The Natural Wonders of Garlic

Garlic is part of the onion family. It is believed that garlic originated in Siberia and then it spread to Europe.

What makes garlic so healthy?

Garlic contains allicin, a powerful medicinal compound. Allicin is released when you chop or crush the garlic. More allicin is produced when garlic is chopped finely. Allicin works as an antibiotic and antifungal but it decomposes fast so it should be used immediately. Garlic is effective when taken raw because by cooking it, heat destroys the allicin.

Do you like the smell of garlic?

Garlic smells good while cooking it but it can give you a bad breath. The smell lingers because of the essential oils in garlic which enter in your blood and stays there for several hours. How do you get the bad smell off your breath? You can try to block the smell with mouthwash or use minty toothpaste when brushing your teeth. You may try also some odorless garlic pills on the market or you can try using fresh parsley which is a natural odor-eater and it contains vitamin C.

Researchers and scientists have been studying its benefits.  Below are some of the diseases where garlic can be useful.  It is recommended to always check with your doctor or physician before trying garlic for your illness.

Arthritis – inflammation, pain, and swelling of bones and joints

You can take garlic extract, rub a garlic poultice (garlic mash with olive oil) into the aching areas, or drink garlic tea (mixed clove of garlic, one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, one teaspoon of honey and water).

Asthma – lung congestion and shortness of breath with wheezing

Asthmatics these days take inhalers, some steroids, sometimes they get hospitalized and may lead to other respiratory illness like bronchitis, pneumonia, broncho-pneumonia, tuberculosis, or emphysema.  Garlic syrup can help an asthmatic to breathe easier.  Garlic syrup contains peeled garlic buds, vinegar, distilled water, glycerin, and honey.  Check with your physician first.

Acne

Garlic’s antibiotic and cleansing properties can help clear the skin.  Consult first your dermatologist if you have any.

Athlete’s Foot – foot pain and itching

Try eating raw garlic or taking garlic pills.  Try to apply a little garlic oil directly to the area.

Burns

Puncture a garlic oil capsule and rub it directly into the burn.  Check with your doctor first.

Cancer

Garlic contains allyl sulfides that help reduce the risk of cancer by limiting the number of cancerous precursors from becoming cancer.  The allyl sulfur compounds weaken the cancer cells.  Garlic also contains allicin which has antioxidants that can boost the immune system and conquer cancer cells.  It’s best to eat garlic raw and fresh.  Cooking it deactivates the release of allinase enzyme.  Garlic powder or oil can also release cancer-fighting elements.  Some studies have found that garlic is especially good at preventing digestive, breast, and prostate cancers.  Always check with your physician before starting your garlic regimen or diet.

Colds and Flu
At the onset of a cold, garlic can reduce the length of your cold. Just make sure that you take raw, fresh, crushed garlic or the garlic supplement (pill) has allicin in it.

Coughs
You can take garlic tea (3 minced cloves of garlic added to a cup of boiled water, strained) or garlic syrup or elixir (6 minced cloves of garlic and a cup of honey).

Diabetes – a disease where the body cannot produce or properly use insulin which is a hormone that converts sugar, starches, and other foods into energy. Diabetics sometimes take insulin injections. Garlic can be added to their meals to thin their blood and improve blood circulation.

High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is the waxy substance in the blood plasma. High cholesterol can cause heart attack or stroke. Garlic can boost your HDL (high density lipoproteins) level which pushes excess cholesterol out of your body. A gram of condensed garlic extract (same as nine cloves) can lower harmful LDL (low density lipoproteins) levels.

High Blood Pressure
A few studies showed that garlic can lower your blood pressure by 5 to 10 percent. Try garlic powder with allicin content.

Heart Disease – the number one killer in America, attacks both men and women.
Heart attacks and strokes are caused by high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, and plaque formation inside the arteries which create blockages in the circulatory system. Any of these can stop the flow of blood to the heart and brain. Garlic thins the blood by dissolving the fat particles and blood clots.

As with any other food, take garlic in moderation. Garlic might interact with prescription medicines, can cause allergies, upset stomach, or skin burns if your skin is sensitive. Always check with your doctor before starting any garlic regimen especially if you’re pregnant, under medication, or scheduled for surgery.

Based on experience, I take garlic whenever I have a very bad headache like migraine that won't easily go away. I usually take Tylenol for my headache but sometimes it just lessens the pain but it's still there so one time I experimented by taking crushed garlic or I cut it into small pieces like size of medicine tablets then I take it with juice or milk for good taste. I don't chew it because I don't really like the taste of garlic. This really works for me. My husband eats raw garlic and vinegar whenever he has cough and cold. My relatives in the Philippines also take garlic even for flu. Who knows? This might be a prevention or cure for AH1N1 flu also known as Swine Flu. It may be different in your case. You may want to share your experience too.