What Does Mixing Ginger and Honey Do to Your Body?

December 28, 2025 •

4 min read

Combining ginger and honey has been a staple in traditional medicine for centuries, with recent studies showing enhanced antimicrobial effects when these two are mixed. This time-tested combination offers a potent blend of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can provide significant benefits to your body's overall health and wellness.

Quick Summary

Mixing ginger and honey creates a powerful, synergistic remedy with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The combination boosts immune function, soothes respiratory issues, and aids in digestive health.

Key Points

Immunity Booster: The antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of ginger and honey work synergistically to strengthen the immune system and help fight off infections like colds and flu.
Digestive Aid: The combination is highly effective for soothing an upset stomach, reducing bloating and gas, and alleviating nausea, including morning sickness.
Sore Throat and Cough Relief: As a natural expectorant and cough suppressant, the mixture helps calm sore throats, thin mucus, and reduce irritation associated with respiratory infections.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: The blend’s potent anti-inflammatory compounds can help manage chronic inflammation throughout the body, providing potential relief from joint pain and other related conditions.
General Wellness Support: This natural combination can also support heart health by improving circulation and may aid in weight management by boosting metabolism.
Safety Precautions: While beneficial, high doses of ginger can cause side effects like heartburn, and honey is unsafe for infants under one year of age.

The Synergistic Power of Ginger and Honey

Ginger and honey, revered individually for their potent medicinal properties, form a dynamic duo when combined, with their effects often being more pronounced than when they are used alone. The bioactive compounds in ginger, such as gingerol and shogaol, complement honey’s natural enzymes and antioxidants, creating a holistic remedy for various ailments. The synergy between these two natural ingredients is what makes mixing ginger and honey a powerful practice for supporting your body's wellness.

A Natural Immune-Boosting Duo

Regularly consuming a ginger and honey mixture can play a vital role in fortifying your immune system. The antimicrobial action of both ingredients helps your body fight off pathogens, while their antioxidant content protects cells from damage caused by free radicals. A daily dose can build up your body's natural defenses, making it a powerful shield against seasonal illnesses like colds and flu. Honey also provides prebiotics that support a healthy gut microbiome, which is crucial for immune function.

Soothing Your Stomach and Enhancing Digestion

For centuries, ginger has been a go-to remedy for digestive issues, and its effectiveness is amplified by honey. Gingerol enhances gastrointestinal motility, helping food move more efficiently through the digestive tract. This can lead to significant relief from common discomforts such as bloating, gas, and indigestion. The combination is also a well-regarded natural remedy for nausea, including morning sickness experienced during pregnancy. The soothing nature of honey helps calm an irritated stomach, while ginger works to neutralize stomach acids.

A Time-Tested Remedy for Colds and Coughs

One of the most well-known uses of a ginger and honey mixture is for treating respiratory problems. The combination is a highly effective, natural remedy for the common cold, coughs, and sore throats. Honey coats and soothes the irritated lining of the throat, acting as a natural cough suppressant, while ginger's anti-inflammatory properties reduce swelling in the respiratory tract. This helps to alleviate dry coughs and ease expectoration of mucus, providing comprehensive relief from congestion and discomfort. The antibacterial effects of both ingredients can also help fight the underlying infection.

Reducing Inflammation Throughout the Body

Chronic inflammation is linked to various serious health conditions, including arthritis and heart disease. Ginger’s anti-inflammatory compounds inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory messengers in the body, which, combined with honey’s antioxidant content, creates a powerful anti-inflammatory blend. This can help manage and reduce the negative effects of inflammation, potentially providing relief for chronic pain and joint issues.

Comparison of Individual vs. Combined Effects


Feature	Ginger Alone	Honey Alone	Ginger & Honey Combined
Immune Support	Boosts immunity through anti-inflammatory effects.	Provides antioxidants and prebiotics.	Synergistic effect, strengthens immune response, and fights infection.
Respiratory Relief	Reduces throat inflammation and congestion.	Soothes sore throats and suppresses coughs.	Acts as a potent remedy, addressing both inflammation and cough symptoms.
Digestive Aid	Enhances gastric motility and reduces nausea.	Contains enzymes and soothes the digestive tract.	More effectively calms stomach and aids digestion, especially for nausea.
Anti-Inflammatory	Potent anti-inflammatory properties.	Antioxidant protection against oxidative stress.	Enhanced anti-inflammatory action, potentially more effective.

