Are Garlic and Honey Good for Your Stomach?

October 18, 2025 •

4 min read

According to ancient traditions, garlic and honey have been used for centuries to treat various ailments, but are garlic and honey good for your stomach in particular? This combination is celebrated for its potent antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which can offer significant digestive benefits, though it also comes with potential risks.

Quick Summary

This article explores the digestive benefits and potential drawbacks of consuming garlic and honey. It covers how they can soothe the gut, act as a prebiotic, and fight harmful bacteria, while also outlining the side effects like heartburn and the risks associated with certain conditions. Practical advice on how to use them is also provided.

Key Points

Antibacterial Properties: Garlic contains allicin, a powerful compound that helps fight harmful bacteria in the gut, including H. pylori.
Prebiotic Effects: Both raw honey and garlic contain prebiotics that feed beneficial gut bacteria, supporting a balanced microbiome.
Soothes Discomfort: The anti-inflammatory properties of honey can help soothe the stomach and esophageal lining, providing relief from mild acid reflux.
Potential Side Effects: Consuming raw garlic can cause heartburn, gas, and diarrhea, especially on an empty stomach.
Risks for Some Conditions: Individuals with bleeding disorders or diabetes, and infants under one year old, should avoid or be cautious with garlic and honey due to potential complications.
Fermentation Enhances Benefits: Fermented garlic honey is a probiotic-rich alternative that mellows the garlic's intensity while boosting its gut-friendly properties.

The Digestive Power of Garlic and Honey

Garlic and honey have both been used in traditional medicine for millennia, each possessing unique properties that can influence gut health. When combined, especially in a fermented state, their effects on the digestive system can be amplified.

How Garlic Supports Digestion

Garlic, especially when raw or crushed, is rich in sulfur-containing compounds, most notably allicin. This potent compound is responsible for much of garlic's antibacterial and antiviral activity. In the context of stomach health, this can be beneficial in several ways:

Combating Harmful Bacteria: Research has found that garlic can help inhibit the growth of certain harmful gut bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella. It has also shown potential against H. pylori, a bacteria known to cause gastritis and ulcers.
Stimulating Digestive Enzymes: Garlic is believed to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes, which can help your body break down food more efficiently and improve nutrient absorption.
Acting as a Prebiotic: Garlic contains prebiotic fibers that feed beneficial gut bacteria, helping to maintain a balanced gut microbiome.

The Soothing Role of Honey

Honey, particularly raw and unpasteurized varieties, offers its own set of digestive advantages.

Soothing the Stomach Lining: The thick, smooth consistency of honey can coat the lining of the stomach and esophagus, providing a soothing effect and reducing irritation. This is particularly helpful for individuals experiencing mild acid reflux or gastritis.
Natural Prebiotic: Raw honey contains oligosaccharides that act as a food source for beneficial bacteria in the gut, such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli.
Gentle Antibacterial Action: Honey's mild antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce certain harmful bacteria without disturbing the gut's good flora.

Potential Risks and Who Should Be Cautious

While the combination offers numerous benefits, it's not suitable for everyone and can cause adverse effects in some individuals.

Acid Reflux: For some people, particularly when consumed raw, garlic can act as an irritant and potentially worsen acid reflux or heartburn. Honey, while generally soothing, might not be enough to counteract this effect for sensitive individuals.
Gastrointestinal Distress: Large quantities of raw garlic, especially on an empty stomach, can lead to bloating, gas, heartburn, and diarrhea.
Blood Thinning: Garlic has natural anti-clotting properties, and consuming it in high doses could increase the risk of bleeding. It is not recommended for individuals on blood-thinning medications like Warfarin.
Diabetes and Blood Sugar: Since honey is a sugar, individuals with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar levels carefully when consuming it, even though it has a lower glycemic index than refined sugar.
Infant Botulism: Honey poses a risk of infant botulism and should never be given to children under one year of age.

