Garlic tea for the flu is an excellent natural option to help combat flu symptoms and speed up recovery. Garlic tea is high in allicin and vitamin C, which have antioxidant properties that help to strengthen the immune system.
Garlic tea can be consumed plain or with added flavors from other ingredients like lemon, ginger, honey, or propolis. These ingredients boost the health benefits of garlic, helping to relieve cough as well as pain and inflammation from a sore throat.
While garlic tea is all natural, it should not be given to children under 2 years of age. It should also be avoided during pregnancy and lactation and is contraindicated in people who take anticoagulants. People with an allergy to honey, propolis, or pollen should not use honey or propolis when making garlic tea.
Recipes for garlic tea
There are many ways to make garlic tea to help with flu symptoms. Some options include:
1. Plain garlic tea
Ingredients:
- 1 garlic clove, crushed or minced;
- 1 cup water.
Instructions:
Boil the water, remove from the heat, and pour into a mug containing the garlic. Let steep for about 5 minutes, strain, and wait for it to cool slightly before drinking. Drink 1 cup per day.
2. Garlic tea with lemon
Ingredients:
- 1 garlic clove;
- 200 ml water;
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice.
Instructions:
Boil the water. Add the crushed or minced garlic and let steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain, add the lemon juice, then drink.
Also recommended: Lemon Benefits: 10 Reasons You Should Eat More Lemons tuasaude.com/en/lemon3. Garlic tea with ginger
Ingredients:
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced;
- 1 cm fresh ginger or ½ tsp ground ginger;
- 3 cups water;
- Honey for sweetening (optional).
Instructions:
Boil the water with the garlic. Remove from the heat and add the ginger and honey. Strain and serve immediately.
Also recommended: 12 Benefits of Ginger (& How to Take As a Supplement + Recipes) tuasaude.com/en/ginger4. Garlic tea with lemon and ginger
Ingredients:
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and halved;
- ½ cup lemon juice;
- 1 cm fresh ginger or ½ tsp ground ginger;
- 3 cups water;
- Honey for sweetening (optional).
Instructions:
Boil the water with the garlic. Remove from the heat and add lemon juice, ginger, and honey. Strain and serve immediately.
5. Garlic tea with honey
Ingredients:
- 1 garlic clove, crushed or minced;
- 1 Tbsp honey;
- 1 cup water.
Instructions:
Boil the water, remove from the heat, and pour into a mug containing the garlic. Let steep for about 5 minutes then strain and wait for it to cool slightly before adding the honey. Drink 1 cup per day.
6. Garlic tea with lemon and propolis
Ingredients:
- 1 garlic clove, crushed or minced;
- 20 to 30 drops of propolis;
- Juice of 1 lemon;
- ½ cup water.
Instructions:
Boil the water, remove from the heat, and pour into a mug containing the garlic. Let steep for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain and wait for it to cool slightly. Add the lemon juice and propolis and drink.
7. Garlic tea with cloves
Ingredients:
- 1 garlic clove, crushed or minced;
- 1 whole clove;
- 1 cup water.
Instructions:
Bring the water to a boil and remove from the heat. Pour the water into a mug containing the garlic and whole clove. Strain, wait for it to cool slightly, and drink.
8. Garlic tea made with green tea
Ingredients:
- 1 garlic clove, crushed or minced;
- 1 teabag green tea;
- 1 cup water.
Instructions:
Bring the water to a boil and remove from the heat. Pour the water into a mug containing the garlic and green teabag. Let steep for 5 minutes. Strain, let cool slightly, and drink.
Also recommended: Cold Remedies: 12 Teas to Treat a Cold Naturally tuasaude.com/en/home-remedies-for-the-cold-and-fluSide effects
Garlic tea can cause side effects like bloating, gas, stomachache, bad breath, and allergic reactions in people who are allergic to garlic.
Contraindications to use
Garlic tea is contraindicated in children under 2 years old and people with gastritis, stomach or intestinal ulcers, low blood pressure, and hemorrhage.
Garlic tea should only be consumed during pregnancy and lactation if approved by a doctor. Garlic tea may increase the risk for miscarriage and can also change the smell of the breast milk, especially when consumed in large quantities.
Like ginger, garlic tea should be used with caution in people with blood clotting disorders and those taking anticoagulants.
People who are allergic to garlic should not drink garlic tea. Those with allergies to honey, propolis, pollen, ginger, cloves, green tea, or any other ingredient should not add those ingredients when making garlic tea. This is to prevent serious allergic reactions.