Depending on where you live and how your body handles different seasons, some illnesses visit you more frequently than others.
But most of us catch the common cold pretty frequently, considering how easy it is for the bacteria to spread around and get into our airways. It seems only logical to try and attack the symptoms with every remedy in the book before they win and put you into bed for a few days. But is it smart to jump to a cocktail of pills as soon as you sneeze?
When it comes to most illnesses, it can be better to try home remedies first. There are so many natural concoctions that you can make for most ailments, and — unlike the pills or potions from the pharmacy — they are less likely to damage your liver.
One of the best of natural remedies is apple cider vinegar (or ACV). There are simply too many benefits to name, which is why we’ll focus on just one: the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar for colds. Scroll down to learn how it can help get rid of your cold and how to mix the perfect concoction.
Thumbnail Photo: Flickr/mcfarlandmo
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
As WebMD explains, apple cider vinegar is a result of fermenting apples. When the fermentation process begins, the natural sugars are digested by the bacteria and yeast, which gets turned into alcohol. If you stopped the fermentation here, you would get apple cider, a refreshing drink that's perfect on a summer day. If it ferments further, the concoction turns into apple cider vinegar, a funky-smelling super elixir that can help treat a number of ailments — including colds.
What Does Apple Cider Vinegar Do For Colds?
Apple cider vinegar can be a potential weapon against many types of bacteria, according to healthline.com. Super-acidic vinegar can help cure bacteria that causes foot fungus, ear infections, lice and, of course, colds.
Apple Cider Vinegar For Cold Prevention
According to prevention.com, apple cider vinegar mixed with water and consumed daily at the first sight of a cold helps to alkalize the body. Alkalizing creates a hostile environment, which, in turn, helps to kill the viruses and bacteria.
Apple Cider Vinegar For Congestion
As Livestrong explains, a mixture of steam and apple cider vinegar in a humidifier can help relieve congestion and sinus troubles. It can also be mixed with hot water and inhaled through your airways. The acidity of ACV helps to break through the congestion of mucus, taking the pressure off your sinuses.
Apple Cider Vinegar For Cough
Newhealthadvisor.com praises ACV as a wonderful natural remedy for a dry cough and sore throat. Apple cider vinegar attacks the dry cough by using its astringent properties to keep the infection from spreading. ACV mixed with honey and hot water not only attacks the bacteria that causes the infection, it also soothes the throat.
Side Effects Of Apple Cider Vinegar
Just like with any other substance, too much apple cider vinegar can cause more harm than good. Considering that ACV is made of acetic properties, it can be potentially harmful in large quantities.
According to The Mayo Clinic, drinking too much apple cider vinegar could lead to throat irritation and low potassium levels if mixed incorrectly with certain medications.
Apple Cider Vinegar Cold Remedies
Now that we have discussed the pros and cons of apple cider vinegar for colds, let’s get to the good part and look at some recipes. Thanks to diyremedies.org and newhealthadvisor.com, we have a list of the most effective ACV remedy recipes that will help relieve those unpleasant symptoms.
Method #1: Apple Cider Vinegar With Honey
This recipe is a great way to deal with a dry cough and sore throat.
Ingredients
- honey
- warm/hot water
- apple cider vinegar
- Pour water into a mug.
- Add 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar to the water.
- Add 1 tsp. of honey to the mug.
- Mix it well, and drink it.
Dosage: Repeat this process once or twice a day until your symptoms subside.
Method #2: Apple Cider Vinegar Brew
This concoction of ingredients will not only soothe your cold symptoms, but also give a gentle boost to your immune system and energy levels.
Ingredients
- hot water
- apple cider vinegar
- honey
- lemon wedge
- cayenne pepper
- Mix ¼ cup of hot water and ¼ cup of ACV.
- Add 1 tsp. of cayenne pepper to the mix.
- Squeeze in the fresh juice of a lemon wedge.
- Add 1 tsp. of honey.
- Mix it all well, inhale the steam of this brew, and drink it.
Dosage: Drink this concoction once a day for as long as the cold persists.
Method #3: Apple Cider Vinegar, Sugar, And Butter
This paste is an especially good remedy for a dry cough and sore throat.
Ingredients
- apple cider vinegar
- butter
- sugar
- Pour 3 tsps. of apple cider vinegar into a container.
- Add 3 tsps. of butter in the same container and mix it well.
- Add 3 tsps. of sugar to slightly improve the taste, and mix everything very well.
- Eat the paste, enjoying the soothing effects on your throat.
Dosage: Repeat this process once a day for as long as needed.
Method #4: Apple Cider Vinegar Pillow
This method is a little bit different from the other ones because the actual consumption of ACV is not needed. Instead, it’s about creating a long-lasting tool to help you get rid of the cough and get a good night’s rest.
Ingredients
- a pillow case
- apple cider vinegar
- a spray bottle
- Spritz apple cider vinegar all over the pillow case.
- Let the pillow case dry, put it on the pillow, and enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.
Dosage: Repeat this method every two days or so, for as long as the cold and the cough persist.
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