How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Treat Sinus Infections Naturally

I have had a sinus infection on and off for the last month and on Monday I was so upset because both nostrils were glued shot with thick mucus, I couldnt breath and even Afrin (I try not to use) wouldnt work for more than a few hours. I came on line and read about the ACV and had 2 Tbl in a glass of warm water and some honey and within a half an hour my throat was cleared of the mucus and one side of my nose opened. I was able to sleep for the first time in weeks! I have drank this tonic twice a day for the last 3 days and my sinus feel about 95% back to normal. I am soooo happy I found this site and learned about ACV. I cant wait to check out the rest of the helpful advice. Thanks to all!

I have suffered from sinus infections for more than 20 years. About 1 1/2 years ago, after battling a 2 year infection, I had surgery. The surgery helped for about 4 months, then the pressure and congestion came back. Since the surgery, I use a saline rinse daily to flush out my sinuses and also installed air purifiers in the house. I was doing everything right and I was still having problems. I had constant pain and pressure under my eyes that sinus rinses were not helping. I had a sinus infection last fall and my doc said if I continued to have problems, it was time for another cat scan and more meds (noooooo!!!)

For the past couple of weeks, I could feel an infection starting up. Because of all of infections I have had, my body is now immune to three antibiotics. Not wanting to start down that road again, I searched the internet for natural cures and found this website. I have to admit I was skeptical that ACV could cure my infection, but I was desperate. I figured if it didn't work, I could use it to make salad dressing. Yesterday, I took 3 tablespoons ACV in an 8 oz. glass of warm water at noon. It wasn't the most pleasant tasting stuff, but I chugged it down. Around 8 pm, I put 1/2 teaspoon ACV into 8 oz water and used it as a sinus rinse. Owwww! The right side of my face where the infection is, burned so bad! After I recovered from the rinse, I drank a second dose (and added a little honey for taste) around 8 pm. About an hour later, I was shocked. The pain under my eyes was gone and I could breathe thru my nose!

This morning I drank another dose, and didn't notice any change in the pain in my cheekbones. As a matter of fact, it got worse as the day went on (probably the infection from under my eyes was pooling in my cheekbone area). At 5 pm, I repeated the sinus rinse only using 1/4 teaspoon ACV to 8 oz water. Much more tolerable and it seemed to only burn in the areas I could feel the infection. I pinched my nose and held the solution in as long as I could stand it. I then drank another dose. It is now 2 hours later and I can only feel a slight tenderness in my cheekbones. I am absolutely stunned how fast the ACV worked. At this rate, I should have this infection kicked in another day or two. I haven't felt this good in years. I plan on continuing using the ACV every day as a preventative measure. I can't thank you enough. Everyone's experiences here with ACV is what convinced me to try it. Thanks again.

I have a bi-annual habit of getting sinus infections...and for the past 2 or 3 days i've had my worst one yet. was skeptical to try drinking cayenne pepper. I read many posts about the ACV remedy...and I boiled a coffee cup full of water and stirred in 2 tablespoons of ACV...and I felt a slight, instant relief. I'm determined to be rid of this by Christmas...so we'll see what happens in the morning! Thanks Everyone!

Since taking _______S raw apple cider vinegar in Dec 2005, been feeling better,no head colds, no longer take the little purple pill for acid reflux. Thanks to this web site!!!!!!!

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.

My sense of my smell smelled weird during these treatments. It smelled like vinegar most of the time. I am not a medical doctor, so you may want to consult with your doctor on this one.

I have also lost my sense of smell (and taste) after using a more dilute version of apple cider vinegar and distilled water. Please share...Did you ever recover your sense of smell? I'm very concerned about this side effect.

Would the vinegar rinse help if I have a maxillary sinus retention cyst?

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!

What you described would indicate that you used too strong of a concentration..

If you're going to do the neti pot, versus the Palm snort method, I would suggest that you start by ONLY using 5 drops of ACV (1/20 teaspoon) to 8oz of water.. then increase from there if no problems and a stronger concentration is desired/required.

