I'm not an herbalist, but I was interested too.
Here's some info I found quite interesting with the directions on how to tincture garlic. Hope it helps.
http://seasilver.threadnet.com/Preventorium/garlic.htm
Garlic is known as one of nature’s most potent antibiotic. Garlic is a wonderful herb (and since herbs are FOOD it is also a wonderful food) for building and maintaining optimum health. It has the ability to stimulate cell growth and has a super rejuvenative effect on the entire body. Garlic helps to open up the blood vessels, stimulate circulation and helps reduce blood pressure - especially when Capsicum (Cayenne) is added. Garlic helps dissolve cholesterol in the blood stream. As already stated, it contains natural antibiotics and is effective against bacteria while protecting the body’s normal intestinal flora. It contains many vitamins, minerals and trace elements. There has been a lot written on this important herb.
Some of the afflictions or conditions where excellent results have been reported are as follows:
ASTHMA, BRONCHITIS, CANCER, CANDIDA, CIRCULATION, COLDS, DIGESTION, FUNGUS, HEART, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, INFECTIONS, INTESTINAL WORMS, LIVER, LUNGS, PROSTATE AND YEAST INFECTIONS (1).
Additional qualities compiled from a different source are:
RESPIRATORY AILMENTS, NERVES AND SINUS, PUTREFACTION, ACTS ON BACTERIA, VIRUSES AND INTERNAL PARASITES, PURGES THE SYSTEM OF POLLUTANTS, BUILDS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, STIMULATES THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM, PREVENTS PNEUMONIA, DISSENTERY, DIARRHEA AND STREP INFECTIONS (2),
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS, EXPECTORANT, INCREASES THE FLOW OF BILE (3).
Cooking with Garlic helps also but the active ingredient or parts can easily be destroyed by heat. There are 50 compounds in Garlic and 10 of them are active in reducing cancer, so, it best taken RAW. This leads to a problem of social acceptance due to the often objectionable smell. Most odorless Garlic tablets or capsules have the active compounds reduced or removed. This could cause the Garlic formulation (product) to be less effective.
Taking Garlic with Aloe and/or Chlorophyll not only aids its digestion and removes much of the Garlic breath but also contributes largely to the success of any therapy.
A cold extract of Garlic can be used as an enema for intestinal worms, particularly pin worms.
Juice:
Take 1/2 tsp. of the juice pressed from the bulb, thinned with water, 2 or 3 times a day.
Cold extract:
Let several cloves of Garlic stand in 1/2 cup of water overnight. This can be used as an enema as well. If you drink it, add a little honey and apple cider vinegar for a wonderful taste.
Tincture:
Let 1/2 lb. of peeled cloves of Garlic soak in 1 qt. brandy for 14 days at a temperature of 85 degrees F. in a bottle with an airtight seal. Shake several times a day. Strain when the time is up to get a tincture which will keep for about a year. Take 5 to 25 drops, several times a day, as needed.
In closing, it is important to realize that Garlic is used by Eastern and Western cultures to kill and expel parasites and worms. Roundworms, pinworms, tapeworms and hookworms - all succumb to the volatile powers of Garlic. It is even used as an ointment for external applications against ringworm (4).
One of the prime reasons why Garlic is so effective against cancer may be the fact that Garlic contains large amounts of Germanium (750ppm). Only Korean Ginseng and Shelf fungus have more.
. I'm trying to find out how to tincture garlic and if its even a useful thing to do. I've been following those herbal classes over at Barnes and Noble and came across the statement that you can even tincture garlic. I know that you shouldn't put garlic in olive oil because bacteria can grow so I was looking for a better way(like tinctures). So if you know how I would love to know all about it and am eagerly waiting for your replies!! 