Sinus Infections
Health Benefits

Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Naturally Treat Sinus Infections

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Reinventyourhealth (Redding, Ca, Usa) on 04/23/2010
★★★★★

I am a 53 yr old male and I have had sinus problems periodically for 10 years. Lately, they have been getting progressively worse and much more severe. The deciding factor for me to try one of the suggested remedies was when, just a few days ago, I experienced severe sinus blockage on the left side of my face and what I initially thought to be some dental problems as my cheek was swollen from the impacted sinus cavity. Anyway, I scanned the various remedies and tried the 50/50 mixture of ACV and purified water. I mixed up the solution and put it in to an unused nasal mister bottle. The suggestion was to pump 4-5 sprays in to each nostril. I knew it would sting with the 5% acidity of the ACV so I opted for 1 pump in each nostril to start. I was glad I did as it definitely stings for approx. 10 sec. I also chose to sniff my nose to get it further in to the blocked sinuses. If you can tough out the stinging, you should be quite pleased with the results. I actually ended up doing 4 pumps in each nostril just not all at once. Within a half hour my sinuses were starting to open up and the pain was subsiding in the upper jaw. Approximately 3 hours later and I was able to breath through my left nostril that was previously blocked. I can testify to the effectiveness of this treatment as it really cleared me up and saved me tremendous medical costs as this solution cost less than 25 cents to mix. I need to inform you,however, that prior to this treatment I tried the steaming method which consisted using 50/50 parts of ACV and water brought to a boil. It didn't seem to be working as effectively as I had hoped it would so I went to the aforementioned remedy.

After my sinuses were under control I decided to dilute the mixture to a 1 part ACV to 2 part water and will now use as a sinus prevention program. Hope this information is helpful to all of you that suffer from sinuses.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Melanie (Portland, Or) on 04/19/2010
★★★★★

About a week ago, I was suffering from a VERY BAD sinus infection, so bad that my ear was causing me excrutiating(sp?) pain, I lost some of my hearing and my mucous was mixed with blood and would not stop draining. I am also one of the many in this country without health or dental insurance. So when I woke up with my ear bothering me even more, I searched for a natural cure for sinus infection and was directed to earth clinic. The main things I found to treat a sinus infection was steaming my sinuses( shower turned up all the way and sat in a steam filled bathroom for 15 minutes) hot tea with honey, and Apple Cider Vinegar. 2 Table spoons mixed with 8 oz of water 3 times a day. With the severaty(sp?) of my sinus infection, it did take a week to feel nearly 100% better! Since finding your website, I have been in Awe at how many remedies are out there. So thank you. I will be recomending this website to everyone I know. Thank You again for helping those in need with inexpensive natural remadies for those of us who need them.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Knseeker (Chesterfield, Mo, Usa) on 04/12/2010
★★★★★

My wife was suffering from severe cold for 2-3 weeks. Tried anti-biotics and all kinds of mucus thinning tablets without much effect. 2 tablespoons of ACV in 8 OZ of water did wonders. She did that for 3 days and all her sinus infections were gone in no time. It controlled the night time coughs as well. Thanks for posting this amazing remedy

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dolly (Brighton, Sussex, England) on 12/19/2011
★★★★★

Well, what can I say?? A miracle. Have suffered sinusitis on and off for years and was in real pain yesterday, with guests arriving any minute. Found your site and dispatched husband off to healthfood shop to get ACV. Mixed it with honey and warm water; drank it down and within 15 minutes... No more sinusitis. Same today - here I am, sitting in a centrally heated room which would usually give me real sinus pain and, nothing, zilch. Thank you - will be revisiting this site if I get any other things wrong.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Stefani (Lafayette, Co) on 03/08/2010
★★★★★

I tried the remedy of 2 tbsp. ACV in 8 oz h2o 3x a day as directed on this site for a sinus headache in the area of my right eyebrow/forehead. I'd been plagued with this pain for almost 2 weeks and I had been taking 4 ibuprofen in the morning and afternoon for the last 3 days without relief. I've suffered sinus infections frequently in my life and didn't want to take antibiotics. Within 2 days the pain had diminished so I kept up the routine. Now, 1 week later, my sinuses are clear and no pain whatsoever. I also found relief of a lower ache in my back around the kidney area which began 1 week into the sinus infection.

I am a believer and will continue to drink this "tea". I did add a bit of honey for flavor and for the antibacterial properties, but I'm a vegan. Does anyone know of a honey replacement that has the antibacterial properties such as grade b maple syrup or agave nectar that will keep me vegan? or do I have to choose?


