Taking Garlic at the First Sign of a Cold

During cold season, it can be difficult to follow all the rules that are supposed to protect us from cold viruses. We can certainly wash our hands many times a day and refrain from touching our faces. We can avoid putting our fingers on surfaces that others may have become contaminated, such as doorknobs, banisters and elevator buttons. But even if we manage that–which takes quite a bit of effort–there are still cold viruses floating around in the air any time someone sneezes or coughs. Could it help to take garlic at the first sign of a cold?

Some readers think so. Two have offered recipes that contain hot peppers as well as garlic. Another person bravely chewed a clove of raw garlic.

Does Garlic Help Ward Off a Sore Throat?

Q. Recently I came down with a sore throat and tried OTC lozenges and sprays. They helped for a few minutes, but the pain quickly returned.

An Asian friend of mine told me to chew on a clove of garlic, so I did. It tasted awful but the pain went away almost immediately.

My friend suggested chewing it with a little honey or olive oil to offset the strong garlic flavor next time. Is there any research that shows why this works?

A. Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Cultures from China and India to Egypt and native North America have prized this bulb for its many healing properties.

Although there have been few scientific studies on its potential to ease cold symptoms or sore throat pain, researchers have identified both antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity. For example, a study in the journal Viruses (April 25, 2023) demonstrates that allicin, an active ingredient in garlic, inhibits the virus responsible for a serious respiratory infection in pigs.  It also calms cytokine production leading to inflammation. This might explain why your sore throat felt better after chewing on garlic.

There are some caveats, though. Some people find that raw garlic causes heartburn and stomach upset, not to mention bad breath. You may want to experiment with one ov the recipes that follow to see if either of them suits you.

Special Condiment May Boost Immune System:

Q. I have been making a hot pepper and garlic condiment for my family and friends for years. It has at least five different types of hot peppers in it, plus cider vinegar, mustard, chopped garlic, olive oil and sea salt. It is addictively delicious on just about everything, and I have noticed that it also seems to pump up our immune systems and ward off colds.

A. You may be on to something! For one thing, the essence of hot peppers, capsaicin, has antimicrobial activity (Nutrients, Sept. 22, 2023). That means hot chili peppers may be able to stimulate an immune response.

Onion, garlic and turmeric have been shown to enhance immunity (Food Science & Nutrition, Aug. 18, 2023). Your special sauce seems to combine a number of beneficial ingredients.

Readers can learn more about the power of chili peppers, garlic, onion and turmeric (a key ingredient in yellow mustard) in our 200-page paperback book, Spice Up Your Health: How Everyday Kitchen Herbs & Spices Can Lengthen & Strengthen Your Life.

There is even research suggesting that chili lovers live longer.

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (Dec. 24, 2019) found that

“…regular consumption of chili pepper is associated with lower risk of total and CVD (cardiovascular disease) mortality, with larger magnitude observed for IHD [ischemic heart disease] and cerebrovascular-related deaths.”

Garlic to Ward Off Colds:

Q. I have used garlic for at least 20 years to ward off a cold. It works nine times out of ten if I use the garlic at the first sign of a cold. Simmering the garlic for 12 to 15 minutes softens the taste and smell so it is no stronger than a cooked onion.

The Recipe:

Here’s my current favorite recipe. Pour an 11.5 oz can of V8 into a saucepan and add half a cup of water. Bring to the boil and add 6 large cloves of fresh garlic, chopped, the juice of one lemon and as much hot pepper as you can stand. Simmer for 12 to 15 minutes.

I drink half when I make it and half the next day. I know of no other remedy with such an amazing record of preventing a developing cold.

Some people do not tolerate fresh garlic. I have no recipe for garlic pills, but maybe someone can contribute one.

A. Thank you for sharing your recipe. Many people may find that much fresh garlic challenging, but they don’t have to give up on trying garlic at the first sign of a cold.

Aged Garlic Might Help:

We were fascinated to read an article in the Journal of Nutrition (Feb. 2016) that reinforces your observations.  A University of Florida researcher gave aged garlic extract (AGE) or placebo to 120 volunteers in a randomized controlled trial.

After three months, the volunteers taking the garlic extract had no fewer colds but their symptoms were less severe and they missed fewer days of work or school. Two types of immune system cells were activated.

The scientist concluded:

“AGE supplementation may enhance immune cell function and may be partly responsible for the reduced severity of colds and flu reported.”

People interested in other remedies may wish to consult our Guide to Colds, Coughs & the Flu. We are also partial to the herbs Andrographis paniculata or Astragalus to help ward off colds. In addition, a review written by doctors for doctors cited evidence supporting zinc, probiotics and gargling with plain water as ways of warding off colds (CMAJ, Feb. 18, 2014).

Don’t Put Garlic in Your Nose:

Another reader wonders about a different method of using garlic at the first sign of a cold. Lately, videos have been circulating on TikTok and elsewhere suggesting putting cloves of garlic up your nose. This actually makes us shudder. Garlic does not belong in your nose! Here’s the question:

Q. I have seen videos claiming that putting raw cloves of garlic in your nostrils will clear your sinuses. Does this work? I have read that garlic is good for colds, but I always thought that you would swallow it.

A. Garlic can be irritating to sensitive tissues, which is why we don’t suggest putting cloves in your nose. There are studies that support the oral use of garlic at the first sign of a cold. A systematic review found that ingredients in garlic have antiviral activity (Trends in Food Science & Technology, Oct. 2020).

Learn More:

Healers have been using garlic against infections for millennia. To learn more about this pungent remedy and many others, including cinnamon, ginger, rosemary, thyme and turmeric, you may wish to consult our paperback book, Spice Up Your Health. This 200-page book can be found in the book section of our online store at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.