How Baked Garlic Is Traditionally Prepared
This remedy is simple and requires only one ingredient.
What You Need
- 1 clove of fresh garlic
- Oven, toaster oven, or pan
Traditional Preparation
- Leave the garlic clove unpeeled.
- Bake it at a low temperature until it becomes soft and warm, not burnt.
- Allow it to cool until it is warm, not hot.
- Peel away the skin before use.
The garlic should feel soft when pressed and release a mild aroma, not a sharp or burning smell.
Traditional Ways It Was Used
There are several folk methods that were commonly passed down:
1. Warm Garlic Near the Ear
The softened garlic clove is wrapped in clean cloth or gauze and gently held against the outer ear, not inside the ear canal. This was believed to provide warmth and comfort.
2. Garlic-Infused Oil (Indirect Use)
In some traditions, baked garlic was lightly crushed and infused into warm oil. The oil was then strained, and only a drop of the oil was placed near the ear opening, never deep inside.
3. Garlic as a Warming Compress
Garlic wrapped in cloth was placed near the ear while resting, often before sleep, to help relax the area.
Why Warmth Matters in Traditional Remedies
Many old remedies focused not just on the plant itself, but on warmth. Warmth was believed to:
- Relax surrounding muscles
- Improve circulation
- Reduce pressure sensations
- Encourage natural drainage
Baked garlic provided both gentle warmth and a plant-based element, which made it especially popular.
