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The
Apple Cider Vinegar Flu Remedy:
Bitter, then Better
Apple cider vinegar has been
used to treat various illnesses for centuries. If one can get past its
bitter taste, one can find relief in its healing attributes. It has been
known to aid in the treatment of arthritis, gout, acne, high cholesterol,
chronic fatigue, and acid reflux.
 One
of its more common purposes is to stave off a cold or flu. It is said
to help cure a sore throat, soothe a stubborn cough, and treat a sinus
infection, the usual symptoms that accompany a cold or flu. Using an apple
cider vinegar flu remedy is easy, natural, and safe for most individuals.
How it works
When you contract a cold, your body’s pH factor becomes
slightly more alkaline. Apple cider vinegar, which is acidic, helps to
rebalance the body’s acid level.
Sinus Infection
In the case of a sinus infection, the apple cider vinegar remedy slows
down mucus production and most often eliminates watery eyes because it
contains high amounts of potassium. It will rapidly thin the mucous, turning
it from thick green or white to clear and runny. Apple cider vinegar contains
many vitamins, nutrients and trace elements of copper, iron, silicon,
magnesium, phosphorous, and calcium.
How to take it
There are several ways to integrate apple cider vinegar into
your diet in order to benefit from its remedial effects. The degree of
effectiveness of an apple cider vinegar flu remedy is not solely based
on how you take it, but also on when you take it. Some use it as a daily
tonic, while others ingest it at the very first sign of a cold or sinus
infection.
- Since the taste is bitter,
it is often mixed with other liquids. You can dilute 1/8 to 1/4 cup
of apple cider vinegar into 16 ounces of water or juice, and sip the
drink throughout the day.
- If you are the brave type,
dilute 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into 8 ounces of water or
juice and drink it all at once, 3 times per day.
- When added to apple juice,
it tastes like cider and is much more pleasant to drink.
- It can also be stirred into
a cup of tea.
- If drinking apple cider
vinegar is out of the question, add it to various sauces, marinades,
and/or dressings.
The recommended dosage
for apple cider vinegar is up to 3 tablespoons daily. It is also
available in capsule form at many health food and vitamin stores. Taking
a capsule every day keeps your body’s pH level stable, rendering
your immune system strong to fight off a cold or flu.
Other Remedial Uses
for Apple Cider Vinegar Flu
- To help relieve
chest congestion due to a cold or flu, soak a piece of brown
paper in apple cider vinegar and cover one side with black pepper. Strap
the paper (pepper-side down) to the chest area and leave on for approximately
30 minutes.
- To calm a stubborn
cough due to a cold or flu, sprinkle some apple cider vinegar
onto the pillow before you sleep.
- To soothe a sore
throat due to a cold or flu, mix equal parts of apple cider
vinegar and water and gargle every hour, making sure to rinse your mouth
thoroughly afterwards in order to prevent the acid from eroding the
enamel on your teeth.
- To relieve a sinus
headache and stuffy nose, add 1/8 of a cup of apple cider vinegar
to the water solution in the vaporizer.
Disclaimer:
The use of an apple cider vinegar flu remedy is known to be quite effective
and safe; however, it is imperative to consult a doctor regarding any
medical issues you may have. Although the use of natural flu remedies
and other alternative medicines is becoming increasingly popular, they
are meant to complement traditional medicines; they are not a replacement
for prescription drugs.
Written by:
Lukas
Van Der Burg is a personal trainer and nutrition specialist. He provides
articles for a number of places including this site Apple
Cider Vinegar Benefits.
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