How to Gargle with Vinegar

The high acid levels in vinegar make this household product an effective health tool for everything from exfoliating your feet to alleviating pharyngitis, also known as a sore throat. A variety of conditions result in a sore throat, including viruses, bacterial infections, cancer and allergies. During a cold or flu, the tissue in the back of your throat swells, causing sensitivity and pain. According to the Vinegar Institute, the antibacterial properties and acetic content of vinegar helps ease inflammation and reduces the existing bacteria responsible for your sore throat.

Things You'll Need

• Spoon
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1 cup water
• Mouthwash

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Instructions

• 1

  Add one teaspoon of vinegar to one cup of warm or hot water and stir thoroughly. The heat from the hot water helps soothe your throat.

• 2

  Fill your mouth with the vinegar mixture and gargle for 15 to 20 seconds.

• 3

  Swallow the vinegar mixture after gargling. Spit out the vinegar if you suffer from heartburn, ulcers or another condition that reacts poorly to ingesting highly acetic solutions.

• 4

  Rinse with a tablespoon of mouthwash for 30 seconds immediately after gargling to remove the residual acid from your teeth.

• 5

  Repeat Steps 2 through 4 every hour as necessary until your sore throat subsides.