Apple Cider Vinegar for a Sinus Infection
What you this is a cold could, in fact, be a sinus infection.
Either way, respiratory discomfort is annoying. Not being able to breathe well affects your daily life and may make you feel tired. If you add other symptoms such as fever, headache, and runny nose to it, the discomfort can even put you in bed due to the weakness it causes in your body.
For this purpose, you can take advantage of a wonderful gift from nature: apple cider vinegar. This type of vinegar has many health benefits, especially the raw, unpasteurized kind, so our recommendation is that you always keep some in your pantry.
But how can it make a difference in a sinus infection?
Read on to find out!
However, first let’s take a closer look at this condition and what sets it apart from a cold.
What is a Sinus Infection?
A sinus infection, better known as sinusitis or rhinosinusitis, is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the paranasal sinuses. It’s classified as acute if it lasts a few days, and chronic if it lasts for more than 12 weeks.
This infection has various causes. At the anatomical level, it can be due to a deviated septum or to enlarged nasal conchas –also known as turbinates. Smoking, allergies and bacterial infections are also some of the causes of this condition.
Sinus infection is often confused with the common cold. However, this sinus problem is a lot more complex.
Common Cold vs Sinus Infection
Colds and sinus infections have several symptoms in common such as runny nose, fever, postnasal drip, headache and nasal congestion.
However, the infection is more complex than the cold. When you’re not clear if you suffer from one or the other, pay attention to the color of the secretions, where the most important difference lies.
When you have a cold, the secretion and the postnasal drip is clear and runny at the beginning. On the other hand, sinusitis is characterized by thick and yellowish nasal secretions.
In addition, the first condition lasts about 3 – 10 days, while the second one will stay over 10 days.
Furthermore, colds are caused by viruses and a sinus infection is the result of bacteria. However, there are definitely some cases in which the latter is a complication of the first.
How to Treat a Sinus Infection with Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has many health benefits. With it, you can treat conditions such as gastric reflux or even use it as a hair tonic to make your hair shiny.
Believe it or not, apple cider vinegar is particularly good at treating sinusitis.
But how does it do it?
Apple cider vinegar:
- Clarifies sinus cavities.
- Prevents the growth of bacteria.
- Dilutes mucus.
- Strengthens the immune system.
There are several remedies or homemade preparations that’ll help you get rid of sinusitis in a short time, and they’re very easy to prepare. They’ll ease your breathing and, in addition, will prevent the reappearance of the infection.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar
- 1 glass of water
Preparation
- Heat the equivalent of a glass of water in a small pot. Don’t let it get too hot, it must be warm only.
- Turn off the water and add the two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
- Then, mix well until diluted.
Use
- To apply it, you’ll require a cotton swab or a gauze soaked in the mixture.
- First, clean your nasal cavities with it, very carefully. This’ll help you loosen the mucus accumulated in the nasal passage and get it out.
- Then, gentle clean with the mixture.
This’ll help you prevent the buildup of bacteria that could worsen the condition.
Apple Cider Vinegar Vapor
Ingredients
- ½ cup of water
- ½ cup of apple cider vinegar
What should you do?
- First, add the water and the apple cider vinegar to a small pot.
- Second, heat the mixture and remove it from the heat just before it starts to boil. Then, let it sit for a few seconds.
- After, pour the mixture into a wide bowl and place your face above it, at a safe distance from it, getting as close as you can stand it. Very important: Don’t put your face inside the water nor get too close to it; it’ll burn.
- Finally, cover your head with a towel while you inhale so that the steam is trapped. Continue to inhale deeply.
You can repeat this procedure two or three times a day. These vaporizing sessions will help you eliminate bacteria and clear the sinus channel.
Apple Cider Vinegar Decongestant
Ingredients
- ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp ginger powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- The juice of half a lemon
- 3 tbsp honey
What should you do?
- Add the apple cider vinegar and the juice of half a lemon into a pot and bring to a boil.
- Turn it off, and add the ginger, the cayenne pepper, and honey.
- Stir it well and pour it into a glass jar.
Use
- Drink two tablespoons of it daily. This’ll help reduce the inflammation of your sinuses, decongest your nasal cavities and weaken your infection.
Ask Your Doctor
With any of these natural remedy options, your symptoms of sinus infection will be relieved and you’ll feel better quickly. As always, consult your doctor before starting any of these alternative treatments.
You must timely treat this and every other infection in order to avoid complications. Go ahead and try natural alternatives. Recover your breathing and quality of life thanks to apple cider vinegar!
