Garlic and its health benefits

In this post, I will write about garlic and its health benefits.

Introduction

Garlic is odoriferous bulb belonging to the lily family of onions, leeks and chives. Garlic bulb is divided into sections called cloves. Each clove has a covering of thin layer which protects them from losing moisture and rotting. It can stay at room temperature for a long time. Its scientific name is Allium Satum.

History

Throughout history, it is used for medicinal and culinary purposes. It is one of the oldest plants grown in the world. It has been grown for more than 4000 years. It is native to central Asia. China, India, Spain, USA and South Korea are among the top commercial producers.

Chemical composition

Garlic is packed with vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain good health. Some of this includes manganese, calcium, zinc, potassium, protein etc. It is an excellent source of manganese 15%, Vitamin B6 11%, Vitamin C 9.3%, Vitamin B and B2. Garlic has germanium, an anti-cancer agent, more than any other herb. It is also a good source of selenium. The selenium is an important part of body’s antioxidant system. Apart from all these nutrients, it has active compounds called Allicin and diallyl sulphide. Sulphur is a key element of our health and it is the cause of its pungent odor.

Health benefits

Immune system

Garlic’s most potent health benefit is its ability to enhance the body’s immune system. Its most active compound Allicin is a powerful antibiotic. Allicin inhibits the ability of germs to grow and reproduce. It’s effective against toxic bacteria, viruses and fungus.

Skin disease

It can heal some stubborn skin diseases such as ringworm infection and eczema, not healing by other means. For that crush garlic. Keep it for 10-15 minutes. Apply on affected skin. Let it dry. It will burn but it will cure the skin problem.

Ear infection

It may help to cure ear infection. For that, crush garlic. Put a little cooking oil and heat it at low heat until the garlic paste gets dried. Let it cool and use it as ear drop.

Blood pressure

Allicin is a powerful antioxidant and transmits cellular signals that relax and dilates blood vessels and increase blood flow. Due to this action, it may help to equalize blood pressure whether low or high.

Cardiovascular system

Various studies on garlic to study its medicinal uses confirm that it can reduce cholesterol. Being an antioxidant, it helps scavenge harmful free radicals. It lowers triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol in blood serum, thus prevents arteriosclerosis. It is blood thinner and reduces blood clotting. In this way, it would reduce risk of heart attack and stroke. Vitamin B6 present in garlic prevents heart disease by lowering homocysteine levels in blood. The homocysteine is a by-product of protein breakdown which causes inflammation and damages to blood vessels.

Cancer

When garlic is crushed and kept for 10-15 minutes, it triggers enzyme reactions that produce a variety of compounds called allyl polysulphides. Various studies done to study the health benefits of garlic found that when garlic is eaten, human red blood cells emit hydrogen sulphide. Human red blood cells can take sulphur containing molecules called polysulphides and use them to produce hydrogen sulphides. So it appears that garlic has power to boost production of natural supply of hydrogen sulphide in the body which may help to protect the body against various types of cancers including breast, prostate, and colon cancer.

Arthritis

It seems to reduce inflammation and pain in the body making it beneficial for people with arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Other uses

• It is a good remedy for common cold and flu.
  
• It also regulates blood sugar in diabetes.
  
• Allyl sulphide present in garlic may help improve iron metabolism.

Due to its numerous benefits, sometimes it is called wonder drug.

How to use

The best and most effective way to use garlic as medicine or herb is by crushing it.

• Take 2-3 cloves of garlic.
  
• Remove the covering.
  
• Cut into small pieces and crush it into paste in a stainless steel bowl.
  
• Leave it for 10-15 minutes.
  
• Add some water and drink it.
  
• Take it half an hour after meal.
  
• Continue to drink more water for some time.

 Side effects

The main social reason people don’t like to use it is because of its bad smell. It makes breathe and sweat smell like garlic. Eating fennel seeds or drinking lemon juice helps to reduce its smell.

Excessive use or large dose may produce problems such as irritation or damage to digestive tract.

If you are on blood thinning medication such as warfarin or aspirin you should consult a doctor before using it.