Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Nico
Garlic tea is simple to make and helps to clear away coughs and colds quickly. Three basic ingredients are combined to create this spicy and warm tea.
Garlic tea is a powerful natural remedy to know about during cold and flu season that is full of medicinal properties. Garlic isn’t the first plant that comes to mind when I think of tea, but it actually has a pleasant taste (especially with a dollop of honey). Alongside thyme syrup, fire cider, and elderberry gummies, garlic tea is a good recipe to have in your back pocket.
Garlic (allium sativum) has long been used for medicinal purposes. Throughout history some medicinal uses of garlic included to fight infections and digestive disorders, to treat wounds, and respiratory infections, as an antiseptic, and even to treat intestinal worms. Today garlic is known to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, boost the immune system, and help fight against infections.
Some people may worry that drinking garlic tea will cause body odor but I haven’t found this to be the case. I like to add honey and lemon to my cup of tea to cut through the sharp garlic flavour.
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Garlic tea benefits
Antiviral properties – Garlic has been shown to support the immune system’s function and help reduce cold symptoms like a sore throat, stave off flu symptoms, and prevent other infections. It is also a good source of vitamin c.
Natural blood thinner – Garlic can be effective in reducing high blood pressure. The allicin in garlic helps to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow, which contributes to lowering blood pressure.
Lowers high cholesterol and decreases the risk of heart disease – Garlic can reduce total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, which are linked to heart disease.
Antioxidant properties – Garlic is rich in antioxidants, like its organosulfur compound, which helps to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. This can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, by helping to manage the oxidative stress that inflammation causes.
Anti-inflammatory – The sulfur compounds in garlic have potent anti-inflammatory properties. These can help reduce inflammation in the body, which is associated with a variety of chronic diseases, like arthritis and heart disease.
Antibacterial properties – Garlic has antibacterial properties due to the compound allicin. Allicin can slow the growth of bacteria and help the body fight off infections.
Support weight loss – Due to garlic’s cleansing properties, it can detoxify the body, reduce fat storage, and boost metabolism.
While it’s possible to gain some of these benefits from taking garlic supplements, I prefer to make garlic tea. This is because the tea is made from fresh garlic bulbs which have more potent beneficial compounds.
How to make a cup of garlic tea
Tools
Garlic press or knife for chopping up the garlic
Supplies
Fresh raw garlic cloves (you could also use garlic powder but it won’t contain the full scale of health benefits that fresh garlic has)
Water
Lemon or lemon juice
Honey or maple syrup – I use this bulk maple syrup
Optional – herbal tea of your choice (I like adding it to green tea)
For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.
Instructions
Use a garlic press or knife to mince or chop up the garlic. I like to use 4-5 cloves per cup of tea.
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan.
Once the water is boiling, add the minced garlic. Boil for about 5 minutes.
Turn off the heat and allow the water to come down in temperature so it’s drinkable (usually about 10 minutes for me). For an extra flavour and nutrient boost, you could add an herbal tea of your choice to the hot water and allow it to steep for 10 minutes.
Strain off the garlic and add the tea to a cup. If you’re using garlic powder, I recommend using a coffee filter to strain off the tea.
Add lemon and honey to taste.
Drink right away!
How much garlic tea to drink?
I like to drink one cup of garlic tea on an empty stomach at the start of the day to help cleanse my body. It’s a good idea to avoid consuming too much raw garlic because it can upset your stomach but 1-2 cups a day should be totally fine.
Disclaimer – I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical or health advice in any content I create. I offer information for educational purposes and, as always, get your physician’s advice or the advice of your healthcare provider before trying a new herbal remedy. There are always possible unintended consequences of trying a new herbal remedy such as an allergic reaction or unexpected side effects like interactions with other medication.
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Simple Garlic Tea For Coughs And Colds
Ingredients
Method
- Use a garlic press or knife to mince or chop up the garlic. I like to use 4-5 cloves per cup of tea.
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan.
- Once the water is boiling, add the minced garlic. Boil for about 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and allow the water to come down in temperature so it’s drinkable (usually about 10 minutes for me). For an extra flavour and nutrient boost, you could add an herbal tea of your choice to the hot water and allow it to steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain off the garlic and add the tea to a cup. If you’re using garlic powder, I recommend using a coffee filter to strain off the tea.
- Add lemon and honey to taste.
- Drink right away!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
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