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 Hellolove123 (New York) on 03/23/2014
★★★★★
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tbs diluted in 1 cup of water; twice a day.
Would get a UTI after sex even after peeing. Many times bleeding occurred. Medications helped, but who wants to rush to urgent care everytime you have sex?! Cranberry juice works, but would give me a yeast infection from all that sugar.
Went to the ER twice thinking something serious was wrong with me but it was just my acid reflux. Hospital bills sucked! I knew I had to do something quick.
I began taking ACV at the first stage of a UTI. My urine began to smell and would go to the bathroom more frequent. I knew it would be blood and pain soon after. I took a chance and began drinking apple cider vinegar 2 cups per day. UTI never came back and it's been months! CAUTION: During treatment, DO NOT drink coffee NOR tea, it will come right back. I didn't know about tea, and it began to come back. I had to take 3 cups that day.
Since taking ACV, my acid reflux have subsided! No bloating, no nausea, no heartburn, no acid build-up in my throat. I feel normal again and don't look pregnant!
Apple Cider Vinegar has been my savior! I continue to take the same dosage everyday as preventative. Try it out!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by sparkleheart (Canada) on 11/25/2024
★★★★★
I drank 1 tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar in hot water with honey then put two cups of it into a bath and soaked for 20 mins. I couldn't believe it, my UTI was completely gone afterwards! Very happy with this remedy.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by RAIN (CALIFORNIA) on 04/09/2023
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar for a Bladder Infection
I tried 1 tb of ACV in a cup of herbal hot tea. It tasted great and I was amazed at how fast it worked, almost immediately. I followed up with 1 cup in a bath of shallow water.....another home run......! try it it really works.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gbruner (Michigan) on 04/07/2016
★★★★★
The last UTI I had was 25 years ago, after giving birth to my daughter and had to be catheterized. Well, as of two days ago, I could tell something wasn't right after going to urinate, the urge to push more and the strong odor, so I knew it was coming, and I'm not one for taking any pills except my vitamins. Well, I waited a day after drinking tons of water and it seemed to get worse, the burning and a little bit of blood, so I read how Apple Cider Vinegar really does work for UTI. So I started taking two teaspoons with 4 oz of water every hour for at least 4 hours before bed time, by the time I went to bed, the bleeding had stopped and my urine was clearing up, today is day 2 of taking the apple cider vinegar and no more pain or urge to push and my urine is really clear, I'm still going to the doctor for a follow up, not going to take any pills. Apple Cider Vinegar does really work within hours of taking it.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dan (St. Louis ) on 04/03/2016
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar definitely works for UTI. I had bad burning and it was gone in 24 hours or so. But if there is one piece of advice I must add. If u want to avoid the taste of acv, HOLD YOUR NOSE WHEN U DRINK IT. This wipes away the unpleasant taste. My method is to drink two tablespoons. Then chug some tea or juice. Then eat a couple bites of food. ALL WITH MY NOSE HELD SHUT.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Teresa (Hiawassee, Georgia) on 03/17/2014 2 posts
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar for UTI
A little over an hour ago I woke up and had the urge to pee. I could tell from the feeling it was going to be bad. I was right. I immediately put sea salt in a glass of water and gagged it down. It didn't help as much as I remember it helping previously, so I pulled up the Earthclinic site and read many of the ACV remedies. I put equal amounts of ACV and water, about a 1/4 cup each in a glass and drank it over about 15 minutes. I also had a tall glass of water to chase each gulp with. I read more testimonies while I waited for the time to pass. It's been about 45 minutes now and I feel about 85 percent better. If it is not completely better in a couple of hours I plan to try putting it in the bath and soaking. I will continue with ACV for several days, but based on multiple comments I don't think I will take it long term. I want this remedy to work when I need and I am concerned about building up a resistance to it. Thank you all.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Pam (Palm Springs, Ca, 92262) on 08/25/2012
★★★★★
I have to share my UTI story. I've only had a couple in my life and they are horrible. I've only been able to get rid of them with antibiotics. I had one hit me hard in the middle of the night about a month ago. I dragged my painful self to the computer and read about apple cider vinegar actually curing it. Many comments from women who attested to this. It was 2am and nothing open but Walmart. I had to buy some lousy brand. I mixed it with water and in about 15 minutes threw up. I went to the doctor the next morning and got the antibiotics. Took them for a week and still have the infection. I stopped any alcohol and sweets. If I had even a tiny bit of either, it hit me in my bladder.
