In the old days, the home medicine chest of the pioneers was comprised of locally grown herbs and plants. Garlic has been proven to be a powerful natural remedy for many generations and antibiotic garlic tincture is highly appreciated even today.
The pioneers knew how vital self-healing is when you live miles away from civilization. Nearly every community had a natural healer who mastered the use of plants in healing. They studied the plants that grew around their settlements and they learned how to use them for the good of their communities.
Garlic is one of nature’s gifts that can be found all over the world. It has been used for thousands of years as a natural remedy. Garlic or Allium sativum has antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. The Chinese were the first to discover that it is also an immune stimulant and a powerful antioxidant.
What is antibiotic garlic tincture?
Antibiotic garlic tincture is a powerful infusion of garlic in grain alcohol, vinegar or distilled water. The bulb of the plant which contains good quantities of allicin is used to make the tincture. Allicin, which is a potent antibacterial agent, is present only a short period after garlic is crushed and before it is heated. Therefore garlic is macerated in one of the liquids mentioned above to preserve the potent chemicals and make what is known as antibiotic garlic tincture.
What do I need to make an antibiotic garlic tincture?
Making antibiotic garlic tincture is quite easy and the process hasn’t changed since the time the pioneers did it. Although some new ingredients, such as distilled water are used today, the old recipe is still preferred by many. Here are the ingredients one needs to make antibiotic garlic tincture:
- Ethyl alcohol (pure grain alcohol, vodka, white rum or white whiskey)
- Distilled water
- Vinegar (unfiltered organic vinegar is recommended)
- Garlic
As for equipment to prepare the antibiotic garlic tincture, make sure you have the following: a blender or mortar and pestle, a mason jar, a funnel, cheesecloth or strain, tinted glass jar with an airtight lid.
Suggested article: Garlic Growing and its Benefits
Making antibiotic garlic tincture the old ways:
Start by chopping the garlic using the blender or a mortar and pestle enough to have one cup full. Put two cups of vodka or vinegar into the mason jar. Screw the lid on the jar and write the date on the jar. You need to allow the antibiotic garlic tincture to rest in the jar for 2 to 3 weeks Remember to shake the jar daily during this time.
After 3 weeks, strain the garlic from the liquid and press the chopped garlic using a spoon and the strainer to make sure that all the liquid is harvested. You can now store your antibiotic garlic tincture in the tinted glass, in a cool and dark place. You can store it for up to one year without problems, but people have reported lasting for several years with the proper storage. Remember that light affects the quality of the tincture and if it turns green or gray, you should not use it.
If you only have clear mason jars, then painting them, or wrapping them in paper or non-clear plastic will stop the light from getting to it very easily. However, that should not replace keeping it in a cool dark place when you are storing it.
It is also possible to use dried garlic for making antibiotic garlic tincture and the recommended ratio is 5:1 liquid/garlic. Using dried garlic will not be as potent as fresh garlic, but in times of need, then you have to use what you have.
How to use antibiotic garlic tincture?
This tincture has a vast number of reported health benefits. It can be used externally for the treatment of viral skin infections, wounds or ulcers. In the old ways, it was commonly used as an adequate remedy for flu and colds, viruses, strep, worms, high blood pressure, kidney and bladder problems, and respiratory ailments when taken orally.
The recommended dosage of antibiotic garlic tincture for adults is four to five drops of tincture once a day.
As for contraindications and side effects, please keep in mind the following:
- This tincture is not recommended for people on blood-thinning medications
- Garlic tincture is not recommended for those suffering from anti-coagulation disorders
- You may experience dizziness, nausea, and sweating after excessive intake of garlic tincture
- Garlic tincture may cause menstrual changes
Just to be sure you are on the safe side if you suffer from any known ailments check with your personal medic before taking garlic tincture. Also, as a precaution, try increasing the dose from only one drop a day, and seeing if any of the side effects are visible before moving onto a higher dose.
If you want to use antibiotic garlic tincture, but you are concerned about garlic breath or garlic smell on your hands, here are a few tips and tricks to deal with these issues.
How to get rid of garlic breath
Although people acknowledge the benefits antibiotic garlic tincture brings, many of them are reluctant to eating garlic. This often happens due to its most common side effect, garlic breath. For those worried about garlic breath here are some remedies to get rid of the bad breath:
- Chewing on a sprig of fresh parsley or mint
- Chewing on a coffee bean
- Sucking on a lemon
- Sipping green or mint tea
- Drinking milk with your meal
How to remove the garlic smell from your hands
After making antibiotic garlic tincture or after cooking with it, you will notice your hands smell a little different. To remove the smell from your hands, you can try the following:
- Scrub your hands with coffee grounds
- Wash your hands with baking soda and water paste
- Scrub your hands with salt and lemon juice
Making garlic antibiotic garlic tincture just like the pioneer did is useful knowledge. It will help those wanting to live off-grid or those who want to be prepared for when medical aid is not available. It is always recommended to learn about the plants that are part of your landscape and make good use of them when needed.
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This is good info but was told my garlic, may turn green at first then go back to its color, black I’m not sure did read that before
This may seem like a strange question, but, here goes. I have an amber mason jar with garlic and 100 proof vodka in it that’s been in my closet for a year. I don’t want to throw it out, yet I obviously need some advice as I do Not want to get sick. If the garlic has been submerged all of this time shouldn’t it be ok to decant it?
I don’t understand the ridiculously low dosage amount.
The Amish state: DOSE: 40 to 80 drops after meals, or four times per day for more serious conditions. For cleansing antibiotic garlic enemas, 40 drops per cup of water.