Garlic has been prized as both food and medicine for thousands of years. While most of us are used to tossing it into soups, sauces, and sautés (which is a fantastic way to get those benefits!), garlic can also be preserved in concentrated forms like tinctures. Garlic tincture is one of the simplest and most effective ways to capture garlic’s medicinal properties for long-term use.
In this guide, you’ll learn what garlic tinctures are, why it’s better than eating cooked garlic, the science-backed health benefits, how to make them at home, and the safest ways to use them.
What Is a Garlic Tincture?
A garlic tincture is a concentrated herbal extract made by steeping crushed garlic in alcohol (vodka), glycerin, or apple cider vinegar. The liquid draws out garlic’s active compounds – like allicin, sulfur compounds, and antioxidants, so you get a potent, shelf-stable remedy in liquid form.
Allicin is the most powerful medicinal compound I’ve come across – I dive into the details of it in my Garlic for Health article.
Unlike garlic oil or garlic honey, tinctures are easy to dose with just a few drops, and they last much longer (often years if stored properly). This makes them a favorite in herbal medicine for daily immune support and on-the-go use.
Health Benefits of Garlic Tincture (Backed by Science)
Garlic tincture captures many of the same benefits as fresh garlic. Here’s what the research says:
- Immune system support: A study in Advances in Therapy found that people taking garlic supplements had fewer colds and recovered faster compared to those on a placebo (Advances in Therapy, 2001).
- Antimicrobial effects: Allicin has been shown to fight bacteria, viruses, and fungi in lab studies (NCBI).
- Heart health: A review published in the Journal of Nutrition reported that garlic supplements lowered blood pressure in people with hypertension, in some cases almost as effectively as prescription drugs (Journal of Nutrition, 2016).
- Cholesterol management: Garlic may reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol while sparing HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Aged garlic extract in particular has shown positive effects on cholesterol levels.
- Antioxidant & anti-inflammatory properties: Garlic compounds help neutralize free radicals and calm inflammation, which are linked to aging and chronic diseases (Cleveland Clinic).
- Blood sugar regulation: Some studies suggest garlic may improve insulin sensitivity and lower fasting blood sugar, making it supportive for type 2 diabetes management (NIH).
How to Make Garlic Tincture at Home
Making your own garlic tincture is very simple:
- Choose your garlic – Fresh, organic cloves are best. Crush or chop them to activate allicin.
- Grow your own garlic easily with our How to Grow Garlic Guide.
- Pick a base liquid – Most people use vodka or brandy. For alcohol-free versions, glycerin or apple cider vinegar also work.
- Combine – Fill a clean glass jar halfway with garlic and top it off with your chosen liquid, leaving some space at the top.
- Steep – Seal the jar and store in a cool, dark place for 3–6 weeks. Shake it daily.
- Strain & store – Strain out the garlic, then transfer the liquid to a Amber dropper bottles
Stored properly, your tincture should last 1–2 years. You can watch the quick tutorial video here on our youtube channel:
Dosage, How to Use & When to Use It
- General dosage: 2–5 ml (about ½–1 teaspoon) daily, or 10–20 drops under the tongue for faster absorption.
- Immune support: Take daily during cold/flu season.
- At first sign of illness: A few extra doses spread throughout the day may help shorten symptoms due to the power of allicin.
- Ways to take it: Directly under the tongue, mixed into a little water or tea, or added to honey.
Safety, Side Effects, and Who Should Avoid Garlic Tincture
While garlic is safe for most people, tinctures are potent. It’s more concentrated than just eating a raw garlic clove, which in itself can be tough on your stomach. Keep these in mind:
- Common side effects: digestive upset, garlic breath, mild burning in mouth or stomach.
- Blood-thinning risk: Garlic can act as a natural blood thinner due to it’s ability to increase circulation, so avoid high doses before surgery or if you’re on anticoagulants (Healthline).
- Medication interactions: May interact with certain drugs for HIV, blood pressure, and clotting.
- Pregnant/nursing women: Garlic in food is safe, but medicinal doses should be discussed with a doctor.
- Children: Best used in food or milder remedies like garlic honey rather than tinctures.
Garlic Tincture vs. Other Garlic Remedies
- Tincture – Potent, shelf-stable, easy to dose.
- Garlic oil – Great for topical use (like ear infections or skin issues).
- Garlic honey – Soothes coughs and sore throats. (I personally tried this one and wasn’t a fan).
- Pickled garlic – This remedy will be new to be this season, I’m hoping to like this more than the garlic honey.
- Raw garlic – Most allicin, but can be hard on digestion.
Each has its place, but tinctures are best when you want long-term storage and convenient dosing.
Best Practices for Storing Garlic Tincture
- Store in Amber dropper bottles to protect from light.
- Keep in a cool, dry place (pantry or cupboard is fine).
- Properly stored tinctures can last 1–2 years. If it smells off, changes color dramatically, or grows mold, toss it.
FAQ on Garlic Tinctures
Most sources recommend 2–5 ml per day (about ½–1 teaspoon).
Alcohol extracts more compounds and lasts longer, but glycerin is alcohol-free and tastes sweeter so that’s better for kids. Honestly, I’d go with alcohol since kids would probably fight against taking it.
Yes, studies show garlic supplementation can shorten colds and reduce frequency. You can find more information in my above article.
Properly stored and made with alcohol, up to 2 years.
It may interact with blood thinners and certain prescriptions, always check with your doctor first.
More than 1 full dropper amount per day is more than enough. Personally I only use approximately 10 drops per day because I also use Fire Cider that has garlic in it, plus all the food I eat when I cook garlic in it.
Garlic Food for Thought
Garlic tincture is one of the most effective ways to capture garlic’s medicinal power in a form that’s easy to use and store. From boosting your immune system to supporting heart health, this little bottle of concentrated garlic can be a powerful ally in your natural health toolkit.
If you’re new to tinctures, try making a small batch at home, you might be surprised how often you reach for it!
To learn more about garlic, view my Garlic for Health post.
We also have plenty of medicinal herbal guides, growing guides, seed saving guides and our recipes. We are growing our website with more articles all the time, and we invite you to grow with us. If you have any questions about garlic tinctures or would like to share some of your knowledge with us please leave a comment below. Happy Gardening!
