What Happens If You Soak Your Feet in Garlic Water?

Garlic is a kitchen staple with medicinal benefits that date back thousands of years. To this day, we are still discovering more ways garlic can improve our lives. What you may not know is that garlic can also contribute to healthier feet! Garlic has the power to reduce microbes, fungi and bacteria and contribute to overall foot health. Let’s look at what happens when you soak your feet in garlic water.

Why Garlic Is a Staple for Your Medicine Cabinet

Garlic has a long history of therapeutic and medicinal benefits, originating as far back as ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Japan, China, and India. It was believed to help increase strength, battle infections and toxins, aid with digestion, treat ailments like asthma and measles, and even preserve food.

More recently, researchers have turned their attention back to garlic as a natural remedy due to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

Antimicrobial Properties: Garlic is one of the most potent plant-based extracts for its antimicrobial abilities. This is thanks to an enzyme present in garlic called allicin. This enzyme is only released when garlic is chopped or crushed. It’s designed as a plant protection mechanism from herbivores and pests and is the key to unlocking those powerful antimicrobial benefits. Garlic is remarkably capable of repelling living organisms.

Antifungal Properties: When stacked against other members of the Allium genus, the allicin in garlic is also one of the best enzymes for reducing the presence of fungi. Studies have shown that garlic has the ability to reduce Fusarium, a common fungus that thrives in warm, damp conditions.

Studies have shown that the active compound in garlic, ajoene, helps to prevent and treat athlete’s foot (tinea pedis). Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection resulting from sweating feet confined in tight shoes or socks. It starts in between the toes and develops into an itchy rash. What’s worse is that this fungus is highly contagious and can spread by contact with contaminated floors or clothing. Soaking your feet in garlic-infused water can help reduce the fungus that causes the dreaded athlete’s foot.

I personally got rid of fungal infections for good by following the protocols I learned from The Holistic Guide to Wellness.

What Happens If You Soak Your Feet in Garlic Water?

Soaking your feet can become a relaxing ritual that many enjoy regularly to help reduce soreness and tension. This is even more important if you spend long days on your feet or wear tight shoes or boots often. Garlic foot soaks are also very effective if you use public showers or swimming pools, where contagious fungi are most likely to come in direct contact with your feet.

After soaking your feet in garlic water, you may notice that the skin on your feet feels softer and smooth to the touch. You may also feel energized after soaking your feet in garlic water or feel a boost in your overall mood after giving your feet a good soaking.

Note: It’s best to avoid using it on open wounds and applying it directly to your skin. If this is your first time using garlic as a foot soak, or you have very sensitive skin, start by diluting the mixture by half and testing it first.

DIY Garlic Foot Soak

First, you will need the following ingredients:

• 4 to 6 cloves of garlic
• 2 cups of boiling water
• A glass jar
• A kettle or a pot
• A basin or tub that will fit your feet

You’re welcome to use a foot bath if you already own one, but just be mindful that it may smell like garlic afterward!

Make your Garlic Water Infusion

1. To make your garlic infusion, first, remove the skin from your cloves.
2. Cut your garlic into 2-3 pieces and add them to your glass jar. If desired, you can also crush your garlic with a spoon. Leave it to rest for at least 10 minutes. This will release the beneficial enzymes and will help reduce fungal activity on your feet.
3. Next, pour your 2 cups of boiling water into the same glass jar.
4. Let your garlic infuse into the water for approximately one hour.

Soaking your Feet

1. Next, fill your basin with enough water that will submerge your feet. Use a water temperature that you are comfortable with; don’t make it scalding hot, as it can aggravate skin conditions.
2. Add your garlic infusion to the basin. You can pour it in directly or strain it if desired.
3. Soak your feet for a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes. If the water becomes too cool, you can add an additional cup of warm or hot water to your basin.
4. Since garlic can have a pungent odor, you may want to rinse your feet with a gentle soap after your foot bath.

Make sure you thoroughly dry your feet after your foot bath. This will help reduce and prevent fungal and bacterial growth, as they prefer moisture.

Garlic Water Use and Storage

If you are prone to getting fungal infections on your feet, repeat this process as consistently as possible. To experience the full benefits of your garlic foot soaks, repeat this process as consistently as possible. Since garlic water mixture is quite strong, only make as much as you need and use it immediately.

Other Ingredients You Can Add to Your Garlic Foot Soak

If you want to enhance your garlic water foot soak to even further reduce bacteria and fungi in your feet, you can add a few other ingredients.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is also very effective at reducing the presence of fungus and bacteria. However, it is another very potent ingredient, so start by adding just a teaspoon to your bath to avoid a stinging sensation. Avoid using apple cider vinegar in your foot bath if you have cracked feet or open sores.

Turmeric: Turmeric is another potent antifungal herb that makes a great addition to a foot soak to help reduce fungi growth on your feet. If you use turmeric, be mindful that it may stain your basin and your feet. If neither of those side effects bother you, it is a very effective addition to your foot soak.

Sage: You can add a few sage leaves to soak in your infusion water with your garlic cloves. Sage is a purifying herb with anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it ideal for treating skin conditions and irritation, including athlete’s foot.

You may also like:

How to Eat Black Garlic to Kill Intestinal Parasites

>>> Watch Video

Cleanse Your Bowels With These 2 Ingredients

I Put a Garlic Clove In My Ears Before Sleeping and This Happened (Video)

What To Do At Home After Food Poisoning

DIY Fermented Jalapeno Honey

Medicinal Honey Garlic Pickles