The reputation of garlic as being a "herb for healing" has been established for 1,000s of years.
It's history as a curative drug and as a germicide, since it's juice contains the antibiotic oil "allicin" goes back to Egyptian times.
Hippocrates, father of modern medicine, used garlic and opium as common healers for infections and as a pain killer during primitive surgical amputations.
Both the old practices and modern research have shown garlic to be a highly antiseptic internal cleanser.
Eating it on a regular basis will aid digestion and build up a resistance to infection.
It is effective against bacteria which may be resistant to other antibiotics and to its ability to destroy harmful bacteria in the intestines. without effecting the natural,beneficial organisms which aid the digestion.
Taken internally, crushed garlic will give relief to colds,coughs and whooping cough.
Painful corns can be soothed by rubbing garlic on them.
Among the many other benefits claimed for garlic is its ability to stop wounds from becoming septic.
Soaked in oil and used as an embrocation it will ease sprains and rheumatic pains.
Here are some time proven remedies, using garlic that will help you make natural preparations that will not only benefit you and your family health wise, but also save you heaps of money in these trying financial times.
Acne:
Slice a clove of garlic in half and hold the halved clove on the effected are for a few minutes.
Repeat as often as necessary.
Athlete's Foot:
Mince a clove of garlic and mix with a small amount of petroleum jelly.
Apply the paste to the infected area with a cotton wool swab.
Hold the swab in place with an adhesive plaster and leave in place for half an hour, then remove.
Bronchitis:
Mix together 3 tablespoons of honey with 1 tablespoon of garlic juice.
Take 1 teaspoon before meals.
Catarrh:
Make a syrup using the juice from 1 clove of garlic sweetened with honey.
Take 3 times a day while the condition lasts.
Cold Prevention:
Take 1 garlic capsule 3 times a day on a regular basis to keep you fit and healthy.
Constipation:
To help prevent constipation eat 1 raw garlic clove daily.
Coughs and Bronchitis:
This is an old folk remedy to make garlic syrup;
Take 1 teaspoonful up to 3 times a day.
Pour 570ml (20fl oz) of boiling water over 50g (2 oz) of finely chopped garlic.
Allow to stand in a sealed bottle for 24 hours.
Strain off the liquid into a clean bottle and add enough honey until a syrupy consistency is formed.
Croup:
Make a syrup using a sliced clove of garlic saturated with 50ml (2fl oz) of honey.
Leave to infuse for 24 hours then remove the slices of garlic and bottle.
Take every 15 minutes until relieved.
Diarrhoea and Colitis:
Chop 1 clove of garlic, add to hot milk,soup or broth.'
Make sure that all the garlic is consumed.
Earache:
mince 225g (8oz) cloves of garlic and place in a wide jar.
Add enough olive oil to cover the minced garlic.
Cover and keep for 3 days, shaking the jar each day to keep the garlic immersed in the oil.
Strain the oil into a glass bottle and when needed, place a few drops of warmed oil in the ear using a cotton wool bud.
Garlic Breath:
Many people are embarrassed by having the smell of garlic on their breath.
Capsules which dissolve in the stomach and intestines are less pungent than raw garlic.
Another way to reduce the aroma is to chew fresh parsley after eating garlic.
Garlic Tea:
Garlic tea is good for coughs and colds.
Make the brew with 4 cloves of garlic infused in 1 litre of boiling water.
Drink 1 cup of garlic tea 3 times a day.
Haemorrhoid's:
Make a paste using lanolin and fresh ground garlic cloves in equal quantities.
Apply using a clean cotton wool swab.
Hay Fever:
Use the juice of 5 crushed cloves of garlic mixed with 4 tablespoons of honey.
Leave to infuse for 24 hours and then take 1 teaspoon of the syrup 3 times a day as long as the condition lasts.
High Blood Pressure:
Take 1 to 3 garlic capsules 3 times a day with water.
Always make sure that you also seek qualified medical treatment for the condition.
Insect Bites:
to 150ml (6fl oz) of sunflower oil add 15g (1/2 oz) of dried tansy leaves.
Heat the oil and ingredients and allow to simmer for 15 minutes/
Add 8 cloves of minced garlic to the oil and place in a glass container.
Leave for 5 days and then strain into a clean bottle.
Dab on a little oil to the affected area with a clean cotton wool swab.
Nasal Congestion:
Take 3 to 4 cloves of garlic,crush them and add a little cider vinegar.
Place in a heat-proof glass bowl and pour over 570ml (20fl oz) of boiling water.
Use this as an inhalant to clear the blocked passages.
Scalp Cleanser:
Mince 10 cloves of garlic and mix with 150ml (6fl oz) of Castor oil.
Cover and leave for 48 hours and then strain the liquid into a bottle.
The cleanser should be massaged into the scalp with the fingertips.
Wrap the head in a warm towel and leave for about 1 hour.
Shampoo the hair thoroughly.
Sciatica:
A daily cup of cold milk with the juice of 1 clove of garlic added.
If preferred the milk can be heated.
Travel Sickness and Diarrhoea:
Two garlic capsules a day are recommended especially for those going abroad.
This will protect against tummy upsets caused by change of diet and climate.
Skin Infections:
Squeeze the juice of a clove of garlic onto a cotton wool swab and apply to the area that is infected.
Apply a little petroleum jelly to the skin around the infected area to prevent blistering.
Sore Throat:
Eat a single clove of garlic 3 times a day.
Sprains:
Crush 225g (8oz) cloves of garlic and mix with 50g (2 oz) of eucalyptus oil and 50g (2 oz) of olive oil.
Leave in a jar for 2 days then strain the oils into a glass container.
Rub into the effected area to give relief.
Tonsillitis:
Place 2 tablespoons of dried sage and 6 crushed cloves of garlic into 1 litre of boiling water.
Cover the brew and allow to cool and then strain the water into a clean bottle.
Use a small cupful of the liquid as a gargle 4 to 5 times a day to reduce the swelling.
Verrucae:
Place a thin slice of garlic on the verrucae and hold in place with a plaster.
Change the plaster and garlic slice daily.
The verrucae should disappear in about 7 days.
