How to Use Garlic as a Cure for Jet Lag

Garlic has been used as a homeopathic remedy for thousands of years.

Garlic is a common household herb, used in a variety of recipes as well as in many homeopathic remedies. Native to the Mediterranean but now ubiquitous across the globe, garlic is known for its pungent odor and sweet, acrid taste. As an herbal medicine, garlic is touted for its ability to strengthen the immune system and as a sleep aid. The latter use also makes garlic a common ingredient in jet lag remedies, which often include an inability to sleep.

Things You'll Need

• Knife or garlic crusher
• Stove
• Remedy 1:
• 1 cup milk
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 cup water
• Remedy 2:
• 8 ginger tea bags
• 8 garlic cloves
• 8 cups water
• Thermos with 8-cup capacity (enough for two daily doses for four days)

Instructions

Milk and Garlic

1. Crush one garlic clove or chop it as thinly as possible.

2. Mix with 1/2 cup water and one cup milk in a small saucepan.

3. Heat on medium and boil until one cup of the mixture is left. Be careful not to burn or overcook.

4. Consume within an hour of your flight. This is only one dose, so you may duplicate as needed.

Ginger and Garlic

1. Put eight cups of water into a pan on the stove to boil. Crush or chop eight garlic cloves while waiting.

2. Place eight ginger tea bags into a thermos. Pour the hot water over the tea bags, allowing the tea to steep for at least five minutes.

3. Remove the ginger tea bags and add the garlic to the ginger tea. Mix well by securing and replacing the cap, and then shake the thermos.

4. Consume one cup of the mixture twice a day, starting two days before you leave and finishing the day after you arrive.

Tips & Warnings

• Use two smaller thermoses if you don't have one with an eight-cup capacity. To help alleviate the symptoms of jet lag, drink plenty of water before and during your trip. Avoid beverages that are carbonated or contain caffeine. Ginger also has the added benefit of settling the stomach, in case motion sickness is another travel issue.

• Both of these recipes are also good insomnia cures. Bear this in mind when planning your trip. Try not to plan any exciting or strenuous activities after you have taken your jet lag remedies.

• Airline regulations will not allow you to take more than 3.4 ounces (100ml) of liquid in carry-on luggage, so your thermos will have to be packed into a checked bag.

References

• Natural Health News: Jet Lag, Natural Cure Safer Than New Drug
• Ayurveda Health Care: Natural Insomnia Treatment
• Destiny Organics: Garlic

Resources

• TSA: Make Your Trip Better Using 3-1-1