The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kathy (Vancouver, Wa, Usa) on 02/15/2010
I have a question about sinus congestion. 10 days ago I developed ear infections in both ears along with a sinus infection. I have had sinus pain/pressure for about two years but never knew it was my sinuses until I went to the dr last week. I'm on antibiotics and the ear infections are cleared up, although my right ear is still somewhat plugged. But my sinuses are still congested, although I don't have any nasal discharge and nothing comes out when I blow my nose. I have been taking the unfiltered ACV, 2TB in warm water with honey, 2X daily for two days now. I do notice some mucus coming from my mouth several times a day but it doesn't feel like it's working on my sinuses. Is it common for it to take longer to open up my sinuses?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Amy (Ely, Mn) on 02/23/2010
Ive been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis, everytime i get sick it goes right to my sinuses. A few years ago I had a CT Scan and/or MRI(cant remember which) of my sinuses and they were almost all impacted, so they put me on antibiotics for 6 weeks, the heavy duty stuff, and when they did they scan afterwards it was worse! So ive suffered long with sinus headaches. This past week, my sinuses have kind of cleared, i can breathe, but i still sound stuffed, my sinuses hurt and my ear is plugged. I went in before it got really bad and they said i had to wait until it got bad. I work right across the street from an organic store, so i went and bought some ACV today and i look forward to using it, thanks to this website! Ill let you know how it works! Thanks everyone!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Amy (Ely, Mn) on 02/24/2010
Used it twice yesterday and this morning, I can hear out of both of my ears again! Verry happy. Had some sinus drainage also. Getting better!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Colleen (Greenwich, Ny) on 02/12/2011
Amy, I have had the same thing for two weeks. The only thing that gave me relief was using a netti pot with a little hydrogen peroxide in it. It stung a little... Ok maybe a lot at times but after I let it out of my sinus' I started sneezing like crazy. After I was done I could breath clear out of both nostrils. Does not last but when I started doing it I couldn't get it to come out the other nostril and now I can with some patience. Good luck!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nicole (Coquitlam, Bc Canada) on 04/14/2011
Kathy, I am suffering with the same thing. I was at the doctor yesterday and informed that after a nasty sinus infection, the sinuses can swell. No matter how much I blow my nose I still feel pressure up in the sinus area. This is due to the swelling. I was given a perscription for a nasal spray which will reduce inflamation, but am looking at other options to help with congestion. It has been about 8 weeks of sinus problems, I just want a break! I have just started the spray so we will see!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jerrod (Tucson, Az) on 03/27/2012
★★★★★
Just wanted to say thank you I couldn't sleep all night so I looked up head congestion and found this site. Luckily I had a bottle of ACV I chugged what was left in the bottle down and now my head feels clear. I will go buy me another bottle tomorrow. Thanks again great tip, I will also be making some of that tomato tea sounds awesome.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Michael (Las Vegas, Nevada, Usa) on 01/24/2010
★★★★★
hello Ive been suffering from congestion in my chest/nose for the past 4 days. I tried the acv recipe and I can feel my sinuses draining thank god. tomorrow is my 21st birthday so I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow. I tried (every otc medicine I could get my hands on). With no results they seemed to be congesting me even more and I couldn't sleep more then 2 hrs at a time. So I jumped on the web and looked up natural remedies and came across this website. I didn't have all or any of the ingredients to make the spicy tomato drink. So I went to the next remedy I could find on the site. Its now 4:20 am and I can breath now!! I live alone so i don't have measuring spoons/cups so I just put 2 big splashes of acv into a 1/2 bottle of water. I couldn't taste a thing so i drank it down and now I feel great (well I can breath/sleep now) I cant tell you how thankful I am. thanks again. who would have guessed acv is all i needed to breath lol. from skeptic to believer
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Leanne (Toronto, On) on 03/23/2012
★★★★★
I just recently began to develop sinus congestion. I was completely stuffed up & had no decongestant in medicine cabinet. I decided to try a remedy that had read about in an old book my mom had.
I combined 1cup of water with 2 tsp apple cider vinegar & a heaping 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper.Within minutes my sinuses began to clear. The bonus of this recipe is that the cayenne is great for a sore throat. It makes it feel better & is anti-microbial.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by I am a nut for home remedies (Bloomington, Indiana ) on 05/05/2013
★★★★★
Thanks so much, I just tried it. I had also read that drinking ACV in water daily and eliminating sugar for a couple weeks will also get rid of parasites in the bowels. Gross but it happens. It helped my sinsus but it many take longer for it to really help in the long term. It is a healthy way. Better than tons of antacids and foreign made toxic sinus meds. Decongestants, (so I've read online) will rise the blood pressure so it's good to avoid that in people with hypertension. I have to stand in the shower most mornings to get some relief of allergies. Washing the face daily and especially around the nose helps wash off any kinds of pullens that might attach to the face. Washing hair and clothing daily helps too, to avoid pollens.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mojisola (Canada) on 12/20/2015
How often does one have to do the ACV drink? I did it..my left nose opened up but my right nose is still blocked..thank you for sharing.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sita (Ar) on 02/02/2016
Hi Mojisola - As the ingredients are not harmful, you could do it several times a day - or per hour when things are bad. I put ACV in my drinking water bottle all the time. Helps keep it alkaline. As long as it's not overheated (as in boiled) both the honey & the ACV are powerful blessings/remedies for so many things.
