One of the natural remedies that I use when someone in my family is sick is garlic! Garlic is known to have strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties… and there are no known side effects (other than smelling like garlic!) 
The most used garlic remedy in our household is a garlic poultice. It’s super easy to make and very effective! We use it on everyone (babies and adults) and it has helped to reduce fevers and to get rid of coughs & congestion. I have been using garlic poultices on myself this week (I’ve been having flu-like symptoms since Monday) and it has made a huge difference!
Here’s how to make one:
First, get a few paper towels or a cheesecloth and lay it on the counter.
Second, crush or mince a few cloves of garlic into the middle of the paper towel or cheesecloth.
Third, fold the paper towel or cheesecloth to cover the garlic area. I staple mine so that it won’t fall out, but you don’t have to do that.
Fourth, get the paper towel or cheesecloth wet with hot water (but NOT boiling).
Lastly, put the wet garlic poutice on whatever area is bothering you. For example, if you have a cough/congestion then you would put it on your chest. You can also put it on the bottoms of your feet if the smell bothers you. Just make sure you don’t leave it on too long (more than around 90 seconds) because garlic can eventually cause burns.
Do you use garlic when your family is sick? What are some other ways you’ve found garlic to be helpful?
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
It seriously helps with chest congestion and coughing? Ohmygoodness, my girls have been hacking away the last 3 days. I am so trying this! I’ll let you know how it turns out. {giggle}
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I used to consult with a nutritionist. She taught me to use garlic as a antibiotic. She said to eat 1 teaspoon 3 times a day. I chop it instead of mincing b/c that makes it too strong to swallow. I usually mix it with cream cheese or something and spread it on a few crackers. It has worked on everything, including salmonella poisoning. Don’t do this for more than 2 or 3 days in a row. Combine this with 2000 mg of vitamin C ever 2 hours ( about 500 mg per 50 lbs.). Drink LOTS of water, too!
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November 12th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
@Rachel, Thanks! I will add garlic bread to my diet for the rest of this week too!
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My neighbor SWEARS by garlic enimas. Whenever her family gets sick….yep they get one.
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hmm… what do you think of already minced in a jar??
same medicinal qualities?
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November 12th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
@Debra, From what I’ve read, the medicinal properties of garlic are gone within 15-30 minutes from when it’s minced. I have TONS of the already minced garlic in my fridge too, but when I make the garlic poultice I always use fresh.
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I am a massage therapist and nutritionist. I have been using garlic as a cure for vaginal yeast infections. These I don’t suffer from but hormonally with the onset of perimenopause and overwhelming stressors in my life, I researched this as an effective antidote to yeast overgrowth.
By inserting 1 clover of garlic with an applicator nightly for up to 5 days, removing it the following morning and repeating this process for up to 7 nights, the yeast will be cured. Since garlic is a natural fungus remedy to yeast plus a reliever for the itchy and burning side effects as well, this is a great alternative to OTC creams on the market and far less expensive too boot.
I also discovered quite by accident, a concoction in my kitchen one day when the itching became unbearable and I had had a repeat episode of yeast.
Yeast Antidote Soup
4 cups water
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 small onions, finely chopped
small pinch of sage, thyme, and clove powder (grind up cloves if you don’t have the powder)
simmer to slow boil all ingredients for up to 1/2 hour. Serve with a dollop of PLAIN (live acidophilus and yogurt cultures) yogurt.
In the meantime, avoid all sugar and starchy products as these will only feed the bodies lowered immune response to healing the yeast overgrowth in the vaginal tract
This is a far healthier alternative to over-the-counter creams and applications on the market since these have a harsh chemicals.
Good luck ladies!
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