Evidence supporting the use of: Acetic acid
For the health condition: Sore Throat
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Acetic acid, the main component of vinegar, has a long history of traditional use in home remedies for sore throat. Vinegar gargles are a folk practice in many cultures, believed to provide relief due to acetic acid’s antibacterial properties. The justification for its use is rooted primarily in tradition, rather than rigorous scientific validation. While acetic acid does demonstrate antimicrobial action in laboratory settings—being able to inhibit the growth of some bacteria—there is limited direct clinical evidence supporting its effectiveness or safety for treating sore throat in humans. Most medical guidelines do not recommend vinegar or acetic acid for sore throat due to a lack of robust, controlled human studies. Additionally, vinegar can be irritating and potentially harmful to the mucous membranes of the throat if used undiluted or in high concentrations. In summary, the use of acetic acid for sore throat relies mostly on anecdotal evidence and tradition, with only indirect scientific rationale based on its antimicrobial properties. Caution is advised, and more research is needed to establish its safety and efficacy for this purpose.
Other ingredients used for Sore Throat
allspicealoe vera
alpha-pinene
betel
bisabolol
black pepper
chamomile
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
glehnia root
honeysuckle
Japanese sophora
licorice root
marshmallow
mint
spruce
platycodon root
sage
slippery elm bark
vitamin C
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
yellow root
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
chaff flower
yarrow
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
flowering quince
sweetgums
camphor oil
wood betony
horehound
Sichuan pepper
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
acacia
Agrimony
Alchornea
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Alchemilla
Asafoetida
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
allyl isothiocyanate
Adenophora
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Bee Propolis
Bryonia
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bougainvillea
Buddha's Hand
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Carvone
Cistus
Cubeb
Carlina
Calamus
Culvers Root
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
English Horsemint
Elder
Goldthread
Orsa salt
Spikenard