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Garlic - A Pungent Remedy for Sore Throat

| Modified on Dec 20, 2024
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Garlic is one of the most effective, safest and fastest-acting natural remedies for a stubborn sore throat. In fact, garlic is considered a superfood because of its powerful antibiotic, anti-viral and fungicide properties. Yet, while almost everyone enjoys the pungent bite of roasted garlic in Italian food, you might balk at eating whole cloves of this powerful herb. So, if it means instant relief from a painful sore throat would you or wouldn't you eat a clove of garlic?

Here's a report from Dalla about using fresh, raw garlic for a sore throat.

[YEA]This hit me last Sunday, as I was exhausted, after my class. Then I woke up Mon. with a slight sore throat, that got worse later in the day. I went to the hospital, got some pills, but tried it couldn't help. After reading some of the remedies here, I tried RAW GARLIC AND IT DID WORK OUT SO WELL. Thanks so much for the tips... Let's keep on with these tips that can help us live longer and healthier. May God bless of you giving these tips. I mean I couldn't sleep last night, but now I'm snoring on my chair.

Here's a recipe for making a garlic tea. If you scroll down the page, you will find other recipes for using garlic for a sore throat, some including honey, lemon, etc.

Posted by My2cents:

[YEA] Garlic is one of my favorite remedies. I am currently battling a terrible sore throat. I tried the ACV/honey gargle and that rendered me an, extreme and severe worsening of the sore throat just minutes after. I had a terrible time during the night. Each time I swallowed I felt as though my throat was punishing me.

Today I went back to my garlic tea.

  • I grate the garlic as this brings the best benefit. The finer the chop/grate on garlic, the more helpful compounds will be released.
  • I allow the garlic to sit for 15 minutes after grating.
  • Then I boil my water. I use a cup of water per clove of garlic.
  • I usually just do one cup at a time because I prefer it to be fresh.
  • I pour the boiled water over the garlic which I grated into a thermos or coffee cup.
  • I allow it to steep a while. Then I just sip it slowly.

It may take an hour to finish the cup, but slower is better. The more times the throat gets "washed" in the garlic the better. So don't try to drink it too quickly. Each sip is a small "treatment". Since doing this today, I am now done with the severe pain I had when swallowing, and am back to having discomfort upon swallowing. I will do this tea twice more today. I think three times in a day should be sufficient.

More Tips on Using Garlic for a Sore Throat

You can use garlic in several different ways to treat your sore throat. The first - straight garlic - is the most effective, but some people find even the thought of it unpleasant. It's easy to do, just pop a whole clove in your mouth and chew on it. You can continue sucking on the juices for 15 minutes.

If raw garlic is just too much for you, make garlic tea from the poster's recipe above or use a different recipe from the posts below.

A Tasty, Garlic Appetizer to Cure Your Sore Throat

The tastiest method is to crush two cloves of garlic and let them rest for 15 minutes to allow the enzymes to activate. Add honey or olive oil to the garlic and spread the mixture on bread or a cracker and eat it.

What Makes Garlic Such an Effective Home Remedy?

You may have heard of using garlic to treat a number of other conditions, but might not have seen it suggested as a treatment for a sore throat. However, the same properties that make garlic such an effective treatment for other conditions will also relieve a painful and stubborn sore throat.

Garlic is considered a powerful antioxidant herb that has antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibiotic properties. When you chew on fresh garlic, you get the benefits of both a decongestant and cough medicine. It also delivers a powerful dose of vitamin C as well as minerals such as sulfur and selenium.

We depend on Earth Clinic readers to tell us about their favorite natural remedies. Scroll down to read more posts from our readers about how they used garlic for a sore throat. Give garlic a try for your sore throat and let us know how it works for you.