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!

I woke up on Friday with a sinus "drip" at the back of my throat making it feel kinda scratchy. By Wednesday I had a raging sinus infection complete with tremendous pressure & pain and a fever. One of the worst ever! Checked out EC & took 2 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar in 8oz hot water with 1 heaping tsp raw honey around 1:00 in the afternoon I also did the Apple Cider Vinegar rinse in the neti pot, then repeated at about 8pm went to bed. Woke up the next morning feeling better and repeated said procedure. By 9:30 am Thursday I was feeling 90% better but continued the entire routine for an additional 48 hrs. Thank you EC I love this website!

You need to try using the vinegar as a nose rinse. You have to mix it with warm water and put it in your nose. This is the most effective way of doing it.

My all sinuse I.e. both maxillery, frontal sinuses are infected at caused polyps inside the nose It also causes throath infection with caugh. I taken allopathic treatment severaly but the medicine effect terminate after some time. Doctors suggest me to have operation. I am trying yoga jal neti with apple cinder vinegar. since six months last . but still no so much relief.

I've been dealing with a sinus infection for a week or more. Haven't had one in years, but I'd also not been eating any wheat, sugar, or much dairy, and then I did, and got sick. Turned into a sinus infection. Saline helped but didn't give the relief that the Apple Cider vinegar has. It's also seeming to dry out all the copious mucus. I think I might be able to work out tonight without bursting into tears because of the head/sinus pain. Hanging upside down during circus training, and sinus infections don't mix! If I totally get rid of this, I'll try to post my good results.

the pain in your neck may be a result from strain while sneezing or blowing your nose or possibly coughing. I pulled a muscle in my neck from coughing too hard recently, and kept aggravating it with more coughing. a simple long cotton bag (i used a new sock) 2/3 filled with uncooked rice, microwaved it for 1 min helped that. it can be used on any pained muscle.

Just used ACV for nasal irrigation. Extreme discomfort however excellent sinus drainage, finally able to clear nose by blowing. To be honest not sure I'd try again but desperate times call for desperate measures. Had chronic sinusitis over 12months. repeated GP visits. Take care all, ongoing sinus issues can have a negative impact on mood/mental wellbeing.

I have just spent a good portion of the evening reading posts from my fellow sinusitis suffers. I just came down with a cold, which is morphing into sinusitis. Not only did I just use ACV and local honey drink, I rinsed my mouth afterward with baking soda and water to neutralize the vinegar acid's negative effect in my tooth enamel. Also, I just mixed 2tbsp of _____s ACV in 12oz of water, warmed it slightly in the micro, and then used the solution in my Neti pot. It stung like the devil but afterward, my sinuses don't hurt quite so bad. Stay tuned!

Do I drink this or snort this? I'm a lil confused.

I have had sinus congestion on 1 side for YEARS now - I could not get rid of it. Here's what finally worked for me - adding honey to the apple cider vinegar drink!!!! I use a raw, organic honey that has a thick consistency. I take 1 tablespoon ACV & 1 tablespoon honey in 8 ounces filtered water 3 times a day. I was just drinking the ACV (the kind w/the "Mother" in it! ) and my sinuses were definetely better, but I could tell I still needed more help. I had been avoiding adding honey bc I feared that my sinus congestion could be fungal and I didn't want to "feed" the fungus w/sugar. About a week ago I added the honey - and bam! - my sinus congestion is GONE!! Crazy, but there really is something miraculous about this drink - adding these 2 ingredients together!! I also feel more energy, am losing weight, and I don't even notice my mild asthma anymore!! You have to try this combo - truely incredible!!

I found your website back in May after many repeated bouts with sinus infections. I was really desperate. I had a full blown sinus infection and was headed again to the Doctor. Well, I drank the ACV with honey and I also added a drop or two to my sinus flush with salt. Well the infection in my head and chest went completely away except that I waited too long and my ears got infected and I had to get antibiotics anyway.

