How many times have you used honey and garlic together or separately? Did you know that both have curative benefits? Take, for example, garlic. It is Allicin-rich and hence possesses medicinal properties. This, however, is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other health benefits of garlic and honey.
For instance, Garlic is rich in Vitamins, niacin, folate, and thiamine. It also eases asthma symptoms. Honey is rich in Calcium, phosphorous, potassium, and magnesium. Eating honey and garlic lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and blood pressure levels and fights colds and flu.
Here, I will discuss the untold benefits of honey and garlic and give you a recipe in case you need to take some.
But before them…
What Are the Properties of Garlic and Honey?
Honey is rich in inflammation-fighting antioxidants known as polyphenols and flavonoids. So, your body can effectively fight swelling and redness when you take raw honey. When you take honey garlic, your body becomes immune to many diseases (more on this later).
Most countries around the globe have been using honey and garlic as traditional medicine for certain illnesses, for example, coughs and colds. Garlic comes top on the list when treating many ailments successfully because of the allicin compound. The allicin gives freshly crushed or cut garlic its unique taste and smell.
This garlic compound effectively boosts your body’s immune system and heals wounds and respiratory problems (we shall discuss more below).
To rip more health benefits of garlic, avoid using it as a whole clove. Instead, crush or chop it. Sadly, the allicin property might be lost when you crush or chop garlic and delay taking it. Therefore, quickly eat your fresh garlic to benefit from this compound.
13 Health Benefits of Garlic and Honey No One is Talking About!
Medical research confirms that garlic and honey have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antibacterial health benefits, combined or individually. For example, Ethiopians use local honey as a traditional medicine for treating diarrhea, skin infections, and breathing difficulties.
On the other hand, garlic is traditionally used for easing asthma symptoms, boosting the immune system, and treating coughs and colds around the globe.
Arab countries traditionally use Garlic as a herbal medicine for treating arthritis, infections, heart diseases, hypertension, constipation, and toothache.
Better said, taking garlic and honey daily can help keep the doctor away.
One by one, let us look at the 13 health benefits of garlic and honey.
Heart Health
Honey and garlic are both key in lowering or normalizing blood pressure. When your blood pressure is well-regulated, you are at a lower risk of heart disease. Garlic, though, seems to possess more benefits as it regulates cholesterol and prevents cell damage.
Another health benefit of honey includes the regulation of the heartbeat. It also keeps the health cells alive. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of honey also keep the arteries clear. Hence, lowers the risk of atherosclerosis development.
Garlic, which is a natural anticoagulant, prevents the clotting of blood. Resultantly, there is minimal chance of stroke or a heart attack. Therefore, when you take garlic and honey, you boost your cardiovascular health.
Health Benefits Of Garlic And Honey On The Body’s Immunity
Garlic honey is key in boosting your immunity. The presence of immune-stimulating and antibacterial properties called allicin, which is found in garlic, and the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in honey aid in boosting your body’s immunity.
So, your body is in a better position to fight colds and coughs, especially during winter, because it has strong immunity.
Also, your body excellently fights infections because of the natural antiseptic found in honey and the natural antibiotic properties in garlic.
Memory And Brain Health
The key benefits of garlic and honey to the elderly’s brain are preventing or slowing down Alzheimer’s and dementia, which are major killer diseases in the 21st century.
Also, though honey and garlic are rich in antioxidants, aged garlic has higher antioxidant content known as kyolic acid.
When you age, or your loved ones do, the brain is likely to get damaged caused by diseases and old age. Kyolic guards your mind against these problems and others, such as memory loss and loss of focus.
Hence, as you age, your memory does not deteriorate.
Antibacterial
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), garlic and Tazma, a type of honey, have antibacterial effects on your body. Hence, your body is free or less prone to infections such as Staphylococcus aureus, salmonella, and Streptococcus pneumonia.
Some bacterial infections are dormant and untreatable using antibiotics. A combination of honey and garlic effectively treats them.
Weight Loss
The increase in fast foods and the introduction of smartphones and computers have caused a spike in the number of obese people globally due to minimal physical activities in kids and adults alike.
People spend more time seated than doing anaerobic exercises in the comfort of their homes or other exercises.