I couldn't afford to go back to the doctor. I started thinking it would never go away. I finally got smart and bought some organic apple cider vinegar (unfiltered with mother in it - which, I believe all have). Mixed 1 TBS in a pint glass of room temp water. I honestly didn't even feel it just a few hours later. It's been a week now and I've been drinking it am and pm. Nothing! Normal!!!!! I've been reading about all the other benefits of drinking it and will continue to have a glass or two daily.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marciam (Michigan, US) on 01/31/2015
★★★★★
I tried the apple cider vinegar with baking soda. After about a week, my bladder infection was gone. In addition, I used the acv soak which helped relieve the symptoms. Thank you! I don't like the medical treatments because I usually get a yeast infection afterwards.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ash (Victoria, Australia) on 07/02/2013
★★★★★
I suffered from post intimacy urinary tract infection's for more than a year. The only thing that worked for me was taking one antibiotic tablet every time I was likely to get a UTI. I came on this website and decided to try Apple cider vinegar and it worked! I dilute 2 Tablespoons in a cup of water and sip this instead of taking an antibiotic!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Janine (Pittsburgh, Pa) on 03/10/2013
★★★★★
I've had UTI's for as far back as I can remember. Good hygiene and things like urinating right after my husband and I are intimate helped keep the infection at bay for nearly 3 years. But last week there were 2 consecutive times that I did not urinate after my husband and I were intimate and I felt the onset of a dreaded UTI. Doubled over in pain, I reached for my ipad and went to the earthclinic site searching for a remedy and hoping that it would be something that I already had on hand. I'm so glad I found this site! I filled a 3oz bathroom Dixie cup halfway with ACV and I filled the rest with water. I then drank two 8oz bottles of water. In about two hours I went to the bathroom PAIN FREE with no discomfort at all! I'm so happy! I took 3 more tablespoons of ACV for good measure.
UPDATE: In the morning I went to urinate and there was no pain or discomfort. In the past I would've taken antibiotics for at least 7 days, which always lead to more problems (stomachs aches, yeast infections, etc. ). I'm so happy I found earth clinic! The excruciating pain, urgency, and discomfort from the UTI was gone in less than 3 hours after I took ACV!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bess (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 11/22/2011
Hi Linda - In the book
Apple Cider Vinegar by the _____ family (of the famous _____ Apple Cider Vinegar brand), they recommend the following for bladder infections:
Drink at least 8 glasses of pure water daily.
Drink the ACV "cocktail" which is 2 teaspoons of ACV in 8 ounces of pure water - you can add a little bit of raw honey or maple syrup but that's optional (if you're diabetic, use stevia). Drink this first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, one hour before lunch and one hour before dinner.
Drink marshmallow herbal tea - two or three times daily. (I would imagine you could get this at a health food store)
Add one cup of ACV to a daily warm sitz bath (a large basin or a few inches in a bath tub).
Hope this works for you! Bess
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jennifer (Sunrise, Fl, Usa) on 10/04/2011
★★★★★
Another big YES for ACV as a urinary tract infection remedy. I get these all the time unfortunately, and not just little ones - really bad ones. I've urinated blood and had kidney infections from them before. The key to treating UTIs is to treat them FAST. If you think that you are getting one, treat it immediately - don't wait. The infection spreads fast and in a matter of hours, you can be in serious pain. You may notice that your UTI clears up after just one dose of ACV - but this is very important - DON'T STOP TAKING THE ACV - take it 3x per day, for one week - EVEN IF you feel no symptoms! Just like a UTI can come back if you stop taking antibiotics, it can come back if you stop taking the ACV, and with a vengeance. I keep a bottle of ACV with me at all times - I even bring a bottle with me overseas when I travel, and it has saved me through quite a few UTI episodes!
Please note that this remedy is only for mild UTIs. If you don't see an improvement in symptoms, or if you are urinating blood, have symptoms of a kidney infection, or are in serious pain - GO SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. UTIs are very serious if left untreated - the infection can spread to your kidneys and cause permanent scarring. If you don't have health insurance, a lot of drugstores in the US (and even some Targets now) have health clinics that diagnose and treat urinary tract infections for under $100. A UTI clears up extremely quickly with the correct antibiotics.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mary Anne H. (Marengo IL) on 08/08/2024
★★★★★
Sooo thrilled with ACV therapy for uti. Years of struggle on antibiotics. Diluted (2) TBS in 4 oz water, am/afternoon/evening. After 1st drink, noticed pain free when voiding. Hallelujah! So I'm only into day 1 but will continue this several days then probably decrease amount to (1) teas ACV several times daily. Beyond grateful to find such a simple healthy anecdote for my uti saga!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gavin (Northland, New Zealand) on 08/12/2013
Re. Reoccurring bladder infections with regards to a catheter. Some Catheters have a silver wire along them. A friend with the same condition, says that at the clinic the ones with the silver wire do not get infections of the bladder. But the ones with the plain old catheters seem to get them on a regular basis. Hope that's helpful.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bee (Atlanta, Ga) on 10/11/2012
★★★★★
Thank you to everyone that suggested drinking ACV for UTI's/bladder infections. After several bouts with UTI's over the years, I was told that I am just one of those that suffers from chronic UTI's. I always took the meds as prescribed and they always went away, but last year I found myself battling BV and another UTI. I refused to take anymore meds and I found myself here. It has been a lifesaver!!!
