The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Garlic Side Effects
Posted by Benard (Bahrain) on 05/31/2019
I am struggling with lower abdominal crimping and constipation after I ate raw garlic and honey to clear a sore throat, My GE doctor ordered for a ct scan but apparently it showed nothing. I have lost 15kg in 5 months and now am searching for an alternative to my pain and diving weight, please anyone with an opinion should share.
Garlic and Blood Thinning
Posted by Mike 62 (Denver, Colorado) on 12/20/2013
El: Farmers add yucca liquid extract when watering fields high in clay because the natural soaps do something to the electromagnetism making the water wetter. Wetter water can penetrate the clay when regular water does not. Thinning the blood requires removing matter from the blood and the garlic does not do that. Garlic makes the water wetter. Pour some soapy water in a cup. The water stays there. Poke some holes in the bottom. The water leaks away, not because the water was thin, but because the cup was leaky. The capillaries are weak and porous from not enough nutrients from eating cooked regular food. Watch raw food videos for the best body and brain of your entire life. You can also take raw grassfed animal products, superfoods, and home brewed water kefir like I do to function at peak performance.
General Feedback
Posted by Om (Hope Bc Canada) on 12/18/2013
Regarding garlic, I was reading the pet section and indeed some had died from ingesting garlic. Different bodies have different tolerance to herbs even in general. In my case, if I ingest more than a sliver of garlic, I feel so nauseous that I hope to regurgitate it which does not happen and after a few minutes all is well again.
Eastern medicine, such as Ayurveda, state that as for garlic, too much for some can damage kidney and liver.
Great caution with regard to the place garlic was grown. What comes from China has a good dose of arsenic and a study claims people who ate garlic regularly also had high count of arsenic in their body.
Garlic is a powerful medicine and ought to be respected as such instead of a dish consisting of lots of roasted garlic for normal consumption. Bodies have different chemical composition and here we come to understand that medicating is a very individual procedure that demands much discrimination and insight. Om
Garlic Tea
Posted by Nicole (Atlanta, Ga) on 09/02/2013
★★★★★
I woke up this morning with a head cold, thanks to my nieces. Today is Monday and I have a business trip that starts on Saturday so checked Earthclinic for a home remedy to clear it up before then Had taken ACV but really help. A week before travel, I always start Emergen-C to boost the immune system; taking that helped a bit. However, I cut up 3 cloves of garlic and added them (after sitting for 15 minutes) to my hot tea and started to feel relief almost immediately. I will definitely repeat this until everything is cleared up and make my nieces drink some too.
Circulation
Posted by Health (Virginia Beach, Virginia) on 05/20/2012
★★★★★
I began taking a garlic oil supplement or a small clove a day last summer. While I did notice a few side effects, the positives far outweighed the negative. POSITIVES first: improved mouth health - less aching, irritation, sensitivity. Vastly improved resistance to colds and/or sickness - I took garlic every day for at least four months, and noticed an increased immune response in times where I would normally already be sick - colds, coughs, anything. Cardiovascular health - greatly improved erections, ability to sustain longer periods of intense exercise. NEGATIVES - dry hair - for some reason my hair is more straw-like. I'm a guy and generally take good care of my hair, and I noticed this easily. Mood - I tend toward a little more grumpiness for some reason - I don't know why this is the case but it has been. I will try cutting down on my dosage to see if it helps. Headaches - this only happens when I take too much, which is caused by I assume to be too much thinning of the blood. All in all, for the the immune factor itself, I count this as a life-long food!
Garlic Capsule Side Effects
Posted by Charlotte (Essex, Clacton, England) on 03/16/2012
I tried taking garlic capsules every day, twice a day, high strength. After three weeks I got a rash, it didn't hurt or sting, you could just see it, brain fog where I could not concentrate or think straight or remember much - very scary. Will continue to take it but much smaller doses. Now trying Apple Cider Vinegar and wild oil of oregano - this is for my sinuses and allergies which spread to ears and cause bad headaches sometimes.
