Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Nico
Garlic is a potent natural remedy and has been associated with lowered blood pressure, reduced cholesterol levels, and improved cardiovascular health. Learning how to make garlic tincture is a great way to quickly be able to access garlic’s range of medicinal benefits.
Garlic (scientifically known as allium sativum) has long been consumed for its health benefits. Civilizations such as the ancient Egyptians, ancient Greeks, and Romans valued garlic for its medicinal effects and used it to treat a wide range of ailments, including infections, digestive disorders, and respiratory conditions. In ancient Greece, it was used to protect against illnesses as well as evil spirits. It was used in traditional Chinese medicine to boost blood circulation, promote detoxification, and improve immune function. Today garlic is still used as a natural remedy to help fight off colds, flus, and fungal infections, as well as to support heart health and more.
Making a tincture with garlic tincture is a great way to extract the medicinal properties from the plant and preserve them over a much longer time than fresh garlic normally lasts.
Elderberry tincture is another good DIY tincture for colds and flus and cayenne tincture is a good alternative for supporting heart health.
Benefits of garlic tincture
Antibacterial and antiviral properties – Garlic contains compounds like allicin, which have been shown to have antibacterial and antiviral properties. Consuming garlic tincture can help boost the immune system and fight off bacterial infections like ear infections as well as viral infections, like colds and flus.
Support cardiovascular health – Consuming garlic has been linked to improving cardiovascular health by reducing high cholesterol levels, reducing high blood pressure, and improving circulation.
Anti-inflammatory – The anti-inflammatory properties of garlic are powerful. They can help reduce inflammation in the body and alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
A powerful antioxidant – Garlic is rich in antioxidants that help neutralise harmful free radicals in the body, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases and slowing down the aging process.
Strong immune support – Garlic has immune-boosting properties that can help the body fight off respiratory infections and other respiratory problems. Consuming garlic tincture during cold and flu season can help prevent illness, soothe sore throats, and shorten the duration of cold symptoms.
Support digestive health – Garlic has been traditionally used to support digestive health by promoting healthy gut flora and aiding in digestion. Garlic tincture may help alleviate symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and gas (although be careful not to overdo it as it could have the opposite effect!)
Potentially slow hair loss – Garlic has been used as a natural remedy for hair loss due to its high sulfur and selenium content. Both of these compounds help keep hair healthy.
Garlic cloves or minced garlic
It’s best to chop or mince the garlic when making this tincture. This is because it will maximise the surface area that is exposed to alcohol, which means that more medicinal compounds will be preserved in the final tincture.
How to make garlic tincture
Let’s dive into how to make your own garlic tincture.
Tools
An airtight container with a plastic lid – I use a glass mason jar with parchment paper between the metal lid and tincture or extraction to prevent the alcohol from corroding the metal.
Small amber glass bottles with dropper tops
A fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter
A small funnel
Garlic press or knife – I make most of my tinctures in small batches because we don’t use them all consistently year-round. If you’re making larger batches, consider using a food processor to chop the garlic and make your life easier.
Supplies
Raw cloves of garlic – if you cannot find organic garlic, just use what you have
A high-proof alcohol 80-proof or above (or 40% alcohol) – If you want to avoid alcohol, you can swap out the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar or food-grade glycerin. I use this bulk raw apple cider vinegar.
For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.
Instructions
The first step is to steralise your glass jar and lid.
Peel and mince or chop the fresh garlic cloves.
To make garlic tincture, you need a 1:2 ratio of garlic to alcohol (for example, 1 cup of minced garlic to 2 cups of alcohol). The exact amount of garlic you will need depends on the size of your glass jar. If you’re making a large amount of tincture, you could also use a food processor to chop up the garlic quickly. We do this to maximise the surface area that is exposed to the alcohol – this helps to ensure that the active ingredients in garlic are extracted into the tincture.
Add the chopped garlic to your glass jar and submerge it in alcohol.
Add a lid to the jar and shake it for 30 seconds or so to ensure everything is covered in alcohol.
For best results, set the jar in a dark, cool place away from direct sunlight for 6-8 weeks. Aim to shake the jar 3-4 times a week to make sure everything remains covered in alcohol.
After 6-8 weeks, use cheesecloth, a fine mesh strainer, or a coffee filter to strain off the tincture.
Make sure to remove the garlic pieces from the liquid completely. If you don’t the tincture could go bad more quickly. I tend to strain off my tinctures a few times to fully remove the garlic.
Use a small funnel to pour the tincture into an amber glass bottle. I like to use the bottles that come with a dropper because it makes using the tincture simpler but just use what you have.
Date and label the finished tincture so you remember what it is and when you made it.
Store the liquid extract in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
That’s it – you’ve just added to your collection of immune-boosting natural remedies!
How much garlic tincture to take?
I like to take 4-5 drops per day during cold or flu season or when I’m feeling under the weather. You can start by taking small amounts and work your way up to a higher dose 2-3 times per day.