I like to put the ACV & honey into the cup while the water is heating on the stove, then pour in the warmed water.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nny (Katy, Texas, Usa) on 01/20/2010
★★★★★
Wow this apple cider vinegar is a definite Godsend, I am going to make certain to always have a bottle around. I mixed 2 1/1 tablespoons of ACV into one 8oz glass of water then warmed it in the microwave drank it and BAHM my nose opened up, chest felt better and I no longer feel dizzy, weak. Before the ACV, I was on 3 antibiotics, mucus relief pill, sudafed for sinus congestion and cough. All the medication only made me feel worse...weak, dizzy but the ACV is awesome! I highly recommend it. I am even doing ACV inhalations. I have only been on it one day but so far results have been very promising.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Isabel (Tulsa, Ok) on 01/31/2012
I mixed 8 ounces of hot water with 3 tablespoons of ACV with honey. I have been drinking it twice a day for 3 days now. Its hard to say if its curing me or not. I've been feeling a little better since I took it, but it may have just been the fact that it is the end of my cold/flu whatever it is. My congestion is really bad, and it cleared away while I was drinking, but came back a few minutes later. Overall, I still feel awful, but the congestion doesn't feel as strong. Hard to say, but worth a shot! I think my sickness was just too serious, I need stronger meds.
Sugar Water
Posted by Vanessa (Brisbane, Queensland Australia) on 09/24/2009
sugar water, sinus
Try a teaspoon of sugar in half a coffee cup of water, a few drops in the nostrils at a time works. Would someone please comment on whether this is good to do or not. I do know that it works rather quickly and seems far less harmful than medication all the time.
EC: Is this a remedy for sinus congestion, sinusitus, or sinus infections? Please clarify for us! Thanks.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sara M (Cedar Rapids, IA) on 06/16/2009
★★★★★
ACV and Sinus congestion: Holy heck! In December, for the first time ever in my 32 years on this earth, I had sinus issues. They put me on steriods and antibiotics. I've never quite felt the same since. Then I developed allergy sypmtoms since then too. I've been battling the green, nasty, thick snot for about a week now. I lost my job and no longer have insurance so I hopped online and found this. Well, the ACV that I use to condition my hair also got rid of this congestion. I have a huge bottle of it so I made the mixture. It has been a 1/2 hour and I'm not kidding, it's a MIRACLE!!! It's almost too good to be true. Oddly enough, I love the taste of vinegar...I know I'm weird, so this is like an excuse to drink vinegar. :)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Visu (Fife, Wa., Usa) on 08/29/2009
★☆☆☆☆
hi i used 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 table spoons of honey to 8 ounces of water.(lukewarm) i drank this mix for atleast 3 times a day but this is the 3rd day with no relief. i am also taking steam ihalation but with no relief for my pain.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Silvurchrm (Atlanta, Ga) on 12/31/2010
★☆☆☆☆
I tried the Apple Cider Vinegar and I didn't have any relief. In fact it irritated my stomach. I mixed 2 tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar with 8 oz of water and drank the mixture. I waited and tried again with no change. Maybe I have something to severe or it just didn't work for me. On to something else
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sara (Charlotte, NC) on 06/12/2009
★★★★★
ACV has helped my congestion; I have had sinus problems(congestion) for a few months and have tried prescription and OTC medicines. The over the counter stuff helped a little but not much and the prescription decongestant my doctor didn't want to prescribe it for me again after taking it for two months. I tried the ACV tonite and although it tasted bad I can breath out of my nose. I still have a headache and feel a little dizzy because I am still sick---but I can breath out of my nose. I drank this mixture: 2 tablespoons acv, 2 tablespoons honey and 8 ounces of warm water. I drank a tiny bit of soda afterwards to get the taste out of my mouth. I will try this again tommorow. It has been approx. 30 minutes since I drank the mixture and so far I am impressed with being able to breath thru my nose.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Belinda (Reynoldsburg, OH) on 04/10/2009
★★★★★
This is truly amazing! I haven't been able to breathe through my nose in three days, the congestion has been so bad. I couldn't even sleep last night because of it! I've tried five kinds of over the counter cold and sinus medicines and nothing phased it. I just drank a glass of water with 2.5 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and now I'm able to breathe freely. The effect was immediate. Thank you so much!! This site has been very helpful to me.