Peeled Garlic Vs Fresh Garlic
Posted by Kay (Destin, Fl) on 03/05/2012
Use a wide knife. Place your garlic clove(s) down on your cutting board; cut off the rough/blunt end(s) of the clove; turn your knife on its side, and use the blade to press/smash the clove flat; pick up the clove and it will have almost peeled itself!
Garlic Bath
Posted by Chanda (Longview, Texas) on 01/25/2012
★★★★★
This is great for any age. I use it on my grandson all the time. ( 1yr ) Run hot as you can stand bath. Pour some garlic powder in the bath. If you have aches pour half bottle of hydrogen peroxide. Close shower curtain and allow yourself to soak at least fifteen minutes until you break sweat. This cures any sickness trying to come on, and breaks fever. You will feel refreshed and stink if you do not rinse off with cold shower after.
Garlic Bath
Posted by Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, Usa) on 06/16/2012
regarding HP: actually the opposite is true. Oxidized molecules, or ones with oxidative damage, have had an electron taken from them, the things that "steal" the electron (think greedy = bad) are oxidizers and cause oxidative stress and damage, aging, disease etc. This is what causes cells (and tea leaves, etc) to wilt. HP has an extra electron, and gives (think giving = generous, good, etc) its extra electron to those molecules so they are no longer damaging or damaged. Perhaps Ted or someone with healthy experience with HP can advise us of its limits, but we are getting oxidative stress every day, so I believe small amounts daily instead of huge amounts would be better. I am discovering lots of great uses for it on EC.
Ear Aches
Posted by Lynn (Mpls, Mn) on 01/20/2012
★★★★★
I have used garlic to cure my son twice now from ideas I got from this site. He had an earache, I did the clove in the ear. He would only keep it in for a little bit at a time, I just kept putting it back in until he fell asleep. The next day his earache and head congestion was gone. For the past 2 days he was complaining of sore throat and swollen glands. I took 5-6 cloves minced in boiling water for a minute. In a large mug, add honey, cayenne, capful of ACV and then arlic water with the cloves. I tasted it and it wasnt bad! One sip gave me some serious garlic breath. In a few hours he felt better. It works!
Fresh Garlic vs. Garlic Supplements
Posted by Khakimo (Atlanta, Usa) on 01/27/2012
Actually - all the research I've done says that you wait the 10 minutes after cutting/crushing to allow the allicin to build to maximum potency. Then it should be consumed within an hour of cutting/crushing or it will start to lose its potency.
Chewing Raw Garlic
Posted by Nanyunja (Kampala, Uganda) on 04/20/2011
Hello I was wondering if sliced garlic when swallowed work! Thanks
Sore Throats
Posted by Jrod (Boston, Ma - Massachusetts) on 11/19/2012
I get strep every year. heres what works for me. Mix this well:
1 tbsp honey
1/4 tsp cayene pepper
4 crushed or microplaned cloves of garlic.
take 1/2 tsp for every waking hour.
Don't wash down with water, tea, etc. Honey helps to suspend garlic in affected area. Cayene helps to bring blood to area to get immune system going. cured in 2 days- true story
Chewing Raw Garlic
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 10/09/2010
Hi Izzy, I had the same problems, now either I make a cup of miso, put the garlic through the garlic press and add together with some parsley, coriander or chives which I quite like or else I mix it with my food before I start eating.
Chewing Raw Garlic
Posted by Reda (Detroit, Michigan) on 02/19/2011
Garlic odors removed from mouth
Use a stainless steel spoon, folk, knife etc. Run it under water and rub or suck on it and the smell will be gone. And you can do the same for your hands. You can also use with oil.
Chewing Raw Garlic
Posted by Vee (Oklahoma) on 01/15/2016
Minced garlic on a slice of buttered bread 3 times a day. Right now Jan. 2016 I am using it after a round of ampicillin for nasty Strep B urinary tract infection. When I peed in the cup so they could analyze it it was full of blood. Very scary stuff! I started taking garlic yesterday and already I feel better. I even inserted it last night in my vagina just in case I have an over growth there. It helps to pierce the garlic with a needle and run a thread through it so it is easily removed.
