Apple Cider Vinegar for Sore Throat

Sore throat is a very common but extremely annoying condition. It can make your day worse if it is accompanied by inflammation and pain. Factors like a draught of cold air, environmental changes, cold foods and drinks, and certain infections etc. can cause soreness of throat. Some people find apple cider vinegar for sore throat very helpful. Is it?

That’s what we are trying to discuss in this article. Despite the insufficient scientific proofs, ACV does have good anecdotal evidence of being handy against sore throat. It can improve the condition, especially if caused by a bacterial infection.

You can use diluted ACV alone or with water to improve sore throat. But there are some other effective remedies you can use with ACV to get a more potent response. Before jumping on those ACV recipes for sore throat, let’s talk about some of its possible causes and why ACV can help you to get over this annoying condition.

What are the Causes of a Sore Throat?

There is a wide range of sore throat causes, including:

Bacterial Infection:

Infection from the Streptococcus bacteria is very common and can be characterized by sore throat among other common conditions.

Viral Infections:

  • Common Cold
  • Chickenpox
  • Influenza
  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Croup
  • Measles

Some other possible causes of sore throat:

  • Dryness in the air: Prolonged dryness in the air can make your throat scratchy and rough.
  • Nasal Congestion: Chronic nasal congestion is also a common cause, and forces you to breath more from your mouth than nasal passage.
  • Allergies: Allergies to dust, pollens, dander, and moulds can also cause soreness of throat. Sore throat due to allergy is usually accompanied by irritation and inflammation of throat along with postnasal drip.
  • Irritants: Outdoor and indoor pollutants like smoke, cigarette, chemicals etc. can also be responsible for chronic soreness of throat. Irritation is sometimes induced by tobacco chewing, consumption of alcohol and eating very spicy foods etc.
  • Muscle Strain: People who work at announcement desks, call centres etc. are prone to strain to the throat muscles due to continuous and loud talking or yelling.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): It is a disorder of digestive system characterized by backing up of stomach acids to the oesophagus. It can cause sudden irritation to throat muscles and can be one of the rare causes of sore throat. GERD is usually accompanied by other symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation of stomach contents, hoarseness and sensation of a lump in the throat etc.
  • HIV Infection: A sore throat, especially when accompanied by other flu symptoms, can be an early sign of HIV infection.

Chronic and recurring sore throat is a common phenomenon in HIV-positive people, because people with HIV infection have compromised immune system, and can easily get affected by even minor infections.

  • Tumours: Cancerous tumours of larynx or throat can also cause sore throat. Other signs of cancerous growth are difficulty swallowing, lump in the neck, pain while speaking of eating, painful and noisy breathing and bloody phlegm etc.

Also Read: Apple Cider Vinegar for Toenail Fungus

Why Apple Cider Vinegar is a Good Option?

Despite a lack of scientific data for apple cider vinegar for sore throat, various studies suggest that ACV can improve the condition, especially if caused by bacterial or viral infections. ACV produces a slightly acidic environment in your body and makes the survival difficult for most types of bacteria and viruses, and can be a natural treatment for sore throat. Here are some proven benefits of using ACV for sore throat.

  • ACV is acidic in nature and can stop the growth of bacteria and viruses by balancing the pH level of throat tissues.
  • Thanks to its antibacterial properties, ACV can fight against certain bacteria and germs.
  • ACV is a very good natural expectorant and can thin the phlegm in your throat and nasal passage, and help you feel better.
  • Prebiotic content of ACV, known as inulin, can improve your immunity and can help your body stronger to fight against infections.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Sore Throat?

1. Diluted Apple Cider Vinegar

Thanks to the antibacterial and acidic properties, diluted apple cider vinegar for sore throat can be very helpful in healing sore throat even without other home ingredients

What do You need?

  • One tbsp diluted apple cider vinegar
  • One warm glass water

Steps to Follow

  • Add ACV to water and mix for a few seconds
  • Gargle with the solution several times a day to feel better.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar with Saltwater

Salt (sodium chloride) is also known for its strong antimicrobial properties and can increase the effectiveness of ACV to fight with a sore throat.

What do you need?

  • One tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • One tbsp salt
  • One warm glass water

Steps to follow:

  • Add ACV and salt to the water and mix well.
  • Use the solution to gargle multiple times daily to cure sore throat fast.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon

Hot water and lemon can be one answer to many health problems, including viral infections. Lemon is one of the greatest sources of vitamins B complex and C, iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium. Regular use of lemon juice can also strengthen your immune system and can keep viral infections at bay. And lemon with apple cider vinegar can eliminate soreness of throat within a few days.

What do You need?

  • One tbsp of apple cider vinegar
  • One tbsp of lemon juice
  • One warm glass water
  • Honey (Optional)

Steps to Follow:

  • Add apple cider vinegar and lemon to warm water and sip very slowly.
  • You can add one tbsp honey as a taste enhancer as well.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar with Baking Soda

Baking soda is getting very popular as a second-line of treatment for numerous infections and can be a great home remedy for sore throat, especially if used with ACV. Also known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda works as a ubiquitous buffer in your body and reduces the pH gradient across the membranes of bacteria, and hence, controls the infection.

You Will Need:

  • One tbsp of apple cider vinegar
  • One tbsp of baking soda
  • One glass warm water

What You Have to Do?

  • Add both ingredients in water, mix well, and use for a gargle in the morning.
  • Repeat it every day for a week to see the difference.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey

Thanks to its amazing antibacterial properties, honey is known as a very potent healer, and can be the answer if you are asking “how to get a sore throat fast overnight”. Yes, that’s how quick honey can work, especially when used with ACV.

ACV is packed with expectorant properties, and on the other hand, the anti-inflammatory nature of honey can provide very quick relief from a sore throat.