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mindy (Charleston, Sc) on 10/09/2009

I haven't tried the apple cider vinegar yet. but heres what i'm trying now to get rid of this nasty sinus infection. I'm using a netti pot with a saline solution i bought at _____, it's specifically for cold/flu. I'm also drinking a solution of water and echinacea (liquid form)as much as possible. The echinacea really clears you up instantly. I'm also taking vitamin c, e, and b-12 during the day to keep me going, as well as a womens daily vitamin. While i'm at work and cannot get to my echinacea i've actually been taking goldenseal also to help the infection and inflamation. Tonight i think i'm going to boil water and the sea salt for cold/flu and try to breathe that in cause my chest is starting to get really tight. I'm trying to keep this from turning into bronchitis. If you have any yea or nays please comment back. thanks!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Amy (Illinois City, Il Usa) on 09/27/2009

Has anyone ever tried the ACV tablets? If so, do they work for the sinus infections as the liquid does?


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Clayton (Kelowna, British Columbia) on 12/26/2009
★★★★★

I have been suffering from sinusitis for years, with post nasal drip causing havoc with my sleep. After trying a Neti Pot, which didn't help because I was usually too congested for it to work properly. I stumbled across Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and it worked. I take it daily, usually 2tsp-2tbs in tea with unpasteurized honey (Twinnings lemon ginger tea is great) 3X a day. Because I take it daily I never get congested. When I cannot take the organic ACV I take two ACV pills (You can get these at most pharmacies and health food stores). If you want the most benefits, the organic ACV is best, but realistically there will be times when you can only take it in pill form. I have not even needed to use my Neti Pot in nearly a year(It works well if taken daily as a preventative, just not so well when stuffed up already). Remember to rinse your teeth or chew on something after to avoid damaging your tooth enamel. You may also need to take some extra water throughout the day to help dilute the acid in your stomach. Avoid any dairy, this will cause mucus to form as well. Fresh ginger root sliced and boiled to make a tea helps sooth the throat as well if you need it, also sweeten with unpasteurized honey as it is an antimicrobial. Take all of this along with oil of oregano if suffering from an infection, for children dilute 2-3drops in orange juice. Hope this helps. Remember the key is to make it a part of your daily routine if you are a sinus sufferer. ACV is also helpful in losing weight.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cecilia (Vestavia, Alabama) on 05/07/2009
★★★★★

ACV cured my cronic sinus infections. I have had recurring sinus infections for years. Recently, I have been on antibiotics for 6 weeks, steriods for 10 days, deongestants at night and two different allergy medicines for the last 2 years. Two weeks after my last infection, I noticed the congestion and pain returning. Since I had gained 15 pounds in two weeks because of the steriods, I refused to go back to the Dr. to start the antibiotic and steriod treatment again. I started researching on the web for natural sinus infection cures and ran across this site.I was willing to try anything at this point. I had a bottle of H____ ACV in the cabinet. I started drinking 2 1/2 tablesspoons of it mixed into an 8oz glass of water 3 times a day. By the 2nd day I noticed that the pressure was gone and the congestion had lessened. It has been 3 days now and my sinuses are totally clear. I have stopped all of my medicines; the antihistamines, allergy pills and decongestants and feel better than I have in years. This has been a God send. I am going to the health food store to buy some undistilled ACV. If the store bought brand was able to do this, I can't wait to see what the undistilled version will do for me. Thank you!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Isa (Guatemala) on 02/15/2009
★★★★★

hi, thanks for all of your comments. my son had a chronic sinus infection and after many antibiotics we decided to give it a try. he drank the acv three times a day, with 4 drops of oil of oregano. also he took propoleum for two week, in addition to his nasal flushes. it worked wonders and has been feeling well since. (4 months)


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Debbie (Dallas, TX) on 02/01/2009
★★★★★

All I have to say is wow! I have been suffering from this sinus infection for awhile now, and taking antibiotics. I was up all night and i just could not sleep and needed some relief......This ACV really really works. I take two shots one at night and in the morning when I awake. I have nine year old who suffers as well; well not anymore thanks to ACV and earthclinic.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Doreen (Virginia Beach, VA) on 01/25/2009
★★★★★

I just tried this with a combination of yogic alternate nostril breathing: breath IN first nostril (block the other) and OUT the second, then breath IN second nostril and OUT first. One side is usually more blocked by mucus than the other so I found it more effective to help unblock it: while breathing in put fingertips on cheekbones and pull the flesh away from the nose. I repeated this over and over, with a towel over my head. I stop often to blow my nose and massage my face (sinus cavities). I also put the pan back on the heat a couple of times. The hotter the solution (1c water - 1 c ACV) the stronger and more effective the vapors. I will re-use the solution.

