What happens when you take garlic and honey every day

As the rainy season brings in colds and flu, many Ghanaians are turning to home remedies. One mix that’s been getting attention is garlic and honey. It might sound strange, but this local remedy could actually be powerful. Let’s look at how it works in your body.

The Power of Garlic and Honey on Their Own

First, let’s talk about what each of them does separately. Garlic is not just for adding flavour to waakye or jollof. It’s also one of the best natural ways to boost your immune system.

Garlic has a strong-smelling compound called allicin, which is very powerful. When you chop or crush garlic, this compound is released. Allicin helps the body fight off viruses, bacteria, and even fungi. That means it can help reduce how long you stay sick or how badly the cold affects you.

Garlic also has sulfur, which wakes up certain immune cells in your body, helping them work better. People who eat garlic often are less likely to catch colds or other infections.

Now, let’s look at honey. Raw, unprocessed honey — the type you might buy from local bee farmers — is full of good things like enzymes, antioxidants, and natural antibacterial properties. It’s especially good at fighting bacteria and healing the body.

Honey has something like natural hydrogen peroxide in it. It’s also not easy for bacteria to grow in honey because it’s thick and has low water content. Special kinds like Manuka honey are even stronger at killing germs.

What Happens When You Combine the Two

When you mix garlic and honey, they become even stronger. It’s like a teamwork effect — each one makes the other work better.

Honey helps protect the allicin in garlic, which usually disappears quickly after you cut the garlic. But when garlic sits in honey, those powerful compounds stay active for longer.

At the same time, garlic adds its sulfur and allicin to honey’s already strong antibacterial properties. The result? A very strong mix that can attack colds, flu, and other infections better than either one on its own.

Also, garlic by itself has a strong smell that many people don’t like. But the honey makes it sweeter and easier to take, so you’re more likely to keep using it — and consistency is important when trying to boost your immune system.

Fighting Inflammation

Garlic and honey also help with inflammation. Inflammation is your body’s way of fighting infections, but too much of it for too long can weaken your immune system.

Garlic has compounds like diallyl disulfide that help calm down too much inflammation in the body. It helps the immune system stay balanced and not overreact.

Honey also contains flavonoids and phenolic acids, which help reduce inflammation. Together, they make your body’s defense system stronger and healthier.

Good for the Gut, Too

A strong immune system starts with a healthy stomach. Around 70% of your body’s immune system is actually in your gut. That’s why foods that help your digestion also help your overall health.

Raw honey is a prebiotic — that means it feeds the good bacteria in your stomach. These good bacteria help stop bad ones from taking over, and they also help repair the stomach lining.

Garlic also has prebiotic fibers like inulin, which feed helpful gut bacteria such as Bifidobacteria. Plus, garlic fights the bad bacteria in your gut without harming the good ones.

So, if you’re thinking about how to stay strong during cold and flu season, don’t overlook this simple mix of garlic and honey. It’s a local remedy with natural power — helping your immune system, calming inflammation, and supporting your stomach all at once. No fancy medicine or imported syrup — just the healing power of what you might already have at home.