Ingredients You Need:

  • Two tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • Two tbsp honey
  • One glass warm water

What you should do:

  • Add ACV and honey to water and mix well.
  • Drink the solution once daily to improve your throat condition.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar and Cinnamon

Cinnamon is commonly used for soreness and infection of the throat. It is packed with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and can speed up the recovery from sore throat if used with apple cider vinegar.

You Will Need:

  • One tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • One tbsp cinnamon powder
  • One tbsp honey
  • One tbsp lemon juice
  • One cup of warm water

What You Should Do:

  • Add all ingredients to one glass warm water and mix well.
  • Drink the solution slowly or gargle with it.
  • Repeat this thrice a day to cure sore throat fast.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar and Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin as the active component and can be very effective, especially against the inflammation of the throat. On the other hand, ACV can break down the irritating phlegm and also decongest your nasal passage.

Ingredients You Need:

  • One tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • One tbsp cayenne pepper
  • Three tbsp of honey
  • One glass warm water

Steps You Need to Follow

  • Mix these ingredients in a glass of warm water.
  • Gargle with this solution three to four times a day to get relief from soreness.
  • You can also take small sips in between to get even better results.

Apple cider vinegar for sore throat is, without a doubt very effective, and you can fight seasonal throat infection with diluted ACV mixed with one of these remedies packed with anti-inflammatory and healing properties. In case, if you have a sore throat for a long time, you should not rely on these home remedies and get proper treatment from a licensed practitioner. If you have anything to suggest, or anything to share with us, you can reach to us through the comment section. We will be very happy to reply.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/apple-cider-vinegar-for-a-sore-throat#remedies-and-uses

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20351635

The Surprising Benefits of Hot Water and Lemon

https://cen.acs.org/articles/96/web/2018/01/baking-soda-help-boost-killing.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/#:~:text=The%20healing%20property%20of%20honey,relevant%20to%20wound%20repair%20too.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-cinnamon-and-honey-cure-the-common-cold-770395

Effective Home Remedies For Dry Throat

Dry throat is one of the uncomfortable and irritating problems one can handle. This condition also leads to variety of accompanying symptoms, including difficulty swallowing, coughing, heartburn, vomiting and fever.

It is generally caused by inflammation of pharynx, a tube that extends from back of the nose and mouth to the esophagus that leads to stomach.this condition also lead you to experience more serious problems, such as asthma or gasteroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Causes Of Dry Throat

There are several factors that causes dry throat, some of the them include:

  • Indoor heaters
  • Consumption of alcohol in excessive amount
  • Smoking
  • Allergies
  • Irritation of mucus membrane
  • Obstructive sleep apnea

Identifying or recognizing the cause of dry throat is the simple way to get quick relief. However, here are some effective home remedies that will help you to controls the symptoms of dry throat.

Effective Home Remedies For Dry Throat

1. Salt Water Gargle

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Salt has anti septic and microbial properties that will help to clear microbial infection and restricts its growth. It also helps to draw out the mucus and phlegm and keep your mouth hydrated and free from bacteria and virus.

What You Need To Do

  • Add ½ teaspoon of salt in glass of warm water and let it dissolve completely.
  • Gargle with this solution for few seconds and spit it out.
  • Repeat this process for regular intervals until you get relief from the dry throat.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

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Apple cider vinegar has anti bacterial properties which help to fight against microbes and alkalize the body. It also helps to maintain PH level of the mouth and keep your mouth well moisturized to prevent or treat a dry throat.

What You Need To Do

  • Take one glass of warm water and mix one table spoon of apple cider vinegar. Stir well and drink twice daily to get rid of dry throat.
  • Alternatively, take one glass of warm water and add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with one teaspoon of salt and mix all ingredients together.
  • Gargle this mixture several times in a day to prevent dry throat.

3. Licorice

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Licorice is one of the effective and natural remedy to treat dry throat. Its anti bacterial and anti fungal properties gives you relief from any infection that causes dryness in the throat.

What You Need To Do

  • Add one table spoon of licorice powder in one cup of boiling water and allow it to steep for more than 5 minutes.
  • Strain the solution and drink it 4-5 times in a day.
  • Alternatively, mix ½ teaspoon of licorice powder with one table spoon of honey and have it twice for few days.

4. Marshmallow Root

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Marshmallow root contains mucilage that will help to soothe the sore and dry throat easily. It also helps with inflammation associated with dry throat.

What You Need To Do

  • Add ½ teaspoon of marshmallow root powder in one cup of boiling water and allow it to steep for few minutes.
  • Strain the solution and add some honey then drink it.
  • Try to drink at least 3 times in a day to get relief.

5. Cayenne pepper

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Cayenne pepper contains capsician compound which has powerful anti inflammatory and anti bacterial properties that helps to reduce swelling in your throat that causes dryness. It also helps to relives you from the pain caused by sore throat.

What You Need To Do

  • Add one table spoon of lemon juice and ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper in one glass of hot water and mix it well. Drink this mixture twice in a day to get relief.
  • Alternatively, mix ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon of honey and 3 grated garlic cloves. Consume ½ teaspoon of this mixture several times in a day and wait at least one hour between doses.

6. Fluids

Most of the times, dehydration is the major cause for dry throat. It means you are not drinking enough amount of water that required for your body.

When you’re dehydrated your body doesn’t produce enough amount of saliva that keeps your mouth moisturized.

Proper hydration gives your body that gives your body the resources it needs to produce the amount of saliva required to keep your mouth moist.

The best way to fight against dehydration is by drinking lots of fluids during day. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water during day will help you to keep yourself hydrated. You can also include lot of fruit juices and vegetables juices which are loaded with proteins and nutrients.

Avoid consuming caffeine and other soda beverages that leads to loss of more water in the body.

Effective home remedies for dry throat