Anti-allergenic, antiseptic, expectorant – what more do you want!

Garlic honey is an incredibly versatile medicine you can make from just two items in your larder.

By Frances Walker BA (Hons) Oxon, BSc (Hons), MBHMA, MNIMH

At first sight, the thought of steeping garlic in honey may seem far-fetched.  The idea certainly provoked a reaction of astonished disgust when we were first introduced to it as Herbal Medicine students.  However, we sceptics soon found that the melange of flavours is curiously palatable.  This is an easy-to-make and effective remedy to have on standby for all manner of ailments.  Make some now and it will be on hand to fight the winter bugs!

Garlic (Allium sativa) is known as Nature’s antibiotic.  It combats all sorts of infections, being anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral.

The science: when a garlic clove is crushed, the enzyme allinase converts alliin to the active ingredient allicin.  This forms ajoene, the pungent part of garlic, and is responsible for its medicinal properties.

Honey is soothing and easily digested, so it’s useful for those whose appetites are diminished or who are convalescing.  It’s a natural antiseptic, with both potent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, while Manuka honey is also anti-viral.  Honey contains an enzyme which prevents it from going mouldy, which explains why a jar of honey found in an excavated Egyptian tomb over 3,300 years old was still in remarkably good condition. [not sure I'd be top of the queue to taste it though! - Ed]

Together, garlic and honey make a natural tonic which can be used to prevent illness, to strengthen those in poor health and to aid recovery.  It is a particularly effective expectorant (helping you to cough and clear congested lungs) so it’s useful in any respiratory disorder such as bronchitis, as well as soothing for a sore throat.  It can also be applied directly to the skin for bites, grazes and wounds, or diluted with a little water as a healing antiseptic skin lotion for acne.

You will need:

• One empty jam jar
• About 3 bulbs of garlic (depending on size), preferably organic
• Clear honey – about half a jar

Directions:

• Finely chop or crush enough garlic cloves to fill the empty jar.  Cover with honey, replace lid and leave overnight.
• Label the jar (otherwise you might get a surprised reaction from the next person looking for something to spread on their toast) and put a date on it.
• Store at room temperature away from light.

That’s it!  You may leave the garlic in or strain it off, as you wish, although the honey will last longer if the garlic is removed.

Garlic honey can be taken directly or added to hot water and lemon.  The honey is excellent for children, and a typical dose would be 1 teaspoon, 2 to 3 times a day.  For adults, take half to one teaspoon daily as a preventative tonic, or up to 6 times a day in cases of acute illness.*  For infants younger than 12 months, rub garlic honey on to the soles of their feet.  However it’s taken, garlic is exhaled via the lungs, and the scent of garlic on their breath is proof that it’s disinfected them on the way out!

*         Honey should not be taken by diabetics or those who are sugar-intolerant.

*         Patients taking anti-coagulant drugs such as Warfarin should take care, as excessive garlic intake could enhance the drug’s effects.  Such patients should consult their GP or qualified Medical Herbalist.

Grow your own garlic

>> Read our piece on growing and storing garlic

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This is the first of an occasional column by our resident Medical Herbalists: Frances Walker BA (Hons) Oxon, BSc (Hons), MBHMA, MNIMH and Deborah McDonnell BA, BSc (Hons), MCPP, MNIMH.

Deborah and Frances (right) run a Herbal practice in Kew Gardens. West London.

Visit their website: www.holisticherbal.co.uk.