Related Links:

10 Best Natural Remedies for Soothing a Sore Throat
10 Cold and Flu Home Remedies
Garlic: A Superfood for Health and the Immune System
Home Remedies for Laryngitis
Natural Cold Remedies for the Elderly
Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux Relief
Top 10 Natural Remedies for Flu

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Posted by Joy (Oldenburg, Germany) on 06/30/2016
 ★★★★★

I've had a stuffy and an irritating sore throat for the last 3 days. I tried salt gargle but it didn't do me any good so I resulted to the internet to search for something that would help. I've not had enough sleep for the last three days too and it was beginning to get to me. I came across this article and read the reviews and decided to try it today. I took three cloves of garlic cut them into small pieces and let them boil in water for three minutes. I mixed the garlic with peppermint leaves and chamomile tea and took it slowly by slowly not gulping it. The mixture is a wonder because before I was even done with the first cup, the sore throat was gone just left with a stuffy nose, but as they say, 'Rome wasn't build in one day'. I'll keep drinking the mixture and expect for the best results. Try it guys, it does work.

Garlic
Posted by K. (Los Angeles, California) on 01/19/2013
 ★★★★★

I had a bad sore throat for a week and was trying everything. Inhaling hydrogen peroxide, taking methylene blue with vitamin C, airborne, grape seed extract, oregano oil, clove extract, raw ginger, cayenne pepper, multi-vitamins, fulvic minerals, and while the sore throat did not expand to full cough and flu like it did for my co-workers, it would not go away.

I finally came here to see if there was something I was missing. I saw the garlic remedy and thought that was probably the missing piece. I crushed two cloves of garlic into a strainer and let it soak in a lemon ginger tea 10 minutes. Then I took out the strainer, drank down the tea, then put the strainer of crushed garlic back in the cup, refilled it with hot water to soak, and went to bed.

In the middle of the night I woke up still with a very sore throat. I pulled the strainer from the cup, added a little more boiling water to heat up the mix and drank the warm leftover tea and went to bed.

In the morning I started to feel better. I repeated the recipe with two new crushed garlic cloves and a new tea bag. After about five minutes I removed the strainer, drank the fresh tea and went to work. By the afternoon the sore throat was subsiding. (Note I continued with the airborne, GSE, and oregano oil).

I repeated this routine and two days later my co-worker is still hacking miserably with a bad cough and I only have a little congestion left.

Next time, I'll remember to start the garlic tea as soon as I feel the scratch in my throat. Usually, GSE and oregano is enough but I guess this was a really bad bug.

Garlic
Posted by My2cents (Rock Hill, Sc, USA) on 11/18/2012
 ★★★★★

YEA! Garlic is one of my favorite remedies. I am currently battling a terrible sore throat. I tried the ACV/honey gargle and that rendered me an, extreme and severe worsening of the sore throat just minutes after. I had a terrible time during the night. Each time I swallowed I felt as though my throat was punishing me. Today I went back to my garlic tea. I grate the garlic as this brings the best benefit. The finer the chop/grate on garlic, the more helpful compounds will be released. I allow the garlic to sit for 15 minutes after grating. Then I boil my water. I use a cup of water per clove of garlic. I usually just do one cup at a time because I prefer it to be fresh. I pour the boiled water over the garlic which I grated into a thermos or coffee cup. I allow it to steep a while. Then I just sip it slowly. It may take an hour to finish the cup, but slower is better. The more times the throat gets "washed" in the garlic the better. So don't try to drink it too quickly. Each sip is a small "treatment". Since doing this today, I am now done with the severe pain I had when swallowing, and am back to having discomfort upon swallowing. I will do this tea twice more today. I think three times in a day should be sufficient.

Garlic
Posted by Maggie (Springfield, Il) on 02/03/2010
 ★★★★★

ginger/garlic/onion cure

When I feel a sore throat coming on I make a tea by chopping fresh onion, fresh garlic, and fresh ginger root. Let it steep for at least 10 minutes, and strain into a mug. Add a spoonful of raw honey, a splash of lemon juice and a liberal sprinkling of cinnamon. I keep extra in the fridge in a mason jar and use it for a couple of days till all symptoms are gone. I started this summer with it and haven't had a cold yet. First time in 20 years!

