Can you really get rid of a cold in one day? Doctors weigh in on the viral TikTok remedy

When I showed a viral TikTok remedy that supposedly gets rid of your cold in just one day to my colleagues, they were immediately horrified. 

It’s not hard to see why. The method involves eating raw whole ginger, garlic, lemons and honey on onions, washing it all down with a turmeric health shot, then steaming your face over a pot of hot water. 

“I would never do that, I’d rather be sick and eat the medicine,” one of my colleagues said, cringing as she watched the video. 

The original clip, posted by TikTok user @/lamxtrilla, has racked up more than 26 million views. Perhaps it was the sheer shock factor of the concoction, but many viewers seemed convinced that something so extreme simply had to work. 

Tongue-in-cheek comments like “bro wants results yesterday”, “bro murdered the bacteria” and “almost felt bad for the cold” have collectively garnered millions of likes too. 

As someone who’s nightmare is getting sick—especially during a hectic work week—and would happily try almost anything to get better, the promise of curing a cold in a day sounded like music to my ears. Almost too good to be true.

After all, ingredients like ginger, garlic, onions and turmeric have long been associated with anti-inflammatory properties and immune support. They’re also staples in many traditional remedies for cold symptoms. It’s little wonder that countless creators have jumped on the trend, whether in search of relief or simply to capitalise on its virality. 

With a feed flooded with glowing testimonials and supportive comments on it, it got me thinking: could this magic, pungent combination of so-called superfoods really knock out a cold overnight?

Can TikTok cure your cold? Not quite. 

Let’s burst the bubble early: This viral “cold cure” is more fad than fix. Doctors say that the common cold is a viral infection and there are currently no proven treatments that eliminate or reduce the disease course to a day. 

“Common colds typically take between three and 10 days to resolve, and sometimes up to two weeks,” says Dr Tan Teck Shi, consultant and clinical lead for Respiratory Workgroup at SingHealth Polyclinics. That’s because the body’s immune response—which causes symptoms such as congestion, coughing and sore throats—simply needs time to clear the infection. 

What these ingredients can do, however, is provide temporary symptom relief. And that’s where the confusion begins. 

According to Dr Tan, honey can reduce cough frequency and severity, particularly at night, and could shorten symptoms by a day or two in some cases.

Garlic may help prevent colds or reduce their severity, while ginger and onion have anti-inflammatory properties that may provide some relief, but there is little clinical evidence that either can actively treat a cold.

Turmeric’s active compound, curcumin, has shown antiviral effects in laboratory studies, but evidence in humans remains limited. Likewise, lemon may soothe a sore throat, loosen mucus and keep you hydrated, but it does not fight the virus itself.

As for facial steaming, Dr Tan says it is not routinely recommended, as there is no consistent evidence that it relieves symptoms or helps the body clear the virus faster. 

The temporary easing of symptoms can easily be mistaken for a cure, leading many people to believe the method works. 

Other reasons for feeling better might actually be independent of the remedy. According to Dr Michelle Kam, senior consultant respiratory physician at The Respiratory Practice at Gleneagles Hospital, due to the natural disease course, colds naturally begin to improve after the second or third day. As a result, any treatment taken around that time can appear more effective than it actually is. 

Dr Tan also points to the placebo effect, where the improvement in a person’s symptoms occurs not because of the treatment itself, but due to psychological factors such as the belief or expectation that the treatment will help, resulting in reduced perception of symptoms. 

A word of caution

Before you start biting into whole lemons and gingers (yes, with the skins on), there are a few risks worth considering. Dr Kam and Dr Tan caution against consuming large amounts of these ingredients raw, as doing so can trigger a range of side effects. 

Raw garlic, onion, tumeric and raw ginger can cause gastrointestinal side effects such as heart burn, stomach discomfort, nausea and diarrhea. For patients with underlying gastrointestinal conditions like gastroesophageal reflux or ulcers, symptoms may worsen.

Garlic, ginger and turmeric may also interact with certain medications; in patients who are taking blood thinning agents, they may increase the risk of bleeding. Meanwhile, consuming large amounts of lemon may irritate sore throats and the digestive tract. Its acidity can also erode tooth enamel and aggravate acid reflux. 

While honey may be soothing for adults, it should never be given to babies under 12 months old. Dr Kam explains that it is due to the risk of infant botulism, which is a rare but potentially life-threatening type of food poisoning where bacteria produce a toxin in the infant’s intestine which causes muscle weakness and paralysis that can be fatal. 

Perhaps the biggest concern, however, is facial steaming. According to Dr Tan, hot steam and boiling water can cause serious burns and scald injuries, particularly in children. Evidence of its benefits are limited and many clinicians prefer safer alternatives such as saline nasal sprays or cool-mist humidifiers. 

What actually works? 

So rather than enduring the spicy, pungent and eye-watering sensations dancing on your tongue, your best bet is to focus on treatments that are actually backed by evidence. 

At the first sign of a cold, Dr Kam explained that one should stay well-hydrated with water and warm liquids, while prioritising adequate rest and sufficient sleep. 

Over-the-counter medications can also help manage symptoms. Paracetamol can help alleviate symptoms such as fever and body aches, oral antihistamines and nasal irrigation with sterile saline can help relieve nasal congestion, zinc lozenges can help with throat discomfort, and taking vitamin C on a regular basis before falling sick may reduce the sickness duration. 

One thing you shouldn’t reach for? Antibiotics. Because the common cold is caused by a virus, antibiotics are ineffective and are not recommended for treatment, Dr Kam adds. 

While most colds can be managed at home, doctors advise seeking prompt medical attention for the following symptoms:

• High fever of more than 38 degrees which lasts more than 48 hours
• Severe headache or facial pain
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chest pain
• Persistent vomiting or not being able to eat or drink (especially in the children and elderly)
• Severe throat discomfort with difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Confusion or a change in mentation
• Ear pain (especially in children), which may indicate ear infection
• Facial pain, fever or thick discoloured nasal discharge suggestive of sinus infection 
• Worsening asthma symptoms in individuals with asthma as it may indicate complications or an alternative diagnosis that requires medical evaluation