Ok, I love garlic in my spaghetti gravy but as a homemade remedy, I wasn’t so sure. However, I have learned a tremendous amount about garlic and how wonderful it can be for us – especially the immune system. So what’s the deal about garlic?

Garlic has a lot of health benefits, especially when used raw. Certainly it’s not the best smell in the world, but if it helps, who cares, right? Let’s start out with a few benefits of garlic: It’s an antioxidant, with benefits to both the heart and the immune system. Furthermore, there are several studies that indicate that garlic can lower cholesterol and can help regulate blood pressure, plus it can help to prevent cough and colds.

Some recipes for garlic remedies include the following:

Ear infection – A friend of mine actually used this remedy on her 18 month old and swears by it. Wrap a piece of raw garlic in tissue and insert into the ear sort of like an ear plug. DO NOT shove the piece of garlic into the ear canal. Or , you may also use a few drops of garlic oil obtained from the health food store. The garlic oil should take the pain of the ear infection away in about 15 min. and may even clear up the infection without the use of antibiotics.

You can also make your own garlic oil by slicing the clove into about two to three tablespoons of olive oil. Heat in the microwave for about a minute then allow to cool. Use cheesecloth or a clean stocking to strain the mixture then drop gently into the ear canal. Plug the ear with cotton.

Scratchy or Sore throat – Place a small piece or slice of garlic in your mouth between your cheek and your gums/teeth. As the garlic juice slides down your throat, the pain will lessen. Drink some lemon juice or suck on a lemon to get rid of garlic breath.

Sinus Blockage – Mince a few garlic gloves, add to melted butter then spread on toast. Tasty and effective.

Warts – Wrap a fresh garlic clove in cheesecloth, then crush. Rub the garlic juice on the warts until they go away.

There are so many garlic remedies that there will be a second post outlining more garlic remedies for your use. If you have a garlic remedy to share or have used a garlic remedy, feel free to leave a comment.