Cold and flu season is upon us. Which is why being prepared with some natural remedies is important. This homemade garlic salve, that is a natural antibiotic, is my go to when we are congested.
The best part about this garlic salve is it is so gentle, it’s even safe to use on babies!
I am not against all Western medicine. In fact, I may not be the popular opinion but I do believe it has it’s place.
However, I feel that we are so quick to get the antibiotic, take the over the counter cold medicine, or pop the Tums with an upset stomach. What we don’t realize is that when our bodies are sick or having a symptom it is trying to tell us something. It shouldn’t be masked but cured.
God has given us so many wonderful natural things to help our bodies and most we probably have right in our kitchen!
First, I must state that I am not a doctor. I am a mom who went on a healing journey over 5 years ago to heal my daughters severe eczema from the inside out. All my knowledge has been based on my own research, trial and error. Please ALWAYS consult your physician whenever in question or when seeking medical advice.
Let’s talk about garlic salve ingredients.
This recipe calls for ingredients that most of us keep on hand in our kitchens. The only “non-kitchen” related item would be lavender essential oil. If you don’t use essential oils, I recommend finding a good reputable brand like DoTERRA. Always remember that not all essential oils are created equal and finding a good brand is important.
Coconut Oil
The first ingredient you will use is coconut oil. This oil is incredibly gentle to use and is a natural moisturizer and will protect your skin. Coconut oil is an anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and an anti-fungal which makes it a great choice to use in this salve.
It also gets soft but will harden to a solid which makes this salve easier to store and more rub-able.
Olive Oil
The second oil used in this salve is olive oil. Olive oil is great on the skin because it has potent polyphenols that help with inflammation. This makes it safe to use on most skin types.
If you don’t want to use olive oil you can substitute the measurement of olive oil for more coconut oil. We prefer to use the olive oil.
Raw Garlic
This ingredient is the powerhouse! Cloves of garlic are a natural antibiotic. For years people have used raw garlic to heal sickness and to stay off of antibiotics.
Since I switched to trying garlic before anything else, our family has not been on antibiotics. In fact, when we do get a sickness if I incorporate garlic into our healing, the sickness is usually gone within a few days and it never gets to a bad spot.
Along with being a natural antibiotic, garlic has been known to stabilize blood sugar, improve your immunity, and support your heart and brain health.
Now when I say garlic, I am talking about cloves of garlic you buy in the produce section at your grocery store. Not the pre-minced garlic you can get in a jar. Those jars of garlic actually have additives in them, such as citric acid and phosphoric acid, to help stabilize the already minced garlic.
When you mince your cloves of garlic as you go, the liquid that comes out of the clove is where all the power is. Garlic contains an amino acid called allicin. Allicin is produced when it is finely chopped or crushed, the finer the chopping the more allicin is generated and the stronger the medicinal effects are.
Until 1942, before penicillin was made, doctors used garlic to kill virus’, bacterias, and fugus’. In World War I they used garlic to fight infections on the battlefield.
This goes to show the power behind garlic. So when you go to the battle field with a sickness, you want garlic in your corner!
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender will help your salve to smell a little better, although I need to fully admit you will smell like an Italian dish with all that garlic! Along with the better smell, lavender is very soothing to the skin.
Lavender promotes relaxation which is a good thing when you are sick and trying to get rid of a cold.
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Ingredients to make garlic salve:
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 2 TBSP olive oil
- 8 cloves peeled garlic
- 5-10 drops of lavender essential oil
How to make garlic salve:
- Peel all your cloves of fresh garlic and slice them a couple times. This helps the blender out. The smaller your garlic gets diced up while blending, the more potent you garlic salve is.
- Add your coconut oil, olive oil, and garlic to a high powdered blender or food processor.
- Blend on high for about 2-3 minutes or until it all becomes a liquid and your garlic is nicely minced.
- Add in your drops of lavender oil and blend for a few seconds more to incorporate.
- Pour the blended mix through a fine sieve to remove the chunks of garlic.
- Store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.
- Rub a small amount on the chest and bottoms of the feet at least 4 times a day until congestion is gone.
If you have sensitive skin and the garlic is making your skin react, add more olive oil or coconut oil to dilute it.
Garlic salve works well for other things besides a common cold.
Did you know that garlic salve works well for a multitude of things. I love home remedies that can be used for multiple things!
Other ailments garlic salve helps with:
- bacterial infections
- rashes
- athlete’s foot
- ear infections
- candida
- parasites
- virus’
- mouth sores
How I learned about garlic salve.
I first learned about garlic salve when I got the book Be Your Own Doctor by Rachel Weaver. This is the best herbal book I have ever gotten with practical home remedies that are simple and effective. It is easy to read, easy to follow, and easy to apply.
In fact, I love that book so much I got her 3 other books as well!
All of her books have home remedies for babies, young children, and even adults! They are must haves for your book shelf if you want to start treating your family with natural remedies.
Learning how to use natural remedies isn’t new for me. I have used essential oils to help with the common cold in the past, and I still do, but adding garlic salve to my shelves has been a game changer!
As we face this cold and flu season head on, don’t forget about garlic salve as a natural remedy for so many things!
Carol
Thank you for this salve. Do you have a replacement oil for the lavender? Lavender causes me headaches.
Thank you
Stephanie
You can remove the lavender all together or replace it with any gentle soothing essential oil of choice!
AdhaNordin
How long this salve will expired?
Stephanie
It will last 2 weeks to be the most potent. Make sure to keep it in the fridge.