Everyday Remedies: Garlic Honey

From the apothecary of our resident Medicine Woman.

Garlic honey is humble kitchen remedy that shows up across time and culture because it simply works. Raw garlic steeped in raw honey, slowly melding and fermenting into a syrupy tonic you’ll be thankful to have on hand when your body needs extra support. It's one of our favorite remedies to have on hand because its so simple and quick to make! 

A remedy with ancient roots

Both ingredients have been trusted for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese all used garlic and honey for culinary and medicinal purposes, valuing them for strength, longevity, and protection. Garlic in particular is referenced in early Egyptian medical texts as a health-supporting plant. 

Across folk medicine traditions, garlic and honey were often paired to ward off illness, soothe the throat, and support recovery, as a practical, accessible remedy. 

Fermentation is an ancient art in its own right. Allowing garlic to slowly ferment in honey is a modern extension of long-standing food-medicine traditions, one that deepens flavor and is believed to enhance the benefits of both ingredients. 

Why it supports the body

Garlic is a classic immune ally, warming, stimulating, and traditionally used for respiratory and seasonal support. Honey is soothing and naturally antimicrobial, making it a steady companion during cold and flu season. Together, they create a tonic that’s both strengthening and gentle enough for daily use. 

How to make Garlic Honey

It's simple! No special tools required, just clean ingredients, a clean glass jar, and a little patience.

You’ll need:

• Fresh garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

• Raw local honey

• A clean glass jar with a lid (wide-mouth helps)

Best sourcing:

Pick up garlic and honey from a local farmers market, food co-op, or small farm stand if you can. Fresh, local ingredients tend to be more potent and less processed, and you’ll be supporting your community while you support your body.

Steps:

1. Fill your clean glass jar about halfway with peeled and crushed garlic cloves. Slightly crushing each clove will help to activate the garlic.

2. Pour raw honey over the garlic until fully covered, leaving a little space at the top.

3. Stir gently with a clean spoon to release air bubbles.

4. Seal the jar. For the first few days, burp the jar daily, opening briefly once to release pressure, then reseal.

5. Let it sit at room temperature for 1–2 weeks. The honey will thin and darken as it infuses. 

After that, you can keep it on the counter or store it in the fridge, either method works as long as the garlic stays submerged.

How to use it

• Daily support: 1 teaspoon straight off the spoon. (Our favorite method!) 

• If you feel run down: up to 1 tablespoon a day.

• In food: stir into salad dressings or marinades for a sweet-savory immune boost.

• Morning ritual: add a spoonful to hot lemon water for a soothing and potent system wake-up to start your day. 

Storage

Keep your garlic honey in a sealed jar, out of direct sunlight. If you refrigerate it, it will stay thick; at room temp it stays more pourable. Either way, it keeps for months. (Did you know archaeologists have found 3,000-year-old honey in Egyptian tombs that is still edible?!) If at any point the garlic rises above the honey, just give it a stir so everything remains covered. 

Let us know if you try this amazing remedy! 

*Image soured thanks to The Wild Bee Co.