Will garlic heal an infection?

Question

This is the last time I ask a question about my infected toe, I swear. I'm just frustrated at the idea of going to the hospital becuase I do. not. have the money.

Basics: Cut's been there for a few weeks in various states of almost healed/ugly again. Is near the tip of my big toe. My foot is now noticably hotter than the noninfected side and swells at night.

I've seen in other answers some people saying garlic stems infections. It was even suggested to put IN someone's ear for an ear infection - I figure if you can put it so close to your brain, surely I could use it on my toe?

My only worry is, can I apply it directly to an open, albeit small, wound? I refuse to go to the hospital until tomorrow anyway, and I am experiencing none of the 'red lines' or fever that might indicate blood poisoning.

So. Can I use garlic? If so, how should I prepare and apply it?

Answer 1

Yes Garlic could heal things, but when and where is what should be noticed carefully. Garlic should be understood as a flower than placing it in the family of Onions. In tamil medicine it is recorded as belonging to a family of flower name "Alli"- Tamil name. ("Allium sativum" latin.)

Garlic heals ear ache _ a peeled clove of garlic should be plugged to the aching ear to have a vacuum in it (do not crush and feed into the ear). The pain will diminish overnight.

Garlic reduces body heat as well as tummy gas/stomach cramps _ Boil a handful of peeled garlic cloves alongwith corriander seeds in a cup of water. When the cloves ripe in boil and the water turns to red tinge (from extracts of corriander) remove contents from the stove. Sieve corriander away keeping the boiled garlic with the concoction. Crush the garlic with a spoon and feed-in alongwith the corrander water. If needed add a little sugar. You will feel so soothing.

I am not sure if your case is just a bacterial or fungal infection, or something acute with visible swelling at night as you mentioned. I do not think garlic could heal this condition unless it is occured by fungal or bacterial infection. (explain more of the infection, what remedies sought and its longevity)

Mostly in the latter cases, garlic and shallot is much preferred than the english medicine Betnovate. I have noticed that has healed many of them.(application: just pinch the head of a garlic clove or a shallot and rub on the infection, do not leave it there).

Answer 2

Can Garlic Heal Wounds

Answer 3

Garlic produces an antimicrobial compound called allicin when it is crushed. It does this to protect itself, so in the wild if its bulb gets injured, the injured tissue produces allicin so that bacteria and fungi won't invade it... So, you need to CRUSH the garlic! It does work, the pure chemical form of allicin has been studied and shown to work on staph infections that are resistant to regular antibiotics. These are often the reason wounds won't heal.

Allicin is a very fragile compound, however, and garlic pills do NOT contain enough allicin to be effective. They might say they do, but they don't. They've been tested by various researchers and they're never good enough with the exception of Allimax (what they used in the infection study I mentioned). If you can't get allimax you need to get actual fresh garlic, and crush it yourself!

Answer 4

Raw Garlic Cloves -
Eat a raw clove of garlic daily or alternatively take garlic oil capsules. This is a powerful antibacterial and it will aid in killing off the infection. This sounds gross, but if you can reach your wound, apply some crushed garlic to it directly as this is a great way to kill the infection. I have seen some of the ugliest infected wounds heal well using this

Answer 5

Please, get to a doctor ASAP and get yourself checked for diabetes.

Docs lower prices for those without medical insurance.

There are always payment plans.

There are organizations that help people with low income to pay their medical bills.

The one in NJ is called charity care.

Money is not an excuse to put your life and limbs at risk. Literally.

Garlic can help with infections, true, but this is more serious and requires a trained medical professional.

Answer 6

Garlic is an anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungus because of allicin. You need to buy some garlic pills that have high concentration of allicin. Good-grade hydrogen peroxide food baths are good for any foot infection.

Answer 7

have you tryed a tea tree gel? as far as the garlic on your toe not sure. you could try making a titure (boil crushed garlic in about quart of water) and then soak your toe in it but not sure if it will help.

http://health.howstuffworks.com/herbal-remedies-for-cuts.htm
Herbal Remedies for Cuts

Herbs for treating cuts, scratches, and abrasions include those that help fight infectious microbes, decrease inflammation, soothe the pain, and help the wound to heal.

Garlic juice applied to infected wounds hastens healing. The allicin in garlic has been shown to be as effective as a one percent penicillin solution. However, it may cause damage to the skin, so be cautious. Lavender, scented geranium, and rosemary are good antiseptics, too. Use diluted tinctures or diluted essential oils.

Calendula's strong infusion also makes an effective compress. Chamomile flower infusion will reduce swelling and prevent infection. A poultice of marshmallow will help shallow cuts heal. Since it can promote the growth of microbes, only leave it on for up to 30 minutes.

Herbal teas made of echinacea, wormwood, Oregon grape, and goldenseal, when applied topically to the cut or abrasion, help prevent infection. Juniper leaves and berries have been used externally for generations to treat infections and wounds while yarrow has been traditionally used for cleaning wounds and helping blood clot faster in cuts. Witch hazel and cayenne pepper also stop bleeding and promote healing. A compress of St. John's wort will work on deeper cuts.

