The fermented honey garlic trend has been gaining traction on TikTok over the past month, with various wellness influencers sharing it as part of their winter illness preparations.
Unlike many social media ‘remedies’ that often fall short or harm your health, this one may have some medical backing. Rhysa Phommachanh, a health expert at Landys, is among the professionals praising this home remedy, even recommending it as a winter health staple.
She noted: “Both garlic and honey have proven benefits all year round, but can especially support our health in winter.
“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.”
While both ingredients have been individually praised for their health benefits, the viral remedy introduces a new element as fermented products also offer probiotics to support gut health.
Fermenting garlic, in particular, can help the body break it down more easily, allowing for better absorption of its minerals and nutrients. However, this process also adds a caveat as it can a month or more for the remedy to be ready for consumption.
The home remedy that’s been making waves on TikTok, racking up tens of millions of views, involves just a couple of ingredients: one or two bulbs of garlic and a jar of honey, ideally raw and organic. You’ll also need an air-tight jar.
Start by separating the cloves from the bulb. Some recipes suggest crushing the cloves with the flat edge of a knife before peeling, to release allicin – the yellowish liquid that gives garlic its distinctive smell and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Other recipes use the whole cloves or even poke holes in them with toothpicks to release the allicin. Whichever method you choose, add your garlic to the jar until it’s about two-thirds full.
Then fill the rest of the jar with honey, seal it, and let the fermentation begin. Influencers have cautioned against filling the jar to the brim with honey as this could cause spillages or even make your jar explode due to pressure build-up during fermentation.
Some also recommend ‘burping’ your jar – opening the lid to let air out – once a day. The mixture will be ready in roughly four to six weeks.
While some social media users have confessed that the taste and smell can be off-putting, it’s fine to have a spoonful on its own or add it to teas, coffees, or use it as a dressing or sauce over savoury meals to help with the smell and taste.