Hence, according to Forbes, more than 1 billion people are obese, with 19.7% being children and adolescents.
Do not join the list; enjoy the health benefits of garlic and honey by taking them on an empty stomach first thing in the morning so as to lose weight.
Here is what happens.
When you take garlic honey, your body detoxifies. Resultantly, your body rids itself of toxins and excess water. While honey is essential in controlling blood sugar levels, garlic naturally supplements your appetite. Consequently, you eat less and lose weight.
Garlic also has compounds that are crucial in burning deadly body fats. Therefore, before you eat goat meat or first thing in the morning, consider eating garlic and honey.
Antiviral Properties
Some viruses cause ailments such as colds and flu. So, according to research, when you take Manuka honey infused with garlic, your body effectively guards itself against the flu.
Therefore, you may never need antiviral drugs when you eat garlic and honey.
Lowers Depression
Garlic honey balances the chemicals in your brain. So, taking it first thing in the morning before you take a glass of pineapple juice may help lower depression because it boosts mental health. This happens because garlic honey aids in the balancing of brain chemicals.
Prevents Cancer
Garlic has bioactive compounds that are rich in anticancer properties. These anticancer properties are diallyl sulfide, diallyl trisulfide, allyl mercaptan diallyl disulfide, and allicin.
Several studies on cancer and garlic show that when you take garlic, cancer cells have minimal chances of growing in your body.
Boosts Lung Health
Do you want to enjoy more health benefits of garlic and honey? Take garlic and honey daily to boost your lung health.
Your lung health improves when you take garlic because it unblocks the lungs and hence improves the flow of oxygen and its levels.
Besides, garlic aids in cleaning the respiratory tract. Hence, you will be free of asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis, tuberculosis, and other pulmonary diseases. You are less likely to get a cold when taking garlic and honey.
Boosts Performance
Do you love doing bodybuilding rotator cuff workouts at the gym or at home? One of the best health benefits of garlic and honey is boosting your performance.
Garlic is the main ingredient that helps in boosting your performance. So, it will still be beneficial whether you take it individually or as a combination.
In the old days, workers ate garlic when they felt fatigued. Resultantly, their productivity shot up. Also, after consuming garlic for about 6 weeks, patients with heart diseases noticed a change in their heartbeat rate; it reduced by 12%.
Bone Health
Have you struggled with Osteoarthritis? How about you start eating honey and garlic? Garlic stops the onset of Osteoarthritis, which mostly begins when it affects middle-aged people and those older.
It refers to the degeneration of the joint cartilage. When you suffer from Osteoarthritis, your thumb joints, hip, and knee experience stiffness and pain. Garlic also increases the density of your bones.
Hence you get strong and healthy bones. So, if you are not suffering from Osteoarthritis or if it is just starting, start eating garlic honey every day.
Increases Oestrogen
Do you have a deficiency in estrogen? Do not worry. Garlic has been proven to increase Oestrogen in the body. So, if you hardly sleep because of sweating at night and have frequent hot flashes, please start eating honey and garlic to increase estrogen levels.
Also, if you feel sad without a cause, have frequent mood swings, and are frustrated or anxious, you must start eating garlic honey to increase estrogen levels.
Lowers Blood Toxicity
Based on your occupation, you may be exposed more to lead poisoning, which toxifies your blood.
Therefore, instead of buying D-Penicillamine drugs, take garlic honey daily to purify your blood from all lead contamination.
Why Is Garlic Important For Men?
Garlic is vital for men because it improves the flow of blood. The cleansing properties in garlic also remove any impurities from the arteries. Consequently, blood flows better, thereby reaching the testes. The results? Men become better in bed because erectile dysfunction problems lower and sperm production increases.
In addition, garlic is rich in selenium and Vitamin B6, which are vital in the production of healthy sperm. As a man, therefore, normalize eating honey garlic every day. You will love your marriage life!
What Are The Side Effects Of Too Much Garlic and Honey In The Body?
Firstly, what might be ‘too much’ for you might not be ‘too much’ for another person. This is because our bodies respond differently to different foods.
So, while some may not have any side effects when they eat garlic and honey (like me), others may if they take it daily.
Hence, as is with hot sauces, always consult your doctor before eating honey and garlic. Here are the adverse effects of too much garlic and honey on the body.
