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 Pat (San Diego) on 04/13/2016
★★★★☆
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!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kimberly D. (San Diego) on 02/04/2016
Yes Nancy, It will help you even though you have had the infection for a few days.
I do hope that you feel better.
Kimberly D.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Raynaldo (Bahamas) on 03/19/2015
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Teresa (Nc) on 03/07/2016
Sometimes what feels like sinus drainage is actually acid reflux coming up in to your throat. Check some remedies for reflux. If that solved the problem, then you are having reflux, not sinus drainage. Or you could be having both. Lionel Richie, the singer with the Commodores, started having drainage. He went to numerous doctors who were treating him for sinus and ear infections, one surgeon even did sinus surgery on him. He still was not getting better. Finally he was put in the hospital for something gastrointestinal related, he was having some kind of problems that made him really sick, and found out what had been making him sick all along was reflux. After hearing that, I no longer trust doctors to come to the right conclusion any more.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by R P Sharma (Meerut) on 07/05/2015
★☆☆☆☆
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 07/06/2015
Dear R P Sharma,
Regarding your long term sinus infection:
Try garlic with some honey. Crush one clove of garlic and mix it with honey and take it on a spoon. We have used this three to four times a day for a week for a serious infection and it worked well.
You might try putting a drop or two of castor oil into each nostril (Lay on your back and let the oil get deep into your sinuses) once or twice a day. (If you have polyps, I would do this for at least a month.)
Avoid all dairy products until you are better.
You could try Earth Clinic's wonderful cure for sinus infections. It has helped my son and me greatly in the past.
Hydrogen Peroxide for Sinus Infections
Try gargling salt water a few times a day as well - 1/4 teaspoon salt in 1 ounce very warm water.
I hope you feel better soon!
~Mama to Many~
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Barry (Canton, Ga) on 03/09/2013
★★★★★
WOW, just wow. Apple cider vinegar cleared my sinus infection OVERNIGHT. Unbelievable. Wish I'd known this years ago.
Here's what I did:
Two tablespoons ACV, followed by forced liquids till bedtime. And, I mean FORCED. I drank about two gallons of water in a four hour period. This morning, I can breathe through both sides of nose, fever gone, no more pressure.
This is a truly amazing and simple cure that actually WORKS OVERNIGHT. And it only cost me .98. ACV and forced liquids... you got to try this.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Susie (Salem, Or) on 01/29/2013
★★★★★
My husband has had chronic sinus infections, with allergies. I found your article on the Internet and talked him into trying it, he suffered for years with ringing ears, dizziness, and no sense of smell, they all seem to go along with his sinus congestion and pain. As soon as he started the Apple Cider Vinegar, his ringing ears stopped, as did the dizziness, and he even smells certain odors. The pain also left. I thought he was just getting old with most of those symptoms, but they are gone and he feels great. We are both taking the vinegar everyday and will probably keep on, I have allergies and have problems breathing through my nose and get ear aches, those symptoms have gone away for me also.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Caroline (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) on 01/01/2013
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sj Mcgrath (New Zealand) on 11/13/2017
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cindi (Anchorage, United States) on 07/13/2008
★★★★★
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Caitlin (Covington, GA) on 12/22/2007
★★★★★
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!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Terri (Eustis, FL) on 11/09/2006
★★★★★
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!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dee (Edwardsburg, Michigan) on 04/10/2015
★★★★★
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!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Suzy (New York, US) on 11/10/2014
★★★★★
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Texaschic (Lantana, Tx) on 10/11/2012
★★★★★
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sridharan (Chennai) on 04/07/2016
If the said items are to be avoided in the diet, as a vegetarian what do I eat? Pl suggest.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Holly (Buffalo, Ny) on 04/12/2012
★★★★★
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 08/25/2012
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marian (Littleton, Co) on 12/04/2011
★★★★☆
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!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Donna (Pinnacle, North Carolina) on 11/24/2011
Do I drink this or snort this? I'm a lil confused.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Karen (Barrington, Rhode Island) on 11/11/2011
★★★★★
Okay, wow..... I tried the ACV cure and within 20 minutes, I feel better... I put 2 tbsp. of ACV and a few tsps. of honey in some hot water..... Doesn't taste so good, but 5 minutes of drinking that is soooo worth getting rid of the pressure in my head... This was my second sinus infection ever, and I have a feeling I am prone to them now as my mom said she gets them often..... Didn't want to go get the usual antibiotics, they throw my whole system off for weeks after I take them.
