Honey has been used as a natural cure since ancient times. It has both nutritional and medicinal properties which makes it a perfect natural remedy. Antioxidants and enzymes are present in honey. It is also worth mentioning the variety of minerals and vitamins that honey contains – magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, vitamin B6, niacin, thiamin, and the list goes on. Honey is an antioxidant that is both antibacterial and antimicrobial. It can be used to help boost your energy and your immune system, to reduce allergies, to soothe coughs and sore throats, to fight infections and prevent cancer.

Garlic has been used since ancient times to heal diseases and minor ailments, being used also in almost all dishes we prepare. The Romans used it for gastrointestinal disorders and joint diseases, while the Chinese have been using it for digestion and respiratory disorders. Garlic contains high amounts of manganese, calcium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. It can be used to decrease blood pressure, to improve cardiovascular health, to lower total cholesterol, to prevent cancer and to metabolize iron. The vital ingredient responsible for the garlic’s magical properties is allicin, which has antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties. This compound is preserved in garlic only when it is raw.  

By combining honey and garlic, the intensity of the garlic flavor softens. Thus, garlic becomes more tolerable to be consumed in high quantities. The two ingredients can successfully maintain your immune system operating at its best.

Just think about the magnanimous effect on our bodies when we consume a mixture of honey and garlic. It will just multiply the effect. The benefits of honey and garlic combined together are multifold. Here are just a few benefits of the honey and garlic mixture:

• Nourishes Your Skin - Your dull skin will turn into a soft and nourished one once you start incorporating garlic with honey in your daily routine. This mixture rejuvenates your skin and gives you an everlasting glow.
• Cures a Common Cold and Allergies- The anti-bacterial properties of this mixture cure common cold and allergies in a few days.
• Strengthens Immunity- The mixture of garlic and honey helps boost your immunity.
• Manages your cholesterol levels
• Helps reduce the chances of heart attack

How to Make Honey and Garlic Mixture?

Ingredients:

• 12-13 cloves of fresh garlic – Don’t use the garlic that’s already peeled. You need to peel it yourself even if it takes time to do it yourself.
• One cup of honey (approximately 335g) - Raw honey will have more health benefits as it contains more nutrients than filtered honey. Look for clean, local honey free from pesticides. Typical commercial honey found at the grocery store is refined and far from the original state. It is first heated, then watered down and finally filtered to remove any remaining traces of pollen. Unfortunately, this process kills the enzymes and empties the honey of any vitamins or minerals. If you don’t have the nutrients, you aren’t getting any benefit from eating the honey.
• A small jar with a tight-fitting lid. - Clean and sterilize the jar and the lid.

Process:

• Take the 12-13 cloves. - Peel the fresh garlic. You can crush the garlic cloves or not. With crushed garlic cloves (just smashed with a flat side of a knife, NOT minced), the honey will infuse the garlic more quickly. The whole garlic cloves remain a firm consistency after staying in the honey for several weeks. Trim the garlic ends, as needed.
• Put the cloves in the jar. - Use a jar with an appropriate size for the amount of honey and garlic you are processing. You’ll need the honey to completely cover the garlic while leaving a little headroom in the jar. Slowly pour the cup of honey in the jar. Make sure you leave space at the top of the jar. If you are using raw honey, delicately raise the temperature of the honey to melt it. You can do this by placing it in a warm water bath. Do not overheat the honey, otherwise, you will destroy its health benefits. Gently remove the air trapped bubbles, if any, with a spoon. During the following days, you may notice the honey bubbling as that’s part of the fermenting process. If you’re concerned about bacteria in the infusion, remember that honey is a natural preservative and it is antimicrobial. Just make sure you use clean and sterilized jars. Check and ensure that the cloves are fully submerged in the honey. Cover the mixture with the lid and leave it for a few days at room temperature. The garlic will absorb some of the sweetness and nutrients from the honey. And the honey will absorb some of the beneficial properties of the garlic. After a few days, open the lid and have it every day. You will witness great results on your body!
• Store in refrigerator. - You can use the honey and garlic mixture after a few days, but the flavor mellows after a week or two. The cloves will last in the honey for months. Some of you will want to replace the cloves because you will eat them.

There are countless chemical reactions that are carried out inside a human body. Enzymes facilitate most of these reactions. These reactions are extremely important to our overall health and vitality. Now, embrace your inner nerd and check out this article about what enzymes are and why we should care about consuming foods that are “enzyme rich”.

Who doesn’t love muffins? How about adding a healthy twist to your recipe by replacing sugar with delicious raw honey? Here’s a recipe that is sure to win the hearts of those who are madly in love with autumn’s finest: pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and pecans. Yum!