Happy Thursday, Strands fans! We are inching closer to the weekend, but today’s puzzle (Game #655) brings us a theme that feels very appropriate for the season—especially if you’ve been feeling a bit under the weather.
The theme is “Natural remedies,” and finding the solution might just be good for your health. If you are stuck staring at the letter grid, I’ve got the breakdown you need below, including spoiler-free hints, the Spangram, and the full answer key.
Today’s Strands Theme & Hint (December 18, 2025)
The official theme for today is: “Natural remedies”
The “Nudge” Hint: Think about the ingredients you reach for when you have a cold or the flu. We are looking for things often found in soothing teas, soups, or wellness shots.
Spangram Hint: What is it?
Today’s spangram (the special word that spans edge-to-edge) describes the category these items belong to—specifically what they do for your body’s defenses.
Spangram Shape: It winds from top to bottom, starting with the letter ‘I’.
⚠️ Spoiler Alert! (Hints Ahead) ⚠️
Below are the clues for the individual words on the board. Scroll slowly if you want to solve them one by one!
Word Hints
- Hint #1: A sweet, golden liquid made by bees (great for sore throats!).
- Hint #2: A yellow citrus fruit that adds a sour kick to tea.
- Hint #3: A pungent bulb used in cooking that is known for its antimicrobial properties.
- Hint #4: A bright orange spice often used in curries and golden milk.
- Hint #5: A dark purple berry often taken as a syrup during flu season.
Today’s Strands Answers (December 18, 2025)
Ready to clear the board? Here are the answers for Strands #655:
The Spangram: 🟡 IMMUNEBOOSTERS
Full Answer List:
- 🔵 HONEY
- 🔵 LEMON
- 🔵 GARLIC
- 🔵 TURMERIC
- 🔵 ELDERBERRY
Previous Strands Answers
Need to check if you got yesterday’s right? Here is a recap of the last few days:
- December 17 (Theme: Out of line): SPANGRAM: ALITTLEOFF. Words: ASKEW, CROOKED, LOPSIDED, UNEVEN, TILTED, ASLANT.
- December 16 (Theme: Let me count the ways): SPANGRAM: HIGHPRAISE. Words: FUNNY, CHARMING, BEAUTIFUL, SMART, KINDHEARTED.
- December 15 (Theme: Palette episodes): SPANGRAM: COLORTV. Words: WHITE, GOLDEN, GREEN, BLUE, LOTUS, GIRLS, ACRES, BLOODS.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Spangram in Strands?
The Spangram is a special “theme word” that spans the entire grid from one side to the other. It describes the puzzle’s category and highlights in yellow when found.
Does Strands get harder throughout the week?
Unlike the Crossword, Strands difficulty fluctuates randomly, though many players find the Monday puzzles slightly easier and the weekend puzzles more abstract.
When does NYT Strands reset?
The puzzle resets daily at midnight local time.
About the Author
Narendra Kumar is a dedicated puzzle expert and NYT Games enthusiast. With a passion for logic and wordplay, he starts every morning cracking Wordle, Strands, and Connections. His goal is to help fellow players keep their streaks alive with clear hints and daily strategies.
