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.
Kaliskaphoenix (Ville, Kentucky) on 11/27/2009:
Apple Cider Vinegar for UTI
I have had many UTIs since I was 18, and I am now 20. So when I experienced burning urination on thanksgiving day, I knew what I was in for. Unfortunately, seemingly all of the immediate care clinics in my area were closed, and in an attempt to avoid sitting in the ER which would have been my only medical option, I searched for natural remedies.
Cranberry juice works perfectly fine for preventing UTIs, but once it has actually onset it doesn't seem to do any good, at least by itself. I read all of the recommendations for apple cider vinegar on this site and decided to give it a try. I took 2 tablespoons and then 2 more about 3 hours later. I also took some alka seltzer for pain relief, and some vitamin C and a cranberry supplement pill just for good measure, and drank endless amounts of water and cranberry juice.
I felt some relief that night. Although urination was somewhat painful, it wasn't as unbearable as it had been earlier in the day. I woke up once throughout the night having to pee, and aside from that I slept all the way through the night. The next morning I felt 100% better, and I was completely back to normal. I plan on continuing to take 2 tablespoons 2-3 times a day for the rest of the week to feel confident that the infection is completely gone.
Apple cider vinegar does taste terrible, but personally I didn't feel like it was any worse than trying to down a shot of cheap liquor. I would definitely have another drink to wash it down with though.
Last night I noticed I had frequent urination, with little urine actually being expelled. Blood in my urine, feverish chills, pain in my lower abdomen, basically: Bladder Infection. I had a mild freakout as this has never before happened to me. In an effort to avoid having to see a doctor (I've just switched insurance plans so I didn't even have a PCP) I came to Earthclinic.com to look for "cures." I saw all the Yays for ACV and, skeptical but with nothing to lose, I took a shot (approx 4oz) of the stuff with a water chaser. (This site is the only reason I even own a bottle. I've used it as a toner with fairly decent results). It was so disgusting and actually painful going down that I wondered if I had just made the situation worse. I used the toilet a few more times, noticing more blood than was previously there, still painful. About 30 min later, my roommate took me to the emergency room. I was signed in, and went to use the restroom again. Less blood, still painful. No fever this time. As we were sitting there chit-chatting and waiting to be seen, I suddenly realized that I hadn't had the urge to urinate in over 15 minutes. This was VERY surprising since, before the ACV, I had to urinate about once every 2-3 minutes. In another 15 min I was asked to give a urine sample and this time my urine flowed so freely that I filled the entire cup! (Sorry to be so graphic but these were, for me, the determining factors to the efficacy of ACV). No nausea, no pain!!! I couldn't believe it! There was however a tiny bit of blood left but honestly, with the way I had felt all night I couldn't have cared less. I thought I was cured but my roommate convinced me to err on the side of caution and get some antibiotics anyway. I will continue to take my antibiotics as recommended by the doctor.
I don't claim to have been cured by ACV as a bladder infection is serious business but I can definitely attest to the pain-relieving, possibly even flushing qualities of this miraculous (and natural!) healing liquid!
Please note: I used Raw, Organic, Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar.
Warning: it is totally disgusting when it goes down so you may want to dilute it first. :)
I love this site and have been reading it for over a year now! This was the most serious problem I've used any of the remedies for and it worked beautifully!
This message to to Kim in Gaffney, S.C...Kim I've had a bladded/UTI infection since March '09 and its July. I tried the 1/4 cup ACV followed by a glass of water, then 2 hours later I did this again. It worked!! I'm sooo grateful for your post. I refuse to take antibiotics or any RX and this worked to perfection! Thank you so much, Lou
I had an uncle who always took 2 tbsp of ACV every morning straight. I thought this could be the grossest thing strictly on taste alone and most people would agree. My uncle never got sick and I always wondered why. While researching for weight loss on another web site I saw that ACV can help so I did more research on ACV. Now I have not actively done the weight loss ACV diet so I don't know if it works but I did find out that ACV helps on a lot of other things. Still I could not get over the thought of the potential taste.