NOTE: Some might have problems with garlic honey even after eating it once.
High Blood Sugar Levels
Diabetic people should be careful when eating honey. Therefore, it is best to consult your physician before eating honey if you have diabetes, as it causes blood sugar levels to spike.
Also, if you are on medication, you should pause eating honey due to honey interactions. Certain cholestasis medications, such as Cytochrome P450 3A4, often abbreviated as CYP3A4, interact with honey. This means that when you take such medicine, the side effects of the medication or its effectiveness could be affected.
Before taking any medication, therefore, let your doctor know you are taking honey and garlic. Seek to know if the meds could lower the health benefits of garlic and honey on your body and if you should pause eating it.
Allergic Reactions
For some, eating honey might cause alarming allergic reactions. Therefore, if you are just starting to eat honey, eat only a tiny amount. Wait a few hours and see if you will have an allergic reaction, especially if you have an allergic reaction to bee pollen.
Other possible allergic reactions that might arise after eating honey include:
- Nausea
- Coughing
- Fainting
- Wheezing
- Swelling on the throat or face
- Sweating
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Skin reactions
Garlic Interactions
Like honey, some individuals might have an allergic reaction when they eat garlic. You could bleed or have blood clots if you take too much garlic because it causes blood thinning. So, if you are on medication, contact your doctor before eating garlic.
Garlic might affect the effects of medications used to lower blood clots, such as Clopidogrel (Plavix®). In addition, garlic affects the effectiveness of an antiviral drug known as saquinavir. Therefore, if you are HIV positive, avoid eating garlic.
These are just a few examples, so always ask your doctor about garlic interactions if you are unsure.
Garlic and Honey Recipe
Finally, you have decided and do not want anyone coming between you and the health benefits of garlic and honey! So now you want to make garlic and honey and start eating them daily?
Congratulations!
Here is a simple DIY recipe. Read on.
Ingredients
- Garlic
- Pure honey or organic honey
Method
- Place your garlic (unpeeled) on a clean plastic chopping board
- Place your wide kitchen knife blade on the garlic clove and press with your hand to crush the garlic to remove its skin easily and help the honey quickly infuse it.
- If you wish, chop the garlic to make it easier to eat when you mix it with honey.
- Add the chopped garlic into a glass jar and enough pure raw honey to cover it.
- After sitting for a few hours, add more honey.
- To remove all the air bubbles in the solution and thoroughly coat your garlic with honey, stir the solution.
- If you are using an air-tight lid, slightly open it at least twice daily to let the pressure out, then tighten your bottle again. If that is too much work for you, use lids for self-burping. They have a small hole in them.
- Two days after making the solution, your honey will absorb the garlic juice and infuse itself into the garlic.
- On the third day, once or twice a day, thoroughly shake the solution so that the honey covers all garlic. Due to the infusion, your honey should now be thin and easy to shake.
- Place it on your cupboard or kitchen counter and pick it up the 20th day after the day you made it. It should be ready for eating.
- Take 1 tablespoon of this organic or raw, pure honey infused with garlic daily before breakfast or after meals if you experience nausea soon after meals.
NOTE: Never give your infants garlic honey.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, so you must research or contact a doctor before taking garlic and honey.
FAQ
Should I Take Garlic and Honey in the Morning or Night?
You can take garlic and honey any day. However, besides the health problems I have discussed above, garlic and honey are also used in the treatment of regurgitation and acid reflux. Therefore, dieticians recommend taking it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.
To avoid adverse effects of garlic and honey, only take a small garlic clove and ½ teaspoon of honey every morning. Taking too much is not healthy unless recommended by a licensed, trained doctor.
Verdict
People have seen the benefits of garlic and honey, especially after taking it on an empty stomach, before bedtime, or before they take a meal.
As I have mentioned, some of the health benefits of garlic and honey are boosting heart health, immunity, memory, brain health, performance and bone health, weight loss, and lung health. Garlic and honey also lower depression and blood toxicity and prevent cancer.
In addition, garlic honey contains antibacterial and antiviral properties and increases Oestrogen.
However, be careful with garlic and honey interactions. So, if you are under medication, inform your doctor that you are taking garlic honey so he can advise you accordingly. Do the same if you have diabetes.
