The Fermented Honey Garlic Trend is All Over TikTok, But Does it Work?

In the age where information is readily available at the tap of a button, DIY cold and flu remedies are meant to be taken with a pinch of salt. Social media platforms such as TikTok have a smorgasbord of cold and flu solutions. However, you will always have some questionable concoctions making it to viral status.Like grandma’s comforting chicken soup warms the soul, she could have another homemade recipe for the sniffles backed up by science. TikTok’s Honey Garlic Trend (#honeygarlic trend) surfaced at the start of the year and shows no signs of abating. The trend has motivated TikTokers to share their family’s secret honey garlic remedy.

The Fermentation Process

Made from key ingredients found in any home’s pantry, the recipe is simple. The natural cold remedy combines raw honey and garlic cloves in a jar and is left to ferment at room temperature for five days to a month.

Fans of the concoction usually digest a teaspoon of the mixture or add it to a warm drink. Natural remedies expert and TikToker Nkiruqueen suggests eating a spoonful before bed, saying it acts as a natural immunity booster.

You’re probably asking why fermented honey and garlic. Registered dietician Catherine Gervacio said the answer was simple. The fermentation breaks down microorganisms like yeast and bacteria, resulting in potential health benefits. 

These are antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, Gervacio told The EveryGirl.

Natural Alternative

Social media is a cesspool of misinformation, and that’s why you should always consult your physician if trying any remedy recommended on TikTok.

Again, on fermentation, pediatrician Dr Erron Towns told Parent.com that the raw honey be unpasteurized to reap the full benefits of the mixture. Pasteurized honey has no naturally occurring bacteria for fermentation to take place.

Instead of turning to over-the-counter medications, many parents opt for fermented honey garlic as a natural alternative.

Some brands offer ready-made pantry goods that are not only yummy but nutritious for fussy little eaters.  Organic skincare and food brand Bee Inspired recommends choosing products made only with the purest ingredients.

What do the Experts Say?

Garlic and honey are known for their immune-boosting superpowers. When combined as fermented honey garlic, the jury is still undecided.

Honey

Bee honey is rich in antioxidants and is the base ingredient for many DIY remedies.

As per Healthline, one tablespoon of honey contains 17 grams of carbs, 1% riboflavin and 1% copper. While people don’t consume enough honey for it to be a significant source of nutrition, it does contain polyphenols.

Polyphenols are a great defense against increased blood pressure and promote healthy blood circulation. According to WebMD, they help reduce chronic inflammation.

What makes natural honey a contender for cold and flu relief? Besides the anti-inflammatory properties, eating honey protects the body against bacterial and upper respiratory infections. The sweet, warm taste soothes coughs and sore throats.

Cleveland Clinic suggested Manuka honey has even more antibacterial properties and could help decrease Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria that causes sore throats.

Garlic

That pungent smell you get from garlic is allicin. Interestingly, the organic compound is packed with immune-boosting benefits and is anti-inflammatory.

Thanks to social media, wild garlic has become the darling of homeopathic remedies. Vogue recently cited a study published in the NIH which praised wild garlic for its health-promoting properties.

Long used in folk medicine, wild garlic contains vitamins A, and C, dietary fibers and sulfur-containing compounds. 

Fermentation

Ever since kombucha found favor among the Gen Z crowd, fermented foods were never given much thought.

Now that a link has been found between fermented foods and gut bacteria, more research has to be done. 

Fermentation can open the world to new bioactive compounds that have different effects on our health, researcher Paul Cotter told the BBC.

Cotter mentioned that some fermented foods are more nutrient-dense and contain probiotics – the building blocks for good gut health.

Right now, gut health is a big concern for experts. The U.S. has a large fiber intake gap with only 5% of the population reaching the daily recommended intake. Fermented foods can help reduce the compounds that cause gastrointestinal issues.

Other Natural Alternatives

As mentioned before, chicken soup does wonders for body aches. Comfort food helps support the immune system and is a good form of keeping hydrated.

Ginger reduces muscle pain and nausea. Healthline reported that ginger’s antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties help ease a sore throat. Add a few slices of ginger root to boiling water and brew as a tea.

You can’t go wrong with including sources of vitamin C in your diet. The antioxidant helps build the immune system.

As of yet, there is no cure for cold and flu. However, some DIY concoctions can reduce the symptoms. Plant sources and floral sources are generally safe, but more studies are needed. Remember, always consult your doctor when trying a new medication or homemade remedy.

Similar Posts:

None Found