Garlic – the cheapest remedy in the kitchen, treating everything from colds to he.art health
Every household has garlic, yet 90% of people are wasting this “miracle medicine”

Garlic is an indispensable spice in the daily meals of Vietnamese families. Beyond its role as a seasoning, garlic has long been used to prevent and treat a number of common ailments.

Garlic contains many sulfur-based compounds such as thiosulfinates (allicin), diallyl disulfide, and allyl propyl disulfide. These compounds are responsible for garlic’s distinctive aroma and its medicinal properties, with allicin playing the most important role.

1. Remedies made from garlic

Below are some traditional garlic remedies introduced by herbal practitioner and specialist physician Dr. Tran Ngoc Que, Quang Tri Traditional Medicine Association:

Remedy 1: Treating sore throat with garlic

Ingredients:

• 2 cloves of garlic (about 3–4 g)

• 10 g scallions

Method:
Crush the garlic cloves. Finely chop and crush the scallions, then mix well. Apply the mixture to the Hegu (LI4) acupoint on the hand and leave it on overnight. The garlic extract penetrates the skin and strongly stimulates the acupoint, helping relieve sore throat symptoms.

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Remedy 2: Preventing and treating the flu

Ingredients:

• 3 cloves of garlic (about 6–8 g)

• 20 ml water

Method:
Crush the garlic. Pour boiling water over it and steep for about 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and use it as nasal drops, 2–3 drops in each nostril, 2–3 times a day.

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Remedy 3: Strengthening the spleen and nourishing qi and blood

Ingredients:

• Chicken meat: 250–300 g

• Garlic: 40 g

• Wine: 20 ml

• Seasonings to taste (pepper, lemongrass, etc.)

Method:
Chop the chicken and slice the garlic thinly. Mix all ingredients, let sit for about 10 minutes, then steam in a water bath. Eat once daily.

Note:
Not suitable for people with a “heat” constitution, fever, or active inflammatory conditions.

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Remedy 4: Tonifying the kidneys and enhancing vitality

Ingredients:

• Chicken meat: 200 g

• Sparrow meat: 150 g

• Garlic: 50 g

• Rice wine (35–40°): 25 ml

• Seasonings to taste

Method:
Chop the meats, slice the garlic, mix all ingredients, let sit for about 10 minutes, then steam in a water bath. Eat once daily.

Note:
Not suitable for people with heat constitution, fever, or ongoing inflammation.

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Remedy 5: Treating high blood pressure and dizziness

Ingredients:

• Chicken meat: 300 g

• Garlic: 30 g

• Ginger: 6–10 g

• Seasonings to taste

Method:
Chop the chicken, slice the garlic and ginger, mix all ingredients, then steam in a water bath. Eat once daily.

Note:
Not suitable for people with heat constitution, fever, or active inflammation.

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Remedy 6: Treating toothache

Ingredients:

• 2 cloves of garlic (about 4–6 g)

• Warm water (as needed)

Method:
Crush the garlic and mix with a little warm water. After about 10 minutes, soak a cotton swab in the garlic extract and apply it around the painful area once daily until the pain subsides.

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Remedy 7: Treating warts

Ingredients:

• 2–3 cloves of garlic (about 5–7 g)

Method:
Crush the garlic, apply it directly to the wart, cover with medical tape, and leave overnight. Apply once daily.

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Remedy 8: Cleaning wounds and ulcers

Ingredients:

• 10 cloves of garlic (about 18–20 g)

• 40 ml water

• 75% alcohol

Method:
Crush or blend the garlic, add water, and simmer gently for about 5 minutes. Strain the liquid into a sterilized container, then add 75% alcohol (2 ml alcohol per 100 ml garlic extract). To clean wounds, dilute 1 part garlic extract with 10 parts distilled water before use.

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Remedy 9: Treating calluses on the feet

Ingredients:

• 3–5 cloves of garlic (about 6–8 g)

• ½ onion (about 7–10 g)

Method:
Crush the garlic and onion, mix well, apply to the callused area, cover with medical tape, and leave overnight. Apply once daily until the callus disappears.

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Remedy 10: Skin-beautifying and anti-aging treatment

Ingredients:

• 6–7 cloves of garlic (about 10–12 g)

• 40 ml honey

Method:
Peel and finely grind the garlic, then soak it in honey. Store in a dark place for 2–3 months. Before bedtime, apply the mixture to the face, relax for 25–30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm or cool water and gently pat dry.

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2. Notes when using garlic

The active compounds in garlic are only activated when the cloves are crushed, ground, or chewed, and they are deactivated by high heat. Therefore, for medicinal purposes, garlic should not be used whole and is best consumed raw, as cooking significantly reduces its effectiveness.

Eating large amounts of raw garlic, especially on an empty stomach, may cause discomfort such as bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and disruption of gut bacteria.

Applying fresh garlic directly to the skin may cause burning sensations, dermatitis, or blistering. Use with caution and discontinue immediately if blisters appear.