Garlic
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a perennial plant of the lily family, closely related to onions, leeks, chives, and shallots. Its edible bulb or „head“ grows underground and is made up of sections called cloves which have a strong distinctive flavor. Throughout all of recorded history, garlic has been used for medicinal and culinary purposes. The ancient Egyptians worshipped garlic, in Rome and Greece garlic was used to treat a wide variety of conditons, from bladder infections and dog bites to leprosy and asthma. Athletes used carlic to stimulate performance, and in the Middle Ages, garlic was believed to combat the plague. The most famous garlic folklore is that it can ward off vampires. In America and Great Britain, garlic was frowned upon for a long time and only recently its culinary and medicinal values have been recognized.
Garlic Constituents
The two most active constituents in fresh garlic are alliin, an amino acid, and allinase, an enzyme. When a clove of garlic is cut, chewed, or chopped, these compounds mix and form allicin which is responsible for the characteristic flavor of garlic. Allicin again breaks down into other sulfur compounds which have a variety of healing properties. Garlic is also rich in trace minerals, such as iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, selenium, and germanium, as well as vitamins A and C, many sulfur compounds, and various amino acids.
Garlic Health Benefits
Garlic has been shown to be effective against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. The sulfur compounds in garlic help to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels and thus prevent heart disease and strokes. Garlic also improves the immune system and may possibly help in the prevention of cancer. It is well known that there is a decreased incidence of all types of cancer in countries where people consume a lot of garlic. Studies have found that garlic blocks the formation of carcinogens and that the antioxidants in garlic further help by protecting against free radicals which are known to damage cells. Garlic is also beneficial for people with diabetes as it has the ability to keep blood sugar stable. In studies, manufactured garlic supplements have shown to be equally beneficial as eating fresh cloves, however, it takes at least one month of using garlic until laboratory results can be seen. Garlic can also be used externally for wounds, cuts, and other skin conditions. Warmed garlic oil applied to the ear canal can help treat ear infections. Garlic helps increase the digestion of meat and fats and is good for stomach complaints. And finally, garlic can be used to kill and expel intestinal worms in animals and humans.
Garlic Uses
Internally, garlic can be taken raw or cooked, in tablet, capsule, tincture, or syrup form. It is recommended to take one to three cloves or 15 – 40 drops of tincture per day. Tablets and capsules vary in their components, so product labels should be consulted. As a general rule, 400 – 500 mg of allicin should be taken twice a day. For external use, a poultice can be made using either grated or crushed fresh garlic. It can be mixed with honey and placed directly onto the injured skin. Or a compress of garlic may be made by wrapping grated or crushed fresh garlic in a piece of cheesecloth and place this on the affected area. A garlic suppository can be used to treat vaginal bacterial infections or yeast. A clove of fresh, uncrushed garlic is wrapped in a layer of cheesecloth and inserted into the vagina overnight. Garlic oil is made by putting some crushed garlic cloves into a jar of olive oil and letting it sit for about two weeks. The oil can then be strained and refrigerated.
Garlic Risks and Side Effects
Because of the high concentration of sulfur compounds, people who are allergic to sulfur should not take garlic. Patients who have to take anticoagulant drugs should consult their doctor before taking garlic on a daily basis. As raw garlic can be irritating to the digestive system, excessive intake can cause gas, cramping, and diarrhea. Fresh garlic may cause itching and redness when applied to the skin. And last but not least, garlic gives a pungent garlic odor not only to the breath, but also to the skin and perspiration. This can even happen when so-called odorless pills are used.
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