How To Make Garlic Oil At Home

Garlic has been used as a flavoring in cooking and a remedy for treating various ailments for thousands of years. Whether it’s consumed raw, roasted, or powdered, garlic can make any dish tastier and healthier. But, when it’s consumed in oil form, it can benefit your health in many ways.

How To Make Garlic Oil And Garlic Confit

To confit, a food means to cook it in fat, such as animal fat, oil, or butter, over gentle heat for a long time.

To make garlic confit and garlic oil at home, you’ll need to cook whole and fresh garlic cloves in a large amount of extra virgin olive oil for approximately 20 minutes. You can add rosemary or thyme for extra flavor.

Once the garlic cloves are cooked, they’ll be tender, sweet, and flavorful. You can mash and add them to salads, sauces, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables or just spread them on a slice of bread.

You can also leave the garlic cloves whole and add them to marinades, soups, pasta, or sandwiches, or put them on top of a pizza.

And when it comes to the remaining garlic oil, you can add it to salad vinaigrette or soups or serve it with some crusty dishes for dipping. You can also use garlic oil when roasting vegetables, pork, or chicken. Just sprinkle some oil over the meat, and it’ll be the most delicious dish you’ve ever tried.

How Long Will Homemade Garlic Oil Last?

One thing you need to keep in mind when making garlic oil is that it needs to be stored in the refrigerator as there is a risk of developing bacteria, including botulism.

If garlic oil is stored properly, i.e. in the refrigerator, it can be used within several weeks, up to a month. If it solidifies, before using it, let it sit at room temperature first.

Recipe For Garlic Oil

Ingredients:

• 8 whole garlic cloves (peeled)
• 500 ml extra virgin olive oil
• Thyme, sage, rosemary, chili, cumin, turmeric, or coriander for extra flavor (it’s optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut the ends of the cloves and peel each garlic clove.
2. Put the cloves in a saucepan, add the olive oil, and put the saucepan over gentle heat on the stove. This will prevent the oil from getting too strong.
3. Cook the cloves in the olive oil for 15 to 30 minutes while often stirring thoroughly. The time can vary, but it’s important to cook the heads of garlic until they’re cooked through and soft.
4. Remove the saucepan from the stove. For extra flavor, you can add rosemary, thyme, sage, or spices, such as cumin, chili, turmeric, or coriander, to the oil.
5. Before pouring the oil into a sterilized, heat-proof jar, pour it through a sieve into a jug to remove the garlic pieces.
6. Store the jar in the refrigerator right away.

Nutrition

• Calories: 134 kcal
• Sugar: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated fat: 2g
• Protein: 1g
• Vitamin C: 1mg
• Iron: 1mg
• Calcium: 1mg
• Sodium: 1mg

What Is Garlic Oil Good For?

Garlic oil offers the following health benefits:

1. Garlic Oil Has Antiviral Properties

Garlic oil is known to be effective in destroying cells that have been infected with a virus. This oil has antiviral effects against several viruses, such as human cytomegalovirus, human Rhinovirus type 2, influenza B, and vaccinia virus.

2. Garlic Oil Benefits The Skin

Due to the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of garlic, garlic oil is effective in treating acne, atopic dermatitis, scars, psoriasis, and wrinkles. Garlic oil has also been used as a traditional remedy for treating wounds due to the sulfur compounds present in it that stimulate the growth of new tissues and increase blood flow to the wounds.

3. Garlic Oil Reduces Inflammation And Improves The Immune System

In addition to having antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects, garlic oil has immunomodulatory properties. There are two types of cells in the immune system: T helper type 1 (Th1) cells and T helper 2 (Th2) cells. The former stimulates the production of inflammatory compounds, whereas the latter triggers immune responses to fight the inflammation. Garlic oil helps transfer the balance of Th1 cells to Th2 cells, thereby reducing inflammation and improving the immune system simultaneously.

4. Garlic Oil Improves Heart Health

The diallyl disulfide compound found in garlic oil has anti-atherosclerotic activity, which prevents blood clot formation in the arteries, thereby lowering the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction and stroke.

In addition, garlic oil improves blood circulation by increasing the elasticity of the veins, arteries, and capillaries.

5. Garlic Oil Benefits The Brain

Garlic oil reduces the risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions, such as dementia and memory loss. The diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide compounds present in it inhibit oxidation and cholesterol accumulation, thereby preventing the formation of clots in the brain.

Garlic Oil Side Effects

• Do not consume and apply garlic oil topically if you’re allergic to garlic.
• Go to the doctor if you notice dizziness, itching, rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing after using garlic oil. These are all symptoms of an allergic reaction.
• Consuming garlic oil can sometimes lead to heartburn, upset stomach, bad body and breath smell, and bleeding.
• Ask your doctor or a pharmacist whether it’s safe for you to consume garlic oil if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or you have any of the following conditions:
• Digestive problems
• A stomach ulcer
• Hemophilia or any other blood clotting disorder

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Homemade Garlic Oil Safe?

Homemade garlic oil is safe. However, if it’s not stored properly, it can cause botulism. If garlic oil is stored in a container where there’s no oxygen and in warm temperatures, such as at room temperature, this can stimulate the growth of clostridium botulinum bacterium which releases toxins that do not change the smell or taste of the oil. These toxins can block the function of the nerves and cause muscular and respiratory paralysis.

