The bug spares no one and once you catch it, be ready for a week of sneezing, a runny nose, body pain, and chest congestion. This is when you realize what a precious gift it is to be able to just breathe normally. A cold is usually caused by a viral infection and there are close to 200 types of viruses which cause cold. Now you know why it’s so easy to catch one.
The virus attaches itself to the mucous membranes of the nose and throat and forces your cells to replicate more virus cells. That’s what makes it’s so difficult to shake it off. And all that coughing, sneezing, fatigue, itchy eyes, fever, and congestion is your body trying its best to get rid of the virus. Being infected with cold can also lead to various complications like acute bronchitis, pneumonia, strep throat and acute bacterial sinusitis.
The cold is probably as old as humanity itself, and though it makes you feel like you’re going to die, humans figured out how to kill it ages ago. Before there was medical science, which wastes no time to prescribe antibiotics, there were home remedies that could cure a cold without wreaking havoc on your body. Apple cider vinegar in one such traditional cure for cold and it works. Here’s how.
Apple Cider Vinegar alkalizes the body, making it difficult for the cold virus to sustain.
The amount of potassium present in it helps in thinning the mucus.
The acetic acid present it inhibits the bacterial growth.
It boosts the immune system to fight the virus.
The smell of apple cider vinegar soothes and calms your throat.
Using Apple Cider Vinegar For Colds
Though using just apple cider vinegar by diluting it with a few tablespoons of water is good enough, you can also up the heat by combining it with other ingredients to make it more effective. Here are 8 remedies you can use.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar With Black Pepper
This process is effective in providing relief from chest congestion.
Cut a piece of cloth the size of your chest.
Soak the cloth in apple cider vinegar for 10 minutes.
Wring out the excess liquid and sprinkle black pepper powder on one side of the cloth.
Lay across your chest for half an hour and rinse off with lukewarm water.
Repeat 2 times a day.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar With Lemon And Cayenne Pepper
Bring 1/4 cup of water to boil.
Remove from the flame and add 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar.
Pour in a cup or mug and set aside till lukewarm.
Now add 1 tablespoon each of honey, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice.
Stir well and drink it.
Repeat daily.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar With Mint Tea
Brew 1 large mug of mint tea.
Add 2 – 4 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to it.
Stir well and drink it.
Repeat 5 times a day.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar With Cinnamon
Bring 8 oz of water to boil and add 1/8th teaspoon cinnamon powder.
Simmer for 2 minutes and remove from the flame.
Set aside to cool down to room temperature.
Now add 1 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon honey.
Stir well and drink it.
Repeat 3 times a day.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar With Honey
Combine 1/4 cup each of apple cider vinegar and honey.
Consume 1 tablespoon of the mixture every 4 hours.
Alternatively, you can add 2 tablespoons of the mixture in a glass of lukewarm water.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar With Garlic
To a blender, add 8 cloves of fresh garlic, 1 cup organic apple cider vinegar and 1 cup honey.
Blend the ingredients for few minutes.
Pour the mixture in an air tight container and refrigerate it.
Shake the container occasionally.
Add 2 teaspoons of mixture in a glass of water and drink it.
Consume this daily on an empty stomach till you achieve complete relief from cold.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar As A Salad Dressing
Combine 1 part apple cider vinegar, 3 parts olive oil, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard and a splash of balsamic vinegar.
Stir well and drizzle the mix in on salads.
