7 Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Sore Throat (Easy Recipes)
The world now faces newer and more infectious disease threats. Many factors are contributing to this, including increased antibiotic resistance, lowered immunity, changing climatic conditions, etc. There are many minor ailments seen in societies like allergies, cold, flu, diarrhea, headaches, etc. These are usually self-diagnosed and self-managed.
One of the most common ailments observed during a climatic change is the sore throat. Everyone must have suffered from this minor disease at least once in their lifetime. Once you start observing minor symptoms of sore throat, you can try home remedies for sore throat (1) (2).
Today we will discuss one such home remedy that works wonder for sore throat and it is Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). In the further sections, we will take a look at how to use Apple cider vinegar for sore throat, how it works, etc.
Causes of Sore Throat
Some of the most common causes of sore throat are:
- Many viral agents are responsible for colds and flu. They cause sore throat by affecting the throat and infecting the region.
- Certain bacterial species called Streptococcal pharyngitis that affect the throat. This infection can spread in the entire pharyngeal area and cause severe discomfort.
- Certain allergic reactions in the body.
- Smoking is considered a significant cause of irritation and discomfort in the throat. Even passive smokers might suffer from these effects.
Though sore throat is thought to be a minor ailment, it does cause considerable discomfort to the patient.
Symptoms of sore throat
The symptoms of sore throat are recognized as follows:
- The patient finds it difficult to swallow.
- He/she might experience a dry and scratchy throat.
- Difficulty in speaking.
- Pain in the throat.
However, a streptococcal infection can be severe and might not be limited to the above symptoms. Additional signs and symptoms are,
- Spells of fever.
- The tonsils will appear red and swollen; there might be white patches or streaks of pus which indicates infection.
- The patient might get red spots on the roof of the mouth.
- As a reaction to the virus, the lymph nodes in front of the neck will appear swollen.
Most of the time, a sore throat can be treated and managed using home remedies. But, if the patient feels that the condition is worsening, it is best to get medical help. The doctor would be able to diagnose the real reason behind the sore throat and treat it accordingly.
You can read the post on what to eat with a sore throat, to know about the foods, soups, and teas to drink during this period. It is advisable to eat soft foods and take a liquid diet when you are suffering from sore throat.
Apple cider vinegar and sore throat
ACV is one of the widely used home remedies. It is the fermented form of apple juice, which has a high concentration of acetic acid. It has many health benefits as given below:
- Certain claims support the ability of ACV in weight loss.
- Some studies show its effect on obesity.
- Some research has found the efficacy of ACV in controlling blood sugar levels and insulin levels.
- It contains polyphenols that have effects in managing cell damage.
ACV is an essential ingredient in treating sore throats. This effect is attributed to the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of ACV. It helps to reduce the pain and swelling associated with a sore throat.
Also, it is an excellent expectorant and helps in removing the excess phlegm that is accumulated in the nose and throat and promotes smooth breathing. When other therapeutic natural ingredients are added to ACV, it becomes more active.
Further Reading:
ACV for Hair | Ways to Use, Benefits & Reasons
ACV for Hemorrhoids: Does It Really Work?
Amazing Benefits of ACV for Skin
Apple cider vinegar recipes for sore throat
Home remedies have always been preferred by people to overcome some of the common ailments like fever, cough, sore throat, etc. There are some handy recipes containing ACV that can be used as a remedy for sore throat.
1. ACV with cayenne pepper
Gargling with salt water is very effective in sore throat, but some people don’t like to use the saltwater. You can use an alternate solution which is a mixture of vinegar, cayenne pepper,(and honey if required).
Ingredients
1 tsp ACV, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 3 tsp honey, one glass warm water.
Preparation
Take 1 glass of lukewarm water and mix the ingredients well in it. Use a sieve to filter the mixture, don’t let the particles present in the solution before you take it for use.
Direction to Use
The given mixture should be used for gargling 2 to 3 times a day.
Benefits
ACV is an expectorant and helps to remove the accumulated phlegm and decongests the nose. Capsaicin present in cayenne pepper has anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe a sore throat (3).
2. ACV with honey
Honey has special importance in Ayurveda. The soothing effect it provides to the throat makes it a favorite ingredient to be used in the gargling solution.
Ingredients
2 tbsp ACV, 2 tbsp honey, one glass warm water.
Preparation
Add ACV and honey to warm water. Mix it well.
Direction to Use
You can use the solution to gargle or drink it like tea. Do not use much honey if you are diabetic as the sugar content can lead to other health issues.
Benefits
ACV helps to remove the congestion of the nose and chest. Honey has both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to manage the pain and infection in the sore throat (4).
3. Tea Tonic
Teas for sore throat are effective and provide relief. You can use the herbal teas available in the market, but I prefer to use homemade natural tea. If you follow the same sutra as me you can try this tea tonic.
Ingredients
2 tsp ACV, 2 tsp honey, 2 tsp coconut oil, ground ginger (5) (6).
Preparation
Prepare tea by adding ACV, honey, and coconut oil. Add ginger which has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and add warm water.
Direction
Take sips of this mixture. Repeat it 2 to 3 times.
Benefits
The expectorant nature of ACV helps to decongest the nose and honey helps in relieving the pain and inflammation. The mixture has a soothing effect on the sore throat.
4. ACV with baking soda
Ingredients
1 tbsp ACV, 1 tsp baking soda, one glass warm water.
Preparation
Mix baking soda and ACV. Add warm water to this mix. Stir it well to form a homogenous solution.
Direction
Gargle with this mixture. Repeat the procedure several times a day.
Benefits
Baking soda and ACV both have an antibacterial property that will help in managing the infection (7). This will relieve the person from pain and inflammation.
5. ACV with cinnamon
Ingredients
1 tsp ACV, 1 tsp cinnamon powder, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 cup warm water.
Preparation
Add ACV, cinnamon powder, honey, and lemon juice. Add warm water to it. Mix well and filter the solution with a sieve.
Direction
Drink this mixture by taking small sips 2 to 3 times a day. You can use it for gargling as well.
Benefits
Cinnamon and ACV contain elements possessing antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This, along with the healing properties, helps in the recovery from sore throat related symptoms (8).
6. ACV gargle
Ingredients
1 tbsp ACV, warm water – 1 cup.
Preparation
Use look warm water and add the ACV into it. Stir well and the solution is ready to use.
Directions
The mixture should be used as a gargle. Sip the warm mix and gargle several times a day for the best results.
Benefits
ACV is well-known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to combat the pain and swelling. Added, the decongestant property helps to remove phlegm from the nose.
7. ACV with lemon
Ingredients
1 tbsp ACV, 1 tsp lemon juice, a glass warm water, honey to taste.
Preparation
First mix ACV with lemon juice. Add warm water to it and mix well.
Directions
Drink it 2 to 3 times a day for best results.
Benefits
The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of ACV help in reducing pain and irritation in the sore throat. It also acts as an expectorant Lemon is also rich in antioxidants that help to retain immunity (9).
8. ACV with saltwater
Ingredients
1 tbsp ACV, 1 tsp salt, a glass warm water.
Preparation
Add salt to a glass of water and stir well. To this solution, add ACV and mix it well.
Directions
Use the mixture to gargle. For best results, gargle several times a day.
Benefits
Salt has antimicrobial properties that prevent the infection from worsening.
