Onion, Garlic, Ginger and Lemon Drink: Benefits and Recipe

This drink is shared widely on WhatsApp and Facebook as a cure for everything from typhoid to high blood pressure. The ingredients are good foods, and each one has some research behind it. But the big promises are not true, and for some people the drink can cause harm.

Below is how to make it, what the evidence really says about each ingredient, what it cannot do, and who should avoid it. This is general information, not medical advice. If you are unwell, see a doctor.

How to make onion, garlic, ginger and lemon juice

You can blend it raw or boil it. Raw keeps more of the active compounds in garlic and onion; boiled is gentler on the stomach.

What you need

• 1 medium onion (red or white)
• 4 to 5 cloves of garlic
• 1 piece of fresh ginger, about the length of your thumb
• 2 lemons
• About 1 litre of clean water
• Honey to taste (optional; never give honey to a baby under one year)

Steps

1. Peel and wash the onion, garlic and ginger. Cut them into small pieces.
2. Crush or chop the garlic and leave it for about 10 minutes before using it. This lets allicin, garlic's main active compound, form.
3. Blend the onion, garlic and ginger with half the water until smooth.
4. For the boiled version, pour the blend into a pot with the rest of the water and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, then cool. For the raw version, just add the rest of the water.
5. Strain through a sieve or clean cloth.
6. Squeeze in the juice of the two lemons. Add honey if you like.
7. Pour into a clean bottle and keep it in the fridge. Make a fresh batch every 2 to 3 days.

Benefits of onion, garlic, ginger and lemon juice: what the evidence says

No study has tested this exact mixture, so its benefits come from what is known about each ingredient on its own. Most of that research used concentrated supplements, not home drinks.

Ingredient	Best supported effect	Strength of evidence
Garlic	Small drop in blood pressure and cholesterol	Moderate, mostly supplement trials
Ginger	Eases pregnancy nausea and period pain	Moderate, mostly supplement trials
Lemon	Vitamin C; citrate may help some kidney stone patients	Vitamin C is a fact; stone benefit is limited
Onion	Quercetin, an antioxidant	Weak; blood pressure trials are mixed

Garlic

Garlic is the strongest ingredient on the evidence. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says garlic supplements may slightly lower total and LDL cholesterol in people with high cholesterol, and limited evidence suggests a small fall in blood pressure in people with hypertension. Pooled trials led by Ried found drops of roughly 8 mmHg systolic in people with high blood pressure, mostly using aged garlic extract. That is helpful, but it is not enough to replace blood pressure medicine. For colds, NCCIH says there is very little research.

Ginger

NCCIH says ginger may help nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, and ginger supplements may reduce period cramps. Evidence for knee arthritis is weaker, and most studies found it does not help motion sickness.

Lemon

Lemon juice gives you vitamin C. A large Cochrane review found that taking vitamin C regularly did not prevent colds in most people and shortened colds in adults by only about 8%. Lemon juice also raises citrate in urine, which may help some people prone to kidney stones, but a 2021 review said the evidence is too limited for firm advice.

Onion

Onions contain quercetin, an antioxidant. In a 2015 trial of 70 overweight adults, a concentrated onion skin extract did not lower blood pressure in the group overall, only in a subgroup with stage 1 hypertension. No trial has shown that eating onions treats any disease.

What this drink cannot do

The drink is food, not medicine. Messages that say otherwise are wrong.

• It does not cure malaria, typhoid, diabetes, hypertension, fibroids, ulcers, cancer or infections.
• It does not "flush out" toxins. Your liver and kidneys do that.
• It does not replace your drugs. Stopping blood pressure or diabetes medicine can be dangerous.
• It does not melt belly fat. Any weight change comes from overall diet and activity.

Side effects and who should avoid it

All four ingredients are strong and acidic or spicy. Some people should avoid this drink or ask a doctor first.

• Heartburn and reflux: raw onion, garlic and citrus are common heartburn triggers, and ginger can also cause heartburn. Avoid it if you have reflux or a stomach ulcer.
• Stomach upset: gas, bloating, belly pain, nausea and loose stool, especially on an empty stomach.
• Blood thinners and surgery: garlic supplements may increase bleeding risk, and ginger may too. If you take warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel or similar drugs, or have surgery coming, talk to your doctor first.
• Blood pressure and diabetes medicine: garlic may add to the effect of blood pressure drugs. Check with your doctor if you will drink it daily.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: food amounts are fine, but NCCIH warns that garlic above food amounts may not be safe. Ask your antenatal doctor before a daily habit.
• Teeth: lemon juice is acidic and can wear tooth enamel. Rinse your mouth with water afterwards and do not brush straight away.
• Bad breath and body odour: expected with garlic and onion.
• Children: give only small, diluted amounts, and no honey under one year.

How much to drink and when

There is no official dose for this drink. A sensible amount is one small glass, about 100 to 200 ml, once a day, after food rather than on an empty stomach.

• Start with a few sips for the first day or two to see how your stomach takes it.
• Stop if you get heartburn, stomach pain or unusual bruising or bleeding.
• Take a break every few weeks rather than drinking it forever without a reason.

Some people also use these ingredients spiritually. If that is what you are looking for, see the spiritual powers of onions and garlic and sea salt.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to drink onion, garlic, ginger and lemon juice?

Most people drink it in the morning after breakfast. Taking it after food reduces the chance of heartburn and stomach upset.

Can this drink lower high blood pressure?

Garlic may lower blood pressure slightly, but the drink is not a treatment. Keep taking your prescribed medicine and check your pressure regularly.

Does onion, garlic, ginger and lemon cure typhoid or malaria?

No. There is no evidence it cures either. Get tested and treated at a hospital or clinic.

Can a pregnant woman drink it?

Small food amounts are generally fine, but large daily amounts of garlic may not be safe in pregnancy. Ask your antenatal doctor first.

How long can I keep the mixture?

Keep it in a clean, covered bottle in the fridge and use it within 2 to 3 days. Throw it away if it smells sour or fizzy.

Can I add turmeric or honey?

Yes, many people add honey for taste or turmeric for colour. Turmeric adds its own cautions for people on blood thinners.