Unfortunately I have recently come down with a constant sensation of urination undiagnosed I figure it could be a UTI as I have had them in the past. So I came to this site to read on UTI's. A lot of people have yeas for ACV and here's one more but it is modified. Within minutes of me drinking this my sensation to constantly urinate has subsided. I hope this helps some people.
2 tbsp of ACV 2 dashes cinnamon (as I did not measure I would say about 1 to 2 teaspoons) a pinch of salt (I find kosher salt is the best) sugar (about an equal amount to the cinnamon) 8-10 oz of HOT water mix well and sip till gone
Now the cinnamon will not melt and sometimes will seem chalky, if you leave a spoon in glass so you can stir before you drink each time this will not be bothersome. Ideally what this drink should taste like is just like a hot glass of Apple Cider that you would purchase from the store. If it has been made right there will be no vinegar flavor. I have made this drink a couple of times and had to modify it sometimes but basically the salt kills the vinegar flavor and the cinnamon and sugar makes it sweet. So if you still taste vinegar add salt but if it tastes salty add sugar and cinnamon. Oh and by the way if you want the weight loss ACV diet its the same drink but has to be done everyday before you eat. Once again I have not done the diet so I cannot tell you if it gives results.
Okay, I was a little skeptical but desperate as I can't take antibiotics. Began with 2 tbsp in an 8oz glass of water. I can't stand the taste of the acv, so I now just down a shot glass of the acv then chase it with a glass of water. Painful urination started to subside in about an hour. I also dabbed some on after urinating, which stung for the first few minutes but really took away the pain in less than 1/2 an hour. Thank God. Much easier. I continued for every 2 to 3 hours everyday. Don't forget to keep taking it even after you think you are better for at least a day or two after or it will creep up back on you as you may be not have completely gotten rid of the infection (I found that out the hard way). Cut down on sweets and caffeine. Sugar just feeds the bacteria, and coffee just seems to aggravate the bladder somehow. Also drink lots of cranberry juice and take Vitamin C.
ACV is a natural diuretic--I took it for a few days to help with a bladder infection (4 tbsp. with raw honey in a tall glass of water, 2x per day). But since I didn't increase my water intake enough to account for the increased ACV intake, I became very dehydrated, to the point of confusion and dizziness. Be very careful to increase your water consumption when taking ACV.
I get chronic bladder infections. I've always just gone to the doctor who (after lecturing me on how to wipe my backside after going to the bathroom - like I could really be 40 years old and not know how to wipe my own butt??!) has given me an antibiotic to take care of it. In desperation I looked up natural remedies and found your page here. I laughed out loud when I saw that people were chugging and sitting in apple cider vinegar.
But then I kept reading, account after account of people who felt better after having done so. Putting my better judgment aside I went to the kitchen and knocked back a shot of ACV. Tasty? No. Not even a little bit.
Just for good measure I also put a little on a cotton ball and dabbed it on right after I had urinated.
Here I am, about an hour later WITHOUT pain. Truly, I CANNOT believe it. So, sorry for thinking you guys were a bunch of nuts!! Thanks for the wonderful tip!
Yesterday I was in extreme pain even though my doctor reported that I didn't have a bladder infection. I feared having to use the bathroom because of the pain. I tried searching for a nature cure since I am currently breastfeeding and came across this site. I had ACV in my fridge because I used it in the past to balance my ph, so I drank a quarter cup of straight ACV (YUCK) and it worked!! This is day two and I bought ACV pills since the taste is awful. I have no more pain and will gladly share this remedy with anyone suffering as I have for many years with UTI pain. Thanks
So happy to hear someone speak of the "tingling" sensation. I tried to describe it to my doctor the last time I had a UTI, and he looked at me like I was insane. Started feeling miserable yesterday, so I dragged out the cranberry pills and started drinking all the water I could tolerate ~ very difficult since I have a horrid cough, too. No relief after 24 hours, just a lot of time wasted stiing on the toilet. Vaguely remembered someone saying something about vinegar and UTIs and happily I found this site. Took 2 tablespoons of ACV in an 8 oz glass of VERY cold water, held my breathe, and chugged. Quickly took a couple bites of banana to eliminate the aftertaste in my mouth. I was stunned that I began feeling better within an hour. I am going to repeat the treatment several times a day for the next few days especially before I go to bed. From now on, I will always keep ACV in the house!!!
