Homemade Allicin-Based Antibiotic: A Gut-Friendly Alternative
A Natural, Gut-Friendly Antibiotic You Can Make at Home.
If you’ve ever worried about giving antibiotics to your kids (or taking them yourself), you’re definitely not alone. While meds like amoxicillin can help clear up infections, they also tend to wipe out the good bacteria in your gut—and that can cause all sorts of issues later on, from digestive troubles to autoimmune diseases. That’s why we love using garlic, or more specifically, allicin—the powerful compound in garlic that does all the fighting without messing up your microbiome.
Why I Use Allicin Instead of Regular Antibiotics.
Allicin is amazing because it goes after bacteria and viruses and fungi and even parasites. It doesn’t just treat one type of germ—it tackles almost everything. Even better? Your body doesn’t build up resistance to it like it can with prescription antibiotics. Plus, it’s gentle on your gut and will even help your good bacteria grow.
We’ve personally used it for things like sore throats, ear infections, skin irritations—you name it. And there are so many ways to use it, from homemade drops to garlic-infused oil. Here are some of our favorite methods:
Homemade Allicin Drops (A Go-To “Liquid Antibiotic”)
This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to use stabilized allicin. We use a product called Allimax because it’s high-quality and already stabilized (so you don’t have to worry about whether you’re getting enough allicin).
How To Make It:
Open 3 Allimax capsules (each one has 180 mg of stabilized allicin) into a 2 oz glass dropper bottle.
Add about 25 drops (or 1/4 tsp) of filtered water.
Close the bottle and gently shake it up.
Pop it in the fridge and use it within a month.
We make small batches to keep it fresh. It’s super convenient, especially for kids who can’t swallow capsules yet.
How To Use It for Kids:
Babies (3–12 months): 3 drops, twice a day
Toddlers (2–5 years): 6 drops, three times a day
Older kids (6–12 years): 12 drops, two or three times a day
You can give it straight or mix it into a little water—no burning or harsh taste.
Adults or Teens? If swallowing pills is tricky, just convert capsules into drops:
6 drops = 1 regular Allimax capsule
12 drops = 1 mid-strength capsule (like AlliUltra)
15 drops = 1 professional strength (like AlliMed)
Garlic Power, Straight from the Clove.
If you don’t have Allimax handy, you can still get all the benefits of allicin from regular garlic cloves—it just takes a bit of prep. When garlic is chopped or crushed, a chemical reaction creates allicin. But it needs a few minutes to fully activate.
Here’s How To Do It:
Chop or crush a clove of garlic.
Let it sit out for 10–15 minutes. (This is key!)
Then eat it raw—ideally with food, to avoid upsetting your stomach.
Don’t swallow whole cloves or eat it immediately after chopping. The enzyme needs time to work, and your stomach acids can shut it down if it hasn’t had time to activate.
For therapeutic purposes, you can work up to a whole head of garlic per day (yep, spread out, not all at once!). Just listen to your body—and maybe keep some breath mints nearby.
Cooking Tip: Heat destroys allicin, so if you're cooking with garlic, crush it first, let it sit, then cook. Even though the allicin is gone, the sulfur compounds are still great for your health.
Garlic-Infused Oil (Soothing and Gentle for Skin Issues).
This is one of our favorite remedies for ear infections or skin irritations.
How To Make It:
Crush one garlic clove.
Mix it with 1–2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
Let it sit for about 30 minutes.
Strain out the garlic bits and store the oil.
You can gently rub this on the skin, or for things like swimmer’s ear, use a couple drops in the ear canal. (Just make sure the eardrum isn’t perforated—better to check with a healthcare provider if you’re unsure.)
Sensitive Stomach? Try Supplements Instead.
Raw garlic can be a little intense for some people—especially if you have IBS or are sensitive to FODMAPs. That’s where buffered garlic supplements or pure allicin capsules (like Allimax) can be really helpful. They’re easier on the stomach and still super effective.
Dosing Suggestions:
For general wellness: 2–3 capsules a day (equal to about 2 cloves of fresh garlic)
Take with food to minimize digestive upset
If you're using Allimax, follow the dosing instructions on the package, or use the drop conversion that was mentioned earlier.
A Few Quick Considerations.
Keep your homemade allicin drops in the fridge and use within a month.
Talk to your health care provider before using garlic remedies for babies under 3 months.
If anyone has a garlic allergy (rare, but it happens), steer clear.
If you or your child is dealing with a serious infection or has a weakened immune system, don’t rely on garlic alone—seek medical help.
Why Choose Allicin-Based Remedies?
Natural remedies are a big part of our life, and garlic (especially allicin) has earned its place in our wellness toolkit. It’s powerful, versatile, and gentle on the gut—unlike so many antibiotics that throw everything out of balance. Whether you’re mixing up a homemade remedy or grabbing a trusted supplement, allicin is a safe, natural way to fight off infections without wrecking your microbiome.
Let us know if you give any of these a try—or if you have your own garlic tricks!