YOUR HEALTH: 16 Amazing Benefits of Garlic the Great!
Garlic is pretty marvellous – it’s used worldwide as the base for many delicious recipes. But did you know that’s it’s also rather good for you? Here are 16 wonderful garlic uses that may just surprise you! By Colleen B
1. Makes a home cough remedy
Boil up some minced cloves of garlic and drink it like tea! You’ll find it easier to breathe and the itchiness of your throat will subside. Goodbye cruel cough, be gone with you.
2. Combats acne
In a similar way to a cold sore, you can treat acne by rubbing half a clove onto the problematic area. Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties to reduce irritation, and the allicin will kill bacteria that clogs up your pores and causes breakouts. Next time you’re suffering, reach for your trusty garlic.
3. Treats athlete’s foot
By now, we are definitely aware that garlic is pretty great, but did you know you can use it to treat athlete’s foot? Mix some olive oil and minced garlic together, and using a cotton bud, apply it to the affected area. Keep applying this treatment for a while after the symptoms have gone, in order to make sure it’s truly ended.
4. Removes splinters
Slice a garlic clove in half and tape it to the area where the splinter is with a bandage. Apparently, this will help to remove the splinter – due to the antibacterial properties. Who knew?
5. Promotes hair growth
You can use garlic to promote hair growth – try adding garlic into your shampoo and use it on your hair. If you fancy, you can buy garlic infusion oil which you can massage into your hair.
6. Looks after your toe nails
Have your toe nails turned an unfortunate shade of yellow or brown? Grab a cotton bud, and using garlic oil coat, your nails. Hopefully, your nails should be back to their normal colour within a week. Hurrah!
7. Treats dandruff
I have found a very interesting page all about using garlic as a dandruff treatment. Are you suffering? Reach for the garlic and using honey you can make a remedy at home. Follow the instructions from this website www.healwithfood.org . I will certainly be checking it out.
8. Attends to cold sores
Cut a clove of garlic into two pieces. Using one piece hold it against your cold sore. As you can probably (and correctly) imagine, this may hurt a little – but it has a strong antiseptic and antimicrobial properties to help heal your annoying cold sore.
Using garlic in & around the home…
9. Repels mosquitos
So how do you use garlic to scare mosquitos away? Grab an unpeeled clove and rub it all over your skin. The mossies’ will hate the stench and keep away from you… as might all your friends too.
10. Makes home glue
If you finely chop garlic, you will be note of how sticky it gets – and how difficult it is to tak off your fingers! Got an envelope that is not longer sticky? Grab a garlic clove, crush it and then rub the juices onto your envelope. Hey presto – the envelope will stick.
11. Garlic mashed potatoes
Improve your ordinary mashed potatoes by adding roasted garlic to them. If this is something you haven’t tried before then it’s worth a go – it’s so tasty!
12. Use garlic as a de-icer
Garlic salt as a de-icer? Who would have thought it? In 2008, the Des Moines suburb of Ankeny used garlic salt to get rid of the ice on the roads. What an interesting use for garlic!
13. Use as a fish bait
My brother is heavily into fishing so I will be letting him know about this tip. Off on a fishing trip? Make your own bait with (among other interesting ingredients), raw garlic and garlic powder. At www.trails.com, they have listed 5 easy steps to your very own garlic fish bait. I hope you catch something great!
14. Makes a pesticide mix for your garden
If you are having trouble with pesky pests in your garden, then here’s a natural way for you to deter bugs and insects – use garlic!
15. DIY surface cleaner
Here’s an interesting tip for your garlic – make it a surface cleaner! Chop up 3-4 cloves of garlic, toss them in a spray bottle and pour in some white wine vinegar. Add some lemon oil to make it smell lovely and then use as a disinfectant spray – easy!
16. Make garlic chocolate truffles
Yum! I’m very intrigued by this – as a lover of chocolate and a lover of garlic, this can only be delicious… right?! If you fancy trying your hand at this then visit Baking Barrister for the recipe.
Colleen B is a food fan and writer at www.experthometips.com and at the money-saving freebie finder www.magicfreebies.co.uk