I noticed the early signs of a bladder infection this morning - that sensation you feel when you pee and then the beginnings of the frequent need to urinate. Wanting to avoid antibiotics at all costs I read the comments on this website and decided to take 1 TABLESPOON of organic ACV in approx 1-2 inches of water. At first I took this every 20-30 minutes and then when I felt some improvement, I took it every 40-60 minutes. It's been 5 hours now and my symptoms have greatly improved!! I'll continue 1 tablespoon in a small amount of water every hour probably until I go to sleep. Thank you!!! I was feeling very panicked about having to take antibiotics again because of their side effects and am so relieved that this worked.
I found myself feeling like I was getting a Bladder/UTI infection. Anyone who has had one knows the feeling. So I started pounding water and did organic ACV, 1 T. or so in some warm H2O with a T. or so of Raw honey (so I could drink it down quick). Did that a couple of times the first day. Noticed a big difference in a few hours. Tonight I am drinking more water (way more than I normally drink which is at least 8-8oz. glasses a day) and am going to finish drinking a 2 liter of lite cranberry juice. Also had some Organic ACV on my salad tonight with dinner. Making a big difference. Tomorrow am going to get some acidophiles (ran out of time today). I heard though to stay away from sugar and sweets because it makes the infection worse. So I am not overdoing it on the honey. Anyone else have any advice for this?
I drank a small glass of water with a couple of tablesppons of Apple Cider Vinegar. 3 days of antibiotics and I was still hunched oveer in pain with a uti. I drank the water with my meal and by the time I got up to do the dishes the pain was gone. A couple of days later my urine was clear. Thank you so much.
Hi everyone, I also use ACV for bladder infections. Just had one a couple of weeks ago. I drink as much of it straight as I can stand. I would say 1/4 cup at a time every couple hours. Let that sit in your stomach a little while 1/2 hour, then drink a full glass of water. It is horrible but the reward is amazing. By the next morning it is gone. You can also do the tablespoon in your water several times a day but when I do that the symtoms usually last for three days.
I just wanted to share this with everyone, I have had chronic bladder infections for years and one day I got one and had no Insurance so I saw that the Apple Cider Vineger helps with multiple problems in the body. It got rid of my infection, every time I get an infection I take a couple of ACV pills and within 6 hours it is gone. Great stuff!
Tamara (Santa Barbara, California, CA) on 03/07/2009:
ACV is instantaneous! I knew I was in trouble this morning and being a Saturday I knew I would sit all day in urgent care. I was already drinking a strong solution of unsweetened cranberry and pure water--half and half. Then I read your site but didn't think I had any ACV--I got the flashlight out and there was a bottle in the back of the cabinet. I got a soft cloth, wet it with warm water and added about a tablespoon of ACV and wrung the sloth out. Then I applied the cloth to my poor burning urethra --just holding it there--and immediate relief! After that I have taken 8oz of water with 2 tbsp of ACV and we'll see what it does. I also took a fem-dophilus. It is just plain old ACV from the grocery store not the health food store kind. I'll keep you posted!
After 8 months of reocurring bladder infection/irritation I began taking ACV for my varicose veins. To my surprise, my bladder symptoms almost stopped. I am looking for any other measures I can take to increase my bladder health. IN the last three months I never got a full-blown infection but just a constant feeling of irritation.
One spoon of acv 3 times a day will help me to relieve my urinary tract infection. Then after 3 days of using it, i noticed that my urine was clear .cleared my urinary tract infection. its amazing.
I had a bladder infection which came on suddenly and servearly, I went on the web and found a feedbach of a woman. I immediately tried it whith the ACV I have in my pantry bought in supermarket and after 2 glasses it was gone, no trace of it back. Being desperate I put a shot glas of vinegar in a 8 ounce water glas and gulped it, another in half an hour. Gone. I use this vinegar in my salad dressing so I don't find it discusting. Also my allergies have dissappeared and my reflux problems seem to have gone. I since have taken a glas mid morning and mid afternoon. Regards Valtrude
ACV and my bladder infection: In the past I had tried ACV for an ulcer and it significantly eased the pain. I have recently become more frequent in the number of bladder infections I was getting, from maybe one a year to 3 or 4. This stuff is amazing. I just wonder what all else this stuff can do for people that we don't even know yet. I used about 2 tablesponns to a 12oz bottle of water. Feel sooo much better. To urinate is a good thing :) This website is awesome Thanks so much.
