How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Treat Sinus Infections Naturally

I came to this sight as I've had a sinus infection for three weeks now and 10 days of antibiotics didn't help (drat! ). Still sick and need to be well! I did the steam with ACV and it did work well for me and cleared my head. Today, I'm trying the ACV to drink. I made an 8 oz mug of tea, mixed 2 TBSP of ACV and a little honey (apple tea) - it really seemed to clear my head about five minutes after I drank it. It didn't clear it completely, but I could feel my pressure being relieved just a little. I'm going to keep trying this method and see if maybe it will work... so far so good.

Hi all! I have looked over the ACV thread many times in desperation during my NUMEROUS chronic sinus infections. I always have given in and ran to the drs thinking that all of this homeopathic stuff was for nutty people. Well, count me in the nutty pile now!!!! And so happy to be here! I finally said ENOUGH! When you've learned your lesson and gone to the Dr.time after time taking antibiotic after antibiotic, spray after spray, from Z-Pacs to the dreaded (for me anyway I'm allergic augmentin) and you get about three weeks if that of happiness and a faux feeling of being 'cured'-ahem-cough cough. Something is NOT right!

So, I went straight down to my local health food store and purchased a inexpensive bottle-lg. by the way of Organic ACV-which doesn't taste bad to me for some odd reason and picked up LOCAL honey to aid in preventing my allergies after educating myself on chronic sinusitis, Started using my neti pot daily and I am committed to taking measures into my own hands. If I have to rely on some OTC remedies occasionally then so be it but from now on my diet is changing and my preventitive sinus and allergy health care is as well. Back to basics.

The first night I tried it I woke up the next day and was so shocked I could breathe and my pain level decreased from a literal-NO JOKING HERE-ten to a three!!!!!! The next day was better. But I am also using clear rinse sinus rinse every thirty minutes in each nostril-you can google that-no I don't sell it. It's kind of an experiment because there was some big AD on YT about another product like it twice the price that is supposed to kill the bacteria if used every thirty minutes for about three days to a week. Same darn ingredients. I am sorry it's called Ocean I got it at CVS. It is really taking the sinus pain away. I was in so much pain that I almost went to an emergency room for pain without health insurance. The local honey my landlord told me about makes sense because that would-it seems where ever you live, build up your immune system to fight against pollens etc.

Good luck guys-allergies and sinus pain is awful it has shut down my social life I literally haven't ecercised or dated in a year. Wish me luck! Much luv!!!

Six months ago I had a sinus infection with flu-like symptoms. I used the standard apple cider vinegar (ACV)-water mixture to dose myself for relief. It helped me considerably, and cut the progress of the infection and flu short. I whole-heartedly believe that the ACV did the trick. My sinuses were clearing up and the mucus thinned so that my breathing was easy and not painful.

I also believe the ACV 'kick-started' my menstrual cycle at the same time I was sick with the sinus infection -- I was miserable, but thankfully not for long, and the ACV helped with reducing the usual menstrual symptoms I had suffered in the past; missed cycles, heavy flow, cramping, bloating, achiness, grouchiness.

After that month, 6 months ago, I haven't had a sinus infection. There was a time I felt an inkling of an infection coming on, and one dose of ACV did the trick, no onset of infection. Six months ago was also the last time I had a menstrual cycle -- thought I was going premenopausal since I'm only in my early 40s, also, I developed a chalazion (doctor confirmed) on my lower eyelash line a few weeks after I recovered from my sinus infection, and stopping use of ACV. The chalazion has been with me ever since.

Since developing the chalazion, I've used a rue fennel eyewash, tea compresses, Similsan eye drops; nothing worked, until I searched on Earthclinic for a remedy -- castor oil. (I also have pingueculae on both of my eyes, started about 7 years ago after lasik surgery and dryness.)

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Geez, I sound like a mess, don't I?

When I read more on castor oil for my chalazion, I crossed my fingers hoping for more benefits, like ridding myself of the pingueculae.

