What are the benefits of Garlic Tea?

The ingredients in Garlic Tea are known to reduce inflammation and aid in a faster recovery from cold and flu symptoms. While this tea is not an instant cure for illness, it can certainly help provide relief and give you a boost to help your body fight those nasty germs.

Will this tea give me garlic breath?

Yes, in spite of all the potential health benefits of garlic, one downside is that it can give you garlic breath. If you wish, you can reduce the amount of garlic in this recipe to reduce the chance of garlic breath or indigestion.

Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?

It's best to use fresh cloves of garlic for this recipe.

Can I use maple syrup to sweeten the tea?

Yes, but honey has a number of health benefits that maple syrup does not have, such as antioxidant properties and antibacterial properties.

Will this tea help with weight loss?

This cup of garlic tea is not designed for weight management, but it can help with overall health.

Garlic Tea Recipe With Honey and Lemon Juice

Ingredients

Units Scale

4 cloves fresh garlic
1 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
2 cups of water
2 tablespoons honey (try to use raw, locally sourced honey if possible), divided
2 tablespoons lemon juice (from about half of a lemon), divided

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Instructions

Peel your fresh garlic and crush each clove gently with the flat side of a chef’s knife.
Use the back of a spoon or a paring knife to cut the skin off the ginger. Slice the ginger root into thin slices or chunks.
Set the garlic and ginger aside while you bring your water to a gentle boil in a medium pot.
Add the crushed garlic (and ginger, if using) to the boiling water.
Reduce the heat to a simmer and put a lid on the pot. Let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes with the water, garlic, and ginger.
Remove the pot from the heat after simmering.
Strain the mixture into two mugs to remove the garlic and ginger pieces.
Stir in the honey and lemon juice into each mug, stirring to combine.
Serve the tea immediately, while it’s still warm.

Notes

This recipe is very versatile. You can adapt it to your taste preferences and needs. For instance, if you don’t have fresh ginger, you can use a ¼ teaspoon of dried ginger, or just leave it out. You can increase or decrease the amount of lemon juice and honey based on how it tastes to you.
This recipe is not a miracle cure for colds or sniffles, but it does have some medicinal properties that may help reduce symptoms. Speak to your healthcare provider if you have questions about whether garlic tea is appropriate for you.
This tea is best served on the same day it’s made.

Author: Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Category: Beverage
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Healthy
Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

Serving Size:
Calories: 68
Sugar: 17.8 g
Sodium: 10.5 mg
Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 18.5 g
Fiber: 0.1 g
Protein: 0.1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg