Looking for a natural immune booster to fight off colds and flu? Keep a jar of fermented honey-infused garlic in your fridge.
Ingredients
Makes about 2 cups.
Garlic cloves (about 1 head)
1½ cups raw honey.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
A heatproof 1-qt. jar
Direction:
- Place garlic in the jar. Pour honey over the garlic and stir to combine, making sure all the garlic gets coated. Seal the jar and let sit at room temperature for 3 days. Unscrew and remove the lid to let out any gases; stir garlic and honey. (You may notice the honey bubbling, and that’s part of the fermenting process. If you’re concerned about bacteria in the infusion, remember honey is a natural preservative and is antimicrobial. Just be sure to use clean jars.) Reseal jar and let sit, stirring once every other day, at least 1 week before using.
- Do Ahead: Garlic honey can be made 1 month ahead. Keep room temperature.
If the raw honey you find is solid at room temperature, warm it in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat to bring it back to a liquid state before using it for this recipe.
The two ingredients together become a powerhouse to boost your immune system to fight off colds, allergies, and flu. Here are the health benefits of honey and garlic.
HONEY:
Honey is an antioxidant that is antibacterial and antimicrobial. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals and almost acts as a multivitamin itself. It can be used to help boost energy, boost the immune system, reduce allergies, soothe coughs, soothe sore throats, & fight infections.
GARLIC:
Garlic is great for its anti-inflammatory benefits and is antibacterial and antiviral. Garlic contains high amounts of manganese, calcium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Use garlic to decrease blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, lower total cholesterol, and metabolize iron.
Important Note – Please use raw honey to make this concoction.
Raw honey will have more health benefits. Raw honey is not processed and contains more nutrients than filtered honey. Also look for locally sourced honey free from pesticides, if possible, to help with allergens in your area.
You can use the garlic after a few days, but the flavor mellows after a week or two. The cloves will last in the honey for months.
How to use the concoction?
While your body is feeling compromised, eat a clove every hour or two. You are trying to eat about 5 cloves a day. Once you feel you’ve boosted your immune system, reduce the number of cloves. But continue to eat for health maintenance.
Use the honey – Use in cooking, tea, tonics, or as a cough syrup.