Tooth Abcess, Infection
Posted by Drugfree (Trenton, Nj, USA) on 12/21/2009
★★★★★
just 2 days ago i was in pain all day long. it was keeping me up all night. even advil wasn't working. had 4 fillings done at the dentist and even a month later i couldn't drink cold drinks because it would hurt right away and i couldn't drink juice without brushing right away because it would hurt really bad 30 minutes later. noticed a bubble on my gums. found out it was an abscess. started researching tooth abscesses. while searching the web found earthclinic which helped me before with hypothyroidism, for that i used coconut oil. noticed that garlic really works for infected teeth and abscesses. at first i just rubbed half a clove of raw garlic sliced in half on the abscess. didn't really help. so i chewed 1/4 clove of garlic and let the garlic juice sit on the infected area for at least 10 minutes, sometimes 30 minutes. by the 3rd night all the pain was gone. now i can drink cold juice without the pain like before although if i do drink cold juice and don't brush its still a 1 on a scale of 1 to 10 for pain. thanks to everyone who posted their testimonials. can get back to my life now. earthclinic is a real lifesaver.
Hints and Tips
Posted by Debby (Carrollton, Texas) on 11/28/2010
Hi I was wondering I have had recurring boils for over a year and seems like nothing helps. The antibiotics the doctor gives helps get rid of it but I don't want to go every time I have one I would be going to the doctor every month. But I heard that garlic was a strong antibiotic and I've been taking the pills that says on the front of the bottle 1000mg and been taking 4 soft gels a day for 3 months but I'm still getting the boils so what am I doing wrong ? Do I need to be buying the fresh garlic instead.... Please I need help with problem it's so tiring getting these boils all the time.
Hints and Tips
Posted by Carly (Seattle, Wa - Usa) on 11/28/2010
Hi Debby - It is turmeric you want to look into taking. Put a 1/2 teaspoon in your coffee, along with a tablespoon of Organic Virgin Coconut oil every day, and you will be boil free in less than ten days. I was amazed. Some people say that adding some hot pepper to it makes it work even better, but I never did. It is an aquired taste, so you may want to work your way up to it at half dose to begin. Best to you, Carly :)
Garlic Side Effects
Posted by Lin (Qld, Australia) on 08/18/2009
Reading the benefits of garlic and with winter ailments around I bought a bag of garlic and added crushed 1/2 a garlic in our family meals, (in our meat or potato etc)
After 4 days of garlic in our meals my stomach continued to worsen with bloating, gurgling and upset stomach until a dose of diarreah. I felt very ill and am not game to touch it again. Within two days I was back to normal but wonder if I'm allergic to it. None of my family reacted at all. Perhaps this is a cleansing thing but I have my doubts as previously after taking high potency garlic capsules for a week or two my hands break out in red itchy blisters, especially between the fingers and eventually clears up after I stop using them. Should I keep clear of Garlic?? I tried the hydrogen peroxide therapy and it had no side effects.
