This deeply aromatic and medicinal oil combines the warmth of cloves with the healing intensity of garlic — two time-honored ingredients known across cultures for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and circulatory-boosting effects. Whether you’re crafting a healing massage oil, a warming rub for joint pain, or a culinary drizzle with therapeutic undertones, this infusion serves multiple wellness needs.
Clove, with its potent eugenol content, acts as a natural pain reliever and antiseptic, while garlic is rich in allicin — a compound known for supporting immune function, reducing infections, and improving blood flow. The infusion captures the volatile oils and bioactive compounds over time, transforming basic olive oil into a golden remedy.
Muhammad, this can be a wonderful base oil for your herbal toolkit — versatile enough for ingestible use in moderate amounts or gentle external applications. Let’s get into it.
🧺 Ingredients:
🔸 Core Ingredients:
- 1 cup peeled fresh garlic cloves (around 2 full bulbs)
- 2 tbsp whole cloves (not ground)
- 500 ml (about 2 cups) extra virgin olive oil
🔸 Optional Additions:
- 1 tsp dried rosemary or thyme (for antimicrobial synergy)
- 1 small bay leaf (for warming and circulatory support)
- Zest of 1 lemon (for digestive and aromatic lift)
- 1 tsp black seed (Nigella sativa, for added anti-inflammatory effects)
🍯 Instructions:
✅ Step 1: Ingredient Preparation
- Peel your garlic cloves completely, ensuring no skin or residue remains. If you wish to mellow the garlic’s intensity slightly, you can blanch them quickly in boiling water for 30 seconds, then dry.
- Inspect cloves for quality — they should be whole, firm, and aromatic. Avoid bruised or dull specimens.
✅ Step 2: Drying the Ingredients (Important for Shelf Stability)
- Pat both garlic and cloves dry with a clean towel. You can let them air-dry for 1–2 hours to reduce moisture content. This minimizes risk of spoilage in oil-based infusions.
✅ Step 3: Infusion Setup
- Take a sterilized glass jar or amber bottle with an airtight lid.
- Layer in your garlic and cloves, gently distributing them to avoid overcrowding.
- Add any optional herbs like rosemary, bay leaf, or lemon zest.
✅ Step 4: Pouring the Oil
- Warm your olive oil slightly — just until lukewarm (not hot or bubbling), to activate infusion without destroying nutrients.
- Pour the oil over the ingredients until they’re fully submerged. Leave a little headspace at the top of the jar.
✅ Step 5: Infusion Time
- Seal the jar tightly and store in a cool, dark place (like a pantry or cupboard) for 2–3 weeks.
- Shake gently every 2–3 days to stir the contents and encourage the infusion.
✅ Step 6: Strain and Store
- After the infusion period, strain the oil through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve to remove solids.
- Transfer the strained oil into a clean, dark glass bottle for long-term storage.
🌟 Usage Suggestions:
- Culinary Use: Add a teaspoon to soups, stews, or salad dressings. Its rich flavor pairs well with Mediterranean and South Asian dishes.
- Topical Application: Use as a warm rub for cold feet, aching joints, or congested chest areas. Always patch test first!
- Earache Remedy: Apply a warm drop (test temperature!) around the outer ear—not inside—as a traditional remedy.
- Immune Booster: A drop mixed with honey and lemon water can be used as a winter tonic (consult care guide before ingestion).