How to Prepare Fermented Garlic Honey

Fermenting garlic in honey is a popular way to combine the two ingredients, making the garlic more palatable and creating a probiotic-rich food.

Preparation: Peel organic garlic cloves and place them in a clean glass jar, filling it about two-thirds full.
Add Honey: Cover the cloves completely with raw, unpasteurized honey. Ensure all cloves are submerged.
Fermentation: Seal the jar loosely to allow gases to escape and store it in a cool, dark place.
Care: Turn the jar upside down daily for the first week to ensure all cloves are coated. You may see bubbles, which is a sign of fermentation.
Patience: The mixture is ready to use in about one to two weeks, but can be fermented for longer. The garlic will mellow in flavor over time.

Comparison: Raw vs. Fermented Garlic Honey


Feature	Raw Garlic with Honey	Fermented Garlic Honey
Preparation	Simple mixing	Requires weeks of fermentation
Taste	Strong, pungent, sharp	Mellows over time, sweet and tangy
Astringency	More likely to cause heartburn	Often gentler on the stomach
Allicin Content	High initially (when crushed)	High due to fermentation
Probiotic Content	Low	High (from wild yeast and bacteria)
Gut Health Impact	Combats pathogens directly	Nourishes and restores gut flora

Optimal Consumption for Stomach Health

For those who want to use garlic and honey for digestive support, a mindful approach is best. Consuming a small amount of fermented garlic honey daily, perhaps a clove and a teaspoon of honey, can help provide prebiotic support and a gradual introduction of beneficial compounds.

Morning Ritual: Start your day with a spoonful of the fermented honey mixture in a cup of warm water or herbal tea. This can help wake up the digestive system gently.
With Meals: Add the fermented honey to salad dressings or marinades. This adds flavor while introducing its health benefits alongside other nutrients.
Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body reacts. If you experience discomfort, such as heartburn or gas, reduce the amount or discontinue use.

Note: Always consult a healthcare professional before using garlic and honey as a treatment for a medical condition, especially if you are on medication or have pre-existing digestive issues.

Conclusion

In summary, are garlic and honey good for your stomach? The answer is nuanced. Individually and combined, they possess significant antibacterial and prebiotic properties that can promote a healthy gut environment and soothe digestive discomfort. Fermenting garlic in honey can create a gentler, probiotic-rich remedy that is highly beneficial for gut health. However, the raw form, especially in large amounts, can trigger side effects like heartburn, and certain individuals should be cautious due to blood-thinning effects or diabetes. By understanding the preparation methods and potential risks, you can make an informed decision on how to incorporate this ancient remedy into your wellness routine responsibly.

For more information on digestive health and natural remedies, you may find the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) a valuable resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

While garlic and honey can soothe mild stomach discomfort due to their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, they are not a cure for all stomach aches. Persistent or severe pain should be evaluated by a doctor.

Yes, fermented garlic honey is often better for the stomach. The fermentation process makes the garlic gentler, and the resulting mixture is rich in probiotics that support gut health.

Consuming raw garlic, even with honey, on an empty stomach can sometimes cause digestive upset like heartburn or gas, especially in sensitive individuals. Starting with a small amount or taking it with food is often recommended.

Honey can help soothe the esophageal lining and relieve mild acid reflux symptoms. However, raw garlic can be a trigger for acid reflux in some people, so the combination's effect varies by individual.

A gentle way to consume it is to add a small amount of fermented garlic honey to warm water or tea, or to mix it into yogurt. This introduces the benefits gradually without overwhelming your system.

While honey does have a low risk of botulism, the fermentation process can actually reduce this risk by creating an environment where harmful bacteria struggle to grow. However, it is crucial to never give honey, fermented or otherwise, to infants under one year old.

For fermentation, it is best to use raw, unpasteurized honey. Processed or pasteurized honey lacks the wild yeast and beneficial microbes needed for the fermentation process to occur.