On Tuesday, I noticed a familiar urge to urinate. I knew immediately it was a UTI. I stopped what I was doing and mixed together 2 Tbs. of ACV and 2 Tbs. of lemon juice into a tall glass of water. As the day went on, the frequency to urinate almost stopped. I continued to drink water throughout the day…. No sugar & no alcohol. Later that night, I had vitamin C before I went to sleep. I've continued to drink the ACV mixture every morning and evening. As of today, I feel no symptoms of the UTI, but I will continue to drink the ACV mixture for the rest of week. I hope this helps someone because it definitely helped me!!! I also pop in an oil of oregano caplet just for good measure!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jen (Bozeman, Mt, Us) on 11/22/2011
Dear Linda, I have a friend who's daughter has always gotten very bad bladder infections throughout her life. She was on antibiotics pretty much every 3 weeks. She would take a 10 day course and within a week she would have another infection. I suggested she take her daughter to a naturopath to see if she had any food intolerances. It turns out she did. If she stays away from Gluten she doesn't get an infection at all. I think it's been over a year since her last infection now.
There is some studies on why people get bladder infections when they are gluten intolerant and there is evidence that it effects the lining of the bladder which makes it easier to irritate. Alot of the reason why antibiotics won't work in this situation is because there is no actual "infection. " There is irritated bladder lining which will keep being irritated unless the antagonist is removed. So you should get a food allergy test and find out if this is the case or just test the theory out by removing gluten and see if it helps.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rockgur14 (Candor, Ny United States) on 09/20/2011
★★★★★
I woke up a couple days ago with a terrible pain and realized immediately that I had a bladder infection. UTI's are seriously one of the worst and most uncomfortable sensations a person can have-
very annoying! I am away at college and had no clue what to do (without a vehicle to drive to the doctors, mind you). I immediately panicked and looked up at-home remedies to find a quick solution. I have always known about unsweetend cranberry juice but that's about all I have heard. This is only my third UTI ever, so I don't really know a lot about what can help, treat, etc.
After frantically searching through some random websites, I came across Earth Clinic and... HALLELUJAH!! Probably one of the best things I've ever done. I noticed right away all of the users who vouch for ACV so I decided I would give it a shot. However, because of the no-car situation I am in, I had to wait for one of my roommates to come home so I could hitch a ride to the grocery store. In the meantime, I mixed up a solution of about 3 tbsps lemon juice and 8 oz. of water. I started feeling relief almost immediately. By the time I picked up some ACV, I already felt well enough to focus on things other than my UTI. I mixed up my own recipe of cranberry juice, lemon juice, ACV, and water that works absolute wonders.
Seriously... UTI's suck, and it is the worst feeling when you don't have the time/circumstances to rush to the doctors. If you feel one coming on, or if you've been suffering from one, just STOP! Drink some ACV and if you have it, lemon juice, and you will be returning to normal in no-time! I promise, this stuff is a MIRACLE!! It really works!! I still have a slight UTI but because I've only been drinking it for a day now I know I just need to give it some more time. Also, DRINK PLENTY OF WATER!! ACV works beautifully, but you need to be constantly flushing your bladder to fully rid yourself of the bacteria. Thank you so much for reading this, and thank you SO MUCH for all of the combined posts that recommend ACV! IT'S AMAZING!
Here's my recipe that works for me, hopefully it will work for you too!
2 tbsps Apple Cider Vinegar
2 or 3 tbsps 100% Lemon Juice
8 to 15 ounces of Water
**I also have tried the ACV and Lemon Juice with unsweetened cranberry juice. Just replace water with that. It makes it taste a little better!!
Good luck! :)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kd (Houston, Tx) on 10/01/2012
★★★★★
You were SO correct about the Organic apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice & water cocktail for a suspected bladder infection.
I have only had one other in my entire life - perhaps 16 years ago; but the unpleasant sensation was in my memory. I waited (unfortunately) 24 hours before reading this post but I immediately made up a tall glass of 2 or 3 tbsp. Of The organic vinegar, lemon juice and H2o, drank it down and took a shower. By the time I stepped out to dry myself I was feeling immense relief from my symptoms.
A real lifesaver. I hope that if I continue on this regimen for a time I can avoid taking any antibiotics. Time will tell. THANK YOU!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kristy (Los Angeles, CA) on 06/24/2009

ACV is a natural diuretic--I took it for a few days to help with a bladder infection (4 tbsp. with raw honey in a tall glass of water, 2x per day). But since I didn't increase my water intake enough to account for the increased ACV intake, I became very dehydrated, to the point of confusion and dizziness. Be very careful to increase your water consumption when taking ACV.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gerry (Soddy Daisy) on 01/19/2017
Also be careful as there are 2 types of white vinegar, one is petroleum based, the other from grain...
