Evidence supporting the use of: Vinegar
For the health condition: Infection (bacterial)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Vinegar, particularly acetic acid (the main component of vinegar), has a long history of use as a topical antibacterial agent, and there is some scientific evidence supporting its use against certain bacterial infections, especially in wound care. Several studies have demonstrated that acetic acid (usually in concentrations of 1-5%) can inhibit the growth of a variety of bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common cause of chronic wound infections. The mechanism is thought to involve lowering the pH and disrupting bacterial cell membranes. Clinical case studies and small trials have shown that acetic acid dressings can reduce bacterial load in wounds and may be effective where other topical agents fail, especially in multidrug-resistant infections.
However, the evidence base is relatively small and largely consists of in vitro studies, case reports, and small clinical series. There is limited high-quality, large-scale clinical trial data confirming efficacy and safety. Vinegar is not typically recommended for systemic bacterial infections or as a replacement for antibiotics. Its use is mostly confined to topical applications, particularly in resource-limited settings or for specific, stubborn infections in wounds. In summary, there is scientific evidence for its antibacterial properties, but the overall quality and quantity of clinical evidence is modest, supporting a rating of 2 out of 5.
Other ingredients used for Infection (bacterial)
2'-Fucosyllactoseajoene
allspice
alpha-pinene
annatto
bacillus clausii
bacillus subtilis
barberry
bayberry
bearberry
myrobalan
berberine
Beta-Glucan
betel
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bisabolol
black cumin
black pepper
black walnut
burdock
caprylic acid
cassia bark
cat's claw
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
cuspidatum root
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ginger
goldenseal
heartwood
immunoglobin G
iodine
L12-myoviridae
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus crispatus
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus lactis
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus salivarius
lactoferrin
lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
LH01-myoviridae
licorice root
LL12-myoviridae
LL5-siphoviridae
mangosteen
methenamine
monolaurin
moringa
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
purified silver
saccharomyces boulardii
schizonepeta
shiitake mushroom
streptococcus thermophilus
T4D-myoviridae
vitamin C
vitamin D
wasabia japonica
xylitol
zinc
bentonite
sarsaparilla
yellow root
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
swertia
pau d'arco
myrrh
oriental arborvitae
eucalyptus
white oak
abies spectabilis
geranium
sea salt
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Alcohol
Avens
Agarikon Mushroom
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
acacia
Agave
Allicin
Achyranthes
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Asarum heterotropoides
Aucubin
Andrographolide
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Allyl Sulfide
Acemannan
allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Alantolactone
Bee Propolis
Bifidobacterium
Babchi
Baphicacanthus cusia
Blepharis
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Berberis (unspecified)
Brazillian peppertree
Basidiomycota
Brevibacillus brevis
Bauhinia
Bacillus licheniformis
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Backhousia citriodora
Bifidobacterium animalis
Black Nightshade
Bacteria
Bacillus
benzyl isothiocyanate
Bassia scoparia
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coconut oil
Coriolus mushroom
Combretum quadrangulare
Carvacrol
Cinquefoil
Cymbidium goeringii
Cajuput
Celandine
Centipeda
Cistus
Campsiandra angustifolia
Chirata
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Ceanothus integerrimus
Cosmos
Cynodon dactylon
Chiococca alba
Cocklebur
Copaiba Oil
Celosia
Dehydroabietic acid
DIVI-DIVI
Dialyzable Leukocyte Extract
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
Elephant's Head
Euphorbia
Elemi
Embelia
Eugenol
Vinegar