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Annie (Texas) on 11/02/2025:
Last night was the sixth day I had pain, throbbing pain easily a 7 out of 10 pain in my cheekbone/ under my eye. I read at Earth Clinic how Apple cider vinegar with the mother could help a sinus infection/congestion. So I used one tablespoon ACV in a mug with hot water, honey, lemon and a chamomile tea bag. I drank this around midnight and the next day I did not get any more throbbing in my face. I can't believe it, everyday for the past week I had 2-3 episodes of severe throbbing daily!!! I react poorly to antibiotics so I rarely take them. I'm so glad this helped, thank you to all who posted, I am way less congested as well! Don't forget to pray!
My son had dandruff until he took some ACV with him in the shower. He scrubbed his whole scalp with it, rinsed then shampooed. He had to do this again a couple of days later. It really helped!
Just took 2 tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar and some water, Man I feel so much better within 15 minutes. I'm gonna try drinking this 1 a day to ward off sinus problems. Thank you so much!
ACV Oh heavens yes, I used to work in the home construction trade here in GA and after a hot hard day's work, I often arrived home with leg cramps and a headache.
Then I was reminded that my grandmother would serve my grandfather and me, a drink she called "Switchel" 3 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey to taste, for 1. it is a great thirst quencher and 2. for it helps replace electrolytes lost to excessive sweating. I started preparing a gal of this each day and the cramps and headaches stoped.
I've used apple cider vinegar many times over the years to cure a sinus infection. I am glad to see so many other people have used it too and had success. I put a few drops of organic acv in my neti pot filled with warm, distilled water. I also drink a teaspoon in water a day and two times during allergy season. It is a potent, lifesaving remedy.
It is very important that you dilute the ACV! Start off weaker and then slowly progress to stronger concentrations, if desired..
Most people that are commenting with adverse effects of using the ACV are clearly indicating that they are using too strong of a concentration.
Remember that 3 teaspoons equals one tablespoon which equals 15 mL or grams.. 2 tablespoons is 1 oz or approximately 30 ml.. When using a dropper, approximately 100 drops equals 1 teaspoon, or 5 ml.. this means a half a teaspoon is 50 drops.
So to form the nose rinse, the instructions call for 50 drops, or half a teaspoon into 8 oz of water (240 ml).. some people who use the neti pot have stated that this is too strong for them and have only used 4 to 6 drops with success.. so if you will use the neti pot, START with this and SLOWLY add more if you decide that stronger is needed..
The same with drinking.. 1 or 2 tablespoons in 8 oz of water, or more.. that's only 1/2oz to 1oz of ACV in 8oz of water.. I find that adding stevia makes it quite palatable, even tasty.. and if you want to have it bubbly you use plain carbonated water.. check the label to make sure it has nothing but carbonation and water (I use the Kroger generic cans that come in a 12 pack). You can add the ACV to the carbonated water with the stevia, and even add a squirt of lemon/lime juice. Whatever to taste preference..
I hope this helps people to safely formulate their exact concentrations.
Love this site as well as all the suggestions listed in this thread. For those of you who have issues with the taste of ACV, add a tsp. of honey and mix both with a cup of your favorite tea. The taste of the ACV is almost indiscernible.
I came down with the worst sinus infection I've ever had. Pretty sure it was some virus + sinus combination because not only did I have massive sinus pressure / blockage, but I also had minor aches and chills. I have always avoided ACV because it smells like nasty feet.
So long story short I finally caved. I hit up google for recipes for an ACV sinus rinse and found this website. I used the listed tonic as well as the sinus rinse, and by-golly within 24 hours I was 80% better, and within 48 hours I was 100% better. That's the fastest I have ever gotten over a sinus infection. To top it off this was the worst one to date ... ACV really showed its ability to defeat the nasty.
I'm officially a believer now and make drinking the stinky tonic part of my morning routine. As the saying goes "if it tastes bad, then it must be good for you", in this instance its the smell more than the taste but its all the same.
Side note I only did the sinus rinse ONCE! I mixed as stated in the article and added two packets of neilmed saline packets.
Organic ACV, is the best. Feeling bad with my sinus infection, I just drank 1 teaspoon of organic ACV, 1 teaspoon organic wild crafted honey, 1 teaspoon Sri Lanka cinnamon in 8 oz`s warmed distilled H2o. amazing results! This should be an everyday tonic must! ;-)
Apple Cider Vinegar for Sinus Infection... Wonderful!