Garlic
Posted by Jessica (West Brookfield, Massachusetts) on 03/16/2008
 ★★★★★

THANK YOU THANK YOU! I used raw garlic for my sore throat and although it burned at first, it took the pain away. After six days I am finally comfortable!

Garlic
Posted by Erin (New Brunswick, New Jersey) on 03/15/2008

Just wanted to give a yea! to the sore throat remedies listed. I have used a similar tea mixture 3 times over the course of 2 years when I have felt a sore throat coming on, and it has never failed me! I have never gotten a full-blown sickness. In fact, I have yet to miss a day of work for being sick. My tea recipe is as follows:
Boil water in a small pot, once it boils, turn off the burner.
Throw in
- several cloves of garlic, whole (2-4 depending on the amount of water)
- several pieces of fresh ginger
- as much cayenne pepper as you can take
- a flavored tea bag (for taste)
- honey (to taste)
I drink a cup in the morning and one in the afternoon. My sore throat begins to get better, and after about 3 days (on average), it is completely better.

Replied by Carla
(West Haven, Ct)
12/27/2011

The tea was great! My ginger wasn't bad, but I made it with garlic, tobasco and ginsing tea and added a little honey and lemon. My throat has been killing me and for the first time it feels a little better. Thanks

Garlic
Posted by John (Panama City, FL) on 01/20/2008
 ★★★★★

Raw Garlic for Sore Throats. This remedy DOES provide a certain "numbing" effect but for those unaccustomed to hot, spicy foods, BE WARNED: raw garlic IS hot! I had no idea just how hot it would be, never having eaten it raw, and my tongue was ON FIRE! Luckily, I had a cup of hot tea handy and this seemed to help soothe it. (Ice water was also handy and this did NOTHING to help.

Replied by Mary
(Cordelle, Ga)
02/24/2012
★★★★★

The reason why the garlic was hot was because you failed to let it sit for 15 minutes. The properties are released upon cutting and then the properties are internalized in the garlic piece. I have been taking garlic for years. I make sure that I have food in my stomach so that I don't get heartburn. Other than that, Garlic is the highest antibiotic that you can take.

My daughter had a uterine infection after having a baby. I was staying in the hospital with her. The hospital put her on antibiotics and said that she would not get relief until 7-14 days. I started her on the garlic 1 heaping tablesspoon 4 x a day. Again, wait 15 minutes to take it and make sure you have bread or something in your stomach so you don't get heartburn. In three days her infection was starting to clear up- so much for the antibiotics. I believe the natural way was the best way and worked faster. Even a nurse commented and said she knew what healed her and that was the garlic. Hallelujah....

Replied by Greg
(Wichita, Ks)
02/25/2012

How do you prepare the garlic? Your comment said you had to let it sit (cool down) for 15 mins but nothing on how to prepare it.

Replied by Courtney
(Granite Bay, Ca)
02/25/2012

I'm not the original poster, but I can answer that question for you. You chop the garlic cloves into small pieces, and let the chopped garlic sit for 10-15 minutes before you use it.

Replied by Susie
(Perth, Australia)
07/11/2012
★★★★★

Very true got up this morning with horrible hurting in my throat. Tried the garlic honey remedy. I minced 3 cloves of garlic and added 2 tbspoon of honey. Waited for 15 min for the garlic o infuse and then just slowly ate the whole thing. Believe me my sore throat has reduced by nearly 90%. The pricking has nearly gone. Hence writing this.

