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You may know garlic as a strong-smelling seasoning for foods, it can also be used as a broad spectrum, herbal antibiotic. Garlic, whether used internally or topically has been proven to kill a wide range of bacteria. The plant owes this powerful antibiotic effect to allicin, a volatile oil that also gives the herb its pungent flavor. There are many methods when using garlic as antibiotic, here are a few:

Raw Garlic

Chew on a raw, peeled cloves of garlic. The allisin will be absorbed directly into your bloodstream by your tongue and cheeks. If the taste is too strong you can chop a clove into smaller pieces and swallow these as you would tablets. Take 3 to 5 cloves a day.

Garlic & Honey

Combine garlic with honey to make a natural cough syrup. Peel and crush 4 cloves. Add a tablespoon of honey to the crushed garlic and blend thoroughly. Take one teaspoonful 3 times a day. Garlic honey also works well for a sore throat.

Homemade Ear Drops

Use garlic oil to make homemade ear drops. Note: this remedy needs to be made ahead of time. First, peel and crush 5 garlic cloves. Place the crushed garlic in a jar and add 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil. Let the mixture steep for three to five days at room temperature. Strain and store in the refrigerator for up to six months. Place 2 to 3 drops into the infected ear and loosely plug it with a cotton ball. Use this three times a day for up to 4 days.

Garlic Tea

Peel and chop 6 cloves of garlic. Place 2 cups of water and chopped garlic in a saucepan and bring to a boil. After boiling, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in honey and lemon juice to taste. Strain into a warmed teapot. Sip half a cup three times a day. You may drink it hot or cold. Refrigerate the remaining tea for later use.

Tip

Crushing, bruising, chopping, and chewing garlic releases and activates allicin, its antibiotic component. Eat garlic raw for maximum effectiveness. Garlic is at its medicinal best when eaten raw; cooking it tends to destroy allicin. Obtain your olive oil from an unopened bottle unless you have a open bottle has been refrigerated.

Warning

Take great care when applying garlic directly to the skin, as it may cause burns. Don't use garlic as a remedy if you are on blood thinning medication Don't use garlic oil for an external ear infection or if you have a punctured eardrum