Suffering from blocked nasal cavities, breathing issues, and headaches that run your days? All these symptoms are a common and major indication of sinus infection. If you encounter this infection, either you have caught a cold, have asthma, or are allergic to certain agents. You might have tried and tested several allopathic medicines, which also include numerous side effects.
Hence, you must consider giving a chance to simple and cost-effective solutions at home. I have mentioned one of the best and simplest home remedies involves apple cider vinegar that is also my personal favorite.
It is popular among people for valid reasons. With offering several benefits due to a variety of nutrients, it also aids in removing mucus from nasal passages and boosting the immune system.
Home Remedies for Sinus Infection Using Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar with Water
This is the simplest treatment you can do at home for sinusitis. For this, you have to drink two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with one-quarter cup of warm water. This actually aids in fighting against harmful pathogens since ACV has antifungal and antibacterial qualities. In addition, mucus loosen up which clears the nasal cavities through this remedy.
Apple Cider Vinegar Solution with Honey
Another remedy that has proven to be effective is a combination of ACV, honey, cayenne pepper, lemon, and water. The quantity of the ingredients includes a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon of cayenne pepper, and lemon juice from one lemon, one tablespoon honey, and half a cup of drinking water.
First, boil the water in a saucepan, and put ACV in boiling water. Cook the solution at moderate heat. Now, add the juice squeezed from lemon and honey. This not only enhances the taste of the resulting product but also highly increases the beneficial nutrients to help the condition.
Finally, you will have to add some cayenne pepper and mix the solution well. Cayenne pepper is well-known for improving the immune system of the body by increasing the flow of white blood cells to nasal passages. You can drink it once a day till the problem is completely solved.
Steam of Apple Cider Vinegar
Inhaling steams of different herbs really makes a person comfortable and relieves certain conditions. The same is the case with apple cider vinegar. To make steam, one simply has to add three or four tablespoons of ACV into a hot water pot. Make sure to cover your head.
Now, inhale and exhale deeply while keeping your face at a safe distance from hot water. This method is efficient in reducing the congestion to a considerable level and flushing out the material that is irritating nasal passages. Thus, it results in great comfort and reduces headaches. For this remedy, one can utilize a steamer too.
Rinse of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar also helps to clear the accumulated substance in cavities. For preparing rinse, you have to take two tablespoons of ACV and add to a cup of lukewarm water. Mix well with a spoon or stirrer, and there you go！You can apply this remedy twice a day.
Rubbing ACV on the throat
This might seem weird or confusing at first, but simply applying apple cider vinegar on the throat area and around the nose might help you in relieving the pain. This happens since ACV has a strong distinctive smell and contains anti-pathogenic agents. Thus, it loosens the conjunction in addition to easy and relaxed breathing.
Apple Cider Vinegar Tablets
There are multiple companies that manufacture ACV supplements in the form of pills. They are easily available to everyone. However, you should be extremely careful since the Food and Drug Administration does not approve or regulate these medicines.
Although the ingredients are mentioned on the back of the pack, in some cases it does not guarantee that apple cider vinegar is actually part of the pill. Furthermore, there is a possibility that any other ingredient may not be suitable for you. So, you can purchase these pills, but you have to be cautious.
Guidelines to Consider
For every kind of treatment, there are some aspects that one must consider while applying them. This ensures that a person recovers effectively and there is no or minimal adverse effect on other body parts. In this regard, there are certain risk factors that I have mentioned for using apple cider vinegar.
Acidic Nature
Since apple cider vinegar has acidic contents, it is low in pH. Without dilution, its power can cause irritation in the delicate stomach lining, which leads to acid reflux and a burning sensation in the chest. Thus, consumers must mix it with enough water to prevent disturbance in the digestive system.
Tooth Erosion
The acidity of apple cider vinegar can erode teeth. However, you do not have to worry about it. To avoid potential damage, you should remember to rinse the teeth with sufficient water after drinking ACV solution every time. Moreover, you can also brush your teeth with paste as it functions to neutralize the acid and protect enamel.
Bad breath
Acidic foods result in causing bad breath that is really unpleasant. It can happen too if you have drunk ACV solution or consumed it in any way. In this regard, brushing the teeth with toothpaste or rinsing with mouthwash prevents bad odor from the mouth.
FAQ’s
How does apple cider vinegar kill a sinus infection?
Apple cider vinegar helps fight infection-causing bacteria and viruses due to its richness in minerals that improve the immune system. It also assists in eliminating the pathogen-containing mucus in nasal cavities since it loosens the air passages.
Is apple cider vinegar good for sinuses?
Yes, it is extremely effective in relieving sinus infection since it fights pathogens that cause this infection. Also, it is rich in water-soluble vitamins (vitamin A and E), calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These nutrients aid the immune system in battling the flu.
Can apple cider vinegar be taken without water?
It is generally not recommended to take apple cider vinegar without water, especially on an empty stomach. It is due to its characteristic acidic nature that can irritate the layers in the stomach, leading to burning reflux.
Conclusion
Apple cider vinegar is famous for improving the immunity of a person and facilitating mucus removal from nasal cavities. I have mentioned top home remedies that involve ACV for the treatment of sinusitis. However, you should use these methods with care to prevent harmful results.
Though these methods are highly convenient and useful, it is necessary to seek medical help or take medicines that your doctor prescribes if the condition is chronic and severe. The symptoms in extreme situations include nausea and difficulty in breathing to a high level.