Since then I've had multiple sinus infections and the ACV always makes my head feel better and my sinuses don't clamp up like normal making the infection worse. I wouldn't say ACV is a cure but I would say it's a great preventative and I recommend it to everyone. I carry it now while traveling and use a drop or two in my sinus rinse while in Hotels. I don't do this everyday but maybe once a week. If I have an infection I go to once per day. I have also combined this with the over the counter straight Mucinex and with both of these my head it back to normal for a month or so until I go outside and rake leaves or walk through the woods. Then I clamp up unless I use this ACV. Thanks very very much.

Apple Cider Vinegar has changed my life, seriously. I've seen 4 different doctors this past year and been given different antibiotics by each one for my blocked sinus. I haven't felt well or had much energy for a couple of years due to the ongoing sinus problem that never has gotten cured. I quit drinking wine and all alcohol cause I read that can cause a lot of yeast. The last guy I saw was an ENT who put me on a z-pack for 1 week, to be followed by 1 month of Prednisone and another z-pack at the end of the treatment. I took the 1st dose of antibiotics and filled the prescription for the Prednisone but before taking it looked it up on the internet only to read a lot of really scary stuff about it. I decided not to take it and that night I found this site which I absolutely love! I started immediately with the AVC ( 2 Tbsp.) mixed with a tiny amount of juice and 1/4 tsp. baking soda and the rest of the glass (8 oz) filled with water. Within maybe half an hour I could breathe out of my right nostril which was impossible before. The CTscan showed total blockage on that side. So I've been doing this for about a month now, in the AM, sipping during the day, and again in the PM and my breathing is so much better and I don't wake up in the middle of the night anymore having to spray or put on a nose bandaid thing. I'm not cured yet but I believe I will be. I also started oil pulling last week and that also helps. I can actually blow my nose and stuff is coming out of the right side finally. It's dark yellow so I know it's an infection but I think with time it will be cured. I don't expect things to work overnight, though the avc did start having an effect pretty fast. I cured myself of cervical cancer years ago with macrobiotics. It took 3 months. So I'll be patient with this and also try to cut out things like sugar, flour, dairy which I know would help. I also tried the avc as a rinse after washing my face and it leaves your skin looking like glass! It's amazing. I'm 58 and so sick of trying new stuff for my skin that never seems to make a difference but this seems to work nicely. I'm so happy to have found this site with like minded people. I really do believe the body can heal itself with the right natural things.

ACV worked on my sinus infection although I do not find it palatable in the least. I diluted it in water and still found it to be repulsive : ) but for curing a sinus infection, five stars! However, BEWARE, my 17 year old daughter had been suffering from a sinus infection also and she took it, she ended up in the doctors office much sicker than she already was, she has asthma and apparently ACV is very harmful for asthma sufferers. Hope this article helps!

Yes I too have wicked allergies and heart burn that would run a small town !!! I have tried every over the counter and presciption medication and nothing works... in fact it got worse. I want to take apple cider vinegar pills but don't know the dosage.... want to be able to change my name from acidAnna to happyAnna.... please help....

I suffered from bad throat and cough, blocked nose especially at night. It was so bad that as if I could not breathe, so I have to get up so often night causing sleeping problems. It was so bad that doctors thought I had asthma. Whenever I eat spicy food, I tend to get choked easily and it was so embarrassing. Sought help from ENTs (Ear Nose & Throat Doctors) but no avail and to extent they recommended surgeries. It was a friend who recommended me and literally forced to drink a mug at her apartment. In fact, it was almost instant remedy on road to recovery. I mix a tablespoon with a mug of water and drink in the morning. After about a month, it sort of cleared the irritants in my throat and I hardly have any bad throat problems, blocked nose problems at night and I hardly cough like I used to have like a monthly occurence. Apple cider really helps on sinuses. No need to go to doctors! Now I can sleep so soundly.

