A TikTok user, Take This Spice, claimed that heating sliced garlic, onions, and ginger in olive oil and applying the oil on joints can ease joint pain. The three-minute video posted on June 7, 2025, is captioned, ”Discover the GARLIC SECRET to Eliminate Knee Pain! #tips #lifehack #healthy #fyp.”
As of when this report was published, the post had garnered over 866,600 views, about 16,600 likes, over 315 comments, about 5,550 bookmarks and over 12,200 shares.
VERIFICATION
What Does Science Say About Garlic, Onions, Ginger And Olive Oil?
Garlic contains allicin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. According to Health Journal, studies show that consuming garlic can help reduce inflammatory markers such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6).”
A Science Direct published journal also highlighted the benefits of ginger as containing compounds such as gingerols and shogaols, known for their anti-inflammatory effects and clinical trials. According to a PubMed Central published study, “human studies that were carried out to assess whether oral or topic ginger has a positive effect by reducing pain are not numerous; furthermore, in these studies different dosages and methods of administration were used, as well as disparate products' formulations and different study designs.”
Hashemzaei et al. (2017) and Aathira et al. (2020) studies’ also found that onion, known to contain quercetin, a well-known constituent of A. cepa showed several biological activities including reduction of swelling (inflammation), lung tightness and cholesterol and sugar levels in the blood.
In 2016, Shabrandi et al.’s study of Olive Oil revealed that, “Pure olive oil contains a natural chemical that acts as a painkiller. This substance, which is called oleocanthal, can have an analgesic effect by a mechanism similar to ibuprofen, which suppresses the production of prostaglandins, so it can relieve wound pain. It seems that olive is a natural and safe substance that contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, and its use in wound healing or speeding up its process is recommended.
Dr. Etido Akwaowo, a botanist and lecturer at the University of Calabar, explains that “garlic, onions, garlic and olive oil all have anti-inflammatory properties which might help in aggravating pains,”. She however cautioned that there has been no large-scale clinical trial on the combination.” Dr. Akwaowo also stressed that medical advice and treatment from a healthcare professional remains essential.
CONCLUSION
The claim that heating sliced garlic, onions, and ginger in olive oil and applying the oil on joints can ease joint pain is SCIENTIFICALLY UNPROVEN. While this homemade oil may have mild soothing effects due to its warming nature and the anti-inflammatory properties of its ingredients, the scientific evidence for its effectiveness is weak. It may offer temporary comfort, but it has not yet been proven to be a cure.