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Now, after starting ACV again, but for maintenance purposes (I read D. C. Jarvis's "Folk Medicine"), my period miraculously re-started and my chalazion has shrunk down, and my eye is looking more normal. I was using castor oil with a warm compress or a steam on the chalazion for about 15 days prior to starting ACV. I did see results from the castor oil on my chalazion, but I think with using both the ACV and castor oil, they speeded up healing the chalazion.

My benefits from ACV and Earthclinic are three-fold: a remedy for sinus infection/flu; menstrual symptom relief (and re-start); reduction to almost no chalazion! I'm going to keep going with a one-dose-a-day of ACV to keep my menstruation cycle regular, but for now continue the ACV and castor oil treatment to see if I can completely heal the chalazion. I will update this when the chalazion is gone.

(Oh yes! Can't forget: the castor oil has given me the best nights' (plural) sleep in a very long time.)

Sheila

A friend told me about this site because I was suffering from a sinus infection (an annual spring issue for me). I tried apple cider vinegar and snorting cayenne pepper for a few days. Result: the sinus infection is no better, my nose burns and I have a bad taste in my mouth. Going to the doctor tomorrow to get some real medication.

Was wondering if anyone knows if this is ok to do while pregnant? I am 10 weeks and I don't want to take any meds. So scared for the baby.

Not only is it okay to take apple cider vinegar while pregnant, it's an excellent idea, as it creates a healthier environment for growing a baby. Dilute! You may want to skip honey during pregnancy and breastfeeding, due to the (very, very small but real) risk of botulism. Try molasses or stevia instead.

are we supposed to boil equal parts Apple Cider Vinegar and h2o and enhale

Glad you mentioned the mold issue in your house. I never had sinus issues like this till I moved into this Apartment 4 years ago, and I know there is mold and mildew on the insides of the walls since I had a broken pipe, and they had to open up the walls. I wonder how many people have sinus issues due to mold , mildew or other toxic problems where they live. I also found out that laying off all milk products helps as well.

Check for mold........ it can be life threatning.

I can't seem to find the recipe anywhere here, maybe it's because my sinus is so clogged I can't think. Help! What's the recipe and instructions ?

Thank you for the invaluable information!! After trying 2 rounds of antibiotics, I was desperate and found this site. Just tried Apple Cider Vinegar with a bit of honey in a small glass of water. Sinuses are clear!! I am breathing through my nose again!!

I am 38 years old and live in NY. I have horrible sinus problems due to a deviated septum and genetics. I am on my 3rd sinus infection this winter and am fed up. The first two go arounds, I got antibiotics. They worked, but I got the infection again weeks later.

I just now drank a 8oz glass of water with 2 tlbs of distilled vinegar (I don't have ACV, but will get some tomorrow) and I feel it working. Unreal. The constant urge to sneeze and the burning inside my nose is disappearing.

Thank you!

Wow, I am stunned. I have suffered from frequent sinus infections for years and have tried every "proven" remedy from large doses of garlic to olive leaf extract with no success. So naturally I was skeptical of this. But what the heck, Apple Cider Vinegar is cheap so I'll give it a shot. I'd been blowing yellow gobs of gunk several tims a day all week. I drank some Apple Cider Vinegar and honey tea yesterday and didn't really notice any dramatic difference within the short time, as people had mentioned. But I wasn't experiencing much pressure or pain anyway. Hower, I realized today that I have blown zero gunk since drinking the tea yesterday. My nose feels clear, dry, and gunk-free nearly 24 hours later whereas before I was blowing my nose every couple hours at least. I'm amazed. How can it work that fast?

Which of these remedies is safe during pregnancy?"

02/03/2012: Kristys from Appleton, Wi replies: "Yogitha - I drank 8oz Hot water, 1-2TBLS. ACV and honey to taste while I was pregnant when I had colds that included sinus congestion. I had 2-3 cups a day usually. It really helps with stuffiness etc. I can convince myself that it tastes vaguely like hot apple cider so I can tolerate ACV this way - even with a sensitive stomach during pregnancy.

maybe if u drink a whole bottle u might not feel so hot. But I don't think u can 'overdose' as in medicines or vitamins. Kinda like drinking too much apple juice or something. Might make u feel crappy but not gonna kill u

About 2 wks ago I started feeling pain which became maybe the worst sinus infection I have ever had -- or at least in years. I was advised to use Mucinex D and Tylenol, then prescribed antibiotics and steroids for a week, and advised to use nasal spray and even an inhaler when my coughing fits started to alarm everybody I was around. The day I started taking all this, I found the website. I decided to go ahead and take all the meds first. They helped some, but never completely cleared my head.