Other Notable Benefits

Beyond its well-known uses, this natural pairing offers other health advantages. The mixture may benefit heart health by improving blood circulation, dilating blood vessels, and potentially lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Some evidence also suggests that incorporating ginger into a healthy diet, sweetened with honey, may aid in weight management by boosting metabolism and promoting satiety.

Important Considerations and Side Effects

While generally safe for most people, moderation is key when consuming ginger and honey. High doses of ginger (more than 5 grams a day) could lead to side effects like heartburn, gas, stomach upset, or mouth and throat irritation. Ginger also has blood-thinning properties, so those taking blood-thinning medication should consult a doctor. It is crucial to remember that honey should never be given to infants under one year old due to the risk of infant botulism. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have pre-existing health conditions. For more information on ginger safety, consult authoritative sources like the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH): Ginger: Usefulness and Safety | NCCIH.

How to Prepare a Simple Ginger Honey Mixture

Creating your own ginger and honey remedy is simple. You can make a soothing tea or a concentrated syrup. A common method involves simmering grated fresh ginger in hot water and then adding honey once the liquid has cooled slightly to preserve honey's beneficial enzymes. Another popular approach is to create a fermented ginger honey by combining sliced or grated ginger with raw honey in a jar and letting it infuse over several days.

Practical Ways to Incorporate the Mixture

Ginger Honey Tea: A classic, soothing drink for colds and sore throats. Steep fresh ginger slices in hot water and stir in honey to taste.
Ginger Honey Syrup: Mix equal parts grated ginger juice and honey. Take a teaspoon directly or add to warm water for quick relief.
Morning Elixir: Add a spoonful of the mixture to warm lemon water for a metabolism-boosting, detoxifying morning ritual.
Marinades and Dressings: Use ginger honey as a base for sweet and tangy glazes or salad dressings for a flavorful kick.
Yogurt Topping: Drizzle the mixture over plain yogurt for a flavorful and digestion-friendly snack.

The Bottom Line

Combining ginger and honey offers a powerful, natural remedy that has been used for generations to support overall wellness. From its well-documented ability to soothe respiratory illnesses and aid digestion to its potent immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects, this dynamic duo is a fantastic addition to any health regimen. By understanding the proper uses, preparation methods, and potential precautions, you can safely and effectively harness the considerable benefits that mixing ginger and honey can bring to your body.

Frequently Asked Questions

While there is no fixed rule, many people find it beneficial to consume a ginger and honey mixture once or twice daily, especially during the cold and flu season. Taking it in the morning can boost metabolism, while a cup of ginger honey tea in the evening can soothe respiratory symptoms.

Yes, a mixture of ginger and honey may aid in weight management when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. Ginger can help boost metabolism and suppress appetite, while honey can regulate blood sugar levels. Drinking it in warm water on an empty stomach is a popular method.

While ginger is often used to relieve morning sickness, pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider before consuming ginger, especially in higher doses, as some studies have shown potential adverse effects. Honey is generally safe for pregnant women.

A common method is to create a tea by steeping grated fresh ginger in hot water and adding honey once the water has cooled slightly. You can also mix equal parts of fresh ginger juice and honey to create a concentrated syrup.

In small doses, side effects are rare. However, consuming high doses of ginger can lead to heartburn, stomach upset, or gas. Those on blood-thinning medication should consult a doctor, and individuals with rare allergies to either ingredient should avoid the mixture.

While honey is proven to be an effective cough suppressant for children over one year old, the mixture is unsafe for infants under one due to the risk of botulism. For children older than one, a spoonful of honey can be soothing, and a doctor should be consulted for advice on ginger.

Heating honey to very high temperatures can degrade some of its beneficial enzymes. For respiratory relief, it is best to add honey to warm (not boiling) tea just before drinking to preserve its maximum potency. Raw honey is generally more beneficial than processed honey.