Hope my liver is not the culprit producing the yellow mucous in my left sinus, but after sitting upright reading this search result at 1:59 AM, my face feels better... and now I can breathe through my nose. Beside me now is a 16 ounce glass of cider vinegar (and free spring water from Route 2 in Jefferson, NH). I'm feeling better and better after every sip. Have used cider vinegar and water gargles from "The Vermont Doctors" vinegar and honey recipes for years and have always been astounded at the amount of material which drains from sinuses after a head back set of several seconds of warm water, vinegar and salt gargles.

Have stayed away from ice cream and other milk desserts for the reasons noted here. I believe fungus is another culprit but its difficult to stay away from all of them without living in a sealed box. I try to avoid or eliminate them from my breathing environment.

You may have used a bit too much of the ACV. I find it easier, and less painful, to put just the tiniest amount in a glass of warm filtered water and sea-salt, and snort it. I cured my sinus infection in 3 days. I also gargled with the same solution, and did both 4-5 times each day.

I had terrible results with the neti pot. I will never use them again. It seemed to make my sinus issues worse every time I used them. I use drops into each nostril with an eye dropper. I use a product which is essentially a mineral/water mixture that is supposed to help with restoring mucus linings in the body. Also will try salt water with Baking soda today. My infections are from exposure to toxins when I was younger working with the fumes from glue products that I was using with my work.

It may not have been the acv, but more likely that you moved the infection into your ear canal, which is closely linked to our sense of balance. Infections in the inner ear and head often create pressure which upsets the nerves that give us our sense of balance and result in dizzying spinning sensation. I get dizzy every time I am coming down with a certain virus because it is lodged near my ear canals.

Hi my husband has just been to health shop to buy organic apple cider vinegar for sinus condition, the only one available was aspall organic cyder vinegar, is this ok to use? Thanks Sandra

Emma, take way less.

Anne, have you tried eliminating dairy for a bit?

Mmsg, I've been having a dairy free diet since almost a year back, still got that constant feeling of something in my throat (mucus). I suspect it's my allergies (first diagnosed 17 years ago) since it worsens some months.

Anne, I've found ACV being really helpful with this problem! It helps instantly. I've been drinking it (2 tsp ACV in 2,5 dl/8 oz water) 2-3 times a day since yesterday. Hopefully you'll do with just 1 time a day, I need to repeat it still. I've read some ppl gargle it and then swallow, trying that out at the moment so no tips/own experience there yet.

Hopefully, in time, my allergies (am bothered by it 10 months a year) will get better. At the moment (now in my worst allergy period) I still need antihistamine along with the ACV though. So, I'm better but not cured!

Hi Mama to Many - Tennessee. I have read quite a bit on the internet as I too suffer from Sinusitis almost all year round. About a year ago I had Surgery to remove Nasal Polyps, straighten a bent Septum and generally try to clear my Nasal passages as I couldn't breathe through my nose - Septoplasty/Ethmoidectomy/Antrostomy – Intranasal /Turbinectomy - Left and Right for all procedures other than the Septoplasty. NASTY OPERATION - HURTS LIKE HELL AFTER, but at least I can now breathe through my nose. PROBLEM - I HAVE NO SMELL AT ALL, and now very little taste. Smell and Taste both relate to the OLFACTORY receptors and sensory which is around the bridge of the nose and is responsible for Smell and Taste. No Smell, usually very little Taste as Smell is the major component of Taste. I read your comments on Hydrogen Peroxide and came upon a PRINCETON UNIVERSITY STUDY on the website LIVESTRONG that states DO NOT USE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE as a Nasal irrigation as it can cause major damage I.e.

Aspiration Pneumonia

Cellular Reaction

Hydrogen peroxide interacts with the enzyme catalase, releasing water and oxygen. The release of water and hydrogen constitutes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. 1 cc of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide releases 10 ml of oxygen. If the rate of oxygen release exceeds the maximum solubility in the blood, venous embolism occurs. It is conceivable that chronic use of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide for nasal irrigation can yield a risk of chronic aspiration, and resultant venous embolism. Chronic lung exposure can cause partial or complete collapse of the lung.