I also use my neti pot every morning. (2c warm water - 1/2t sea salt). I've added one drop of baby shampoo on occasion, and it stings. I've also sniffed saline solution and used the steam from a bowl of plain hot water (with the towel). I read the article on the Link between Sinus Infections and Allergy medications. There is so much contradictory information.

Drinking vinegar or snorting Cayenne does not appeal to me, but we're all unique. Maybe we just need to take the time to help ourselves instead of quickly popping pills. Our bodies are a system - all the parts are connected - and with the cost of healthcare and medication today, I'd rather try something preventative.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Barbara (Cocoa Beach, Florida, Usa) on 02/17/2010

For chest congestion I use herbal tinctures. Cats claw and Pau d'Arco - when in severe distress I use a dropper full of each (dropped directly into my mouth or in a small shot of water) every two hours and in addition to an herbal expectorant. I have cured myself of bronchial pnumonia with this remedy.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Linda (Manning, SC) on 12/23/2008

Love your site. Many tout vinegar and water as sinus remedy. I've seen vinegar honey and water many times before. Do you know if the addition of honey changes the effectiveness for sinus remedy?


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by MoOf (Englewood, Colorado) on 11/10/2008
★★★★★

After two days of feeling like a zombie from a sinus infection I stumbled across this site and the ACV suggestion and decided that I had nothing to loose as I had some Apple Cider Vinegar in the house already. I decided to try mixing 1 tablespoon ACV with about 8 ounces of warm tap water. I was a little hesitant to drink it as I thought I would more than likely vomit from the taste. But after sitting there with the cup under my nose trying to get up the guts to just drink it, I felt my sinuses starting to loosen from just breathing in the vapors. Still afraid of the taste I decided to drink it as fast as I could to just get it over with. I must say that the taste is something I will never get used to but the results were wonderful. Instantly the pressure in my head vanished, and the mucous stopped flowing from my nose. A few minutes later it felt as though my sinuses were completely dry and free of mucous. Though this feeling did not last, the amount of mucous had decreased considerably. Three hours later I was still feeling a lot better but still had the scratchy feeling in the back of my throat, and some mucous and pressure returning I mixed up another glass at the same ratio and this time drank it slowly. I can still say that it is a taste that I don't enjoy but after drinking it slowly my throat and nose are completely cleared and it has been about 4 hours since my last dose. Thank you for taking the time to host a site such as this. I have not tried the oil pulling yet but definitely intent to.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Monica (Bostic, N.c.) on 06/13/2010

I also found this site, symptoms since last November, with one added symptom, whenever I would use the bathroom and have a bowel movement, I thought my head was going to explode, and of course the head throbbing I would get whenever I bent over, coughed or sneezed. 3 days ago I started taking some apple cider vinegar with the mother in it, mixed with water, it has definitely helped somewhat, I have also been taking eucalyptus pills, and I think that has helped too, but they are expensive. I also found this site because I was looking for some help with this sinus problem... Oh by the way I did go to a doctor when I first got this sinus infection, she gave me antibiotics, I took them all as prescribed, It did nothing for my sinus infection, but it did give me one heck of a yeast infection.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cathy (Las Vegas, Nevada) on 10/20/2008
★★★★★

How ACV helped my sinus infection

I searched the web to find out more about mucus color and how to determine if you have a cold or flu. Then found this site that explained the symptoms of a sinus infection which was what I had. Then read up on a home ready that included ACV. At first I was skeptical then I thought what can I lose, ACV is very inexpensive compared to going to the doctor's office, waiting forever and then only to be told to let it clear up naturally! I chose to drink 8oz of water mixed with 2 TBSP of ACV and immediately I can feel it working. You can feel the congestion breaking free from you head and your ears this is great stuff. The first day I drank 3 cups of the mixture and already my voice sounds clearer and I feel less stuffed up. I will continue to drink the mixture to see how long it takes to completely clear. I would and already have recommeded the ACV mixture to co-workers! It's aweseome!!!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Avery (Great Falls, Montana) on 08/19/2008
★★★★★

First off, I'm a HUGE skeptic with natural remedies. After two rounds of expensive antibiotics I was still having yellow/green drainage and my entire face was so painful, I couldn't lay my cheek against the pillow. I broke down and cried trying to figure out how I was going to come up with more money for another antibiotic.

