Have you heard of garlic milk? As strange as the combination may seem, drinking milk with garlic is a remedy credited with excellent health benefits . Traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine, garlic milk has become very popular today, being a favorite of many to alleviate conditions ranging from colds and constipation, to back pain, asthma and sexual impotence.
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What are the benefits of drinking milk with garlic?
Drinking milk with garlic , or garlic milk , used to be a specific remedy for treating people diagnosed with sciatica problems or other back-related illnesses. Its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties help to relieve pain symptoms, hence it has been considered a less invasive alternative to prescription pain relievers and surgery.
Many people with “ sciatica pain ” (pain that spreads along the sciatic nerve, from the lower back, through the buttocks, and down one or both legs)1 , they claim that drinking milk with garlic helps them relieve pain and feel better.
But the benefits of garlic milk don’t stop there. This combination has been observed for years to have other healthful properties, especially when taken before bed.
In general, it is said that its regular consumption serves to :
1. Strengthen the function of the immune system
Both milk and garlic provide significant amounts of vitamins , minerals , enzymes and healthy compounds that support our immunity, helping to prevent common infections caused by fungi, viruses and bacteria.
2. Prevent and treat acne
This benefit has been directly linked to the antibacterial power of garlic . Its organosulfur compounds have been shown to inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria , especially the bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes).2 3 . Drinking milk with garlic not only helps reduce breakouts, but also improves and brightens the appearance of the skin.
See below: Garlic as an Antibiotic – Findings, Benefits, Advantages and Contraindications
3. Avoid constipation and bloating
Constipation and bloating are very common ailments, so it is always good to have an effective and quick solution at hand. Being a hot drink, many people drink garlic milk regularly to keep their bowel movements active and combat bloating.
4. Relieve symptoms of the common cold and flu
As we mentioned before, garlic milk is a drink that stimulates the function of the immune system 4 5 . By strengthening our defenses, it helps prevent colds and flu, but it can also be beneficial once contagion has occurred. Drinking warm milk with garlic before bedseems to be a good remedy tocalm a cough,sore throat,inflammation, as well as to speed up the recovery process.
5. Relieve asthma
Garlic milk is used by many people as a home remedy to calm asthma episodes. It should be noted that it may not be effective in all cases.
6. Help treat erectile dysfunction
As stated in various Ayurvedic texts, the combination of milk with garlic serves as a natural therapy against erectile dysfunction . Although previously this benefit was only known through testimonials and anecdotal evidence, some more recent findings indicate that, specifically the bioactive compound of garlic S-allyl cysteine (SAC), exerts an antioxidant power capable of fighting erectile dysfunction, especially in men diabetics6 7 8 . Garlic’s ability to stimulate blood flow also appears to have a positive effect in these cases.
7. Stimulate the sexual appetite
Although garlic is used as a natural aphrodisiac in some cultures, the problem of breath can cause the opposite effect in many people. This is where the garlic milk mix becomes a good alternative. Scientists have found that components in milk have a deodorizing effect on sulfur compounds in garlic9 , hence combining both ingredients helps to hide the smell, without giving up the aphrodisiac effect.
Scientific evidence indicates that both whole milk and skim milk reduce the concentration of volatile compounds responsible for the smell of garlic in the nose and mouth, however whole milk is more effective due to its higher fat content.
8. Protect heart health
Garlic milk is also a remedy with a cardio-protective effect10 11 . Consuming it regularly can help prevent blood clots, improve the health of arteries and blood vessels, boost circulation, and lower cholesterol levels.
9. Control blood glucose levels
This can also be a beneficial drink for people with diabetes. On the one hand, milk is a nutritious food, almost always high in fat but low in carbohydrates . Garlic, for its part, has been shown to have antidiabetic properties12 13 , not only because ithelps regulate blood glucose levels, but also because it helps prevent various long-term complications of the disease.
10. Reduce the risk of developing cancer
Another possible benefit of adding fresh garlic to milk is cancer prevention. Different studies suggest that bioactive compounds in garlic, especially allyl sulfide derivatives, have preventive action against the disease14 15 . Itsantioxidant power to fight free radicals and oxidative damageseems to be the most important mechanism of action in this regard.
11. Promote liver function in cases of jaundice
After curing jaundice, some people often use garlic milk to support liver function . Both ingredients are good recommendations to include in the diet, especially garlic16.