I am again at the stage of almost despair as a world without sense of smell and taste combined with horrible thick mucous build up in the Sinuses is not a nice thing to live with.

I currently use a self made Nasal Spray in my attempt to keep any further Nasal Polys from forming. It contains a drop of Organic Tea Tree Essential Oil combined with about 8 drops of Lemna Minor and Calcarea PhosphoricaI (homeopathic drops) combined with Distilled water in a 25ml Nasal Spray container. I use this daily, which momentarily helps to clear a little of the thick Orange coloured Mucus build up (not Yellow or Green).

Unfortunately the thick Orangy coloured Mucus build up returns quite quickly so I will try the ACV tonic for ingestion and also for use with a Neti Pot combined with Sea Salt to see if in fact it helps with the Sinuses and post the results.

This is only the 2nd cold I've had in four years and the same time of year as my last one. There is only one formula I'm aware of that really works and that's nutrition. Every comment is a variation on this theme. I must admit it never occurred to me to replace my nasal spray with apple cider vinegar and some degree of dilution and snort it upon a clogged head.

I own an Omega Juicer; it rotates like a meat grinder and doesn't sound like a jet plane upon turning it on. I use lemons and ginger root and run both peel and all through the machine and add liquid splenda (cheaper to make it yourself) with boiling water. As by the comments, there are many recipes with the same intent.

My personal favorite is cutting up into small pieces tabasco pepper and adding it to my tea. It doesn't alter the flavor but one hit in the back of my throat by that heat while it's torture for a few minutes really does open things up.

Drinking plenty of fluids is the common denominator here...it works!

You folks who are hyping Apple Cider Vinegar...it's the major ingredient in any home smoker's arsenal and the making of BBQ sauce, especially a good Carolina Mustard base BBQ sauce; don't recommend you snort it as a nasal spray!

Water could harm you only if you don't add salt. Too much water could only damage when the electrolytes get too diluted. Dr. Batman (the water cure) says 1/2 of your weight in ounces per day. Also for every 10 of those glasses of water it is 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt. I have drunk 3 1 in a day salted and I feel great. His site has many great testamonials of this and I have also heard first hand of a student of mine who did this and she is incontinent. She can only go for 1 hour without needing the bathroom. After 3 weeks of the water cure she can now go 1 1/2 hours before needing to go. She is very excited!!!

Batmanghelidj protocol says not to salt the water but keep 1/8 tsp sea salt on tongue for every 16 oz water we drink. (1l).

The reason people have to run to the bathroom after drinking water is that they do not ingest the natural salt which helps to hydrate the body so the water leaves the body soon after. Otherwise it would be detrimental and resulting in dehydration. It seems people in hot countries must have more salt to keep hydrated. Which makes one ponder how much damage has been wreaked on humanity by substituting denatured and depleted salt, even prohibiting salt as dangerous without regard to the fact that salt is necessary for bodily survival. Even animals must have their salt licks, so definitely our pets.

The water cure should be done very slowly without forcing the body which has been mentioned here by another post very much in detail.

The immediate effect can be very telling and there is definitely a feeling of wellbeing even after drinking two glasses of pure water.

I have begun with this protocol but so far have not exceeded four glasses a day. However, no hurry. Om

I use the color of my urine to tell me if I am getting enough water in me. Guidelines that say one must drink a certain amount of water are absurd. It is better to just let your body tell you. Use your urine as an indicator. If it is a dark color, you likely need more water.

Please DO NOT force large amounts of water in short periods of time! This can cause water intoxication which is DEADLY! Children and adults die from this. Please Google water intoxication to verify for yourself. Too much water IS toxic!!! Lots of fluids is great, especially when ill. Just don't overdo it. Take care; feel better. ☺

This really works folks! I had a sore throat for 2 days and on day 3 in went into my sinus (where I have a deviated septum). The pain was excruciating! (even on 600 mg of Ibuprofen) I was volunteering at the school and I had to leave due to the pain. Couldn't get any air through my left side and extreme pain throughout the entire lower and upper sinuses. Miserable~!

