How to Make a Homemade Garlic Tincture for Natural Remedies
If you are looking for a natural remedy that can help with a wide range of ailments as well as boost the immune system, then look no further than garlic. Allium sativum, or garlic, has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries, dating all the way back to ancient Greece. Garlic has been used to treat respiratory problems such as sore throats and ear infections, as well as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even prostate cancer. The vast number of health benefits and medicinal properties that garlic possesses makes it a great addition to any homesteader or mother’s natural medicine cabinet. In today’s blog post, we will show you how to make a homemade garlic tincture for natural remedies so you can enjoy all garlic has to offer.
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Jump to RecipeBenefits of Garlic
Garlic, celebrated for both its culinary prowess and medicinal virtues, packs a punch of health benefits. This pungent bulb is rich in allicin, a powerful compound with potent antibacterial effects and antiviral properties.
Regular consumption of garlic is associated with cardiovascular health, as it helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Its anti-inflammatory properties contribute to overall immune system support.
Garlic is also hailed for its potential to combat common colds and flu, thanks to its immune-boosting properties. Additionally, its antioxidant content may aid in reducing the risk of chronic diseases. We have a great garlic soup recipe HERE.
Whether enjoyed raw, cooked, garlic extract or as an alcohol tincture- garlic emerges not only as a flavor enhancer in the kitchen but as a holistic ingredient for promoting well-being. Read more on the top health benefits of garlic HERE.
What is a Garlic Tincture?
Before we dive into how to make a homemade garlic tincture, let’s first define what it is. A garlic tincture is a liquid extract made from fresh garlic cloves and alcohol, such as vodka or apple cider vinegar. This liquid extract is then stored in a tincture bottle and can be used as a dietary supplement or as a natural remedy for a wide range of ailments.
Ingredients Needed to Make Your Own Tincture
To make your own garlic tincture, you will need the following:
- Fresh organic garlic cloves (enough to fill your chosen size jar)
- High-quality alcohol such as vodka or apple cider vinegar
- Distilled water
- Glass jars
- Tincture Bottles
- Olive Oil (optional)
How to Prepare the Garlic
The first step in making your own garlic tincture is to prepare the garlic. Start by peeling the garlic cloves and chopping them finely. If you have a mortar and pestle, you can grind the garlic into a paste, but this is optional. The key is to expose as much surface area of the garlic as possible to the alcohol, so it can extract all of the medicinal properties from the plant material.
How to Make the Garlic Tincture
Once you have prepared the garlic, it’s time to make the tincture. Start by filling a jar with chopped garlic cloves. Cover the garlic with alcohol, making sure to submerge all of the garlic in the liquid.
If you are using apple cider vinegar, you will want to use a 1:2 ratio of vinegar to water. If you are using vodka or another high-proof alcohol, you can use a 1:1 ratio of alcohol to water.
Add a little bit of distilled water to the jar to dilute the alcohol and cover the garlic completely. Close the lid tightly and place it in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks. After 4-6 weeks, filter out the garlic pieces and pour the liquid into a tincture bottle. You can add a little bit of olive oil to the bottle to help preserve the tincture. Make sure to label the bottle with the date and the name of the tincture.
How to Store the Garlic Tincture
Once you have made your own garlic tincture, it’s important to store it properly. Keep the tincture bottle in a dark, cool place, away from direct sunlight. Make sure to keep the lid tightly closed and shake the bottle before use. I prefer to use a mason jar with a plastic lid.
Recommended Dosage
The recommended dosage of the antibiotic garlic tincture is 20-30 drops of tincture in a full glass of water, 2-3 times per day. As with all natural remedies, it’s important to start with small amounts and work your way up to a therapeutic dosage.
Conclusion
Making your own garlic tincture is a great way to incorporate natural remedies into your lifestyle. Garlic has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb, and modern medicine has shown that it possesses antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. While there are some possible side effects of using garlic supplements or raw garlic, as long as you use small amounts and patch test before use, there should be no adverse effects. By making your own garlic tincture at home, you can have a wide range of natural remedies at your fingertips, for everything from respiratory problems to fungal infections. So go ahead and try making your own garlic tincture today!
Homemade Garlic Tincture
Equipment
- 1 glass jar
- 1 knife
- 1 tincture bottle
Ingredients
- garlic cloves (enough to fill your chosen glass jar 1/4 of the way)
- high quality vodka or apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Finely chop your garlic and place in a glass jar.
- If using vodka, do a 1:1 ratio of vodka to distilled water. For example: 1 cup of vodka and 1 cup of distilled water. But make sure the garlic is fully submerged.
- If you are using apple cider vinegar, use a 1:2 ratio. So one cup of apple cider vinegar to 2 cups of distilled water. Just make sure the garlic is fully submerged.
- Close the lid tightly and place it in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks.
- After 4-6 weeks, filter out the garlic pieces and pour the liquid into a tincture bottle.
- The recommended dosage of the antibiotic garlic tincture is 20-30 drops of tincture in a full glass of water, 2-3 times per day.