DavidWolfe.comYou may have seen articles about the various ways you can use apple cider vinegar, or even Coca-Cola around the house, but did you know there are numerous alternative uses for garlic? From relieving an ear infection to removing a splinter and de-icing your driveway, here are 11 life hacks using garlic that you need to know about!
1. Clean Your Face
Many soaps and facial cleansers have harsh chemicals that can actually dry out and damage your skin. Using garlic is an all-natural and safe alternative. Garlic contains allicin, which has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties that act as a cleanser to help treat acne and other skin conditions (Livestrong). Try rubbing a thin layer of garlic paste onto your face and rinsing it off after about 15 minutes, following up with a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.
Check out this apple cider vinegar and garlic face cleanser!
2. Cure Foot Fungus
The New York Times recommends soaking your feet for 30 minutes in a foot bath full of finely crushed garlic cloves to help fight athlete’s foot and foot fungus. You can also mix olive oil with garlic and rub it onto your feet with a cotton swab to help battle foot fungus.
Here is a video about how to use garlic to cure Athlete’s Foot!
3. Relieve a Toothache
If you’re experiencing pain from a toothache and you haven’t yet had time to make it to the dentist, try garlic for pain relief. The experts at Garlic-Central.com write, “Most traditional uses of garlic to alleviate the pain of a toothache suggest crushing it and placing it inside the mouth, right next to the affected tooth.”
Check out this story about using garlic for a toothache!
4. Stop an Ear Infection
Garlic can offer some relief for an ear infection, due to its natural antibiotic properties. Try putting several warm drops of garlic oil into your ear to help with pain and discomfort. (If you have an ear infection, be sure to check in with a physician as well).
If you want to try this, here’s a how-to.
5. De-Ice Your Driveway
Northerners may appreciate this one. If you wake up to a surprise snowstorm and find yourself unprepared, garlic salt can be used to help get rid of ice and snow!
6. Remove a Splinter
Splinters can be a pain, in more ways than one! To remove a deep splinter, apply half of a clove of garlic underneath a Band-Aid, and leave it on overnight. Not only will the garlic remove the splinter, but it will reduce swelling and redness, thanks to the antibiotic and anti-inflammatory compounds of garlic.
Check out the health benefits of garlic here.
7. Repair a Crack
This method may be controversial, but many claim that garlic can help to repair a small crack in glass. Reader’s Digest notes, “Have you ever noticed how sticky your fingers get after chopping garlic? That natural adhesive quality is why some people use garlic to fix hairline cracks in glass.” They suggest crushing some garlic cloves, rubbing the juice on the crack and wiping away any excess.
8. Battle Your Acne
We noted that garlic can be used as a facial cleanser, but eating garlic can also help to fight acne. Home Remedies for Life reports that garlic is “an excellent source of various acne combating nutrients.” You can also apply garlic directly to your acne, but be sure to dilute the garlic first to prevent a stinging or burning sensation.
Here’s a video on how to use garlic to combat acne!
9. Keep Pests Away
If you have a problem with pests on your plants, simply mix garlic cloves with warm water and soap, and put the mixture in a spray bottle. The natural repellent nature of garlic helps to keep unwanted pests off of plants. The mix can be used on vegetables or on flowering plants. It’s an easy, natural way to fight bugs without the use of chemicals!
If you’re having a problem with pests in your garden, check out this garlic recipe to keep them away!
10. Catch a Fish
Some fisherman reported on FieldAndStream.com that they use garlic to attract fish! Some put garlic directly onto a worm or a small piece of shrimp, while others recommend adding it to a rubber lure. If fishing is one of your hobbies, this might be worth a try!
For the fishermen out there, here’s a quick lesson on how to make garlic worms for bait.
11. Cure a Cold
Garlic can be used to stop a cold from happening, or to help eliminate a cold once it occurs. Consuming garlic that is raw and either crushed, diced or minced can help to stimulate the immune system and fight viruses.
Here’s a quick and easy mix to help your body get rid of that cold!