Garlic
Posted by zach (Vancouver, canada) on 11/30/2007
 ★★★★★

When i have a sore throat, i usually go straight for the hot liquids, but this time i tried to research all cures. I came across this site and tried the cayanne pepper and apple cider remedies. I have to say, both of them tasted terrible and only provided up to ten minutes of relief. I then came across a post about raw garlic, i was skeptic, but willing to try almost anything. I took two garlic cloves from my fridge and chopped them up into cylinders. I slowly ate each piece one by one, apart from the burning sensation on your tongue, the garlic coats your throat and soothes teh soreness. I have absolutely no pain now!

Garlic
Posted by RandyMandy (London, England) on 11/08/2007
 ★★★★☆

for the last week i had a sore throat on the right side. So i chewed on some garlic cut some up and swallowed with water it helped & then a week after i had a sore throat on the left hand side when i awoke i had a full blown sore throat, im sucking on a garlic clove raw and it seem 2 be numbimg my throat....it still hurt!

Garlic
Posted by Maryam (Toronto, Canada) on 06/15/2007
 ★★★★★

Woke up at 5:30 am from a sore throat, a sick "empty" stomach feeling, and sinus problems. Usually when these sore throats come upon me, i'd rough it out drinking hot liquids for days until the soreness eventually cures. Well I decided that since this woke me up from sweet sweet slumber, i'd FIGHT BACK! So I googled "sore throat remedies" and found this site! How sweet it was! I searched through my spice cabinet and found no cayenne pepper, (which is sad, i'm going to buy a small bottle soon) I never have Apple Cider Vinegar on hand, so I decided to go straight for the garlic. I cut up one clove in small pieces, eating them slowly, and the effect is instantaneous! Gives you a nice burning feeling on your throat, and lasts quite a while too. The "stomach sick" feeling is gone as well. I'm going back to sleep, thanks for this idea! I'll be sharing it with family and friends

Garlic
Posted by Tanja (Novo Mesto, Slovenia) on 02/27/2007
 ★★★★★

I tried garlic cloves. And it was explosion. Raw garlic- chewed without anything... of course i started to stuffing bread in my mouth- garlic numbed my tongue- and the numbness spread at the side of tongue, down to throat. Just after 2 garlic pieces i am able to swallow without pain (and 2 days on honey and lemon didn't help). I am going to continue with this treatment. .. although i am a bit worried what is my social life going to look like in the next couple days

Garlic
Posted by Dalla (Cameroon) on 12/25/2006
 ★★★★★

This hit me last Sunday, as I was exhausted, after my class. Then I woke up Mon. with a slight sore throat, that got worse later in the day I went to the hospital got some pills but tried it couldn't help, after reading some of the remedies here,I tried RAW GARLIC AND IT DID WORK OUT SO WELL. Thanks so much for the tips... Merry Christmas to all of ya out there.let's keep on with these tips can help us live longer and healthily. May God bless of you giving these tips .I mean i couldn't sleep last night but now i'm snoring on my chair, i guess i must sleep now though it's christmas day. Merry xmas to all of you out there.

Garlic
Posted by Chastity (Chicago) on 09/14/2006
 ★★★★★

This remedy cures a sore throat, cold, or stomach virus. This remedy was given to me by my mother in law. She is a very old Mexican women. She told me her Grandma taught it to her. Remember in Mexico they cant just call a doctor when they have a sore throat. You will need a lime/lemon a clove of garlic and two teaspoons of honey. chop the garlic into very small pieces and mix it with all the juice of 2 limes, and the honey. Take one teaspoon every 30 minutes. Your throat will be as good as new. You can also put it into your tea, or any other hot or cold drinks (add as much as you like.

Replied by Pat
(Chapleau, Ontario)
08/03/2012
★★★★★

Yea, so far so good with the lime/honey/garlic after 5 days finally getting relief from a viral infection causing a sore throat. Tks

Garlic
Posted by Christa (Magnolia, Tx) on 05/25/2006
 ★★★★★

The best cure for a sore throat is to mix chopped up garlic with fresh basil, the add some olive oil to it. (best if you eat it with some bread) NOT only does it help the sore throat go away faster it also keeps your chest from getting filling up with mucus.



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