I tried the rinse for the first time and although I didn't expect it to sting a little, it did clear my sinuses. I also try and drink the ACV tonic daily as I have asthma and allergies! I also know that ACV with the Mother, alkalizes in the body which is a good thing considering most of what we eat is acidic, so ACV has some amazing things that it does and its too bad Dr's don't try natural things first instead of throwing meds that usually creates other problems, but then again, if they tried natural stuff first, they wouldn't make as much money I suppose.
I remember my saintly grandmother using Apple Cider Vinegar for several different healing remedies... this year I fought 'the crud', worse than ever - taken everything I could take - even antibiotic, but to no avail... tried apple cider vinegar and I can honestly say, it worked and I feel so much better - I drink it in water and flush nostrils as well... thanks a million for the article and help...
I added 1 tsp per 1 cup of water and it was so strong that I had to stop, it hurt so bad. The pain didnt completely go away for a few hours. It was awful!
Steaming ACV worked for me! I came down with a bad cold two weeks ago and it turned into a sinus infection - sinus was bloated, mucus was thick and brownish, and pressure around the nose. Netipot and rest didn't make it better and I was getting desperate. Tried steaming vinegar (didn't have ACV) two nights ago and the next day felt a lot better. Did it again yesterday and now I'm almost completely well.
Yes it worked for me too. Exact same symptoms going to the end of antibiotics treatment but it didnt cure it so I tried this and it worked just few hours later!
I had sinus surgery 3 years ago, and had not had a sinus infection since. On Thanksgiving woke up with a horrible sinus infection. I'd had symptoms for a couple weeks, like achiness, fatigue, Went to dr next day took 10 days of amoxicillin, did not help at all. Saw your article on ACV, could stand the taste, so tried steaming 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup ACV. Wow! End of lst day, I felt much better, but was coughing up and blowing my nose a lot.The next morning I felt like a new woman. I passed this on to my brother, his results were great also.
What about your sense of smell? I just tried ACV and water saline, I must say I added almost 50% Apple Cider Vinegar and 50%water. And now, I can't smell anything.
I have Irritable bowel syndrome (Spastic colon) and I get sinus infections at least once a year.
My doc always prescribes antibiotics for my SI's and every time I take them, I spend too much time in the bathroom. I recently came across your site and tried the ACV for my sinus infection:
I am using three-four drops of ACV, 1/2 tsp of baking soda (to take the edge off of the ACV) and warm water in my neti pot. I do this three times a day and I am planning to do this for five days.
The first day was harsh, but the second day of treatments was less harsh. I am now on my third day of treatments. I am not a 100% better, but I am feeling more better than I did before when I was on antibiotics. This is more effective and faster than antibiotics. I plan to do the ACV health drink after my SI's is over with. Thanks for this helpful information, You saved me a trip to the doctor, lots of bathroom time and some money. Thanks again.
Thanks for this advice! I only added 6 drops of apple cider vinegar to a nasal rinse of warm distilled water the first time and it did sting a little. The next time, I added 6 drops to the rinse with a saline packet and it was AMAZING! No pain at all, drained well, and I am much less congested! I also started to drink a diluted ACV tonic of warm tap water with 1/2 tsp 2x a day. Had severe congestion for two weeks and took pseudophedrine and decongestant spray constantly. I was going to give in and go to the doctor for antibiotics but am so glad I tried this instead. It's only been 24 hours and I feel much better. Will also try a few drops of melted coconut oil in the nostrils since people on here say that is an amazing cure as well. Thanks for the posts everyone!!
I added 1 tsp of ACV to my neti pot and did this twice on Saturday. I noticed that I felt dizzy for a few seconds afterward but then I was ok and sinus congestion was clear. But on Sunday I began having severe dizziness - like the room was spinning - and it's now Monday morning and it hasn't gone away. Not sure but I think it must have been the ACV added to my neti pot rinse. Don't know why it took 18 hours for this severe dizziness to show up but I know that has to be it.
I'm about to do a regular saline neti pot rinse to see if it can flush away any residue that may still be there lingering. I'll post a follow up. But please be very careful about adding anything to a sinus rinse!
I had the same experience before with the nasal passages reaction during a previous sinus infection.
The problem was not the vinegar/Neti pot process. I had used way too much vinegar. I just did it again, using only 4-6 DROPS of vinegar. The thick nasal mucus immediately started to drain; and it went from thick white/slightly yellow tint to clear. And my breathing is clear and my sense of smell is working again.
