Jet lag is a sleep disorder that leaves you with an inability to sleep during normal sleeping hours and can be accompanied by headaches, disorientation, depression and digestive problems. While there is no medical evidence to support the use of garlic for jet lag, the warming and thermal effect of garlic coupled with milk's calming effect is a popular way to treat jet lag. Generally, there are no health risks for this remedy, but pregnant women or women with hot flashes should try another remedy, as garlic can trigger excessive flashes and excite the uterus of pregnant mothers. Talk with your doctors before using any alternative remedy.
Step 1
Place the side of a chef knife on a clove of garlic and apply pressure with the palm of your hand. Remove and discard the peel. This mashing of the garlic will preserve more nutrients because the cells aren't as exposed to air as they would be if chopped or sliced, which causes oxidization of sulfides.
Step 2
Pour a cup of milk into a small pan and add the garlic. Bring these to a simmer on low to medium heat for a few minutes -- long enough to infuse the milk with the garlic properties but not long enough for the milk to start evaporating.
Step 3
Strain the milk into a glass and drink. This can be done at bedtime for two or three days before traveling as a preventative method, as well as the night of the trip and the night after the trip. The duration of jet lag depends on when your body's internal clock resets, which differs from person to person. Generally, east to west and west to east travel in a country disrupts sleep for a night or two, while international travel might disrupt sleep for longer periods. If the problem persists for more than four nights, consult a doctor.
Things You'll Need
- Garlic clove
- 8 oz. of milk
- Strainer
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