Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Published : June 9, 2016, 4:39 PM
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Whether you use garlic in your food or not, including garlic oil in your medicine cabinet is not a bad idea. Right from improving your cholesterol control to lowering your risk of diabetic complications and cancer, garlic oil has numerous health benefits. Wondering where to get it or how to make it at home? Click on the last slide.
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Relieves ear pain – The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of garlic oil not only helps in clearing ear wax, which not only unblocks the fluid drainage but also treats ear pain caused due to cough and cold. All you need to do is warm a few drops of garlic oil and put it in the ear to get rid of ear pain [1].
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Keeps cholesterol level in control – Adding garlic oil in your diet not only inhibits hypercholesterolemia but also decreases the atheromatous changes that occur in the aorta, leading to atherosclerosis, heart disease or coronary artery disease, reveals a study published in Atherosclerosis [2].
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Acts as natural remedy to treat toenail fungus – Dip a cotton ball in garlic oil and dab it over the toenail fungus to treat it naturally. The presence of allicin, an antifungal compound in garlic inhibits the fungal growth, thereby aiding in the treatment of fungal infection naturally [3].
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Lowers the risk of various kidney and diabetes complications – A 2003 study published in Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology [4] revealed that including garlic oil in diet for 15 days showed a significant improvement in the liver and kidney functioning. Moreover, it also delays the health complications due to diabetes such as diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy.
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Sleep well to avoid insulin resistance. © Shutterstock
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Lowers the oxidative damage caused due to nicotine – A major component of tobacco, nicotine, is known to cause numerous health complications like atherosclerosis and degenerative diseases. However, supplementation of garlic oil, which contains antioxidants and essential oils, lowered nicotine-induced oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation [6].
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Inhibits tumour production – Garlic oil when applied around three times a week on the skin was found to inhibit tumour production and also lowers your risk of infections. However, the action is dependent on the dosage of garlic oil [7].
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Garlic oil is easily available in the market. But if you prefer homemade one, then you can try making it at home as well. Add a few cloves of peeled garlic in oil (mustard, ground nut or extra virgin olive oil) and allow it to boil for around 10 – 15 minutes. Cool it down and store it in an airtight container for a week or two.