FYI, when blowing your nose, pinch/press close one side and blow the other. Then do the same on the other side. Do not blow hard, it will force infectious agent into the ear canal, and create another problem. Instead inhale through an open mouth and huff blow in a 1,2,3 pattern until the 1 nasal side is cleared and do the same on the other side.
I did the same thing with the netti pot and my head felt like it was going to explode and I couldn't breathe through my nose. I did a saline rinse immediately to dilute any damage the acid may have caused to my sinus passages. I have been using warm compresses to alleviate the pain and am still very plugged in my nose. Please warn people not to use the netti pot for this
I just used 1/2 tsp ACV with about 8 oz of warm water in neti and omg it burned and now even 2 hours later I can barely breathe through my nose because I'm so congested from it, wondering did anyone else have this reaction?
I was very skeptical. However, the ACV rinse worked for my sinus infection.
I used the rinse three time a day. On the morning of the day, after I began using the rinse, I felt better. I improved each day for six days. The rinse worked for me faster than the antibiotics I have been prescribed the last few years.
The rinse was harsh the first few days in the sense that it burned. I read that the more the rinse hurts, the worse my infection was, so I stayed with it. Now, six days later the discomfort is no worse than that I experienced with a saline rinse.
Thanks to all of you who posted your positive experiences with the rinse, which motivated me to give it a try despite my great skepticism.
I'm starting to feel the early symptoms of a sinus infection. Upper teeth hurt, pain in the face, cheekbone hurts, etc. I know how bad these can get so I just boiled some water and added ACV (probably a half cup), hung my head over the pot with a towel over my head and let it do its stuff. Then I readied my Neti Pot and added 1 teaspoon of ACV to it. Blew my nose a couple of times and out comes the yellow stuff. I have chronic postnasal drip and have found that the ONLY thing that helps is to put ACV in the Neti Pot - usually only half a teaspoon, but if I'm fighting off a sinus infection I'll use more. I've used tea tree oil in the neti but I have pets and don't wanna use that stuff anywhere near them and actually it doesn't work as well as the ACV. This stuff is great!
Apple cider vinegar is a great alternative to antibiotics. I start to down it as soon as I get the signs of a cold and it has helped a lot steering away sinus infections. Its seems like to me I have built up a tolerance to it over time but it is possible my sinuses have become more susceptible to infection. This combined with a saline rinse seems to do the trick. I would also mention that sinus infections are partially mental, try not to focus on your sinuses and try to not over treat them either, that could make them worse.
I recently started using Oregano Oil, or Oil of Oregano as it is also referred to and this also has some excellent anti antibacterial properties, it may be my new go to for Sinus infections, only problem is that it is EXPENSIVE! Good luck everyone!
Yes I had trouble finding some in major supermarkets and Aspall Cyder Vinegar (Organic) was the only one I could find.
I suffer from sinusitis and I have definitely noticed an improvement. This stuff acts like an anti-biotic without the horrible side effects!
I took 2 tea spoons, mixed with apple squash and warm water for a few days and noticed about 15 mins after taking it, I started to sneeze and then cleared my nose of horrible stuff and felt so much better.
I have been sick off and on since November - I am allergic to antibiotics (all families) so I can't take anything - OTC didn't work. In desperation I tried 1 cup of apple cider vinegar mixed with 1 cup of water - brought to a steam - inhaled - I can't believe how much better I feel already. I will continue this regime until I feel completely relieved and the mucous is clear. The caution of closing your eyes and mouth is a good one to take - it does sting the back of your throat and makes you cough.
I'm writing this review because I can't believe how well ACV worked for my sinus infection. I woke up feeling awful and I knew that my sinus infection had officially moved up to the next level because I had a fever. I really didn't want to take antibiotics because my ENT told me that he never treats sinus infections with antibiotics and plus I know how bad for you they are. Desperate for some relief and knowing that my doctor didn't have anything till next week, I looked up some natural remedies on Earth Clinic.
After reading I decided to try ACV. Let me just tell you that my head had been pounding for 2 days and I had this awful mucus in the back of my throat constantly. I considered going to the ER, but didn't. I put about 1 teaspoon of ACV in my neti pot with warm water and did the nasal rinse.
After that I put 3 tablespoons of ACV in 2 cups of water and some honey and warmed it. It was hard to drink but I drank it.
I also got a heating pad and I put it all over my head, neck, and temples at high heat for about an hour just rotating it.
When I woke up in the morning to my surprise my headache was completely gone. UNFREAKING BELIEVABLE!!!! Wow, I am so thankful for this site! So happy!! This is amazing and it works!!!
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I had the same experience before with the nasal passages reaction during a previous sinus infection.
