Who Should Not Drink Garlic Tea? Comprehensive Guide to Contraindications

January 12, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), taking garlic supplements may increase the risk of bleeding. This fact highlights the importance of understanding who should not drink garlic tea, especially for those with specific health conditions or those on medication that could interact negatively with garlic.

Quick Summary

This guide details the specific medical conditions, medication interactions, and sensitivities that should prompt individuals to avoid drinking garlic tea. It outlines risks for pregnant and breastfeeding women, those with bleeding disorders, and people with digestive issues or allergies.

Key Points

Bleeding Disorders: People with bleeding disorders or those taking blood thinners should not drink garlic tea due to increased risk of bleeding.
Pre-Surgery: Garlic should be avoided for at least two weeks before any surgery or dental procedure to prevent excessive bleeding.
Low Blood Pressure: Individuals with hypotension should avoid garlic tea as it can lower blood pressure to unsafe levels, causing dizziness and fainting.
GI Sensitivity: If you have IBS, GERD, or a sensitive stomach, garlic tea can trigger uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, gas, and heartburn.
Diabetes Medications: The combination of garlic tea and diabetes drugs increases the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Pregnant women should avoid large, medicinal doses of garlic tea, and breastfeeding mothers should be cautious, as it could alter breast milk taste.

Who Should Avoid Garlic Tea: Key Risk Groups

While celebrated for its potential health benefits, garlic—especially in concentrated forms like tea—is not safe for everyone.

Individuals with Bleeding Disorders and Upcoming Surgery

Garlic has natural blood-thinning properties, which can be particularly dangerous for certain groups. People with bleeding disorders should strictly avoid garlic tea. Medical advice suggests stopping all garlic consumption, including tea, at least two weeks before any scheduled procedure. Combining garlic with prescription anticoagulants like warfarin, aspirin, and clopidogrel can significantly increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

Patients with Gastrointestinal Issues

Garlic can trigger gastrointestinal discomfort due to its high fructan content and ability to affect the lower esophageal sphincter. Fructans can cause gas, bloating, and stomach pain in those with IBS or fructan intolerance. Garlic can weaken the LES, worsening heartburn.

People with Low Blood Pressure or Diabetes

Garlic can lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Individuals with naturally low blood pressure should be cautious, as garlic tea could cause their blood pressure to drop too low. Combining garlic with diabetes medication can increase the risk of hypoglycemia.

Medication Interactions to Know

Garlic can interfere with a number of medications. Always consult a doctor before consuming large amounts of garlic, especially in tea form, if you take any of the following:

HIV/AIDS Medications: Garlic supplements can lower the effectiveness of certain HIV drugs.
Immunosuppressants: Garlic may counteract the effects of immunosuppressant drugs.
Birth Control Pills: Some evidence suggests garlic may reduce the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives.
NSAIDs: NSAIDs may have enhanced blood-thinning effects when combined with garlic.

Special Populations: Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Allergies

Certain individuals require special caution or complete avoidance of garlic tea.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Medicinal amounts of garlic are advised against during pregnancy due to bleeding risk. Large amounts during breastfeeding could alter milk taste.
Garlic Allergies: Though rare, a true garlic allergy can cause severe reactions. Anyone with a diagnosed garlic allergy should avoid all forms.

Potential Complications: Comparison Table

This table summarizes the main groups who should avoid or be cautious with garlic tea and the reasons why.


Risk Group	Primary Concern	Mechanism of Risk
Bleeding Disorders	Increased bleeding risk	Inhibits blood clotting.
Upcoming Surgery	Excessive bleeding	Blood-thinning can prolong bleeding time.
Low Blood Pressure	Hypotension	Garlic's hypotensive effect.
Diabetes on Meds	Hypoglycemia	Synergistic effect with diabetes drugs.
Gastrointestinal Issues	Heartburn, gas, bloating	High fructan content and relaxed esophageal sphincter.
Pregnant & Breastfeeding Women	Bleeding risk, infant feeding issues	High doses increase bleeding risk; alters milk taste.
Allergy Sufferers	Anaphylaxis, severe reaction	Immune system misidentifies garlic as harmful.

Conclusion: When in Doubt, Consult Your Doctor

While garlic tea is a popular home remedy, it carries significant risks for several populations. Always prioritize your safety by considering your personal health status and consulting a healthcare professional. For those with medical conditions like bleeding disorders, low blood pressure, or severe gastrointestinal issues, avoiding garlic tea entirely is the safest course of action. Even for otherwise healthy individuals, moderating intake is key. {Link: NCCIH https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/garlic} provides resources for more general information on garlic's use and safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, garlic tea can cause digestive issues. Garlic contains fructans, which are carbohydrates that some people find difficult to digest, leading to bloating, gas, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

Yes, garlic tea can interact negatively with blood-thinning medication, or anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Coumadin) and aspirin. The natural blood-thinning properties of garlic can enhance the effects of these drugs, significantly increasing the risk of bleeding.

No, it is not safe to drink garlic tea or consume large amounts of garlic before surgery. Medical professionals recommend stopping garlic intake at least two weeks prior to any surgery to minimize the risk of bleeding complications.

Pregnant women should be cautious and avoid medicinal amounts of garlic, such as those found in teas or supplements. While small amounts in food are generally safe, high doses can increase the risk of bleeding, especially around delivery.

Although rare, a garlic allergy can present with symptoms such as skin rashes, hives, swelling of the face or throat, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, it can cause anaphylaxis.

Yes, garlic is known to lower blood pressure. Individuals who already have low blood pressure (hypotension) should not drink garlic tea, as it can cause their blood pressure to drop excessively low, leading to symptoms like dizziness and fainting.

A garlic intolerance primarily affects the digestive system, causing symptoms like bloating, gas, and stomach cramps, often a few hours after consumption. A garlic allergy is an immune system response that can cause more severe, and sometimes rapid, symptoms like skin rashes or swelling.