This post is by Bernie Carr, apartmentprepper.com
(Editor’s note: I am not a doctor or health professional and do not claim to have expertise in the matter. Just sharing what happened and what seemed to work for me and others who tried it. If you are ill, please consult a doctor before trying these home remedies.)
These past few days have been very busy and stressful. Two nights ago, I was feeling run down and had a sore throat. I felt I was catching a cold. I cannot afford to catch a cold and miss work, not to mention Thanksgiving. My brother had been telling me he avoided a cold by drinking two tablespoons of Bragg’s organic apple cider vinegar in a cup of water. When I first heard about it, I told him no way I’d drink is, it would be too nasty to hold down. Well, this time I was motivated to try it. I did not have Bragg’s brand apple cider vinegar, but I did have a store brand apple cider vinegar. I mixed two tablespoons of it into a cup (8 ounces) of water and drank it. It did not taste great but not as horrible as I thought. Ok, I did pinch my nose to drink it down faster. I felt a small burning sensation down my sore throat, but it was more relieving than painful. After that, I rinsed my mouth and brushed my teeth.
The next morning I did a self-check: no sore throat, no runny nose and no run down feeling. Wow, it seems like the apple cider vinegar remedy seems to have done the trick. (I am not a medical professional, and this is an anecdotal account so your results may vary) My brother has given his 5-year-old this remedy with a bit of honey and has helped avoid colds from daycare this way.
I started reading up on the benefits of apple cider vinegar and there are several attributed:
- Improves digestion and prevent acid reflux
- Helps fight allergies (human and animals)
- Helps sinus problems and sore throat
- Relieves arthritis and gout symptoms
- Helps cure constipation
- Promotes weight loss
- Balance out high cholesterol
- Prevent urinary tract infections
As a caveat, when drinking this mixture, you must rinse your mouth afterward, as apple cider, like other acidic solutions may wear down tooth enamel.
I have not tried it for anything else, but I was impressed with the initial result. I purchased Bragg’s Organic Apple Cider vinegar at the local grocery store and I am trying it out twice a day to see if my fall allergies improve. So far so good. Share your favorite cold prevention technique in the Comments if you have one!
Sounds like the nectar of the gods….disguised as something pretty putrid.
I don’t have any secret cold remedy, but my mom has always been a big believer in loading up on the zinc and echinacea at the very first sign of any symptoms.
I feel like that’s helped to ward off a decent amount of misery…
Great post!
Yah, it’s not the best tasting so it helps to chug is down as quickly as possible.
I completely agree with the zinc treatment! It boosts your immunity greatly when taken in regular doses. When others around me closely have colds, I just remain cold free! Once I decided I wasn’t going to take it, and got the worst cold I’ve had in years!
Zinc is also the key ingredient in the commercial cold prevention products.
Hey John in Iowa, I think I will pick up some zinc as a backup. Thanks!
Braggs is one of the best apple cider vinegars on the market. I buy the gallon jug and keep it for all my vinegar/cooking needs. Also, if you have heartburn of any degree, this is not only a remedy, but a MIRCLE!! One tablespoon is all it takes and within 30 seconds all heartburn is GONE!! Completely gone.
I actually like the taste, and usually have some with my water. Before you go out and buy antacids, try this instead….guaranteed miracle. Also, a tablespoon when cooking any kind of meat will make it more tasty and tender.
Hi Paula, That is great, I never would have guessed it would be good for heartburn. I will have to try it next time. Thanks!
The apple cider is really good for you! I know so many people that do this all the time and it helps. I always do a ton of C and Vit D when I feel it coming on too with this and it does work. I would impliment cider everyday if you can and include it in your storage. It’s good stuff. Like you posted!
Hi Clarissa, I am going to get the gallon jug and have some for storage. It’s a good all around remedy to have. Thanks!
If you use some folk medicine or other superstition based treatment for a cold it will only last 7 days. If you ignore it and don’t bother treating it at all it will last a week. Go figure.
The point is to prevent it to begin with, to avoid having to suffer for 7 days or a week however you want to call it. Why wouldn’t you avoid it if you could?
Was raised drinking hot apple cider vinager over the winter, once you get used to the taste, with a touch of honey, its a really nice drink, and from what I have seen on the farm, you can add natural dewormer to that list.
Give it a try hot with a bit of honey and sip it, start with half rato for the first couple times, then add another half tbsp till you are up to typically two tbsp for a mug.
Hi farmgal, You’re right, I bet honey would make it taste better. Thanks!
I’ve been taking a shot of Bragg’s every day for several years. I work retail and am around people who are coughing and sneezing all day. Used to be I would catch every cold that came my way, but I haven’t had a sick day in 15 years. Using an organic apple cider vinegar “with the mother” is SO important. Just make sure you shake it up before you use it and get all that sediment at the bottom of the bottle mixed up. I keep a couple of gallons in my preps as well, since the “best used by date” is usually 4-5 years out. My dad discovered that the easiest way to drink it is in orange juice, lemonade, Tang, etc…
Do yourselves a favor and read up on ACV and all it can do for you. One of the bonuses is that at the next picnic when someone has left the potato salad in the sun too long, you’ll likely be the only one without food poisoning or an upset stomach.
Hi Sandy, I am so glad you commented. I wanted to find out if this is a good long term thing to do and you have just proved it, having used apple cider vinegar and have not been sick in 15 years. That is quite a record. My family does not want to try it, but I think I can get them to drink it in Tang or orange juice. Thanks for stopping by!
My wife swears by apple cider vinegar.. it works for her. She uses the local store brands.
I use elderberry tincture once weekly and if we’re around anyone that’s sick we use it daily for a few days. Sauerkraut and horseradish help to keep our sinuses and lungs clear. We haven’t had to use any OTC meds in years. Great post!
Hi Justus, Some people swear by Bragg’s but sound like your wife is fine with the store brand. Have never tried elderberry tincture, I will add that to my list of remedies to try out. We do get a lot of sinus issues so if I can get the family to try sauerkraut and horseradish to fend those off that would be a blessing. Thanks for the comment!
https://livingmydreamlifeonthefarm.wordpress.com/2010/11/30/elderberry-syrup-recipe/
I second adding the elderberry to try out, they are wonderful and can be used in so many different ways but for colds, they are great, since the post above, I have even made Elderberry/Ginger hard candies for when you have a sore throat.
I have learned to like this bush and its berries so much that this spring I moved enough babies and roots to create a new 140 foot hedge row of them.
Hi farmgal, Nice article on the elderberry syrup – thanks for the link! I don’t have an elderberry source here in town, but I can order them online. I am going to try them.
Raw Unfitered Apple Cider Vinegar is the BOMB!! I found a book on it and the benefits that come by taking it is unbelievable. Every day 2tspns. in 8-oz. of water
and 1-tspn. of raw honey will clean-up the bad bacteria in you and keep your whole body healthy. Many farmers give it to their farm animals in the water to keep them healthy and to cut down on the bad fungus that is in the grain, cuts down on vet bills. It has helped me lose 25lbs. also cutting out carbs. Leveled my PH to healthy levels were I feel fantastic. My brother lost 35 lbs. in 2months he looks and feels great!
Hi Donna, Thanks for sharing your experience on the raw apple cider vinegar benefits!