Colds
Health Benefits

Apple Cider Vinegar Cure for Colds

| Modified on Dec 14, 2024
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Apple cider vinegar is Earth Clinic's most popular home remedy for cold symptoms. Apple cider vinegar helps to relieve congestion, mucous, sore throats, coughs, and headaches related to colds. Our readers love this natural, simple and inexpensive remedy!

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Colds

A typical dose of apple cider vinegar for colds is 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in an 8-10 ounce glass of water. This tonic is usually taken one to three times a day. There are many ways to make this tonic tastier and even more effective.

Honey

Some of our readers add 1 tablespoon of honey to their apple cider vinegar tonic. This improves the taste and honey has medicinal properties as well.

Cayenne Pepper

Adding a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the apple cider vinegar drink makes it especially helpful for sinus congestion.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon also has healing properties and is a tasty additive to the apple cider vinegar tonic.

Hot Apple Cider Vinegar Tea

  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Mix together in a mug and enjoy a cup of healing!

Continue reading to learn how our readers have used apple cider vinegar for colds. Have you tried the apple cider vinegar cure for colds? Please share your story with us!


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.

37 User Reviews


Posted by Lisa (NPB, FL) on 10/08/2019
★★★★★

Excellent, I loved the apple cider vinegar tea. Thank you, throat feels better already.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jdemmy (Kansas City, Missouri) on 01/23/2018
★★★★★

Have used apple cider vinegar many times for various issues like colds, sore throats, congestion, etc. Sometimes the problem is gone within a couple hours, sometimes it takes up to a day with several doses. But it always works! As far as dose: usually 1-2 Tbsps ACV, 1 tsp honey added to a full cup hot water.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Antoinette (North Carolina) on 01/18/2016
★★★★★

This is my 1st time using apple cider vinegar during the cold and flu season. I started with Mucinex and I felt like I would cough up a lung and it was so painful. So I researched natural remedies and I'm so happy I did. Apple cider vinegar has been wonderful in breaking up the mucous. In about 24 hours, I'm almost back to normal! My new cold remedy!!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marcy (WV, US) on 03/21/2015
★★★★★

I stumbled on this site and saw the ACV cure for colds. I started with a cold - sneezing, runny nose, head ache on Thursday morning. My daughter and I had been talking about ACV the other day because I drink it occasionally, and she doesn't. Today is Saturday and I put 2 TBLS in a glass of water with a touch of stevia.
I am feeling so much better, I can breath. No sneezing, no dripping nose!! I hope it will be totally gone tomorrow!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mrsg (Fl , Usa ) on 11/22/2013
★★★★★

My daughter was suffering from a bad cold and losing her voice. I gave her two TBS of ACV in a glass of water. Within a few hours she said her nose was clearing up and was feeling less aches and pains associated with the cold. By next morning all symptoms were gone.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Helen (Memphis, Tn) on 10/04/2013
★★★★★

Lots of allergy-related sinus congestion lately... But yesterday morning I woke up feeling like I was beginning to get a cold- I started sneezing, my nose was running, my throat and lungs felt scratchy and inflamed, and I started coughing. By the evening I knew I was doomed. Late last night I poured approx 2 tbsp ACV in a glass, added water, and chugged it. This morning, I did it again, then again at lunch, and again this evening.

I haven't sneezed at all today, no runny nose. I coughed only a couple of times this morning (over 12 hours ago).

Around noon I felt better, and now, 24hrs after the initial dosage, I feel significantly better. I still have sinus congestion; the feeling in my lungs is still (faintly) there. I'll continue with the ACV...Amazing!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Singingsamba (New York City, New York, Usa) on 02/12/2013
★★★★★

ACV curing cold: I am a singer and came down with a swift, debilitating case of laryngitis. I had been reading EC's postings because of another issue and was reminded of the benefits of ACV. After going to the ENT and obtaining a prescription of antibiotics, I thought I would first try ACV to help cure this thing before taking yet another round of antibiotics. ACV is the ONLY THING that actually broke up the mucus in my throat, allowing me to breathe easier, speak and sleep more comfortably. I feel better after drinking it and am looking forward to the continued benefits of ACV. My singing voice will return soon, I am sure. I take 2 TBS/3 times a day in about 8 ounces of cold water. I use a straw to protect my teeth. The taste doesn't bother me but you can add 1 teaspoon of raw honey and squeeze some lemon in there if you prefer. Thank you EC and to everyone who has shared their experience!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Brandy (Los Angeles, California Usa) on 11/09/2012
★★★★★

We had been working in a dusty, musty and moldy area for a few days, and I woke up with a congested feeling neck and sinuses, a sore throat, and swollen glands all down my jaw.

One of my bodyworkers told me to mix a teaspoon of ACV in a smallish glass of warm water and gargle and hold the mix in the back of the throat for as long as you can.