Horseradish
Posted by Still Stuffed... (Mucus, Usa) on 02/18/2011
★★★★☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
My dad and I do this it helps for about an hour though... :P
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Terra (Wayne, Michigan) on 01/17/2009
★★★★★
Thank goodness for this site! I've had this horrible cold for 5 days now, I don't like over the counter cold remedies and I have no health insurance so I can't go to a doctor. About 5 minutes ago I mixed 2 Tablespoons of ACV with 8 ounces of water and BEHOLD!!! I can breathe again!! My sinuses are not all the way clear yet but the pressure is gone and one nostril is completely unblocked. I feel a lot better. Thanks eveyone for the great idea.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Stacey (Aurora, Ohio) on 01/04/2009
★★★★★
I have been struggling with re-accuring head colds/sinus issues since late Fall and don't you know, it hit me again. I have been using a nasal spray, which did help however it can only be used for three days. Last night was the last dose and of course, I woke up this morning all stuffed up and my ears are blocked, so I hopped online to see what I could find.
I mixed 2 tablespoons of ACV and filled the rest of the glass (regular, tall) with water and drank it down. That was an hour and a half ago and I am already feeling much better. The congestion in my head is breaking up and my ears have already "popped" once and are less blocked than they have been.
I am SO thankful that I found this site and all of the recommendations/testimonies for this home remedy.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tasha (Springfield, OH) on 01/05/2009
Hi Stacey, glad to see the AVC helped you but have a question you might be able to help me with. I am going through the same thing right now but gagged when trying to drink it down I am having a hard time believing people really drink AVC on a regular basis, anyway needless to say a sip was all I had and dumped the rest down the sink I just cannot force myself to drink it, is it possible to mix it with something else to help the taste. Thanks for any suggestions you or anyone else may have, Tasha
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Susan (Phoenix, AZ) on 03/24/2009
To Tasha from Springfield:
I make my own juice and put my apple cider vinegar in it. 1 apple, 3 carrots, 1/6 lemon with peel, 1 cup spinach and 1 Tablespoon ACV. I use organic ACV with the brown stingy stuff floating in it! This juice is so GOOD! You will not even notice the ACV in it, but it sure adds to the delicious taste.
You can find the organic, unfiltered ACV at your local grocery store. It will not be with the see-through stuff, but it will be in the same isle. I wish I could give you the name of the one I use, but it is against this wonderful website's policy (for good reason). ACV also cures hot flashes! It's a miracle tonic!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lois (W Bloomfield, MI) on 03/12/2009
The pure unfiltered ACV can be found at health food stores, Trader Joes and Whole Foods, etc. It's superior and well worth looking for.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Becca (Rockford, Illinois) on 02/28/2010
ACV is great, and you can buy the unfiltered organic versions at a lot of stores nowadays. They even sell it at the big box stores here for only 5 dollars or so. It's amazing how well ACV works for not only this, but other issues. When you have a meal that sits too heavy with you (think Thanksgiving!) swallowing a couple teaspoons will help with bloating and "cuts the grease" in your stomach. It's also a great weight loss tool... Try to drink an 8 oz glass of water with at least 2 tbsp. of ACV every day and you'll be amazed at how much easier you lose weight when dieting.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Judie (Roseville, Michigan) on 07/23/2010
Does the ACV have to be a certain kind? I had an older bottle but it was just from the grocery store, kind of a clear brown or does it have to be from the heathful store? I'm very desperate but this site has been extremely helpful! Thanks everyone! Sincerely,
Sick of being stuffed up 24/7 :(
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by John R. (Chicago, IL) on 11/30/2008
★★★★★
I've been having rough sinuses all year, mainly headaches but have had difficulty breathing through both nostrils.
Been doing ACV 2 tbsps + some hot sauce + soy sauce (this part for flavor) + hot water. First two days had major relief and drainage. Have been two days on, one day off since then, and the relief is noticeable. Plus I have not been taking over the counter pain remedies at all and I was talking a lot even just the day before.
I will say it tastes bad, and I will try prune juice once I get some.
I will also say it's better than neti-pot, neti-pot never did much for me.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cristina (La Coruna, Spain) on 04/25/2011
★★★★★
It sure does! Three days ago I took two tablespoons morning (with pinch of b. soda and a high glass of apple juice) and another two tablespoons at night.
The thing is, I had been suffering of sinusitis for a long time and taking anthibiotics. But a year ago I tried all sorts of natural remedies and homeopathy (which helped a lot). Until I read about ACV in your site a few weeks ago. I decided to give it a try.
Half an hour, more or less, after taking it the first time I noticed something in my nose.. And blew it. I won´t give the details of what came out... It was all the infection!! At night I woke up again and more of the infection was coming out. And so on until it stopped naturally.
