This antiviral syrup uses the natural power of garlic, ginger, citrus and honey—potent antimicrobials that strengthen immunity.
What makes them particularly important now is the fact that both citrus peel and garlic are ACE-2 receptor inhibitors. That means they down-regulate the very receptor that lets the novel virus get into the cell and wreak havoc. In the simplest of terms: They shut the door on the intruder, stopping them from entering and invading your home.
This recipe takes just ten minutes to make and you probably have all the ingredients in your kitchen right now. If not, you can get them at any grocery store.
The Power of Citrus
When cooking or baking with citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, the skin is used mostly for zest, while the rest of the peel normally gets tossed away.
However, studies have found that citrus fruits, including the peel, are not only rich in vitamin C, but also help to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Also, as mentioned above, citrus peels can inhibit the ACE-2 receptors, which blocks the virus from binding and entering our cells.
Immune-Boosting Properties of Garlic
Garlic has long been revered as a spice that greatly boosts our health because of its immune-strengthening properties.
Whole garlic contains a compound called alliin, which turns into allicin and other sulfur-containing compounds when the garlic is crushed or chewed (which is the reason for its pungent smell and strong taste). Research show that these compounds help enhance the functioning of the immune system.
Most recently, studies found that compounds in garlic essential oil inhibit the ACE2 protein, which the virus binds to in order to enter our cells.
If you tend to fall sick easily, try adding more garlic to your diet as it can reduce the risk of getting sick and the symptoms of cold and flu as well.
Learn how to add more hormone-balancing ingredients to your meals with our FREE 19 Estrogen Balancing Superfoods Guide here.
- 10 cloves of garlic
- ½ organic orange (or lemon) with the peel
- 3-inch long fresh ginger
- ½ cup raw honey
- Crush garlic cloves and set aside for 10 minutes
- Slice the lemon thinly, then chop into small pieces. Transfer to the mason jar.
- Julienne ginger, then cut it into small pieces. Add to the mason jar.
- Finely chop up the garlic and add to the mason jar.
- Pour honey over the concoction until all the ingredients are covered. Mix well and add more honey if there is still room.
- Keep on the countertop. Keeps well for 3 months or more.
- Eat a teaspoon 2 to 3 times per day. Don’t double dip.
Recipe Tips
- Use freshly peeled garlic: Be sure to use fresh, raw garlic that hasn’t been peeled. Since there are literally only 4 ingredients for this sauce, use only fresh heads of garlic for the best flavor. Do not use store-bought peeled garlic as it can taste bitter and lose some of its potency.
- Peel ginger with a small metal spoon: Given that the ginger root has many nooks and corners that are hard to reach with a peeler, the best way to peel fresh ginger root is using a small metal spoon that can easily reach the difficult areas.
- Use organic lemons or oranges: Since we are including the citrus peel in the recipe as well, it’s important to use organic lemons or oranges to ensure that there is no pesticide residue on them.
Looking for more immune-strengthening recipes that are simple to make? Here are some of my favorites:
- Elderberry Flu Syrup
- Immune-Boosting Winter Syrup (Oxymel)
- 31 Recipes to Strengthen Your Immune System
Find more hormone-balancing recipes in Overcoming Estrogen Dominance
In Overcoming Estrogen Dominance, my goal is to empower and give you the tools to take control of your hormones and health.
More than 70% of women experience estrogen dominance. The symptoms range from lumpy and fibrocystic breasts to thyroid nodules, hot flashes, fibroids, uterine polyps, painful, heavy or irregular periods to infertility and miscarriages, from mood swings to insomnia, weight gain to fatigue.
In Overcoming Estrogen Dominance, I give women a roadmap to reverse estrogen dominance using food, herbs, supplements and natural protocols to rebalance hormones. You’ll also find easy, hormone-balancing recipes that are free of gluten, dairy, soy, corn, eggs, and nightshades. These recipes are highly anti-inflammatory, low in sugar, and made with powerful medicinal ingredients to help heal your body naturally.
To get your copy of Overcoming Estrogen Dominance, go here.
