Boils are a common skin infection that usually appears on the face, neck, underarms, shoulders, and buttocks. Boils start as red, tender lumps and, later, may be filled with pus. They can be painful and can cause discomfort.
Generally, antibiotics are suggested to reduce the boils. However, if you are already taking too many medications or don’t really see a difference, then there are home remedies you can try to treat boils that appear on the skin.
Garlic, a common herb used in cooking, has many medicinal properties that can help in the treatment of boils.
Medicinal Properties Of Garlic
Garlic and garlic extracts have antimicrobial properties that may help heal boils that appear on the skin.1 These properties are due to the presence of certain compounds found in garlic including alliin and allicin.
- Antibacterial properties – Allicin and other sulfur compounds found in garlic are responsible for the antimicrobial properties of garlic. They fight bacteria like Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Vibrio, Mycobacteria, and Proteus species. Extracts of garlic can also prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
- Antifungal properties – Allicin present in garlic is also known to have antifungal properties. The antifungal activity is particularly strong against the fungus Candida albicans.
- Antiviral properties – Garlic also possesses antiviral properties, fighting various types of viruses including influenza B virus.
- Anti-inflammatory properties – Garlic can relieve pain and also reduce inflammation.
Garlic, when used alone or with other natural ingredients, can inhibit the growth of boils appearing on the skin. Let’s examine how to use garlic to treat boils at home.
Easy Ways To Treat Boils Using Garlic
Here are nine easy ways to treat boils at home using garlic.
1. Garlic In Food
- You can add garlic to your daily diet by adding them to your soups, pasta dishes, curries, salads, rice dishes, and other food items.
- You can also chew a few cloves of raw garlic every day to help treat the boils.
2. Garlic Clove Paste
- Make a paste with 2–4 crushed garlic and enough water.
- Apply this on the boils for 15 minutes or until dry.
- Rinse with water and pat dry.
- Repeat these steps daily for effective results.
- If the boils are present on the inner thighs, repeat the steps twice a day.
3. Garlic Compress
- Heat a garlic clove till it warms up.
- Place this heated clove on the infected area and wrap it in a clean cloth.
- Hold the garlic in place for about 10 minutes, till the clove cools down.
- Follow these steps two to three times every day to treat the boils.
4. Garlic And Onion
- Grate onions and chop garlic and mix these two together.
- Spread the mixture on the boils.
- Cover this with a gauze. Make sure to change it at least three times a day.
- Alternatively, you can squeeze the juice of both onions and garlic together and apply it to the infected area. Leave it on for a few minutes and rinse with water. Repeat this three times every day.
5. Garlic And Eucalyptus Oil
- Mix 2–3 drops of eucalyptus oil with 2–3 crushed garlic cloves.
- Apply this onto the infected area and leave it on for a few minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Repeat these steps once every day.
6. Garlic And Turmeric
- Mix 1 teaspoon each of turmeric and crushed garlic cloves to form a paste.
- Apply this paste on the boils for 10–20 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Repeat this once a day.
7. Garlic, Apple Cider Vinegar, And Horseradish
- In a jar, mix 1 quart of raw apple cider vinegar, ½ ounce of grated horseradish, and 4 ounces of minced garlic.
- Cover the jar using the lid and place it in a warm place for 12 hours.
- Shake well and refrigerate it for the next 12 hours.
- Before use, strain the mixture and store the liquid in the refrigerator.
- Have one teaspoon of this liquid three times a day.
8. Garlic Oil
- Garlic oil is effective in treating popped boils.
- Apply the oil on the affected area and massage gently.
- Leave it on for a minutes or overnight.
- Wipe the oil with a cotton swab, wash with lukewarm water, and pat dry.
- You can also consume a teaspoon of garlic oil every day to treat boils internally.
9. Garlic Water
- Crush 4 garlic cloves and boil them in water for 5 minutes.
- Strain the cloves and allow the water to cool.
- Use this garlic water to wash the boils at least twice a day.
Tips For Treating Boils
- Do not squeeze or pop the boils on your own. This may lead to further infections.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap after touching the affected area.
- Before the topical application of garlic on your skin, do a patch test first and keep an eye out for any allergic reactions.
- Consult a doctor before ingesting garlic cloves. This is important if you are on medications as well. Garlic may interfere with some medicines.
- If the boils are in sensitive areas like the genitals, do not try home remedies without consulting a healthcare professional.
- If the boils do not heal in 10 days and appear more in number, consult the doctor immediately. This could indicate a more serious health condition.
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