducing to a couple of teaspoons throughout the day. In all I probably took about six glasses of this mixture, sipping all day. Twenty four hours later my symptoms had completely cleared, but I have continued to sip a weak solution of cider vinegar and water all day today just to make sure the symptoms have gone. I cannot believe this has worked so well. Cranberry and over the counter remedies have not worked in the past and I have always had to resort to antibiotics. I am so grateful. Thank you.

Replied by Sharon
(Florida)
04/16/2022

Is it ok too use regular apple cider vinegar if u don't have organic

Marci
(USA)
08/26/2022

Absolutely!!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Greg (Los Angeles, California) on 09/15/2017
5 out of 5 stars

Was up most of the night with a bladder infection: strong pain, powerful urge to pee every 10 minutes or so with little to show for it, urine clear, pain did not go away even while lying down. In the morning, took 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar (even without the mother, works just fine) in a small glass of alkaline water. After 10 minutes the pain began to subside. After half an hour took another tablespoon in water: an hour later, drank another tablespoon straight then washed it down with water. Just took a fourth tablespoon in water but the pain has already disappeared, I'm back to peeing once every 3 hours with no difficulty whatsoever. No drugs, no antibiotics, no echinacea, no painkillers. Can't recommend apple vinegar enough! I'll continue taking it for several days just to make sure but I'm already a happy puppy.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nisey (Amarillo, Tx) on 08/20/2017
5 out of 5 stars

I have had chronic uti's off and on for 5 years. I am currently 3 months pregnant and diagnosed with another uti. I was put on 7 days of clindamyin and it did not go away. It actually made it worse. So I decided to try apple cider vinegar twice a day for a few days. Happy to report after just 4 days it is gone. So now I just drink one tablespoon every other day to stay healthy. I honestly can't believe it works.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Melissa (Georgia) on 07/16/2016
5 out of 5 stars

Apple Cider Vinegar for UTI. IT WORKS!!!!!

I am in the "frequent flyer club" when it comes to UTI's. This is the first time that I have used ACV to cure a UTI.

I woke up one night to go to the bathroom with painful urination and a foul odor in my urine. I knew immediately what it was. I have had so many in my lifetime! I decided to try the cure one of your users put on your website.

I put 1/4 cup of ACV in a glass jar, filled it halfway with juice, and the rest water. It was about a 16 oz jar. I did gag trying to get it all down, but I did. I felt relief within a couple of hours. I still hurt, but the pain had subsided substantially.

The next morning, I mixed another jar with the same proportions, but I poured 1/4 of the jar into another jar of juice and water. This cut the dosage down for the second day. I continued every 6 hours by pouring a fourth of the jar into another jar, diluting it with apple juice and water and drinking it. I didn't notice pain on this day.

The third day, I had a pinching sensation in my bladder. I continued with a reduced solution of 1 TABLEspoon of ACV diluted with apple juice and water in the morning, and 1 TEAspoon of ACV at night.

I am on the fourth day, continuing to use the 1 TABLEspoon in the morning diluted with water and juice, and 1 TEAspoon at night. I feel like the infection is gone, however, I will continue to use this solution for at least 3 more days for good measure.

I am so happy not to have had to go to the DR. for a prescription!

I hope this helps anyone who is struggling with frequent UTI's!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gbruner (Michigan) on 04/07/2016
5 out of 5 stars

The last UTI I had was 25 years ago, after giving birth to my daughter and had to be catheterized. Well, as of two days ago, I could tell something wasn't right after going to urinate, the urge to push more and the strong odor, so I knew it was coming, and I'm not one for taking any pills except my vitamins. Well, I waited a day after drinking tons of water and it seemed to get worse, the burning and a little bit of blood, so I read how Apple Cider Vinegar really does work for UTI. So I started taking two teaspoons with 4 oz of water every hour for at least 4 hours before bed time, by the time I went to bed, the bleeding had stopped and my urine was clearing up, today is day 2 of taking the apple cider vinegar and no more pain or urge to push and my urine is really clear, I'm still going to the doctor for a follow up, not going to take any pills. Apple Cider Vinegar does really work within hours of taking it.

Replied by Kristine
(Nicaragua)
05/15/2016

I am wondering if regular white vinegar would work as well for bladder infection, etc?

Replied by Lulu
(Austin, Texas)
05/22/2016

White vinegar also works. It just doesn't have all the beneficial bacterias contained in raw ACV. I know someone who drank pickle juice in a pinch and was helped by the pickle juice acid as well.

Replied by Gerry
(Soddy Daisy)
01/19/2017

Also be careful as there are 2 types of white vinegar, one is petroleum based, the other from grain...


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dan (St. Louis ) on 04/03/2016
5 out of 5 stars

Apple Cider Vinegar definitely works for UTI. I had bad burning and it was gone in 24 hours or so. But if there is one piece of advice I must add. If u want to avoid the taste of acv, HOLD YOUR NOSE WHEN U DRINK IT. This wipes away the unpleasant taste. My method is to drink two tablespoons. Then chug some tea or juice. Then eat a couple bites of food. ALL WITH MY NOSE HELD SHUT.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Caroline S (Midwest, Usa) on 07/07/2015
5 out of 5 stars

Cured UTI twice with ACV. Once, right before a beach vacation I felt it coming on. Took 1-2 TB for 48 hours in 8 to 16 oz water for about 72 hours every 4 hours including at 3am. It was gone! Felt great.