Garlic Side Effects
Posted by Katrinakay (Minneapolis, Usa) on 10/26/2009
Pertaining to your problem with bloating, gas, upset stomach - I struggled with stomach ailments for 10 plus years as well as sinus congestion and now within the last 5 years asthma - I have been aggressively researching over the last 5-6 years about natural remedies for these ailments and have been learning alot about how to stay healthy. FIRST AND FOREMOST - check your diet - you mentioned eating meat and potato meals - 2 types of foods that may be highly suspect in causing gas and bloating - It may not be the garlic at all but rather your diet that may be the cause of your stomach ailments. I used to eat a diet heavy in meat and starchy foods like potatoes and lots of carbs - I ended up in the hospital with serious stomachs pains in 1999 that was diagnosed as Gastritis - I started seriously looking at my diet and over the next 5 years or so made some big changes in what I eat on a regular basis. My diet now includes things like whole raw vegetables, fruits, and good sources of proteins, like legumes and nuts, seafood too (especially Salmon) for omega 3 oil. I cut out as much sugars, processed foods and toxins from my diet as possible and limit my intake of meats and starchy foods. Now, I rarely ever have any stomach problems any more. I also noticed other health benefits after changing my diet - lost 15 pounds, haven't had any cavities for last 7-8 years (used to have 1 or 2 each 6 month apt.), plantar wart went away (I had tried everything else and couldn't get rid of it), eyesight improved (confirmed by eye doctor apt.). I am still struggling with some congestion and asthma however and continue researching natural remedies for this. I suspect environmental causes and am researching these (things like potential allergies, cat dander, smoky air, mold in home, and pollution from living in city). I read about ACV on this site about a week ago and had some success with it, also some success with garlic - I probably need to keep at it and try for longer period of time. So I say don't give up on the garlic as well as helping for stomach ailments - My dad had a quadruple bypass and was in serious trouble with his heart - my mom researched on the incredible benefits of using garlic to help your heart and he has made a complete recovery after his surgery about 2 years ago and looks better than ever (he is 78 years old!)
Fresh Garlic vs. Garlic Supplements
Posted by Bonnie (Ulysses, Kansas) on 05/16/2009
★★★★★
Just wanted to advise everyone that garlic should be sliced quickly and into your system within 30 seconds if possible. When garlic is sliced, it releases the healing properties and if not taken soon, it gradually loses its healing power. I have found it to relieve a toothache!
I first learned about garlic when I found that I had blood-poisoning one evening as I was getting ready for bed. I had to be at work early the next morning (on a Saturday) and going to the emergency room was out of the question as I worked as a rural mail carrier. I had recently bought a book on alternative healing, so looked for a solution to blood poisoning. It advised to take one clove of garlic and stated that one clove of garlic will cleanse the body's blood supply in a matter of hours! This herb is truly a gift from God!
Fresh Garlic vs. Garlic Supplements
Posted by T (Maryland, USA) on 05/17/2009
Actually, letting garlic sit for 10 minutes after slicing or mincing will maximize the beneficial compounds. You can find numerous references to this via Google (try "let garlic sit" as the search string).
Fresh Garlic vs. Garlic Supplements
Posted by Karen (Randolph, Nj) on 03/28/2010
Response to Sami:
I am a former certified food safety manager - we were always warned about garlic kept in this way, especially at room temperature. This is a dangerous practice - garlic kept in this way be liable to botulism and clostridium. Old fashioned restaurant and pizzerias sometimes keep a pot near the stove or steam table this way - food stores sell it this way now, too, but don't be complacent. It's easily contaminated.
Sore Throats
Posted by Susan (London) on 07/05/2012
I'm drinking garlic tea, tonight I have a bit of running nose n a cough, annoying cough. Anyway I made garlic tea with 4 cloves of garlic chopped with boiling water except I dont know if I have to swallow the garlic too. Help.
Hints and Tips
Posted by David Aames (New York, New York) on 03/24/2009
I was just wondering if there was a time of the day that you should take the garlic cloves. Does it matter if you take it after a meal or should you take it before a meal. Does it have any less effect if you don't take it on an empty stomach?
Or is it the case that as long as you take it that's all that matters...that one shouldn't be concerned about the placement/time of taking it.
I just started taking the garlic...after I peel 1-3(depending on the size of the clove) garlic cloves I squash them with a garlic press and then scoop it out and drink it with water.
Thanks
Colds
Posted by Vee (Oklahoma) on 01/15/2016
★★★★★
I hesitate using the fresh garlic since the odor is so prominent but after a Strep B urinary tract infection I said to heck with it!!! I am going to take this daily for the rest of my life...they can just get over it!!!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Kin (Auckland, New Zealand) on 12/02/2008
Hi Gerald:
12/01/2008: Gerald from Midland, MI writes: "I like your comments...a lot of us are extreme conservatives, so you're not alone! I used garlic for packing on 40lbs of muscle in 6 months...It even kills botulism... a tough nut to crack ...my animals that were treated with garlic lived (and it arrested paralysis) the others died quickly, even with medication."
