Garlic is not only a common flavoring seasoning, but also an incredibly healthy product. It helps to cope with various ailments, and is especially good for respiratory diseases.
In such cases, the plant is most often used to prepare a solution for inhalation - healing respiratory procedures. How useful it is, and in what cases it will bring harm, who should not use it - read on. You will also learn how to do the procedures correctly and what else you can add to garlic.
Is it helpful?
Garlic inhalations stimulate recovery from such conditions:
- SARS, ORZ (if temperature is normal).
- Sinusitis, rhinitis, frontitis, light form of sinusitis (for treatment of rhinitis with drops and inhalations with garlic, read this article).
- Complications after respiratory infections and flu.
- Different types of cough (more cures for garlic cough can be found here).
- Bronchopulmonary diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough (inhalations relieve the condition during periods of exacerbations).
On a note. Garlic inhalations are an excellent preventive measure.
They can be used during periods of increased seasonal activity of infections and at times of indisposition at the onset of the disease to prevent it. Also, this procedure can strengthen the human immunity when it is most weakened - in the autumn and winter months.
The curative effect is that the essential oils contained in garlic, allicin, phytoncides and bioflavonoids have a beneficial effect on the organs of the respiratory system, destroy pathogenic bacteria, preventing their reproduction, and contribute to strengthening the immune system.
Read more about the benefits of garlic for colds here.
Harm
- If the concentration of garlic is too high in the solution for inhalation or if this procedure is carried out too often, a light burn of the respiratory tract can be earned.
- In some diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria, too hot a solution may be ineffective, since garlic will kill harmful microorganisms, and an abundance of steam will contribute to their reproduction. But such a phenomenon is extremely rare.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy, especially its last terms (garlic can help to increase uterine activity).
- Increased tendency to allergic reactions.
- Individual intolerance to garlic.
Important! Any inhalation with the use of hot steam is contraindicated in the presence of high temperature.
How to do?
Inhalation is inhaled through the nose and exhalation through the mouth. In some cases, you can breath and do the mouth. The best effect of inhalation is achieved during the procedure before bedtime.
If the breathing procedures are carried out several days in a row or more than once a day, the solution for them must be prepared fresh each time. The finished inhalation liquid, after standing for more than two hours, not only loses some useful properties, but can also become harmful as a result of a chemical reaction with the release of decomposition products.
What to combine garlic inhalation?
With onion
Ingredients:
- Water - 1-1.2 liters.
- Onions - half of the large head.
- Garlic - 4 cloves.
Cooking:
- Water to boil.
- Grate the onions and garlic, wrap in gauze, squeeze in the prepared hot water, then put the squeezed gauze bag into the same place.
Carrying out the procedure: bend over the container with a solution, close your eyes tightly, inhale the steam with your nose and mouth. In order to keep the inhalation solution hot longer and not to release steam in vain, it is additionally recommended to cover the head and container with a thick cloth (for example, a towel).
Inhale the evaporation should be about 15 minutes - until the cooling liquid. After the procedure, you should go to bed and take a warm blanket.
With soda
Ingredients:
- Water - 1 liter.
- Garlic - 5-6 teeth.
- Soda - 1 tsp.
Cooking:
- Garlic grate a large grater.
- Pour the prepared water, bring to a boil, boil for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, cool slightly, add to the liquid and dissolve the soda in it.
Inhalation spend 12-15 minutes, after cooling the solution is heated and repeat the procedure.
With chamomile
Ingredients:
- Water - 1-l.
- Dried chamomile flowers - 25-30 g.
- Garlic - 5 zubkov.
Cooking:
- Chamomile pour boiling water, let stand 15-20 minutes.
- Finely chop the garlic, wrap in cheesecloth, put it in the resulting infusion.
- Let stand under the lid for another 5 minutes.
- Heat the solution.
- Inhale the vapor for 15 minutes.
It is recommended to carry out inhalation 2-3 times a day.
With pine extract
Ingredients:
- Water - 1-1.2 liters.
- Coniferous extract - 2-3 teaspoons of liquid or 20 dry (in briquettes).
- Garlic - 3-4 cloves.
Cooking:
- To boil water.
- If coniferous extract in liquid form - pour the required amount into hot water, if in dry form - pour boiling water and let it brew for 5 minutes.
Inhale hot steam for 12-15 minutes, after cooling the liquid, breathe its evaporation for about 10 minutes. This recipe is well suited for prophylactic inhalation.
With menthol
Ingredients:
- Water - 1-1.5 liters.
- Garlic - 4-5 teeth.
- Menthol in liquid form - 15-20 drops.
Liquid menthol in the recipe can be replaced by mint leaves - dry or fresh. In the ground form, they will need three tablespoons. This option is well suited for children.
Cooking:
- Water to boil.
- Add the specified amount of menthol to boiling water.
- Chop the garlic on a fine grater, wrap in two layers of gauze, squeeze in menthol water, put gauze with the rest of the product.
Breathe the resulting solution for 15 minutes. It is advisable to repeat the procedure twice a day.
With eucalyptus
Ingredients:
- Water - 1 l.
- Garlic - 5-6 teeth.
- Eucalyptus in the form of essential oil - 7-10 drops, in the form of alcohol tincture - 2 teaspoons.
Cooking:
- In hot boiled water add eucalyptus oil or tincture and chopped garlic.
- Leave to infuse under the lid for 5-7 minutes.
To conduct inhalation according to the general scheme, 2-3 times a day for treatment and once a day for the prevention of diseases.
Important! If a child or an adult with a disease such as bronchial asthma passes through the treatment process, the concentration of garlic in the solution must be reduced - this will help to avoid negative consequences, such as burning in the airways or difficulty breathing.
You can also carry out inhalation only with the use of garlic - for this you will need to add 7-8 crushed garlic cloves together with the husk into boiling water, beat on low heat for 4-5 minutes, and then apply according to the general scheme.
Garlic husks can be added to the inhalation fluid along with garlic - It contains a lot of useful substances that will have a positive effect on the respiratory system.
Although garlic is not recognized by official medicine as a medicine, it does not cease to be for many people a budget and, most importantly, a natural method of healing. Proper use of this plant for healing both inwardly and outwardly, has proven its effectiveness and has gained deserved popularity.