Many people have been using garlic, ginger, lemongrass, turmeric, and honey as a natural source of medicine since time immemorial. The benefits of garlic and honey are countless though. As backed by the research, garlic and honey possess properties that help boost our immune system and fight against some diseases and infections. You might have also used these two ingredients, especially when experiencing the common cold or flu, and you can attest that they work wonders.
Benefits Of Honey
Usually, honey is claimed to be a one-stop solution for skin issues. It has both medicinal and nutritional properties, making it an exceptional natural remedy.
It also possesses enzymes and antioxidants; a property recognized to be both antimicrobial and antibacterial.
Besides, it contains several vitamins and minerals like magnesium, calcium, zinc, vitamin B6, thiamin, phosphorus, iron, potassium, and niacin.
Benefits Of Garlic
Garlic, on the other hand, is claimed to heal minor ailments and diseases. It has nutritional properties like calcium, selenium, vitamin C, manganese, phosphorus, vitamin B6, and iron.
It also contains allicin, which has anti-fungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties.
Benefits Of Garlic And Honey
Considering the benefits of garlic and honey independently, what can happen if the two are combined?
Well, by combining garlic and honey, the garlic flavor intensity softens. The result is basically a powerful cocktail that is tolerable to consume in huge quantity. This cocktail helps boost our body’s immune system to fight off allergies, cold, and flu.
Simply put, consuming a mixture of garlic and honey can have a profound effect on our bodies. Here are some benefits of garlic and honey:
1. Fighting Infections
A blend of garlic and honey plays an integral part in treating diseases and infections caused by harmful viruses and bacteria. This is made possible due to the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of garlic that help fight infectious diseases.
Honey, another natural medicinal food, possesses antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that help prevent infections. Research says that the combination of these two kitchen spices helps prevent the growth of some types of bacteria.
Other sources postulate that the mixture of garlic and honey helps stop some bacterial infections that are hardly controlled by antibiotic drugs.
2. Diabetes Prevention
Consumption of garlic helps minimize pre-meal blood sugar levels in both individuals with diabetes and those without it. However, since people with diabetes may be advised against consuming sugary meals, it does not mean that they cannot enjoy a blend of garlic and honey.
Usually, individuals with diabetes are advised to control and manage their sugar and carbohydrate intake, meaning that it is not about forgoing sweets altogether. When taken in moderation, a blend of garlic and honey is safe and contains anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce issues associated with diabetes.
3. Flu And Common Cold Prevention
Both garlic and honey have antiviral properties, which help prevent or treat flus and the common cold. It is believed that the intake of garlic and honey minimizes the risks of the viral disease. It also reduces the seriousness of the symptom.
In studies conducted, 146 healthy individuals were used to evaluate the risks of getting a cold. 63% of those who took garlic and honey had a 63% lower risk, and their possibility of getting cold was reduced by 70%.
This means that if you are not fond of getting flu or the common cold, a mixture of garlic and honey can help prevent the illness entirely, or at least minimize the symptoms.
4. Treatment Of Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is usually a fungal infection that occurs between the toes. One of the best and most effective natural ways of fighting it is by applying a mixture of garlic and honey.
Garlic has a strong scent ideal for treating this infection, while honey enhances better and faster healing without the likes of antibiotics. The blend of these two is clinically confirmed to kill bacteria and help avoid the occurrence of more cracks.
According to a particular study, applying garlic alone translates to 79% of individuals recovering from an athlete’s food after 7 days. This means that a blend would work even better.
5. Relief From Digestive Issues
The combination of garlic and honey can help alleviate some of your digestive issues, including heartburn, bloating, stomach indigestion, stomach pain, and gas. Taking this combination before the meal will help minimize stomach issues.
According to a study, garlic can aid the digestive system; however, it will only promote healthy digestion when consumed moderately.
More research postulates that a combination of fresh garlic and honey makes one of the best solutions to treating indigestion.
6. Aids In Weight Loss
A mixture of garlic and honey may not seem like an appealing snack; however, the combination can be helpful if your plan is shedding pounds. One of the benefits of garlic and honey is that taking it on an empty stomach can help to detoxify your body and improve digestion.
Usually, the presence of garlic helps boost energy levels, which assist in burning more calories, and with the boost in metabolism, the body can easily burn calories.
Besides, garlic has a strong aroma and pungent taste, which helps reduce cravings for food, hence, controlling overeating.
7. Improving Brain Health And Memory
Both honey and garlic have antioxidant properties. These antioxidant chemicals are responsible for boosting and balancing our immune system and protecting our bodies from diseases.
Research says that when these two spices are combined, it can help protect our brains from Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Essentially, garlic contains salicylic acid, which is believed to help protect the brain from ailments caused by diseases and aging. The salicylic acid is also believed to help improve focus, memory, and concentration in some individuals. However, more research is required to back up this claim.
8. Improve Heart Health
Both garlic and honey have been found to help lower blood pressure, which is considered a major risk factor for heart complications.
According to research, both garlic and honey have antioxidant properties that help minimize the risks of stroke and heart disease by reducing high cholesterol, preventing stiff or hardened blood vessels, lowering high blood pressure, and avoiding excessive blood clotting.
Another study found that garlic contains sulfur molecules that help ensure blood vessels are elastic. It also helps in stopping blood clots, heart disease, and stroke.
9. Reduce Asthma Symptoms
Both garlic and honey possess antioxidant properties that help boost immunity and fight inflammation. This is where asthma comes into play.
Asthma symptoms are usually high during the winter. The mixture of garlic and honey can help in preventing a cough, and it can soothe a sore throat.
Failing to control coughing means that the symptoms of asthma will worsen. Therefore, taking this mixture during the winter can help you avoid getting the common cold while possibly alleviating symptoms associated with asthma.
The study says that the mixture has superb anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate asthma symptoms by opening confined airways.
10. Boosts Immunity
The benefits of garlic and honey to our health have been reported for centuries. Usually, garlic has a compound referred to as allium, which is known to promote a healthy immune system. Thus, a combination of garlic and honey can be beneficial in strengthening the immune system.
This is primarily due to the antibacterial, antiseptic, and antifungal properties in the mixture that help protect the body and fight against oxidative stress. These properties have also helped the body destroy viruses and other disease-causing microorganisms.
According to research, the combination of garlic and honey helps in fighting several bacterial and viral diseases, hence a natural method of boosting our immune systems.
11. Skin Nourishment
Garlic and honey have for long been used as a skin solution for bumps and blemishes, such as pustules and pimples.
Usually, garlic has antifungal, antiseptic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties due to the allicin content. Allicin is a compound that can help destroy bacteria that causes acne.
It also assists in minimizing inflammation and swelling, and improves the circulation of blood.
Garlic also contains other essential minerals and vitamins that are believed to fight acne, like Vitamin B-6, Copper, Vitamin C, Selenium, and Zinc.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the benefits of garlic and honey are overwhelming. They have been traditionally used as medicine for ages, and even today they still remain relevant in the field of medicine due to their health benefits. However, more research is required to evaluate the right dosage of honey and garlic.
To enjoy the benefits from medicinal and nutritional properties offered by these two natural compounds, you can consider using them in your cooking. Just be sure to consult with your doctor to see if garlic and honey is right for you.