The garlic bulb is much more than meets the eye. Its therapeutic actions range from a nervine tonic to an antiseptic. The strongest medicinal value is in the oil, so preparation is important when using garlic for nutritional needs.

One method is juicing. The juice should not be heated in any way to maintain the potency. Start by juicing a half of a clove, and then work your way up to 1-2 cloves daily.  This is better than taking supplements. Adding garlic to your juicing recipes is a great way to include garlic to your health regime; any vegetable or carrot juicing recipe will suffice.

Another way is making garlic oil. I like having garlic oil made, it comes in handy when you’re in a pinch. It is great for ear aches, infections, as an antiseptic for wounds, and a supplement for the cardiovascular system.

Directions for garlic oil:

Crush 2-3 cloves of garlic in a glass jar or bowl with a wooden spoon. Cover the cloves with olive oil filling the container enough to reach 1/4 inch over the cloves. Sit in a warm spot (not too warm, room temperature is fine) for 8 hours. Strain, and label.

For earaches use 4-5 drops in each ear 2-3 times a day.

If you are battling a cough or respiratory condition try making garlic honey, the honey by itself is soothing to the throat and will pass on some of the garlic’s benefits, and the garlic cloves become more palatable when soaked in honey; they can be eaten straight from the jar.

Directions for garlic honey:

Peel and separate three heads of garlic. Place in a small jar and cover with raw honey. Leave the garlic honey to soak on the counter for 5-7 days, then store in the refrigerator for up to one year.  At the first sign of an illness eat a clove of garlic every 1-2 hours. Take the honey by the teaspoon as needed to soothe a sore throat.

Garlic is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal.Dr. Christopher recommended using garlic as an expectorant for all respiratory ailments and infections, as a way to treat hypertension, and to treat gaseous conditions in the stomach. He also found garlic helpful for worms, asthma, pneumonia, rheumatic pains, and skin problems like eczema, acne, and chafed skin.

Add some garlic to your life!