If cuts are very deep or gaping or if there is any risk of tetanus (when wounds are caused by any object contaminated with soil), get medical attention. Do not treat large open wounds with herbs.

http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com/CutsandScrapes.html
Herbal Remedies For Cuts and Scrapes


ALOE GEL Gel activates macrophages that fight bacterial infection, helps reduce pain & swelling.

BAYBERRY A compress helps prevent bacterial infections.


CALENDULA Stimulates collagen production and helps prevent infection.

CHAMOMMILE Used as an infusion or poultice, stops cuts & scrapes from oozing.

COMFREY Used in a salve or cream to help relieve pain and accelerate healing.

GOLDENSEAL Has antibacterial properties which help fight infection. Applied as a paste.

GOTU KOLA Taken internally accelerates healing, reduces scarring.

ST. JOHN'S WORT OIL Prevents infection, reduces inflammation, relieves pain.



http://www.gaias-garden.co.uk/Herbs/Ailments-cuts.html

Cuts & Grazes
Next Page

Everyone suffers the odd graze or cut at some point in their life - and certainly not only during childhood. For minor cuts and grazes help is never too far away in the form of a natural remedy. In the case of serious wounds, or excessive blood loss, professional medical attention should be sought immediately.

Lavender and Tea-Tree essential oils are the two most useful first-aid kit oils I keep stocked up on and are excellent for treating minor cuts and scrapes - both are antiseptic, antibacterial and will help soothe any associated pain. They will also help stimulate your immune system. Lavender and Tea-Tree essential oils can both be used neat, in small quantities, but if you to find that you are sensitive to the pure oils try diluting them in a vegetable base / carrier oil [discontinue use if you find the diluted version still irritates your skin]. The name Lavender derives from the Latin ‘Lavare’ - meaning to wash, and it was used to cleanse wounds, as well as being widely used in personal bathing and laundry washing. A French army surgeon, Dr. J. Valnet, used Lavender oil to treat war wounds and serious burns - indeed its analgesic, antibiotic and antiseptic properties make it an ideal choice for treating all kinds of skin wounds.

Calendula [Marigold] is an excellent antiseptic and will reduce inflammation and promote wound healing. An effective wash can be made from the Calendula petals infused in boiling water for 5-10 minutes. This can be used to wash a wound or for a compress. The cream or ointment is available in most heath-food shops and can be applied to cuts, grazes, burns and minor wounds.

Cloves have powerful painkilling properties and are extremely antiseptic - they have a long history of use in the dental world, and are considered by many to be one of the best natural anaesthetics available, and personally I'd have to agree [I went on a bit of crazed orange-and-clove-pomander making session one year... I use my thumb and finger to push the cloves into the orange - rather than being practical and piercing holes with a cocktail stick first - my thumb and finger were numb for several days and the tingling lingered on for well over a week. It wasn't an unpleasant feeling, and it's certainly given me confidence in the anaesthetic properties of the humble clove!]. Powdered Cloves can be sprinkled on a cut or graze to keep it from becoming infected and to help numb any local pain.

Comfrey has a long history as a wound, tissue and bone healer. It contains allantoin which helps heal wounds and promotes the growth of healthy new tissues. Comfrey should only ever be used on clean wounds, to prevent dirt or pus being trapped and possibly causing abcesses. To be safe you may prefer to use comfrey once a scab has formed over the wound, or use it only at the edges of a wound. An infusion of the leaves could be used to swab the [clean] area, or a comfrey ointment or cream can be applied. Fresh Comfrey leaves can be rubbed directly on to minor wounds which are slow to heal [I've not personally used the fresh leaf method yet, but I'd give it a try].

Garlic is one of the plant kingdom's finest antibiotics, reducing infection and inflammation. Raw Garlic can either be sliced thinly and placed over the affected area or mashed up and used as a poultice. [Garlic can cause skin irritation in some individuals, should this happen discontinue use].

Honey has a long standing folk tradition as a wound remedy and can be applied directly to the affected area. Whilst forming a natural plaster, which stops any infection getting in, studies have also shown Honey to accelerate healing. Use the best quality natural Honey you can find.

Plantain [also known as ribwort] contains allantoin, a proven healer of injured skin cells [as does Comfrey]. Susun Weed cites plantain as "A first-aid kit in a leaf!" and uses plantain oil or ointment on "sprains, cuts, insect bites, rashes, chafed skin, boils, bruises, chapped and cracked lips, rough or sore hands, baby's diaper area, and burns." Ensure that the wound is clean before treating.

Salt water is a great way to cleanse a wide variety of wounds, and is my first approach when cleansing a wound on one of my cats! Boil some water and dissolve the sea-salt crystals in the water, allow to cool before using. This saline solution can be kept in a clean glass bottle in the fridge to keep it cool - handy for the odd emergency. Use it to wash out cuts, grazes, open wounds, abscesses, tired or irritated eyes, insect bites or stings, weeping blisters, splinter wounds etc... If you have no water to hand [and don't mind the wound stinging a little] you could try rubbing in / sprinkling on some sea-salt crystals.