Picture of garlic. Photo Credit: National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health.
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Claim: An X user alleged that drinking garlic juice every morning and evening for two weeks can treat rabies.
Verdict: False! Drinking garlic juice every morning and evening for two weeks does not cure rabies, as garlic is not a substitute for a vaccine. Once the virus infects the central nervous system and clinical symptoms appear, rabies is fatal in 100% of cases. While garlic has some antibacterial properties, it is essential to note that a virus, not bacteria, causes rabies and cannot be treated or cured with garlic.
Full Text
For a long time, garlic has been regarded as a natural remedy in traditional medicine, with some people believing it can cure serious infections, such as rabies.
Chief Herbalist, a popular figure on X who is widely known for promoting herbal remedies and advocating alternative treatments for various health issues, claimed that if you get bitten by a stray dog and you want to treat yourself, grind garlic and press the juice into water.
“Drink the juice every morning and evening for two weeks. Nature heals,” he wrote.
As of June 19, 2025, the post had garnered over 452,000 views, 194 comments, 1,900 reposts, 5,200 likes, and 3,200 bookmarks.
While some people thanked the claimant for sharing a fantastic health tip, others countered his post, stating that his claim was wrong.
One user wrote, “Rabies is not a joke. It’s not garlic and ginger that matter. I am a strong believer in natural remedies, but please, for rabies, please don’t take chances. Natural remedies are not quick acting and must be taken over a period b4 effects are seen. Rabies won’t wait.”
Another user said, “Please put a community note on this. This person is spreading dangerous medical advice with no verified proof. This shouldn’t be allowed to fly!”
An X user also said, “Please don’t treat rabies by yourself, go to the hospital.”
Since this is a public health issue and given the conflicting reactions to the claim, DUBAWA investigated the claim.
Verification
What is rabies?
Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease caused by the rabies virus (RABV) and can lead to severe brain disease and death if not treated promptly.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic, viral disease that affects the central nervous system. It infects mammals, including dogs, cats, livestock, and various wildlife species. Rabies spreads to people and animals through saliva, typically via bites, scratches, or contact with mucous membranes (e.g., eyes, mouth, or open wounds).
When a rabies virus enters the body, it moves slowly along nerves into the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). When it reaches the brain, the damage causes neurological symptoms. From there, rabies leads to coma and death.
Symptoms of rabies include seizures, hallucinations, and paralysis. Rabies can manifest in two forms: Furious rabies, characterised by hyperactivity and hallucinations, and Paralytic rabies, characterised by paralysis and coma. Immediate medical attention is crucial after exposure to rabies to prevent the onset of symptoms.
The first symptoms of rabies, called prodrome, may be like the flu, including weakness, discomfort, fever, or headache. There also may be discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite. These symptoms may last for several days. Usually, severe disease appears within two weeks of the first symptoms, when the rabies virus causes brain dysfunction.
We examined the WHO’s official guidelines and publications, but found no reference to garlic, garlic juice, or any natural remedy as a proven treatment or cure for rabies.
Instead, the WHO strongly emphasises the importance of immediate and extensive wound washing with water and soap for at least 15 minutes after exposure, followed by post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which includes a series of rabies vaccines and, if necessary, rabies immunoglobulin.
This 2005 article, published in the British Medical Journal, also recommends thorough cleaning with soap and water (or virucidal agents like iodine or alcohol) to kill viruses at the bite site. Animal studies support this, indicating that early cleaning can prevent rabies.
Furthermore, WHO warns against applying irritants such as chilli powder, plant juices, acids, and alkalis to the wounds. This is supported by a 2015 study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, which highlights the widespread use of traditional remedies in India, such as chilli paste, turmeric, lime, neem oil, wax, and cauterisation for treating rabies bite wounds. The authors emphasise that these practices are ineffective and can delay proper medical treatment, thereby increasing the risk of rabies infection. The study also highlights the need to replace harmful traditional methods with evidence-based care, including immediate wound washing and timely post-exposure prophylaxis.
What to do if bitten by an infected animal
The WHO states that rabies deaths are preventable with prompt post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). This stops the virus from reaching the central nervous system. PEP consists of thorough wound washing, administration of a course of human rabies vaccine, and, when indicated, rabies immunoglobulins (RIG).
If a person is bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal, they should immediately and always seek PEP care. WHO also provides a step-by-step guide in this article on what to do when you’re bitten or scratched by an animal, particularly a dog.
If you’ve been exposed to rabies (bitten by or have been in contact with an infected animal), contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Clean the wound gently but thoroughly with soap and water if you were bitten or scratched. Ask your provider for additional instructions on cleaning the wound.
Your provider will give you a series of shots (vaccinations) to prevent the virus from causing rabies. They’ll also give you an antibody treatment directly to the wound if you’ve never been vaccinated.
Expert’s Opinion
Augustine Aiyedoju, a veterinarian, stated that rabies is a deadly viral infection that affects the brain and nervous system. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. He said there is no cure for rabies once clinical signs develop.
Augustine said, “Rabies cannot be cured by garlic or any other traditional or herbal remedy in humans. This is because garlic has no proven antiviral action against the rabies virus, and relying on garlic instead of proper treatment can lead to death.”
He advised against treating rabies with garlic. Instead, he directed that exposed persons wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes and seek urgent medical attention if bitten by an animal suspected of having rabies.
“Rabies is preventable with prompt and proper treatment, but not curable after symptoms begin,” he said.
This WHO article confirms that once the virus infects the central nervous system and clinical symptoms appear, rabies is fatal in 100% of cases.
Ismaila Mohammed, a veterinarian, agreed with Augustine. He said, “When an infected animal bites one, immediately access running water and wash the wound continuously with water and soap for 15 minutes. Then the victim should be taken to the nearest hospital to assess and treat the wound accordingly.”
This WHO article supports Ismaila’s stance that the infected wound should be washed continuously with water and soap for 15 minutes.
Ismaila also mentioned that the infected animals should be isolated so they won’t come into contact with any other animal or person. This study also explains the importance of quarantining a dog after a bite.
Conclusion
While some believe garlic possesses healing properties, including claims that it can cure rabies, no scientific or medical evidence supports these claims. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the leading authorities on global health and medical treatments, do not recognise garlic or any natural remedy as an effective treatment for rabies.
Rabies is a viral disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms develop. The only proven method to prevent the disease after exposure is immediate wound cleaning and timely administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which includes rabies vaccines and, when needed, rabies immune globulin.
While garlic has some antibacterial properties, it is essential to note that a virus, not bacteria, causes rabies and cannot be treated or cured with garlic. Relying on such methods is not only ineffective but also dangerous, as rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. It is crucial to follow evidence-based medical protocols to ensure safety and effectiveness in rabies prevention and treatment.
