A sitz bath or hip bath made with apple cider vinegar is one of the many benefits of natural medicine.

There are many types of sitz bath, which is an old home treatment, passed on from generation to generation, and that survives to the present day. It consists in putting, in a basin big enough to sit in, cold or warm water, previously boiled and, if necessary, adding to the water some ingredients, according to the problem detected. The sitz baths areindicated by doctors, midwives, or in natural gynecology.

Doctors often recommend a sitz bath to relieve pain, itching, and swelling of the genitals or rectum. These problems can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, prostatitis, discharge, urinary tract infection, and candidiasis.

When done with warm water, it helps relax muscles and reduce inflammation and discomfort. Sitz baths can also help reduce swelling, increase blood circulation, and promote healing. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medications to be added to the water to help with healing or for additional relief.

In addition, a sitz bath can help reduce any unpleasant odors that may be present in the area due to infection or irritation. The warm water helps make the area more comfortable and can help relieve itching, burning, and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Main seat baths are made with:

• oregano,
• sodium bicarbonate,
• salt,
• chamomile,
• artemisia,
• damiana,
• essential oils,
• hume stone,
• vinegar.

Why use apple cider vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and fungicidal. It is also composed of vitamins A, B, C and E; minerals such as calcium, chlorine, sulfur, iron, fluorine, phosphorus, potassium, silicon and sodium; and also beta-carotene, pectin, malic acid, phenolic compounds and enzymes. It is successfully used in many modalities of natural medicine. It is also widely used in cooking.

Benefit of apple cider vinegar in the sitz bath

It serves to balance the vaginal pH and relieve symptoms in women with candidiasis, urinary infection, discharge, and hemorrhoids. In the latter case, it can be used by men as well, but only as an adjunct and an aid to the treatment prescribed by the doctor, as it is not an independent treatment.

This type of bath promotes the cleaning and the permanence of the components in direct contact with the intimate region for several minutes, which would not be possible with a shower, for example.

Because it is acidic (5% acetic acid and 95% water), apple cider vinegar relieves the symptoms of the gynecological problems already mentioned. There are cases in which it is prescribed and recommended for girls, as it replaces the application of vaginal creams.

How to do the sitz-bath with apple cider vinegar?

There are several types of sitz bath with apple cider vinegar, the difference being the concentration of vinegar and water when diluted, or some other ingredient may be added, depending on the problem to be treated and only with medical advice.

Since ancient times, the seat bath was commonly done in an aluminum bath basin, where children used to be bathed. Today there is the "seat bath basin", which is fixed to the toilet, creating comfort and safety. There are many options and prices in stores that sell them on the internet.

An aluminum or plastic basin can still be used, as long as it is large enough to immerse the area to be bathed in the liquid and has a safe place to sit without the risk of falling.

It is important to keep the water temperature comfortable, always lukewarm or at room temperature. After the sitz bath, it is important to gently dry the area with a soft towel.

Come and see, now, some of the most popular recipes:

Sitz bath with apple cider vinegar for urinary tract infection

The acidity found in its formula reduces the recurrence and intensity of urinary tract infection flares.

RyanKing999/ Canva

• Ingredients: For every liter of warm, previously boiled water, 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 bowl large enough to sit in.
• How to prepare: Dilute the warm water with the apple cider vinegar and stir well.
• How to apply: Sit on the basin and remain seated for 5 minutes.

Sitz bath with apple cider vinegar for candidiasis

Apple cider vinegar combats the microorganisms that cause candidiasis, helping to restore the vaginal pH balance.

• Ingredients: 2 cups of apple cider vinegar, 1 liter of warm water (previously boiled), 1 bowl big enough to sit in.
• How to prepare: Dilute the warm (previously boiled) water with the apple cider vinegar and mix well.
• How to apply: Sit on the basin and remain seated for 5 minutes.

  Repeat the bath twice a day for 3 days.

Sitz bath with apple cider vinegar for hemorrhoids

Because the anal region is extremely delicate, this sitz bath should only be done on a doctor's recommendation.

Africa images/ Canva

• Ingredients: 2 cups of apple cider vinegar, 1 liter of warm water (previously boiled), 1 bowl big enough to sit in.
• How to prepare: After diluting the apple cider vinegar in the warm water, pour the liquid into the basin.
• How to apply: Sit on the basin and remain seated for 5 minutes.

  Repeat the bath 2 times a day for 3 days.

Sitz-bath with apple cider vinegar for vaginal discharge

The doctor must identify the cause of the discharge (candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis...). Along with medication, the sitz-bath with apple cider vinegar can be done according to the following recipe:

• Ingredients: Half a cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 liter of warm water (previously boiled), 1 bowl big enough to sit in.
• How to prepare: Dilute the warm (previously boiled) water with the apple cider vinegar and mix well.
• How to apply: Sit on the basin and remain seated for 5 minutes.

  Repeat the bath 2 times a day for 3 days.

Care to be taken

studioroman/ Canva

Science confirms that the acetic acid in vinegar offers benefits to the vitality of the human body, but only to a certain extent. Medical experts advise not to add anything other than water to the sitz bath without your doctor's recommendation. Never use pure apple cider vinegar, undiluted in water, for a sitz bath.

What you still need to know about sitz-bath with apple cider vinegar

Although sitz-bath with apple cider vinegar is a method to relieve the symptoms and discomfort of some diseases, it can also be done when there are no health problems, preventively, to sanitize and regularize the vaginal pH.

Common questions

• Can pregnant women do a sitz bath with apple cider vinegar?
  Yes, not only with apple cider vinegar but with other ingredients as well, as long as prescribed by your doctor.
• Does a sitz-bath with apple cider vinegar burn?
  It depends if the area is sore, for example from too much scratching. If this occurs, decrease the concentration of apple cider vinegar and increase that of water to get relief and decrease the symptoms.
• After the sitz bath with apple cider vinegar, do you have to take a shower?
  The intimate region should be dried, without rinsing. If you want to take a shower, protect the intimate region from being rinsed.
• Is it bad to do a sitz-bath with apple cider vinegar?
  See_also: To Dream of Baby Faeces The sitz bath with apple cider vinegar does no harm, it can be used to balance the vaginal pH, but it should not be used as the only treatment. Always seek a doctor to have a punctual diagnosis of your problem.

The conclusion is that the sitz bath, when combined with apple cider vinegar, is indeed beneficial; but it is not a curative treatment. It is a way to ease the discomfort of the symptoms.

You may also like

• Discover natural remedies to treat candidiasis
• Learn about natural remedies for urinary tract infection
• Understand the benefits of uterine vaporization

Although it can be used for hygiene and balancing the vaginal pH, it should only be used with a doctor's recommendation for other purposes, because in order to reach a diagnosis and consequently treatment, the doctor will order tests and may prescribe medication, including, as the case may be, antibiotics.