Garlic Oil Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Garlic is a common herb used in both cooking and medicine. It has been used in the Middle East for over 5,000 years as well as in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Central California is a large producer of commercial garlic, as is China.¹ The herb is a member of the lily family, but it’s the edible bulb that’s used in medicine.² There are numerous forms of garlic available, from the bulbs themselves to powder, capsules, aged extracts, and of course garlic oil. Each product differs in its active ingredients and can be used for different purposes.³ 

Garlic oil is processed from garlic cloves through a process of steam distillation.⁴ It can be used as a food flavoring agent or applied to the skin topically for medicinal purposes.² Garlic oil is one of the only types of essential oil that can be taken orally.⁴

Garlic Oil Uses and Health Benefits

Garlic oil contains many health-boosting properties. Among garlic oil benefits, it’s said to help protect the heart by lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure. It also contains antibiotic properties and can help treat urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, and skin blemishes when taken orally. Other garlic oil uses include for flu, arthritis, impotence, bronchitis, ulcers, diabetes, and more. It also acts as an anticoagulant to prevent blood clotting. Other garlic oil benefits include its anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antioxidant, antiseptic, and antiviral properties.⁴ It’s also said to help in treating:

• Ear Infection - With its many infection-fighting properties, garlic oil can help fight ear infections when placed directly in the ear as an eardrop.
• Tuberculosis - Thanks to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, garlic oil benefits tuberculosis patients.
• Blisters - Among garlic oil uses, it’s effective in treating a wide range of skin conditions and can be used to cure blisters when applied topically.
• Skin Abrasions - Garlic oil can be used to promote healing of skin wounds through topical application.
• Back Pain (Backache) - Applying garlic oil topically to areas of pain may help reduce backache symptoms.

Garlic Oil Side Effects and Precautions

Like with any herb, individuals should proceed with caution before starting on a garlic oil diet. Do not take garlic oil if you are taking other anticoagulants or if you have recently had surgery or plan to have surgery. Patients with peptic ulcers or bleeding problems should avoid garlic oil.⁴ Talk to your doctor about other herbs or medications you’re taking to prevent interaction.

References

1. http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-2093008
2. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/garlic/ataglance.htm
3. http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/garlic
4. http://www.herbs2000.com/aromatherapy/a_garlic.htm