Although garlic is well tolerated by most, care should be taken if you have never used it fresh or as a remedy. Some people do have severe allergic reactions to it. Young children will normally either love it or refuse it... trust their instincts. They usually prefer the whole clove to suck on so be sure to give them one small enough to swallow without choking on.1/2 to 1 clove, up to 3 times a day, is generally a safe bet for most adults. 2 to 4 cloves may be used at a time, but can cause gastric upset and caution is advised.
All of the following old time remedies are geared for adults. "Child Safe" will be noted.
Scientific Evidence: Garlic contains several active constituents including alliinase, alliin, allicin and sulfur compounds. Allicin is the focus of many current studies to determine value in the treatment of various bacterial and viral infections, cardiovascular disease and even certain types of cancer. Antibacterial and antiviral properties are well established, as are blood-thinning capabilities. Medical researchers are still questioning cholesterol control and/or lowering.
Allicin is produced when crushing, cutting or otherwise breaking up the tissue of a clove combines alliin and alliinase. The potency is at its peak when fresh and raw.
Coughs, Colds and Flu
All of the following old time remedies are geared for adults. "Child Safe" will be noted.
Scientific Evidence: Garlic contains several active constituents including alliinase, alliin, allicin and sulfur compounds. Allicin is the focus of many current studies to determine value in the treatment of various bacterial and viral infections, cardiovascular disease and even certain types of cancer. Antibacterial and antiviral properties are well established, as are blood-thinning capabilities. Medical researchers are still questioning cholesterol control and/or lowering.
Allicin is produced when crushing, cutting or otherwise breaking up the tissue of a clove combines alliin and alliinase. The potency is at its peak when fresh and raw.
Coughs, Colds and Flu
- Press, grate or mince fresh garlic cloves to 1/4 to 1/2 fill a pint canning jar. Stir in honey to fill, making sure all the garlic is well coated. Let age for 2 weeks. Store in refrigerator. This will keep well for several months. Honey will tend to solidify. If this happens, warm teaspoon in hot water before using. Take one teaspoon of the honey as needed for cough. "Child Safe" 1/2 tsp. up to 3 times a day.
- Use 2 cloves crushed garlic and 1/2 cup of water or apple juice, puree in blender. Drink first thing in the morning and at bedtime for flu. "Child Safe" but cut dosage in half or even more to avoid stomach upset.
- Place whole clove of fresh garlic between cheek and gum for relief of sore throat, gum infections, cough or abscessed tooth. "Child Safe" if they will do it.
- Crush several cloves of garlic and mash/mix well with 1/4-cup olive oil. Rub this on feet at bedtime and cover with socks. May also use the garlic pieces as a poultice around the toes. Bagging feet in plastic then covering with socks is recommended to protect sheets. Oil is "Child Safe", poultice not recommended. This is good for congestion, believe it or not! There are acupressure points in the feet that are for the lungs and sinuses. When you rub the oil on, you will suddenly smell it strongly.
- Soak foot in hot water until skin begins to wrinkle. Scrub well around the nails, rinse and dry. Apply slices of fresh garlic to the affected toenail and bandage in place. Change dressing and garlic twice a day for 3 days. Leave the garlic off and go barefoot as much as possible for a couple of days then repeat the treatment. It will usually take 3 to 4 weeks to see results. If the nail is seriously thickened, file across the top to thin being careful to not take too much off and hit the 'quick' or bed of the nail. I have cured stubborn fungus this way after years of expensive prescription treatment failures!
- Food service employees are most commonly victim to irritating fungus of the nails from cutting lemons and other citrus. To prevent this, rub a slice of garlic around and under the nail after each shift.
- Garlic juice is an excellent emergency first aid for deep, dirty or puncture wounds. If you are in a situation where medical care is several hours away and have garlic with you, it can make the difference in whether or not you get a raging infection. Ideally, crush cloves of garlic in cloth to express the juice and mix with a little clean water. Clean the wound as best you can then swab with diluted garlic juice. A deep or dirty puncture wound may require straight juice dripped into it. This will be excruciatingly painful, so be prepared. In a pinch, garlic powder is better than nothing. A strong tea should be used or make a paste, folded into a clean cloth and used to wash the wound.
