What happens when you mix garlic ginger and honey?

Mixing garlic, ginger and honey together creates a powerful combination that can provide a variety of health benefits. Garlic, ginger and honey each have their own medicinal properties, and combining them enhances their effects. In this article, we’ll explore what happens when you mix these three ingredients together.

Table of Contents

The Medicinal Properties of Garlic

Garlic has been used for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. Modern research has confirmed many of garlic’s traditional uses and revealed new applications as well. Some of garlic’s key benefits include:

Antimicrobial effects – Garlic is known to have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can help fight infections.
Immune system support – Compounds in garlic may help stimulate and enhance immune system function.
Cardiovascular benefits – Garlic promotes cardiovascular health by helping to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Anti-inflammatory effects – Garlic contains compounds that reduce inflammation and may help with inflammatory conditions.
Cancer prevention – Some studies suggest garlic may help prevent certain types of cancer, such as stomach and colorectal cancers.

The beneficial sulfur compounds found in garlic, such as allicin, are thought to be responsible for most of its medicinal effects.

The Medicinal Benefits of Ginger

Ginger also has a very long history of use as a medicinal herb in various traditional medicine systems. Ginger has been studied extensively by modern scientists and has proven health benefits such as:

Nausea relief – Clinical studies show ginger is highly effective at reducing nausea related to seasickness, morning sickness and chemotherapy.
Anti-inflammatory effects – Ginger contains compounds called gingerols that have potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Pain relief – The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of ginger can help relieve pain from arthritis and muscle soreness.
Digestive aid – Ginger promotes digestion and can help with indigestion, gas and bloating.
Immune booster – Ginger’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions can help strengthen the immune system.

These therapeutic effects are attributed to active constituents in ginger like gingerol, shogaol and zingerone.

The Health Benefits of Honey

Honey has nutritional value and has been used as a folk remedy for wound healing, coughs, colds and other conditions. Here are some of the main health benefits of honey:

Antimicrobial properties – Research shows that raw honey can kill unwanted bacteria and fungus. It contains hydrogen peroxide that acts as a natural antiseptic.

Wound and burn healing – Multiple studies have found honey dressing can improve healing time and reduce infection in wounds, burns and skin ulcers.
Cough suppressant – Honey is an effective cough suppressant, especially for children. It coats and soothes the throat while providing antibacterial effects.
Antioxidants – Honey contains antioxidants called polyphenols that can protect cells from damage and disease.

Natural energy boost – The natural sugars in honey provide a mild energy boost. Honey is a source of easily absorbed carbohydrates.

The health benefits of honey are mainly attributed to its antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant activities.

What Happens When You Mix Garlic, Ginger and Honey

When garlic, ginger and honey are combined together into one remedy, you get the benefits of all three ingredients in one. Here’s what happens when you mix them together:

Increased antimicrobial effects – The combination creates an extremely potent antimicrobial remedy that can help fight infections.
Enhanced anti-inflammatory benefits – The anti-inflammatory effects of garlic and ginger together can help reduce inflammation and joint/muscle pain.
Improved heart health – Garlic and ginger’s effects on blood pressure and cholesterol are amplified when combined with honey.

Protection against oxidative stress – The antioxidants in garlic, ginger and honey can neutralize damaging free radicals in the body.
Immune boosting activity – All three ingredients help stimulate and enhance immune function when consumed together.

In addition, when raw honey is used the mixture provides antibacterial properties from the honey. The honey also acts as a natural sweetener and flavor enhancer that can improve the palatability of the garlic and ginger mixture.

Scientific Research on Garlic, Ginger and Honey

In addition to traditional use, several scientific studies have looked specifically at the effects of combining garlic, ginger and honey together. Here are some of the findings:

A 2007 study in rats found that giving a mixture of honey, garlic and ginger significantly lowered cholesterol compared to garlic alone.
A 2014 study found that a combination of garlic, ginger and honey reduced inflammation in rabbits with arthritis. The mixture lowered inflammatory markers and was proposed as an alternative arthritis treatment.

A study in people with type 2 diabetes found that taking a daily ginger, garlic and honey supplement for 12 weeks reduced blood sugar levels and improved HDL cholesterol compared to placebo.
Research in 2016 showed that a syrup of ginger, garlic, honey and other herbs decreased the severity of cold and flu symptoms compared to placebo. It provided antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects.

Overall, the scientific evidence supports the traditional use of garlic, ginger and honey mixtures to promote health. More studies are still needed, but the existing research is promising.

How to Make a Garlic, Ginger and Honey Mixture

Here is a simple recipe to make your own garlic, ginger and honey mixture at home:

Ingredients

8 cloves garlic
2 inch piece of fresh ginger

1 cup raw, unfiltered honey

Instructions

Peel and mince or crush the garlic cloves.
Peel and grate or mince the ginger.

Add the garlic and ginger to a small bowl or jar.
Pour the raw honey over the garlic and ginger.
Mix all ingredients together thoroughly.

Cover and let sit for 6-12 hours so the flavors infuse.
Store in the fridge for up to 1 month.

Suggested Use

Take 1 teaspoon of the mixture 2-3 times per day.

Can be consumed straight off the spoon or diluted in warm water or tea.
Best taken on an empty stomach for maximum effectiveness.
Repeat daily for preventative health or until symptoms resolve when treating a specific condition.

This simple honey garlic ginger mixture only requires three ingredients but packs a powerful health punch. The honey makes it palatable so you can get all the benefits without the strong, pungent taste of raw garlic and ginger.

Precautions and Side Effects

Garlic, ginger and honey are generally very safe and well tolerated, but there are some precautions to be aware of:

In rare cases, raw garlic can cause stomach upset, bloating or indigestion. Start with small amounts and increase slowly.

Ginger may exacerbate gallstone or gallbladder conditions. Avoid large quantities if you have gallbladder problems.
Excess ginger consumption can sometimes cause mild diarrhea. Reduce your dose if this occurs.
Honey should not be given to infants under one year old due to risk of infant botulism, a rare but life-threatening illness.

People with allergies to garlic, ginger or honey should avoid this mixture.

Garlic, ginger and honey can be consumed by most people safely. However, you may wish to consult a doctor before using this mixture medicinally, especially if taking any medications or if pregnant/breastfeeding.

Conclusion

Combining garlic, ginger and honey creates a synergistic remedy that boosts the effects of the individual ingredients. Together, garlic, ginger and honey can help fight infections, reduce inflammation, support cardiovascular health, enhance digestion and boost immunity. While more research is needed, the evidence so far indicates these natural ingredients can be an effective tool for improving or maintaining your health.