Hi,
Is there honey substitute for this recipe? Honey makes me vomit, the cause of which I have never understood!
Hey Becky,
We have not tried this recipe with a honey substitute.
However, please feel free to experiment with substitutions (like vegetable-sourced glycerin, coconut sugar, stevia, and maple syrup) and let us know how it turns out. =)
Healthy Regards,
HB Team
How is your breath after eating 3 teaspoons a day? 😉
Ha! Maybe a bit garlicky.. but worth it! 😉
Do you just eat the honey or do you eat the bits of fiber and garlic too?
Great question. I am curious too.
Marianna & Dianne,
This recipe was meant to eat it whole.
You are welcome to try an infusion method instead, and strain out the ingredients. (Similar to the methods used in our Winter Syrup recipe).
Healthy Regards,
HB Team
My new salad dressing while in isolation
I have been using this syrup since the recipe published in your newsletter. I love the syrup and believe it has helped me and my family stay healthy.
I like all of the ingredients, but not sure how much I would like to eat it raw! Would cooking it a little and possibly eating it with a protein, like chicken, take away any of the health benefits?
Hi Lisa!
This recipe is meant to be eaten raw. However, you are welcome to play around with the recipe to fit your needs. Let us know what alterations you made and how it turned out! =)
Healthy Regards,
HB Team
Do you only use the citrus peel or do you also include the pith? If only using the peel I’d probably use a microplane.
Hey William,
We use the whole orange in this recipe, no need to peel! =)
Healthy Regards,
Taylor
We started eating this back in March or whenever you posted the youtube on how to make it. We took a break over the summer and are starting it up again now. It really is surprisingly tasty! We all enjoy eating it, including my 10 and 12 yo boys. It was a little strange to think of eating the whole peel, but it softens with the honey and is quite nice. Thanks for sharing this recipe! We are staying healthy and strong!
hi
how long do you let it set before eating.
like a week or two?
Hi Marlene,
It’s perfectly fine to start using the mixture right away. 🙂
Healthy Regards,
HB Team
How long is this supposed to sit before you can start eating it?
Oh, and do you store it in the refrigerator or on the counter?
Hi Susan,
Thank you for your questions. You can use it immediately and continue to use it for 3 months or more. It is stored on your countertop. Better to keep it out of direct sunlight, but other than that, it’s free to sit on your countertop. Hope this helps!
Healthy regards,
HB Team
Thank you Sarah!
The recipe says it can be stored for three months or more, yet here it sounds like you’re saying not more than 3 months. Could you please clarify?
Hi Heather,
While this syrup doesn’t usually last more than 3 months when used daily, it can last longer than this period of time when stored properly. After 3 months, it is a good idea to monitor the quality of the syrup (smell, visual) a little more closely before tasting.
– HB Team
I love this with citrus, and because I don’t want the honey, I make it with good olive oil and I love it!!!
I just made this for my son who is complaining of an irritated throat. I am assuming that over time all the ingredients will brake down into a syrup. Can it be refrigerated?
Hi Ridie, you can be refrigerate it if you want but it is perfectly fine to leave it on the counter as well. ~HB Support
Thank you for this natural remedy, I also add avocado seed powder to increase amount of oxidants and other immune boosting nutrients. I boil the mixture for 15 to 30 minutes and then either drink the water. You then eat the other stuff like porridge.
Has anyone ever blended these ingredients in a Vitamix so that it’s more of an applesauce consistency? I am wondering if it would still be room temperature stable by doing this? I will keep mine store in the fridge.
Is this used to treat a virus or to prevent one?
HI Irene, you can use this syrup to boost your immune system and help prevent illness from coming on. Jen HB Support
Would lime work for this?
Hi Jules, yes you can use lime, however you may need to use slightly more to get the same vitamin C content as using an orange. ~Dr. Stephanie HB Support
Interesting! We grew up eating orange slices with garlic and olive oil on Christmas Eve. I saw on here some said they use olive oil instead of honey. My grandparents knew what they were doing!!