I did so, and although it was still sharp tasting and made me cough a bit at first, I felt better almost immediately, and continued to heal throughout that day. I did not get sick or feel yucky again, and when I awoke a month or so later with a bad throat, I tried it again with the same positive result! I highly recommend the warm water/ACV gargle now!

I wonder if it would be safe in a neti pot... Or drip directly into the ears for tinnitus?

Either way, ACV is an amazing healer for the simpler annoying illnesses, and a bringer of health for all.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nita / Philippines (Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines) on 11/05/2012
★★★★★

I have been drinking Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with honey for few months, and it works for my sore throat and cold that I had.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mila (Welland, Ontario) on 08/21/2012
★★★★★

My husband is fighting his cold/flu already for 3 wks. He is now finishing his antibiotics, but he is still coughing and his voice is still not completely back, so he is thinking to start different antibiotics prescribed by his doctor. Sure enough, I am getting his cold myself. My nose was running a lot, I couldn't sleep and felt really sick. Because I am taking heart medication "Pradax", I couldn't take any Cold-FX, so I started with Echinacea, but without any improvement. Then I read on this site about ACV remedy for running nose. It is amazing! Within 15 min. my running nose stop. That was around noon time. The whole afternoon I was fine, but to make sure, I drank again 1/2 a cup of warm water with ACV and honey before I went to bed. I was able to sleep well, just in the morning the cough is starting to bother me. I am going to continue with ACV remedy and I want to try some remedy with red onion and honey for my cough.... I wish my husband would try it too.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Karyn (Rexburg, Idaho) on 03/19/2012
★★★★★

I just wanted to report that the ACV and lemon juice and hot water worked wonders for my nasty cold over the weekend! I really dislike the taste of ACV, but the health benefits are well worth a few moments of yuck. Thanks to everyone for their posts!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Laura (Houston, Texas, Usa) on 12/17/2011
★★★★★

I had a terrible cold all week. Last night I couldn't stop sneezing and was blowing my nose nonstop for hours, despite having taken cold medicine. I knew there was no way I'd be able to sleep, so in desperation I looked at the suggestions here on earth clinic. I mixed 2 T. ACV & 1 T. Organic, unprocessed honey in 10 oz of water and drank it all at once. Within 1 hr I felt like I could go to sleep. I slept all night & woke up this morning breathing through both sides of my nose! I'm still a little congested, but will keep up the ACV & honey & water till this thing is out of me. Thank you Earth Clinic!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jas (Winston Salem, Nc) on 10/04/2011
★★★★★

Hi guys, Well after reading the ACV remedies here I thought I'd try it for a cold and sore throat. I boiled water and in a cup added the hot water with a little cold, half teaspoon Cayenne Pepper, squirt of honey, and tablespoon of Organic Apple cider Vinegar. I gargled first for the sore throat, this as a miracle and sore throat was gone by the next morning. For the cold you will drink the concoction and feel relief within 24 hrs. Nature's miracle. You need to cure the virus not treat just the symptoms which is why natural alternative therapies are the way to go instead of phamarceutical!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mary (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) on 09/19/2011
★★★★★

Started with sore throat yesterday morning, followed by body chills and runny nose this morning. Was blowing my nose practically non-stop until I suddenly remembered the EC site for natural remedies. Saw the many positive comments about ACV, decided to give it a go - mixed 2 tblsps of organic unfiltered ACV with 1 and 1/2 tbsps of honey in a mug of warm water (about 400 ml), and within 10 minutes my nose started to clear up. I kid everyone not! Will continue to dose myself with ACV and honey for the next few days until the cold clears up. Thanks, EC and everyone, for your helpful posts.

Replied by Ladyone191
(Stafford, Va)
09/28/2011
★★★★★

Thank you, my daughter came home from work not feeling well. Her nose was running, fever and all over ache feeling. She said it did not taste good but drank it anyway. Within half hour she felt a little better. Thank you again, I will put this in my little book.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jacksparrow (Aiken, Sc) on 08/31/2011
★★★★★

Last year our family was given an apple cider vinegar recipe from an older couple to use for colds, sore throats and I'm now using it to help build my immune system. Fill a coffee cup with boiling water, add 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 Tablespoon of local honey and 1/4 tsp. of cinnamon to make a hot drink. It tastes a lot like hot apple cider. It really helps with colds and upper respiratory colds.

Replied by Morgan
(Pearland, Texas)
10/29/2012

The taste of all three ingredients is not bad at all. I tasted it before my boyfriend did and it was not bad at all. And I am very picky and skeptical about taste. He is drinking it too and not complaining. I also have him taking vitamin c, powder form. And Alka Seltzer Plus day and night medicine. So we will see how he feels tomorrow morning and how he sleeps tonight. Thanks for these remedies. I know when I am sick with a cold, I will try this remedy.

Replied by Nicole
(Chantilly, Va)
02/13/2016

It really does taste like a warm cider drink. Adding the cinnamon and honey made a huge difference in taste. I also used very warm water. This changes everything...now my kids will be able to take their ACV when they're sick. Thanks for the tip!



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