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Janine (Montana, Us) on 10/18/2014
Just wanted to follow up my post from 3 nights ago. The ACV bath worked! I have had no more bladder infection symptoms... zero! I did drink water with 1/8th teaspoon of baking soda for the next 24 hours to help with alkalinity.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Poppy (Auckland, Nz) on 08/29/2015
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
I drink Apple Cider Vinegar water EVERY day as a normal health tonic to keep my PH right and I drink home made Kombucha ( probiotic tonic) to keep me healthy. I love it!
However:
I got a bladder infection, and I decided to really up the amount/ strength of drinking ACV per day, to attack it. I took an ACV bath. Yes, It took away the serious immediate pain quite soon, but it never got me cured. It MASKED the worst symptoms for 4 days, where one just feels on and off, a bit of a fever, drinking loads of fluids to flush, some extra sleep..still thinking I was going to get on top of it. And then the pain/ infection grew, bang! With a vengeance. I had to go to A and E at night, after 5 days, with a serious full blown bladder infection, white pee, which showed its severity within just a few hours. I had to get intravenous antibiotics.
I was on ACV, ACV and baking soda remedy, tried 2 tsp of sea salt in a glass of water, then half a tsp of baking soda in water several times...but after 5 days my bladder got really sick.
This is the second time this has happened, where ACV helps yes, getting rid of FIRST real painful signs. It gives one time to think and act...but it never cured me for good. I always need antibiotic help after 4 or 5 days, because infection is growing out of control silently, then blows up really fast and is excruciating. In the end I have lost a week feeling not great, and still need antibiotics.
Maybe ACV doesnt help with my UTI because my body is always alkaline due to ACV use every day? I do not understand why I never have good results.
I do not like using antibiotics, but it did a necessary job twice.
First call for me is always Earthclinic, and it has helped my family and pets heaps over the years. Thank you!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gigialex (West Sacramento, Ca, Usa) on 03/04/2011
I am a huge fan of Apple Cider Vinegar. I read on this website awhile back that it is effective in treating sinus infections. I now drink it daily mixed with tea and local honey which has made a HUGE difference with my sinus infections. When I recently ended up with a bladder infection I decided to try to apple cider vinegar to treat it since I do not like taking antibiotics. In the meantime, I went in and did a urinalysis and urine culture (which ended up coming back clear). The ACV seemed to help immensely with my symptoms. Whenever I started to feel bladder symptoms I drank a glass of tea mixed with apple cider vinegar. I was amazed that my symptoms seemed to get better until I started to have back pain about couple of weeks later. The back pain started as a general achy feeling in my back... Almost like the flu. I had been exposed to the flu at my daughter's birthday party so I figured I must be fighting it off. I probably wasn't drinking as much water as I sould have been at this time either. I went for about a week with the sore back when I suddenly developed a low grade fever, nausea and severe fatigue. I started to put two and two together that maybe I had developed a kidney infection. I went back to the doctor the next day and did another urinalysis and urine culture. The urinalysis came back with white blood cells and a small amount of protein in my urine which meant kidney infection. Two days later the culture came back with the specific bacteria so they knew how to treat it. I am now taking a disgusting antibiotic called Cipro to treat the kidney infection. I hate taking the antibiotics and certainly prefer natural remedies but I won't mess around when my kidneys are involved. My warning is to listen to your body. Even if you feel as though all of your bladder symptoms are gone, if you start to feel back pain or flu like symptoms or have blood in your urine, contact your doctor ASAP.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lulu (Austin, Texas) on 05/22/2016
White vinegar also works. It just doesn't have all the beneficial bacterias contained in raw ACV. I know someone who drank pickle juice in a pinch and was helped by the pickle juice acid as well.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Wendy (Columbus, Oh) on 07/08/2015
1 teaspoon of Baking Soda is way too much in 8 ounces of water. I put 1/4 teaspoon in a 33-ounce bottle of water with 2 Tablespoons of the organic ACV, and no problems at all, I.e., no throwing up!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jasmine (Uk) on 02/01/2014
★★★★★
I am 45 and have been getting cystitis since I was 16. I have found cranberry to be very useful in keeping the number of occurrences down, but usually when it takes hold I have to resort to antibiotics.
this time I thought I would first check out for natural remedies, and with 81 yeas decided to try acv. I put 4 tablespoons in a glass with warm water and drank it all in one go (through a straw as its not the nicest taste in the world lol), went to bed and in the morning, did a strip test for leukocytes.. it was clear! needless to say, very very impressed :)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Anaur (U.s.a.) on 08/21/2013
God bless you! Your story made me tear up... I'm so glad your infection went away. I will try the Apple Cider Vinegar on my uti. Thanks!