CLAIM: A drink made from garlic, lemon, turmeric, and pepper permanently boosts immunity and prevents all diseases, according to Barbara O’Neil

FACT: False. No scientific evidence supports this claim, and O’Neil is banned in Australia for spreading dangerous health misinformation

First Check came across a video of Barbara O Neil, the controversial Australian naturopath who claims to have found a drink that can cure all diseases and keep a person in the best of their health.

“First we need three cloves of garlic, cut them into slices, next we’re going to use two lemons, then we have to add a teaspoon of turmeric powder and a pinch of black pepper which will increase the efficacy of this drink by 2000% making it a powerful antibiotic drink,”  O Neil says. 

She continues: “Put half a litre of water and the ingredients we’ve just prepared in a pot. Cook over high heat for 10 minutes, then strain the mixture. Drink one of these drinks for two weeks, you can add a teaspoon of honey to sweeten it.” 

O Neil suggests the consumption of the concoction for good health. 

 “One drink of this and you’ll never set foot in a hospital again. It cleanses your kidneys, boosts your immunity, cleanses your respiratory system, detoxifies your digestive system and reduces inflammation in the body,” she says.  “After two weeks your kidneys will be as good as new. Your digestive and respiratory systems will be completely cleared, and all your organs will be working in complete harmony.”

What’s the truth

Dr Anil K Arora, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital says that no scientific evidence supported the health benefits of the drink.

“There is no scientific evidence to support the claim you’re making of a drink containing garlic, lemon, turmeric, and black pepper cleansing the kidneys, detoxifying organs, or supercharges immunity.” he told First Check. “For these claims to have any support, there needs to be clinical research to back these up, of which none exists in my knowledge. Individually we all consume these spices and they are beneficial but they do not cure disease, that is wrong to say.”

Studies, however, reveal that garlic, lemon, turmeric, black pepper have positive benefits when consumed properly. However, these effects are modest and do not equate to curing or detoxifying organs. 

Also to note is that O’Neill has been banned from providing health-related services in Australia after investigations found she gave dangerous and unsupported medical advice, including urging cancer patients to forgo chemotherapy and promoting unproven treatments. She has no recognized qualifications in health care and her claims are widely regarded as misinformation by health authorities.

Also read: Taurine, an energy drink ingredient, doesn’t cause cancer but helps blood cancer cells grow – First Check