How Do You Make Garlic Oil Without Heat?

In addition to the above-mentioned recipe for garlic oil which requires you to cook the oil on low heat, you can make garlic oil by using the following non-heat method.

Ingredients

• 8 garlic cloves (16 cloves for a stronger flavor)
• 5 oz olive oil
• 1 teaspoon peppercorns
• Hot peppers or dried herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, basil, or parsley

Instructions

1. Peel and crush the garlic cloves, and then put the pods in an airtight mason glass jar.
2. Add the olive oil.
3. Add the hot peppers or any other dried herbs if you’re using any.
4. Close the jar and shake it a few times so as to mix the oil with the ingredients.
5. Store the jar in the refrigerator and let the garlic oil macerate for two days prior to using. Prepared and stored this way, the oil will last around one to two weeks.

Nutrition

• Calories: 1300 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 11g
• Sugar: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 142g
• Saturated fat: 20g
• Vitamin C: 7mg
• Vitamin A: 26IU
• Calcium: 64mg
• Sodium: 8mg
• Potassium: 156 mg
• Iron: 2mg

Can Garlic Oil Be Used For Treating Varicose Veins?

Yes, it can.

You can naturally and effectively treat varicose veins at home by using an ointment made with garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and lemon.

Now, let’s see what makes this ointment effective in the treatment of this condition.

Garlic has powerful fluidifying and vasodilator effects on the blood, which means it increases blood flow and relaxes blood vessels, thereby promoting blood circulation. Lemons also improve blood flow due to the citric acid present in them. And when it comes to olive oil, in addition to giving this ointment texture, its monounsaturated fats nourish and keep the skin flexible.

How To Make The Ointment

Ingredients

• 5 garlic cloves
• 4 ounces extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lemon, freshly squeezed

Instructions

1. Peel the garlic cloves, and then mash or grate them until paste-like.
2. Pour the mashed cloves into a sterilized jar and add the extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice.
3. Close the jar and store it in a dry, dark place.
4. Let the ointment act for a night, and then mix and strain the ingredients.

How To Use The Ointment

Apply the ointment directly to the affected area and massage gently with circular motions to stimulate the circulation of the blood. Let the ointment act for around an hour, and then rinse with cold water.

Do not expose your skin to sunlight after applying the ointment, as this can cause brown spots on your skin.

To maximize the effectiveness of the ointment, do this treatment three times per week and follow it consistently.

Can Garlic Oil Benefit The Skin?

Garlic oil is good for your skin since it contains various minerals and vitamins, such as allicin, copper, selenium, zinc, and vitamin C. Additionally, due to the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of garlic, garlic oil is effective in treating skin conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, scars, and wounds.

Can Garlic Oil Benefit The Skin On Your Face?

Yes, it can. As we already said, garlic possesses antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial, properties thanks to its compound allicin. This compound helps to reduce inflammation and swelling as well as destroy bacteria that cause acne. Allicin also improves the circulation of the blood.

In addition, garlic is a good source of minerals and vitamins, such as selenium, zinc, copper, and vitamins C and B-6, which are effective in treating acne.

What Side Effects Can Garlic Oil Cause In Hair Treatment?

Using garlic oil on your hair is generally safe. Garlic oil can help with hair growth. In addition, due to the antifungal and antimicrobial properties of garlic, using garlic oil on your hair can help keep your scalp healthy.

However, in some cases, just like any other natural remedy, garlic oil can cause some side effects when used on the hair. For example, when applied to the skin, garlic oil can cause irritation or burns and irritate your eyes.

Can You Make Pasta With Garlic Oil?

Absolutely. Garlic oil is an excellent addition to many dishes, including pasta. In what follows, we’ve shared one delicious recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 pound spaghetti
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• Red pepper flakes
• ½ lemon
• Kosher salt

Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with cold water and put the pot over high heat on the stove. When it begins to boil, add the pasta and cook it for around eight minutes.
2. While the pasta cooks, put the olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and one teaspoon of salt in another pot and warm it over gentle heat. Often stir until the garlic turns golden.
3. Drain the pasta and reserve only around ¼ cup of the cooking water.
4. Add the reserved water and pasta to the garlic oil and mix thoroughly. Then, add the parsley and lemon.
5. Pour the pasta into a bowl, add grated cheese on top of it, and serve.

Conclusion

• To make garlic oil, all you need is 8 garlic cloves, 500 milliliters of extra virgin olive oil, and hot peppers or dried herbs, such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, rosemary, thyme, basil, or sage, for extra flavor.
• Once the garlic oil is cooked, it should be stored in the refrigerator. Refrigerated garlic oil can last up to one month.
• Garlic oil offers a variety of health benefits. It has antiviral properties, it is good for the skin, hair, and varicose veins, it reduces inflammation, it boosts the immune system, and it improves heart and brain health.
• People who are allergic to garlic should not use garlic oil in cooking or as a natural remedy.
• In some cases, garlic oil can cause side effects, such as itching, swelling, rash, dizziness, and difficulty breathing.