Instead I decided to do a search and found all of the comments about ACV. I sent my husband to pick up a bottle of it for me because I was so sick I couldn't move. I really didn't have faith that it was going to do anything but with the pain I was in, I was desperate to try. Once he got home, I immediately took in 2 tablespoons in pure water. Within an hour I began draining more little stuff out, and as the hours pass, I kid you not that really bad pain I was in started to decrease in my forehead and cheeks. Even that pain and grinding ache above my teeth was dissipating. Another thing that surprised me was, I felt a little better all over my body. Those aches in my neck and every where had lessoned.
Four hours later, I intuitively poured out 1/4 cup to 12 oz of pure water and drank that down. About 5 hours later, the pain had really significantly decreased. I could talk and smile. I can see that the mucous is changing into a more whitish pale yellow instead of the bright yellow green. It's drying up a little.

I'm reporting this about 14 hours after the first dose. I'm not sure how I'll be in a few days but I can definitely say my pain is surprisingly ..almost gone and I feel much more like my old self.

This is definitely worth a try if you're out there and suffering like I was. Good luck and Good health to you all.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Karen (Biloxi, Mississippi) on 05/26/2008
★★★★★

Went to the doctor for a sinus problem and ears beginning to stop up. Of course, he prescribed 10 days of Augmentin, Allegra, Singuliar, etc. Had enough sense not to take the Singuliar and Allegra just makes blood pressure go up. Any antibiotic usually also gives me a yeast thing. That's another story to deal with now. Yesterday mucas started again and ears began to stop up, mucas draining down the throat also makes it sore. After reading this site I started 2 Tbs. of ACV with The Mother yesterday, was all ready taking garlic caps. This morning I awoke and my mucas problem is totally better and ears are popping. I can actually breathe a lot better. I'm really happy and will continue ACV. I also mix 1 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. baking soda with 2 cups warm water and wash out my nasal passages. Natural is the way to go!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gaylene (Denver, CO, USA) on 05/11/2008
★★★★★

Thanks for the ACV suggestion - my sinus infection was held at bay and feel great compared to the typical 3 week bout.

A suggestion for those who found ACV didn't work - my wise Chinese acupuncturist gave me 2 bags of a dried compostion that I couldn't imagine describing other than bizarre. It was amazing -great night sleep and minimized the symptoms.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Faedah (Cape Town, South Africa) on 05/04/2008
★★★★★

Hi there, After 8 weeks of sinusitis; 2 episodes of antibiotics, my sinus infection had not cleared. By the 9th week, I contracted an eye infection, had severe upper jaw ache and toothache, had severe nasal congestion which kept me awake at night combined with persistent headaches and lots of green mucus, sore body and I was very listless. I was on various allopathic medication - but nothing helped - and did not even provide relief to my symptoms!! I then came across this website. It was either surgery OR apple cider vinegar.

I then followed the following strict routine because ACV on its own did not work effectively:-
1. 2tbsp ACD in one glass of water - followed by another glass of water. I drank this on average 4 - 5 times per day for the 1st 4 days
2. Used luke warm saline water with a normal syringe to clear my nasal passages. At least 2 - 3 times per day.
3. Inhaled steam in a bowl - couple of eucalyptus oil drops in boiling water and covered my head with a towel. At least 2 - 3 times per day
4. Followed a strict diet of apples, fresh fruit, meat and chicken - no dairy, wheat and sugar
5. Drank lots and lots of water
6. To dry the mucous, I used I used homeopathic meds and took this every 3 - 4 hours
7. Took Panados (pain killers) every 4 - 5 hours to relieve the pain

After 5 days of following the above routine...my sinus infection cleared!!!

It has been 5 weeks since I last accessed this website and I can happily report back - that ACV works. When I feel a bit sick, I take the ACV and it really works!! I haven't taken any medicaton since then - which is amazing - given that I was constantly taking nasal drops and medicines etc.

Thank you for this website. It has really proven to be invaluable.

Kind Regards, Faedah


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Julie (Tulsa, Oklahoma) on 03/04/2008
★☆☆☆☆

Is it possible to take too much acv? I have started getting sinus infections every time I get a cold, so this time I decided that I better not go on antibiotics, but let my body learn again to fight this off. After about the third day I was miserable so I got online looking for a way to survive this. The acv with honey and baking soda is working very well. After I take 2T acv/1T honey/1/4 bs, I feel better in about 30 minutes, but after another hour or so, I feel bad again and want to dring some more. Could it be bad to drink too much?

EC: Our experience is that the acv works to thin the mucous, but we've had to use a powerful anti-bacterial or anti-fungal herb or supplement at the same time to clobber the infection



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