Most interesting to hear that you "used garlic for packing on 40lbs of muscle in 6 months".....could you please provide more information, i am always interested seeking natural way of building muscle, how do you take the garlic, raw or cook, and how much do you take, also why are you so sure it was garlic that help building muscle in your case. Thanks in advance.
Xanthelasmas
Posted by Jon (Southampton, Hants, Uk) on 03/21/2012
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I have low cholestrol and low blood pressure. I have had some rather unsightly xanthelasma appear close to one eye. The doctor wasn't interested as I am healthy. I tried the garlic cure, cutting a clove in half and holding on the affected area. It made the area swell and the skin became red, and eventually there was some damage to the skin surface though vaseline helped. This was all a bit unpleasant and I was considering audition for a Dr Who monster. However, the swelling has come down and the xanthelasma has more or less completely gone. I'd say go easy on the garlic but it does work for me, very impressed and thanks to whoever put it up first.
Xanthelasmas
Posted by Z (Jersey City, Nj) on 09/12/2012
Garlic treatment is working. Day 1 applied garlic. I cut a small piece of garlic and applied the juicier looking side to the Xanthelasma above my eye, kept it there till the burn subsided. Day 2 I woke up discouraged as it was slightly red and inflamed. At night applied garlic again and tried to remove with tweezers. Skin was too thick still, and accidentally pierced the skin, only a little. However, at the end of night 2/tonight I noticed my xanthelasma above my eyelid is slightly smaller, maybe 20%. I am going to step up the garlic use twice daily, morning and evening.... I shall update tomorrow evening if I can find this site again.
Hookworms
Posted by Jackie (Bellefourche, SD) on 10/17/2008
★★★★★
I use garlic all the time in pasta and I don't have any hook worms.
Moles
Posted by Mary (Mary, USA) on 05/14/2008
★★★★★
Hi guys. I started the garlic procedure to remove a raised mole on my forearm. I've warn long sleeves for forever because of how much I hated it. About a month ago I heard about this remedy, so I tried it & after about 4 days I wasn't seeing any results besides half of the mole was a bit lighter. I stopped the experiment, & after a few weeks, I decided to try 1 more time so I started 2 days ago, this is my 3rd day now & I definetely see results ! I really think its going to work. The 1st time I tried this remedy I was putting too big of a piece on the mole, about 4 times the sixe of it, which was just damaging the sin around the mole. Now I've been only cutting a small piece to fit the mole perfectly. I've heard you should scratch at the mole just a little bit w a knife or something, not hard, so thats what I did this time [only the 1st time u apply the garlic, not everytime, just once for the whole experiment], so i washed the area 1st, scratched the mole up a tiny bit, cut the clove up, with the knife I rubbed the juice from the garlic onto my mole, I started to feel a tingling because I scratched at it, then wet a napkin & cleaned up any juice around the mole on my skin, apply the garlic piece & put a bandaid on. I go to work & 11 hours later take the bandage off & wash it & do the whole thing over w a fresh bandaid and piece of garlic. I have been using a whole new clove for each application. It is a big waste of garlic since I only use a tiny piece of it, but the cloves dry out quickly, even in a ziplock bag, so I just get a new 1. They are very cheap anyways. Now, my 3rd day, my mole is raised quite a bit more & its a bubble that I want to pop so badly ! There are a couple tiny bubbles on my skin around the mole, but from now on I am going to apply vaseline on my skin surrounding the mole to protect the skin. I will keep u guys updated !
Moles
Posted by Julie (Worcester, Ma) on 08/12/2013
You shouldn't put the garlic directly on the mole, it causes burns which is why your skin bubbled, & you're also not supposed to put Vaseline on burns.... To prevent your skin from burning, place a piece of gauze over the mole, place the garlic on top of the gauze (you can use a bigger piece since you're putting it over gauze), wrap the gauze over the garlic & secure with tape or a Band-Aid.... That should help prevent the burns....