Started a UTI feeling after antibiotic rounds. Again, cured using 72 hours of 1-2TB ACV with 8 oz water 3 times per day. I also chugged water. I did add 1 TSP of baking soda on day 1 - but it made me throw up! Ugh. Pure ACV works just fine.

PS - Most recently, I also use echinacea tincture. A few droper fulls into the mixture.

Replied by Wendy
(Columbus, Oh)
07/08/2015

1 teaspoon of Baking Soda is way too much in 8 ounces of water. I put 1/4 teaspoon in a 33-ounce bottle of water with 2 Tablespoons of the organic ACV, and no problems at all, I.e., no throwing up!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kasra (Terhan) on 03/07/2015
5 out of 5 stars

My girl friend woke me up one night told me she had:

- sharp, unbearable pain in her urether .

- a blocked urether, she couldn't pee although she felt her bladder was full

- blood clots in her urinate for days when she could pass urine .

She got UTI once before, she went through a long painful antibiotic therapy, and because of this experience she was so scared that it's going to get repeated .

She told me she used a pill called phenazopyridine which alleviates the pain in urinary tract and makes the color of urine reddish , we went to pharmacy and bought it just to buy some time to think and find a remedy, I came to this site and as I knew the benefits of ACV and I seriously believe in its magical results, she started :

- taking ACV diluted with water and sipping on it everyonce in awhile as much as she can

- washing her private parts ( specially the urether ) with higher concentrations of ACV than what she used to drink , let it stay in that condition for 10 minutes and wash herself with water .

she couldn't believe it , just after some hours :

- pain subsided

- she could pass urine ( not very fluently , not her whole bladder got emptied , but yet very much better than before )

She continued the process until she completely cured and reached to a fluent urination with a very clear transparent urine without any feeling of pain at all .

Thank you earth clinic and everybody sharing their priceless experiences and hope for a drug free world .


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Carolyn (Nj) on 01/24/2015
5 out of 5 stars

I woke up in the night with urgency and within a half hour was urinating blood and unable to get off the toilet. I have had many UTI's before so knew immediately what it was. Got online and saw the apple cider vinegar remedy. I drank 1/4 cup of organic ACV with water and honey. I also filled a pyrex cup with half vinegar, half warm water and then (in the shower) held it cupped around my vagina for about 8-10 minutes (it's a bit awkward but worked). I have to say the relief was almost immediate and I could actually go back to bed and sleep for a bit. I did follow up with my Doctor this morning. I will definitely use this technique at the first inkling of trouble again.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Janine (Montana, Us) on 10/13/2014
5 out of 5 stars

Wow, I can't believe how much better I feel! I was getting a bladder infection tonight and went online to seek natural remedies for it after sitting on the toilet for half an hour trying to pee. I found posts about people taking baths with apple cider vinegar as well as taking it internally.

I didn't have much apple cider vinegar left in my bottle to be able to fill the tub with water and ACV, so I improvised and found an oval tupperwear container that was quite shallow. I filled 1/4 of it with Apple Cider Vinegar and the rest with hot but not scalding water. Then I squatted/perched over it, soaking my private parts in the Apple Cider Vinegar water. It eliminated the burning within 2 minutes. I stayed in this humorous position for about 10 minutes. I feel NO BURNING or PAIN or URGENCY TO PEE right now! I also took a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in a large glass of water so I think that is going to help as well.

If you need immediate relief from a bladder infection, try this remedy. The immediate relief is truly amazing! By the way, I couldn't help but think as I was squatting in the tub that this is what women must have done in the olden days when there were no pharmacies to go to for relief. It feels like an ancient and comforting remedy, I must say. God Bless.

Replied by Janine
(Montana, Us)
10/18/2014

Just wanted to follow up my post from 3 nights ago. The ACV bath worked! I have had no more bladder infection symptoms... zero! I did drink water with 1/8th teaspoon of baking soda for the next 24 hours to help with alkalinity.

Replied by Marciam
(Michigan, US)
01/31/2015
5 out of 5 stars

I tried the apple cider vinegar with baking soda. After about a week, my bladder infection was gone. In addition, I used the soak which helped relieve the symptoms. Thank you! I don't like the medical treatments because I usually get a yeast infection afterwards.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Hellolove123 (New York) on 03/23/2014
5 out of 5 stars

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tbs diluted in 1 cup of water; twice a day.

Would get a UTI after sex even after peeing. Many times bleeding occurred. Medications helped, but who wants to rush to urgent care everytime you have sex?! Cranberry juice works, but would give me a yeast infection from all that sugar.

Went to the ER twice thinking something serious was wrong with me but it was just my acid reflux. Hospital bills sucked! I knew I had to do something quick.

I began taking ACV at the first stage of a UTI. My urine began to smell and would go to the bathroom more frequent. I knew it would be blood and pain soon after. I took a chance and began drinking apple cider vinegar 2 cups per day. UTI never came back and it's been months! CAUTION: During treatment, DO NOT drink coffee NOR tea, it will come right back. I didn't know about tea, and it began to come back. I had to take 3 cups that day.

Since taking ACV, my acid reflux have subsided! No bloating, no nausea, no heartburn, no acid build-up in my throat. I feel normal again and don't look pregnant!

Apple Cider Vinegar has been my savior! I continue to take the same dosage everyday as preventative. Try it out!



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