How long does garlic tincture last?
Like many homemade tinctures, this tincture has a long shelf life if stored away from direct sunlight and the plant material has been completely strained off. I like to use the tincture within 1-2 years.
Some garlic tincture contraindications
Taking blood thinners – Garlic can act as a natural blood thinner, so combining it with blood thinners can increase the risk of bleeding or bruising.
Upcoming surgery – Because of garlic’s blood-thinning effects, stopping garlic tincture use at least two weeks before surgery is recommended.
Low blood pressure – Garlic can lower blood pressure and using a garlic tincture could cause your blood pressure to drop too low.
Digestive issues – Large amounts of garlic or garlic tincture can irritate the stomach lining and potentially cause bloating and diarrhea.
How to use garlic tincture
Directly – Add the dosage directly under your tongue and hold it there for 20-30 seconds before swallowing. This will ensure the medicinal properties are rapidly absorbed.
Diluted in juice or water – Add the dosage to a glass of water or juice to dilute the flavour.
Added to herbal teas – Add the dosage to an herbal tea (or garlic tea) to get a boost of health benefits.
Mixed with honey – Mix the dosage with a spoonful of raw honey for a nutrient-dense health boost.
Topically – A few drops of tincture can be added to a neutral fragrance-free carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil and applied topically to skin irritations, fungal infections, or acne. It’s best to perform a patch test before applying it to larger areas of skin to check for any reactions.
Homemade ear drops – Garlic tincture can be diluted with a high-quality olive oil and used as ear drops to alleviate ear infections or discomfort. Use a dropper to carefully administer a few drops into the affected ear and gently massage the earlobe.
As a mouthwash – Mix garlic tincture with warm water and use it as a gargle to soothe sore throats or alleviate symptoms of oral infections. Gargling with garlic tincture may help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria in the throat.
Can I make this without alcohol?
Yes – simply swap out the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar. Tinctures are typically made with alcohol and extracts are made with vinegar.
The main difference is that vinegar can be less effective at drawing out the medicinal properties from the flower or plant and it does not preserve the properties as long as alcohol. It’s best to consume vinegar-based extracts within one year.
Will this tincture give me garlic breath?
Due to the small amount of garlic in the tincture dose, it’s unlikely to give you bad breath.
Other home remedies to make using garlic
Garlic oil
To make garlic oil, crush several cloves of garlic and place them in a small saucepan. Then cover the garlic with olive oil, ensuring that all the cloves are submerged.
Heat the oil on low for about 20 minutes being careful not to burn the garlic.
Strain it off and store it in the fridge. Use on food or in salad dressings within a few weeks.
Garlic Poultices
Garlic poultices are commonly used to alleviate symptoms of minor skin infections, insect bites, or muscle aches. They can also help draw out toxins, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
To make a garlic poultice, crush several cloves of fresh garlic into a paste using a mortar and pestle or the back of a spoon. Spread the garlic paste onto a clean cloth or gauze, making sure it’s large enough to cover the affected area.
Place the garlic-covered cloth onto the skin and secure it in place with a bandage or tape. Leave the poultice on for 15-30 minutes, then remove and rinse the area with warm water.
You can apply the garlic poultice to the affected area once or twice daily until the symptoms improve. If any irritation occurs, be cautious and stop using it.
I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical or health advice in any content I create. I offer information for educational purposes and, as always, get your physician’s advice or the advice of your health care provider before trying a new herbal remedy. There are always possible unintended consequences of trying a new herbal remedy such as an allergic reaction, impact on existing health conditions, or unexpected potential side effects like interactions with other medication.
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How To Make Garlic Tincture
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Fully sanitise your glass jar and lid.
- Peel and mince or chop the fresh garlic cloves. To make garlic tincture, you need a 1:2 ratio of garlic to alcohol (for example, 1 cup of minced garlic to 2 cups of alcohol). The exact amount of garlic you will need depends on the size of your glass jar. If you’re making a large amount of tincture, you could also use a food processor to chop up the garlic quickly.
- Submerge the minced or chopped garlic in alcohol.
- Add a lid to the jar and shake it for 30 seconds or so to ensure everything is covered in alcohol.
- For best results, set the jar in a dark, cool place away from direct sunlight for 6-8 weeks. Aim to shake the jar 3-4 times a week to make sure everything remains covered in alcohol.
- After 6-8 weeks, use cheesecloth, a fine mesh strainer, or a coffee filter to strain off the tincture.
- Make sure to remove the garlic pieces from the liquid completely. If you don’t the tincture could go bad more quickly. I tend to strain off my tinctures a few times to fully remove the garlic.
- Use a small funnel to pour the tincture into an amber glass bottle. I like to use the bottles that come with a dropper because it makes using the tincture simpler but just use what you have.
- Date and label the finished tincture so you remember what it is and when you made it.
- Store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
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