OMG! I had both hips replaced six months ago, and my physician told me "if you get a UTI (urinary tract infection), you need to get it treated ASAP because there is a strong possibility the infection could spread to your hip joints". What do I wake up with Thursday? A severe UTI, including blood and blood clots in my urine. As an RN, I know when I'm in trouble, and I knew exactly what I had to do -- get to my doctor. But my doctor was gone until Monday. So I figured I'd try something a patient had shared with me years ago, but I pooh-poohed it (because I knew better, after all, I was part of the medical community). So I buy my organic, unfiltered, apple cider vinegar and put it in water just like everyone is saying to do. Not immediate results, but I liked what was happening as I peed more and more clear urine and the horrible urgency and stinging was going away. This is Saturday, and I have absolutely no trace of any infection (even by urine dipstick, which is used in most medical offices). Thanks everyone for your honesty and methods. I truly believe you saved me from having further infection in my body, and probably around my hip prosthetics. LOVE YOU ALL!
I GOT UTI/BLADDER INFECTION RELIEF USING APPLE CIDER VINEGAR! I added 2-4 tbls, of ACV to 8 oz., cold filtered water and felt relief after drinking the concoction! It took about 16 hours before I felt a lot better! The problem I had is that the mixture was so awful tasting that I got pretty severe nausea while drinking it! I even threw up a little from it! IT'S THAT GROSS!!! Next time I am going to drink a teaspoon of ACV straight up at the very first signs of possible infection.
Just a little feedback on the ACV remedy to post on the site.
I used ACV to manage the pain from my urinary tract infection (not cure the actual infection).
I had a urinary tract infection (UTI) for about three days. On the third day I was in excruciating pain. I went to the doctor and was given a course of antibiotics and started taking them right away. Unfortunately the antibiotics, although killing off the bacteria, do not help to manage the pain and discomfort in the meantime. Plus, using over the counter remedies to manage the symptoms, such as the Ural sachets, is not an option as they prevent the antibiotics from working.
I had heard ACV helped many women suffering from thrush infections feel better, but was sceptical. Still, in total desperation and unbearable pain, I added two cups of white vinegar (as this was all I had on hand) to a warm, ankle-deep bath. The white vinegar helped a tiny bit. It was enough to help me hobble down the road to pick up some ACV. Again, I added two cups to a warm, ankle-deep bath and sat in it for about half an hour.
The relief! I have no more soreness or burning! I still feel like I desperately need to pee (which is a symptom of the UTI), but I suppose the antibiotics will help that. ACV worked so well in managing my UTI symptoms - I have no idea what I would have done without it. I am so pleased now that the pain has gone and I can concentrate on other things again. I will definitely tell my friends about this one. I also plan to keep a bottle of ACV in the first aid kit for times when I may need it.
Oh my God where do I began. Like many of you I have had a bladder infection also known as UTI and it was so bad on Sunday 01/11/09 I work up and had to urinate and it was filled with blood. I had this now for 2 weeks and I have tried everything. I found this website and saw the testimonials on ACV and I rushed to the store in alot of pain and I came home put to tablespoons in a bottle of 8oz water and when I say I immediatly felt relief of the pain and pressure i couldn't beleive it. I had only drank a half bottle of it and I could already start to feel the difference. This really works. I didn't have medical insurance, and if I could give any woman any advice to help them this is most definelty a perfect remedy for bladder infection and UTI. Please try this it will help you and you too will be amazed. Thank God for this website, Thank God!
