Health Benefits of Garlic

What is garlic and why is it a good health herb?

Garlic is an herb used widely as flavouring in cooking and it is also used as a medicine in ancient and modern history to prevent and treat a wide range of conditions and diseases.

Garlic is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world and it contains allicin, which has potent medicinal properties. Other members of the family include leeks, chives, spring onions and shallots, which are all distinguished by the strong aroma and flavour. The health benefits of garlic are so many that we should always have it at home; it helps fight heart diseases, cold, cough and lowering the blood pressure level.

Health Benefits of Garlic

Garlic is the oldest known medicinal plant variety or spice in existence. Mankind recognised the curative qualities of this magic herb since over 3000 years. Here are some of the health benefits of garlic:

• Diabetes: Diabetes can harm the kidneys, hinder nervous system functions, which can lead to heart disorders, and even cause poor eyesight. The oil extracted from garlic may protect diabetic patients from these side effects.
• High Cholesterol Levels: There are two kinds of cholesterol, the LDL and HDL. The LDL is known as the bad cholesterol, which is bad for human health. Garlic is rich in the allicin compound effectively prevents LDL cholesterol from reacting. People with high cholesterol levels should include this herb in their daily diet.
• Hypertension: Garlic is good for curing hypertension. When exposed to high levels of pressure, the allicin present in garlic relaxes the blood vessels. It also fights against thrombosis (blood clot).
• Eye Care: Garlic is rich in nutrients like Selenium, Quercetin and Vitamin C, which helps to treat eye infections and inflammations.
• Live Longer: Garlic may help you live longer, having garlic regularly can reduce the risks of some conditions developing and fight infectious disease, which is an important factor because these are common causes of death especially in the elderly and people with dysfunctional immune system.
• Earache: Garlic contains antiviral, antifungal and antibiotics, which can cure earaches. Garlic oil can be made at home, simply squeeze the juice of its cloves and add it to olive oil. The mixture should be kept at room temperature for just few days.
• Intestinal Problems: Garlic clears up most intestinal problems like dysentery, diarrhoea and colitis. Its also helps in dispelling worms; it does not affect the functioning of useful organisms in the intestine, which aid in digestion, but it does destroy the harmful bacteria that could cause problems in the intestines.
• Cold: Raw garlic is good for treating colds and coughs.  By eating at least two crushed cloves at the start of a cold will help in lessening the severity of your cold.
• Infected Wounds: Garlic can be used on infected wounds as an herbal cure, but when using as herbal remedy, it should be mixed with three drops of water, as using it undiluted can irritate the skin.
• Digestion: By including garlic in your diet can help in elimination of some digestive problems. The herb helps in the functioning of the intestines for good digestion. Garlic can also be used as treatment for swelling and irritation of the gastric canal.
• Asthma: Boiling cloves of garlic are good for asthma treatment. Before going to bed at night, a glass of milk with 3 boiled cloves of garlic can be a relief to asthma patients and asthma attacks can be controlled by having crushed garlic cloves with malt vinegar too.
• Cancer: Garlic’s role in the prevention of cancer is one of the most effective; it is a powerful cancer fighter. By having garlic regularly can reduce the risk of colon, stomach and esophageal cancer. It also helps to reduce the production of carcinogenic compounds, and the occurrence of tumors associated with breast cancer.
• Warts: Each night before bed, crush up a clove of garlic, rub it on the wart, and apply a bandage. Also, cover the wart with juice from garlic twice a day.
• Acne: Acne is common in the world, people suffers from mild to severe forms of acne. Garlic can be used with other ingredients like honey, cream and tumeric, to treat acne scars. It can also prevent the increase of acne. Garlic acts as a cleanser and an antibiotic substance for soothing skin rashes.

Advice:

• To have the best flavour and maximum health benefits, buy fresh garlic.
• Do not buy garlic that is soft or shows evidence of decay.
• Garlics in flake, powder or paste form is convenient but not as good as fresh garlic.
• If you are using garlic for cholesterol, check your cholesterol level after three months.
• By having as little as one per day, brings improvement to your general health.
• Garlic is very effective when eaten raw.
• Garlic in cooking should be added last for more healthy impact to the body.
• Eating too much can also cause irritation in the digestive system.

Image source:http://www.timefornaturalhealthcare.com/place-a-clove-of-garlic-in-the-mouth-every-morning-here-is-why/