Trevor Sayers’ garlic advice sparks questions about medical evidence today.

Garlic has been used for centuries in both cooking and traditional medicine and is widely recognised for its potential health benefits. However, after Trinidad and Tobago herbal practitioner Trevor Sayers shared a video promoting garlic as a remedy for several women’s health conditions, questions have resurfaced about what the herb is actually capable of doing according to current medical evidence.
In the video, Sayers advises women to insert a clove of garlic into the vagina for up to three days, claiming it can help relieve itching, fight infections, treat uterine fibroids, uterine cysts, cervical cancer and uterine cancer. He also claims the garlic will change colour after several days, suggesting this may indicate the presence of an infection.
Garlic contains naturally occurring compounds that have been studied for their antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research suggests that, when consumed as part of a healthy diet or taken orally in appropriate circumstances, garlic may help support heart health, modestly reduce blood pressure in some people, slightly lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and provide antioxidant benefits. Laboratory studies have also shown that garlic can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and fungi under controlled conditions.
However, medical experts say those properties should not be interpreted as evidence that garlic can safely or effectively treat complex reproductive health conditions. There is currently no high-quality clinical evidence showing that inserting garlic into the vagina can treat cervical cancer, uterine cancer, fibroids or cysts.
Gynaecologists and major medical organisations do not recommend this practice. They warn that it may irritate sensitive tissue, disrupt the vagina’s natural balance of bacteria and, in some cases, result in a retained foreign object that requires medical removal.
Health professionals also note that symptoms such as itching, unusual discharge, pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding can have many different causes, including yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, sexually transmitted infections and other medical conditions. Because each condition requires different treatment, self-diagnosing or relying on unverified remedies may delay appropriate medical care.
Garlic remains a nutritious food with recognised health benefits when included as part of a balanced diet. However, experts emphasise that it should not be viewed as a substitute for evidence-based medical treatment, particularly for serious conditions such as cancer or persistent reproductive health concerns.