I have been using the 2 Tbsp ACV and 1 tsp honey in a tea 1x a day for the last 3 days. The first cup of tea completely cleared my head in just a short while. I looked again today and found that I should be drinking this more than 1x a day, so I will be increasing my doses. I hate taking prescription meds, and usually avoid doctors until I just can't, so I am excited to find this natural remedy and am encouraged by the results I feel already. I still have some pain occasionally in my head, and am still stuffy at times, but the tea always takes care of it. Its not a great flavored drink, but I have found I can drink it much more easily today than I did three days ago. Looking forward to being well and I will be checking out your site for other things as well -- thank you!

My sinus infection came on suddenly after the flu. I woke up one morning and I thought all my teeth were about to fall out, the pain was so bad. It progressed over several weeks to today, when it's not so bad but I'm having severe nausea due to accidentally swallowing the drainage.

I started out taking astra isatis (got the tablets from my acupuncturist); drinking lots of tea; drinking hot water with red pepper, lemon, and honey; and using my neti pot. That all helped a lot but now I want to try the ACV to get the final gunk out. I'm tired of spitting out crap every few minutes and feeling like I'm confined to the house because of it

I had my first ACV drink (2 tsps of ACV with a tsp of local honey) this afternoon. I'll be drinking another one in a few minutes.

I've been suffering from a sinus infections every year. Antibiotics are not helping. I'm going to purchase the ingredients that you tried. Thank's much for the input. Sincerely,
Maurice

Interesting, I am also from Houstone, and have the same problems with overlapping migraine/sinus issues - it must be due to the environment here for those of us sensitive to such. Yoga helps, the headstand, shoulderstand - which increases blood flow/circulation to the head, helping to move the gunk. However, I suffer terribly with headaches, and they seem to be 50/50 migraine/sinuses and buggars to get rid of. They hang on and come back to finish me off if I am not persistent and vigilant, but sap my energy way too much especially now I am older (50).

I take ACV which goes down well, so body must need it. I also juice with beets and other veg's and take probiotics to keep a good balance. But the headache/sinus pressure is unbearable, with no gunk actually ever coming out, just constant drainage and constant mucous. I am trying to change my family's diet to less sugar, dairy, etc... But hard with many different needs. I also have a terrible smell in my nose, breath for 6 months now and cannot shake it. Almost a chemical, gas smell sometimes - it makes me sick when it is at its worst.

So, is this safe to add to nasal rinse ? Very little comments on snorting the ACV. I started drinking yesterday after finding this website. I have done everything there is to do for my sinus including surgery and suffer every year. Pls advise on using for a rinse. Thank you everyone.

I do not advise using the neti pot when you have inflammation. I did and now have a swollen parotid gland.

Just got excited about the ACV. Just read one post about snorting the ACV. Couldn't get any cayyane pepper so I figured what the heck, why not.

So i got some ACV, (not sure if it was organic or not, but it was dark) then I poured in some texas pete hot sauce for good measure.

I snorted it up, and hoooooooly c*&^p ballz it was intense. It felt like a fire breathing dragon was trying to blow out my right ear. My nostrils are perfectly clear, but they were before as well because I'm hopped up on a nasal spray with oymetazoline hydrochlride in it.

Now my right eye is slightly more bloodshoot now and my right ear feels a little funny. Then I just read that ACV is pretty acidic and that drinking it straight is not great for teeth. I can only imagine what it does for sinus cavities. I'll keep ya posted!!!!

