It reads like a tasty chicken marinade.
But TikTokers say a DIY recipe for fermented garlic honey is the perfect home remedy for colds, flu and other winter respiratory illnesses — and according to doctors, there may be some truth to that.
Sarah Kim (@hoemgirl) went viral with her mom for a video in which the pair mixed up a batch of the sticky stuff at home. “We’re stocking up on some honey garlic because it’s starting to get a little cold, meaning we’re about to get sick,” she said.
Together, the duo washed the garlic cloves, steamed them for three minutes in an InstantPot, transferred them to a jar, and covered them in honey. The mixture has to sit for a while to allow the garlic to ferment inside the honey.
“One spoonful a day keeps the doctor away,” Sarah quipped.
Other TikTokers have shared their videos, including @herbalishapothecary, whose clip has racked up 2.4 million views. She recommends taking a spoonful of honey with a single clove in it every day to boost immunity or whenever you feel like you’re getting sick.
Trace Alexander (@tracesoats) attracted a whopping 7.5 million views for his how-to video to try out the supposed health-boosting mixture.
And though it’s earning buzz on social media, fans say it’s not a recent invention.
“This wellness staple is not a new trend, it’s a revival of grandma’s wisdom, straight from her kitchen cabinet,” McKenzie Wheeler, the Happy Mama Essentials blogger and wellness creator, told “Good Morning America.”
According to Rhysa Phommachanh, a health specialist at Landys Chemist in the UK, there are some things about consuming fermented garlic honey that could be good for you.
“Both garlic and honey have proven benefits all year round, but can especially support our health in winter,” she told the Mirror.
“Garlic is rich in prebiotic insulin fibre, which supports gut health and is believed to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties to fight disease and ease cold symptoms. Honey, high in antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols, helps balance the immune system and ward off illnesses.”
Meanwhile, Allison Vincento, MS, RDN, said that mixing the ingredients has some bonus advantages.
“The mixture may have enhanced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties compared to consuming honey and garlic separately,” she told the EveryGirl.
But nutritionist Beth Czerwony, RD, LD, at the Cleveland Clinic, said that while there’s some good stuff in there from both garlic and honey, you shouldn’t count on this pungent mixture to be the answer to your winter health prayers.
“Eating cloves of garlic and consuming honey that has been fermenting with garlic can definitely help blow out your sinuses a bit,” Czerwony said. “And honey, in general, can help soothe a sore throat. On the whole, though, fermented garlic honey doesn’t have any magical curative or preventative properties.”
In fact, she’s doubtful that eating the two ingredients together has any additional benefits and warns that there are even some risks to consider, like botulism, contaminants and the high sugar content of honey.