I woke up this morning with a really bad bladder infection. I looked up home remedies for a UTI and came across this site. I took a shot glass and poured ACV from Whole Foods in it and then poured that into a water bottle full of cold water. I then chugged the whole thing and ate a few fresh strawberries to get the taste out of my mouth! Anyways, within 20min I already felt better and went back to sleep. I woke up two hours later and had no bladder pain at all! When I urinated the pain was completely gone. Thank you SO much everyone! I will now be drinking ACV everyday after reading this site and experiencing the benefits first hand! God Bless all of you!
To those of you who commented that you soaked in a tub with a solution of ACV because of a urinary infection, and another who used a cotton ball and applied the ACV that way, I have done something simpler that worked almost immediately (for females).
For a few years, I was getting terribly painful urinary infections. I would need medication and I would be off work for at least 3 days and in pain for at least a week. I am talking screaming pain here. It was horrible.
I woke up in the middle of the night with another infection and knew that I would need to go to Emergency. I did not want to wake my husband up for another hour or two so he could take me to Emergency and go straight to work. So in desperation, I went to my books to see if there was anything I could do to relieve the pain temporarily. In a book on Water Therapy, I found instructions for an ACV/water douche. Fortunately, I had a set as part of a hot water bottle kit.
I tried it; the burning pain left almost instantly and I fell asleep. In the morning, the infection was completely gone. I didn't even have discomfort. I have not had a urinary infection since then (more than 30 years). At the first sign, I use ACV solution. I take it in my first aid kit when I travel or go backpacking in the bush. It is remarkable. Under those circumstances, when I travel light, I just use a facecloth soaked in the warm solution.
You are right; ACV is probably the most amazing of all remedies.
My father began taking it with honey in his 50's and never had another cold despite the cold MidWest winters.
For about 2 yrs. I've been suffering from UTI's/Bladder Infections and most recently, Yeast Infections. I have been to the ER I don't know how many times, then I found a dr. that deals in that. I kept having UTI's and Bladder Infections and he kept prescribing my antiboitics, it got to the point where the antiboitics stopped working, I recently tried the ACV and I feel so much better! It really works. If I knew about this a long time ago it would of saved me a lot of trips to the ER. And I also love the added things it does for me, I have A TON of energy, my hair looks and feels a lot better, I went for a check-up last Monday and I lost 4 lbs. and I wasn't even trying. Trust me ladies, u should try the ACV!
I use to get bladder infections ALL the time years ago but stopped then for years and just woke up with one this morning! I was shocked! However, since this has been my favorite site for any ailments I quickly got on to look up what to do for a bladder infection even though I knew ACV would be one to use.
But one thing I saw was to eat lots of celery and cucumbers for the bladder infection. So this morning I drank a huge glass of water with ACV - Another plain glass of water, ate celery and cucs and drank lemon water AND I took marshmallow root which is suppose to be good for a bladder infection too. Then the rest of the day I drank lemon water and I am fine as I sit here and type this out! YAY!
As always - thank you Earth CLinic readers with your advice!
UPDATE: In my case, ACV worked very well both to kill a 4th recurring infection and then, on maintenence dose, to keep recurrance away (in spite of higher risks due to self catherderizing). As a matter of caution, I checked the kidney area daily while curing, by bouncing the wrists into the back side where the kidneys reside, assuring no pain developed and and also checked temperature; the warning is clear: Bladder infections, if treated ineffectively, can lead to kidney infections (requiring immediate professional emergency actions) and may lead to kidney failure and even shut-down!
I'm glad I found this site and thrilled that for me ACV works so well, considering a reply from Christina regarding Cipro.
I'm so glad I found your website!!! I used to get UTI's all the time... Cranberries never worked for me. I tried the Apple Cider Vinegar that I read about on this site and BINGO!!! Wow... why didn't I know about this 10 years ago? It would have saved me lots of money and time in the docs office!!! I'm a believer now! Thank you!
I had a problem with frequent UTI's due to bladder retention. Nothing ever suggested to me prevented them and I've tried everything. My Doctor even wanted to put me on a low dose daily antibiotics. A friend sent my this web site thank God! Felt a difference the first day! The first day I probably went a little overboard taking a straight shot of ACV then drinking 2tbs of ACV per glass of water all through out the day. Now I take a maintenance dose of 2TBS per glass of water three times per day. So far so good. I'll update if there are any changes.
(2) 