Now I´m taking only two teaspoons morning and two at night but my sinus has cleared and I feel great!
I recommend you try it if you ´re having these problems.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Trevor (Orem, UT) on 11/14/2008
★★★★★
I used nose sprays or decongestant at night with a breathe right strip on my nose just so I could breathe at night while I slept. I have been doing that nightly for a couple years now. I finally got tired of being congested, even after using nasal sprays. When I came upon your site here, I figured I would try the ACV and see how it goes. I bought the cheapest and smallest bottle of ACV at my local grocery store and started immediately taking 2 TBSP ACV with about 8-12 ounces water then followed it up with milk or something to cover up the taste. Then I started combining ACV w/about 8 oz prune juice (it's not so bad!) which made it even easier to drink and didn't leave such a bad after-taste. I started to see a difference within a couple days. I could breathe a lot easier at night and daytime. It's now been 1 week without ever using my allergy medicine, decongestants and nose sprays. With just using the ACV, I feel great! What can I say? Apple Cider Vinegar cleared me up!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ernest (Saratoga Springs, UT) on 11/19/2008
Funny, I lived in Orem for 15 years before I moved to Saratoga Springs, which is on the other side of Utah lake for anyone who is interested.
Everytime I lay down, my sinuses clog up, and I feel like I am suffocating. I have tried everything. I take an ambient sleeping pill, sometimes I use Benadryl, and 800 mg of ibuprofen. This works about half of the time. Other times I use a nasal decongestant. Every other day, I can't sleep or breath and by the time morning comes around I am nauseated, exhausted and really struggle with a host of physical problems and mental focus. It is literally killing me. I am going to try the apple cider vinegar again. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nancy (St. Cloud, Florida) on 09/27/2008
★★★★★
2 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar
2 TBSP Honey (local is always the best for you)
4 oz. water
Mix, drink hot or cold.
One day will cure you,
however drink day two for assured cure.
Tastes like a bad cup of tea...but will wipe out congestion. So simple, you won't want to try it..but why suffer, when its so easy to cure this life threatening ailment.
Have used this when couldn't afford designer antibiotics..always works.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sheila (Sterling Heights, MI) on 09/19/2008
★★★★★
Well all I can say is that so far ( knock on wood!) it is a true miracle that something as simple as apple cider vinegar can clear your poor clogged & throbbing head! I have been sick now for 3 days & it came on like gangbusters! from the get go I had SEVERE throbbing pain in ALL my sinus cavities, congestion worse than anything! I too had to take 800mgs of Motrin to get any relief ( & it was not much) every 6 hours! YIKES! Hot water bottles, steamy showers, decongestants etc..... I found this page early this am & went directly to the store for some ACV, I drank it with warm purified water as well as a good steam mixed 1/2 &1/2 WITH WATER boiled.....towel over my head 10 mins..... it did take about 2-3 hours but WOW my headache is all but gone !!!! My nose & sinuses are draining, in a few hours I'm going to repeat! It's really worth a try, cheap easy & it worked!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rev. Eric Welte (Niwot, CO) on 09/02/2008
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar has worked for me, except when mixed in hot (brown) tea with lemon. The citric acid and acidity from the vinegar cut right through the mucous and the heat and caffeine from the tea help dilate your sinuses and blood vessels. Overall it makes you feel pretty good. I wouldn't say it helps cure anything - but definitely provides relief.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jaimi (Orlando, FL) on 06/06/2008
★★★★★
WOW! I have come to love the wonderful product of ACV. I have had severe allergies and sinus problems since I could walk. Chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsilitis (they have lonce since been removed), rhinitis, etc... I have always taken prescription medication. However I am 8 mos pregnant and have not been able to take anything but over the counter Tylenol products. For the past 3 days I have been down and out with a severe sinus migraine, congestion and pressure. Nothing worked and I am sleep deprived! Adding these symptoms to 8mos of pregnancy spells MISERY for sure. I was desperate so I hopped online and what do you know? I found the same product that cured my husband of his pesky wart will also clear my sinuses. I only wished I found this info sooner! I took 1 tbsp of ACV with 8oz of water and downed. Then I made a mixture and put it in my veggie steamer (ACV is also a great residue cleaner) and sat over it for about 5mins. Everything started to clear up within the hour. I then rinsed with saline solution and I can breathe out of both nostrils! My headache is almost gone and the pressure almost nil! Oh and by the way the ACV steam bath is great for oily skin. I noticed a difference immediately after the face bath. I was then curious to see if this was a known rememdy for acne/skin problems and sure enough it is!!! In fact, Earth Clinic was the first hit.
I am amazed that such a simple, inexpensive product can do so much. Thank you dearly for this site.