I have read thru the postings and it seems that i would need probably some strong anti fungal?My mucous is white, not yellow or green. would you have a suggestion and how is it administered?. I must say I have been putting a combo of vinegar/hydrogen peroxide in my ears too and a big cyst seems to form inside with pressure. almost like a mound of pus or something.It is a heavy feeling with alot of pressure It goes away in an hour or so.. Above the right eye, as i wrote in my post that gets an occasional pounding headache and lots of spaciness which seems to correspond with vinegar drinking.regards Mike

Could you tell me the exact prevention program you are using. Also the exact type of ACV for you nasal rinse? Thanks much, Maurice

I have been suffering from Sinus infection and Tinnitus which started a few months back. On reading about ACV, I have started having it for the last few days and have definetely noticed a difference in my sinus. I am drinking ACV twice a day. Would like to know how long I should continue this and will it cure my Tinnitus also ???

Glad you mentioned the Kidney pain, I have had similar pain as well and thought it might have a connection to the sinus pain, but wasn't sure how.

HI. I just tried 2Tbsp ACV mixed with 8 oz. of hot water for my sinus infection. Could barely get it all down before I had to run to throw it all up!!!! Think I'll try something else!

I felt the same way the first time I tried it. But I just tried it again, mixed with some Splenda and heated like tea. It's SO much better! I can actually sip it without the unpleasantness of just the ACV. Give it another whirl!

you should read up on Splenda, it is not a good choice! Worse than sugar, use honey.

Maybe try it with warm, not hot water, and some honey!

Stevia is probably the best choice of sweetner to add to your ACV mix if you're fighting sinus congestion. Artificial sweetners of course come with their own stuff, but sugar in any form, especially as honey, will just keep feeding the bacteria or fungus that cause chronic sinusitis.

I had had a sinus infection for three weeks when I started ACV- 2tbls in 8oz of water three times a day plus nasal irrigation with 2tsps in approx 6oz w/ some salt once a day. I have done this for five and a two-thirds days with perhaps some improvement (feel better, less drainage) but sinuses are still infected.

Just tried ACV for my ongoing sinus problems (infection, congestion, etc) that have plagued me for over six weeks. I am a skeptic, but within 30 minutes I was breathing better - for real! This stuff is great. I used the 2 TBSP in 8 ounces of warm water. Amazing!

Hi! Its only 5 days ago i found your site. Want to give you great credits for all the good information i found here...thanks to all !!

I found it cause i got back my painfull and disturbing sinus infection again (wich happens with me always 2 ,3 times a year,with headaches,totally ,,blocked,, nose and forhead,swollen eyes,no energy etc.) I even believe that this chronic sinus problem is due to some sort of unknown deficiency in my body that also makes me more ,,down,, then many others throughout the year..but this is a guess.

anyway: This time i brewed my own mucus ,,releaser,, Since i discovered the kosher salt and the himalaya salt which is the main worker in this liquid, iam so happy to be able to quickly loosen up all the mucus up there so that it is not ,,exploding,, my head anymore.

my recipe is (mix acording to feeling and strength and amount of solution needed):
-nice Kosher salt or himalaya salt.
-some healthy green tea
-bit of lime
-5 drops of good bee propolis (solution in alcohol)
-bit of (good!) olive oil, or take self made oregano oil.

(of course carefull with this strong recipe on kids please)

mix until dissolved in a bowl that,s not your newly bought porcelin wedgewood bowl .the oils and the propolis will not dissolve of course and float around a bit on the liquid,no problem. Also the propolis is brownish and looks a bit strange...but in fact it,s very good stuff (bees use it in their nests as an anti virus) ...bring in the nose and let run. It can sting a bit for a few secs and is a sort of horsemethod i think

If you bring it in in bed (laying with head backwards) then have loads of toiletpaper ready!

--Nevertheless!--

This rinse does al lot in preventing the alongcoming head aches, further illness and weakening in sinus infections and the first steps of curing faster, but it is NOT completely taking away the total cause of the infection. Since i live in the countryside close to Berlin i get hold here of an excellent mild tasting, raw Apple Cider Vinegar quality which i took 3 times daily in my applejuice (2,5 tablespoons in a glass and a pinch of natrium hydrogen carbonate( baking soda) but note :only since 4 days!!!

