Garlic. Thanks to its pungent scent, it has earned a bit of a reputation, appearing in vampire stories and social media.

You can find clips of people shoving garlic up their noses to unclog their sinuses. They claim that if you insert one peeled clove of garlic into each nostril and leave them in for 10-20 minutes, they will unclog your sinuses. Some clips even show a flood of mucus pouring out of the nostrils upon removal of the garlic, which creators use as proof that the garlic worked.

However, there is no science to suggest that inserting garlic cloves up your nose cures congestion. Mucus in our nose exists to trap pathogens, allergens, and debris. When you put garlic cloves in your nose, you are blocking your airflow and physically trapping the mucus behind the garlic, which is why so much mucus drains out upon removal of the garlic.

Furthermore, garlic acts as a chemical irritant, which can be dangerous. Compounds found in garlic, such as allicin, can irritate the nasal lining. This irritation causes the body to produce even more mucus.

Garlic itself isn’t bad for you. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it makes an excellent addition to your meals. As long as you consume it strictly orally, you are safe. Take care of yourselves and each other.