Do you need a homemade cure for the flu and cold?
Numerous TikTokers and some experts alike swear by this one.
Since garlic and honey have long been recognized for their health advantages, some proponents of wellness are mixing the two to maximize their advantages.
"I discovered that by letting them "ferment" together, you can harness the benefits of both raw honey and garlic for symptom relief and immune support," wellness designer and Happy Mama Essentials blogger McKenzie Wheeler said on "Good Morning America."
"The health benefits of fermented garlic are exaggerated," herbalist Rhian Stephenson, who founded the website Artah, stated in a Vogue interview.
As people prepare for the holidays and try to avoid getting sick during the cold and flu season, the hashtag #HoneyGarlic has 40 million views on TikTok.
Followers refer to it as "liquid gold," "a lifesaver," and even "your new favorite condiment."
TikTok users have viewed the hashtag #HoneyGarlic 40 million times as they attempt to avoid getting sick during the cold and flu season. Stock.Adobe.com/Wirestock Creators/Esteban Rivera
The National Library of Medicine reports that honey has been shown to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anticancer, and antimetastatic properties.
The thick, silky sweetness has long been recommended as a throat coat and cough suppressant.
Its recipe companion, garlic, when crushed or chewed, releases sulfur compounds that have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties. These chemicals include alliin, which helps activate white blood cells that fight disease, and diallyl disulfide and s-allyl cysteine.
Many have long lauded the health benefits of both honey and garlic; therefore, some have chosen to mix the two to maximize their advantages. Delmaine Donson/stock.adobe.com, peopleimages.com
Dr. Raj Arora told Vogue that studies have shown garlic, which may be consumed raw, as a supplement, or fermented, to strengthen the immune system and help prevent or lessen the severity of infections, including the common cold.
Arora continued, "You obviously benefit from a natural probiotic food, which is great for gut health, in addition to the medicinal properties of raw honey and garlic."
In order to reap the benefits of all the apparent health benefits, devotees advise fermenting both garlic and honey together.
"I discovered that by letting them "ferment" together, you can harness the benefits of both raw honey and garlic for symptom relief and immune support," wellness designer and Happy Mama Essentials blogger McKenzie Wheeler told "Good Morning America." Anna, the subbotina: stock.adobe.com
Wellness expert Wheeler suggests putting two to three peeled garlic cloves in a container, pouring over some raw honey, and swirling to release the sticky, delicious nectar.
Before taking a spoonful, loosely cap the jar and store it in a cold, dry location for three to four weeks. You'll need to open and close it every day, or "burping," to prevent pressure building during fermentation.
Wheeler recommends spreading the delectable condiment-turned-cold-remedy on cheese and crackers or drizzling it over some veggies.