I must say reading all the reactions about ACV i was a bit reserved...but i took it and it almost immediately stopped further closening of the sinus,it stopped the depressive feeling coming with it and although i somehow still feel the infection is still there...it,s being noticebly surpressed by the ACV. I was working again almost immediately and i feel marvelous !

Normally this sort of illness knocks me out 2 weeks minimal. Wow, this is amazing stuff. I try some other qualities of biological ACV now but i find them much sharper in taste..the one from the region here did the wonders but tastes so good!

Other effects : better skin ,better hair (i also put some directly on the scalp,undiluted, and after that some carrot,rosemary oil) and further it helps a better digestion.

hope this can take away any doubts with new readers. i was just another sucker who believed for too long that the ,,normal ,, doctors were able to help me on this.

take care! Daniel

I have gotten a lot of great information from Earthclinic, so now it's time for me to share my experiences: I had a sinus infection that began zfter a cold, that lasted for a full year. I decided to put apple cider vinegar into my sinus rinse "pot", along with 1/2 cup spring water, 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp baking soda. The first time I tried this, I used way too much acv (est 1-1/2 tbl). I bravely pored the mixture in both nostrils - hurt a LOT and the mucus began to flow freely. I was up and down all night, carefully blowing my nose, but the next day ohhh what uncongested nasal passages! Susequent irrigations weren't as painful, now that the infection has cleared up, but I rinse once daily anyway to clear out the remains of the infection. See in another post my experiences with cinnamon/clove/thyme oils.

I hesitate to speak too soon, but after 10 days with a relentless cold, I woke up with a raging sinus infection yesterday; fever, swelling of my face, redness over my cheekbones, couldn't breathe through my nose whatsoever. I stayed home from work & was ready to call my doctor, knowing she would prescribe antibiotics, which I try to avoid as often as possible. I dreaded the aftermath of the antibiotics, but I also knew this was a doozy of an infection. My husband had read up on ACV a while back, and we had some in the house, so when I googled natural sinus infection remedies & saw all the testimonies here, I thought I'd give it a shot. I took two tablespoons in warm water (a big mug, probably 10-12 oz), plus a tbsp of honey three times yesterday. I also used a saline rinse/ neti pot. I am like NIGHT & DAY today. I am not 100% yet, but I can breathe, the swelling went down, the redness is gone, and I feel functional. I do still have some congestion & my face is a bit tender, but it is no longer terribly painful. Perhaps TMI, but the nasty green-yellow mucus has gotten considerably less disgusting-looking, too.

I am going to continue the ACV & the saline for the next few days, and next time I will do it preventively.

My husband and I have been miserable lately with sinus infections. I do not take any medication unless I have to, diabetes and blood pressure are all I take so I was looking for something natural. Found this site accidently, tried the apple cider vinegar. We found out the next day that we were using the distilled and that that was incorrect, but, we both woke up in the morning with our heads completely cleared. We will get the right kind of acv in a few days, but so far this is working. We both feel so much better, and can breathe clearly. I was very sceptical, but I'm so glad that I found this. Thank you so much for this site. I have shared this with my whole family.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Sinus Infections

About 3 or 4 days ago I developed a terrible sinus infection in the right side of my face. It was terrible. I couldn't hear out of my ear, dental pain, yellow mucus, facial pain and swelling, the whole deal. I tried the ACV remedy. About 2 tbsp of ACV, about 1 cup of water, and about 1 tbsp of honey did the trick for me. My dental pain and headache are subsiding, and I can finally breathe out of the right side of my nose. I'm very happy about these results. :)

sinus infections: I find acv & honey help a lot.I use only acv with the "mother" in it and raw honey if you can get it. I saw a doctor on tv yrs ago who said he found out that it was a fungus that lies deep in the back of the head, which is dormant most of the time. I use olive leaf extract which is anti-fungul and I also use olive leaf nose spray plus a neti pot. Ask your DR. for anti-fungul medicine. Olive leaf kills many viruses and bad bacteria and fungae. Use according to directions on olive leaf products. I use 1 tbls acv & 1 tbls honey.