12. Relieve symptoms of arthritis
Thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties of garlic and the calcium content in milk , some people use this drink as part of their routine to reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis.
13. Eliminate intestinal parasites
Raw garlic is a recognized anti-parasitic remedy . Preparing garlic milk to drink on an empty stomach for several days can help you kill and expel parasites17.
It may interest you: Take Garlic Fasting – Beneficial for Health vs Not Recommended
14. Promote weight loss
Considering that the compounds in garlic have shown some power to accelerate metabolism and the burning of fats naturally, reduce blood cholesterol levels and promote the proliferation of healthy bacteria in the intestine 18 ,many use garlic milk as a diet drink.
How do you prepare garlic milk? Quick and easy recipe in just 2 steps
Making a garlic milk is very simple, and although the recipes vary, you generally get the same result. Here we propose a slightly tastier and more powerful variant , enriched with the properties of turmeric , black pepper and honey.
Ingredients:
- 2 cloves of minced raw garlic. Note: You may be garlic common , Chinese garlic , garlic Japanese , elephant garlic, etc.
- 1 cup of milk. Note: you can use the milk of your choice (cow’s milk, almond milk, coconut milk, rice, oatmeal, etc.)
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of honey
Steps:
- The first thing to do is heat the milk, making sure to let it cool slightly before you start adding the ingredients.
- Once the milk has cooled, add the turmeric, pepper, honey, and garlic. Stir well to integrate the ingredients, let it rest for 3-5 minutes for the active compounds to infuse into the milk, strain to remove the garlic remnants (optional) and drink immediately while it is still warm.
See later:
- Chinese Garlic – What is it for and what are its characteristics?
- Japanese Garlic – Characteristics, Properties, Uses and Contraindications
- Healthy Properties of Black Garlic – What Makes It So Special?
Recommendations to keep in mind to maximize the properties of milk with garlic
- It is very important to mince or crush the garlic and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before mixing it with the milk. This allows the reaction that creates allicin, the main bioactive compound to which almost all the healing properties are attributed to take place .
- The milk cannot be very hot when adding the other ingredients. High temperatures will decrease the concentration of healthy substances, especially the amount of allicin. It is recommended to wait until the milk is almost at room temperature.
- It is said that taking garlic milk on an empty stomach or just before bedtime provides the best results.
It may interest you:
- 15 Benefits Of Garlic – What It Can Do For Your Health
- Garlic with Honey – Benefits, Recipe, Dosage and Frequently Asked Questions
- Garlic with Lemon – Uses and Benefits Beyond the Kitchen
Contraindications, warnings and possible side effects
Despite its recognized health benefits, the consumption of milk mixed with raw garlic is not without contraindications and side effects, especially if it is taken excessively 19 20.
These are some of the main cautions and warnings to consider21 22:
- Due to its blood-thinning effect , mixing raw garlic with blood-thinning medications is not recommended; this could increase the risk of bleeding.
- Consuming too much garlic can cause stomach upset in people with a sensitive stomach . The most common adverse effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, gas, etc. Drinking cow’s milk every day can cause these same symptoms in some cases.
- People with a known allergy to garlic or who are lactose intolerant should not drink animal milk with garlic.
- Raw garlic can interact with certain medications . Always consult your doctor before taking this or any other remedy.
Keep reading about this topic at:
- Do you know the Contraindications of Garlic? Side Effects, Dosage and Precautions
- Garlic in Pregnancy – Is Garlic Good or Bad for Pregnant Women?
References:
- https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/what-is-sciatica#1
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/propionibacterium-acnes
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318855135_Development_and_evaluation_of_anti-acne_gel_containing_garlic_Allium_sativum_against_Propionibacterium_acnes
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11697022
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6465033/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23427186
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/
- https://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/ss/slideshow-foods-erectile-dysfunction
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130204142609.htm
- https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/136/3/736S/4664300/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC139960/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5642189/
- https://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2011/oct/garlic-could-benefit-diabetes-management,-according-to-study-94312684.html
- https://www.aicr.org/foods-that-fight-cancer/garlic.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5946235/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321257.php
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28536879
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31357923
- https://nccih.nih.gov/health/garlic/ataglance.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5122229/
- https://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0701/p103.html
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/273451.php
My name is Louise Hammond, and I am the creator of this website, a place to find information about tubers, bulbs and medicinal roots. In Dreamsship.com I show the properties, benefits, characteristics, photos and images, ways of growing and how to make delicious meals from starchy vegetables.