I definitely recommend the ACV cure... It thins the mucous AND kills the fungus that has caused the infection, great stuff..... I LOVE the internet... Thanx everyone..... TRY IT!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nicola (Dublin, Ireland) on 11/09/2011
★★★★★
I've just ended my ever-lasting cold- it was on and off for over 3 weeks now, and I've had to take yesterday and today off work because my sinus had gotten so bad with a sinus infection that my eyes even hurt and I couldn't even think! I dread to take antibiotics as I was only on them 2 months ago for a bladder infection, so I found this website.
I drank a glass with the ACV and after 20 minutes my sinus started to clear! I was so excited because it's been blocked for the last 3 weeks! Then I added a teaspoon of ACV in with the salt in my sinus rinser water and did a rinse at lunch time and it scalded a little but it cleared me up completely!! I can't believe my nose is dry now after 3 weeks of utter misery!! I had spent so much money on over the counter things that worked for a while but wouldn't get rid of this anything like the 2.50 bottle of apple cider vinegar!!
I'm not completely better, but will continue with this treatment as it is working so well! Thank you!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nicola (Wexford, Ireland) on 11/23/2011
★★★★★
I used this exact advice. I drank a tbsp in a glass of water and then I put a drop into my nasal irrigation bottle with the saline solution. And YES it did scald a little!! But it worked and it is worth a little scalding!! I'm amazed at the speed the ACV works, you can feel it working straight away, there's just no doubt about it that ACV cured my sinus!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tiffany (Seattle, Washington) on 04/16/2012
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!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jay (Vidalia, Ga) on 04/04/2012
★★★★★
I am a total skeptic by nature, but the numerous responses here to ACV for a sinus infection made me say Hmmmm....
Well, it did away with my obvious sinus infection...
For 2-3 days, twice a day, I did stove-hot water with ACV & local honey, sipping the cup for 15 minutes or so.... I also added cayenne & garlic.
No more green gunk from my nose, no more sinus pain & pressure, etc. Yeah this really works.... sign me up for the commercial.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Twin-mummy (Miami, Florida) on 09/15/2011
★☆☆☆☆
Hey, meanwhile I am desperate. Since more then 4 weeks I have a sinus infection. I have tried prescription medicine, the recommended tomato juice, oregano oil and acv. The pressure in my head (sinus area) is not getting less and on top, since I have been taken Apple Cider Vinegar (2 ts on 16oz over the day) for about a week I have a "crawling" headache up the back of my head. Any recommendations?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Suziq (Haslett, Mi Usa) on 10/28/2011
Does the honey work together with ACV the same way the stevia would? Since it's a sugar substitute I hope so.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by John Lees. (Sydney, Australia) on 01/27/2011
★★★★★
I have been having about three sinus infections each year for the past three years. I am 62 and found this very hard to take. Having just had another infection and another round of anti-biotics and anti histmine as per the doctors instruction. Two weeks later same again in desperation went online and asked for natural cures for sinus.
Thanks to God I was put onto this website could not belive a simple cure would work?Went to local store and purchace the apple cider vinegar, basic filtered stuff with no emzines or organic. Anyway within three days I could breath and within one week completly cured, It was if a light was switched on all these years doctors vists chemist antibiotics anti histamine costs? Have been on the organic for three months been educted about aspartime, great site, lost eight kilos With exercise. Its as if a light had been turned on. Feel like 50 again Thank for a great website.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mike (Westerville, Oh) on 11/28/2010
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.
