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Garlic
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| Part
Used : The bulb |
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| Common
Uses |
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Reduces blood
cholesterol levels |
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Improves circulation |
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Helps in treatment
of atherosclerosis |
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Reduces risk of
heart attack |
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Reduces blood
pressure |
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Acts as a natural
antibiotic |
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Helps prevent colds
and flu |
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Prevents yeast
infections |
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Helps prevent cancer |
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How
Garlic Works
Garlic has been called the "stinking
rose", but while it may have a powerful smell, it also packs a
powerful punch when it comes to dealing with some serious health
problems.
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Garlic keeps the cholesterol
levels in our blood in good balance. It does this by lowering serum
cholesterol levels while raising ‘good’ HDL-cholesterol levels.
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| Garlic strengthens blood
vessels, lowers blood pressure, and improves circulation by reducing
platelet "stickiness". As a natural antibiotic it protects us
from infection. It also detoxifies our bodies while maintaining healthy
flora in our intestine. |
| Eating garlic on a regular
basis has been linked with reduced rates of stomach and colon cancer. |
| Garlic has powerful
antibacterial properties. When fresh cloves are when applied topically,
they are an effective treatment of skin infections and acne. It is
suggested that, because of the odor, this treatment is best applied at
night. |
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Side
Effects
No major side effects are known. Some people
experience flatulence or heartburn while taking garlic. Rare cases of
allergic reaction have been reported. |
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Safety
Concerns
If you are taking anticoagulant medication
you should use garlic with caution. There are no known contraindications
for the use of garlic while pregnant or lactating. |
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The History
of Garlic
Garlic is one of the most ancient remedies
known to man and has truly earned a place in History! |
| It has been cultivated, and
highly valued for more than 5,000 years, and used for medicinal purposes
since the time of the Egyptian Pharos and the earliest Chinese
dynasties. The Bible tells that the Israelites complained that they had
too little garlic in their provisions as they fled from Egypt. |
| The most renowned Greek and
Roman physicians, Hippocrates, Galen, Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides
all recommended garlic. It was used it for a wide range of complaints
including respiratory and digestive problems, weight loss, parasites and
low energy. |
| Traditional Chinese medicine
also saw the importance of Garlic and it wrote about it in their
literature in 510 A.D.. They prescribed it for colds, tuberculosis,
digestive problems and diarrhea. It was also used topically to treat
snake bites, fungal infections of the skin and pinworm. |
| In more recent times, Louis
Pasteur studied the antibacterial effect of garlic and Albert Schweitzer
used garlic to treat dysentery during his visit to Africa. |
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In modern times more than 1000 papers have been written
about this small odorous bulb, which appears to not only frighten off
vampires but also other unwelcome visitors like viruses, bacteria and
yeast infections. It’s hard to believe that it tastes good too!
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