I had already been taking probiotics, vitamins, drinking chicken soup. Here's what I did:
* 8oz hot water, 2 tbs ACV (organic unfiltered), 1 tbs raw honey. Drank this mixture every hour... 3 times in the evening.
* 2, 000 mg oral Vit D
* Probiotics
* HOT HOT water on a thick washcloth compress across the sinuses, hold for sever minutes and repeat.
* Saline nasal spray every hour

I was in bad shape, but went to bed (with head elevated) and woke up with no pain! Wow.

Folks, please, please don't take antibiotics until way after you try this.

Can you explain the garlic part please? So you put chopped up garlic in your netipot with water and let it sit, then take out the garlic and use that water in the neti pot?

Thank you for your clarification.

I agree that using ACV for nasal rinsing can be painful. I hope you didn't use it full-strength! When I've used it I put @1/8-1/4 teaspoon into a 1/2 cup lukewarm distilled water. Even with this amount of ACV, it was difficult to tolerate, but it did a good job of rinsing and I avoided a full-blown sinus infection!

hi I have just found this site yesterday and started the asv treatment with honey and water done it 3 times yesterday and felt the benifit lifted the banging head which had kept me in bed didnt clear the sinusis but have been bad chronic for 2 years so will probably take time but going to continue with it also cutting suger and wheat out to see if that helps. Nothing off the docter has helped and are refusing to give antibiotic now saying it is facial pain even though keep getting mucas a nd infection! So glad I found this site with all the good comments so keeping everything crossed it works for me :) will keep you informed.

If the said items are to be avoided in the diet, as a vegetarian what do I eat? Pl suggest.

I am on my second cup of ACV and HOT WATER... And The results are good for me. You can feel it cleaning your throat and breaking it up. I had my first cup 4 hours ago..... So far so good...1/2 cup H2o and 1/4 cup ACV.

I have to say that like many others here, I was skeptical at best. I didn't think that the ACV in my fridge that I use for cooking could do anything for my sinus pressure. But, when I woke up this morning with severe head pain, jaw pain and no way to breathe, I was willing to try anything (except calling the doctor for antibiotics that would likely result in a yeast infection, another round of medication for that, and a following week of stomach upset and mood swings). At 4:30, I used my neti pot and got some serious results, but still felt the jaw pain and head pressure. So, at 6:30, I mixed 8oz of water, 2TBSP ACV, 2tsp purified honey (leftover in the cupboard from when the tike was an infant). I sipped it like a tea, and felt the effects about 20 minutes later. I started alternate nostril breathing, in on the good side, out on the clogged side, and it really got things going. Then I tried the ACV treatment again an hour later, and I can breathe clearly. My jaw pain is gone, with just a little stiffness left. My sinuses are clear and I feel amazing. I also did an oil pull in between the two ACV treatments, but don't think I swished long enough because the oil wasn't white when I spit. thank you to everyone who posted their amazing results.

If the cider does not work for you try colloidal silver. Sniffed into the sinus cavity, the silver kills infections... Virus, bacteria and fungus. Silver has been used for thousands of years. I've used it for over ten years on a weekly basis. Never any skin tinting issue. I use the silver by simply sniffing into both sinus cavities and leaning head back as it drains down resisting the urge to cough. I do this twice within ten minutes. Use of an ear syringe is even better as you can gently squirt the silver further back into the sinus cavity that just sniffing. I squirt with head over sink and then slowly lean head back to let residue drain further into sinus cavity. I often will also squirt into ears so that between ear passages and sinus the eustacian tubes are also saturated. The whole head then is cleared of infection. Normally, just two applications will knock out a sinus or ear infection.

For really nasty infections, I have had to keep applying for a week or longer, twice or three times daily until finally the infection goes away. And the silver solution does keep the infection from getting into the lungs. If infection does get into lungs I use a steam producting machine and use the silver solution in the heated pan to give me silver in steam form and I breath deeply the mist three times daily. Ususally, the lung infection is gone in three days using this method.