The Health Benefit of Garlic
The health benefits of garlic as an herbal “wonder drug” have been known for a long time.
Garlic is one of the oldest known medicinal plants, and it’s been credited with fighting heart disease, lowering blood pressure and helping to fight off colds
The therapeutic qualities of garlic are nothing new. Sanskrit records reveal that garlic remedies were pressed into service in
Modern science has shown that
Garlic can have a powerful antioxidant effect. Antioxidants help to protect the body against damaging “free radicals”.
Raw garlic is used by some to treat the symptoms of acne
There is some evidence that it can assist in managing high cholesterol levels and improved memory and learning function.
Garlic also can even be effective as a natural mosquito repellent.
Garlic can prevent dangerous blood clots, reduce blood pressure, prevent cancer, and protect against bacterial and fungal infections.
Other Benefits of Garlic
Garlic helps combat colds and the flu. It is used to treat sore throats, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), digestive disorders, bladder infections, and liver and gallbladder problems. It’s believed to kill harmful bacteria in the stomach and protect against gastric cancer. It appears to be a potent antioxidant and may boost the response of your immune system. It also works as an anti-inflammatory. Garlic is effective against bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections.
But there is always the possibility of side effects because the raw garlic is very strong. So eating too much could produce problems, for example irritation of or even damage to the digestive tract.
Garlic contains allium which is helpful in preventing cancer. Also one component of garlic, alliin, is an antioxidant. Some nutrients, such as selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E, and in particular alliin, scavenge free radicals, the free-roaming, unstable molecules that lead to cell damage and premature aging. Free radicals have also been implicated in the growth of tumors. In laboratory animals, garlic extracts have actually inhibited the growth of cancer cells.
Include Garlic in your diet
Garlic comes in many different forms including fresh herb or clove, liquid, oil, powder and capsules. If you find that the pungent odor of garlic is a bit more than you bargained for you can purchase the odorless garlic supplements. But it is best if you get your quota of garlic in food, as it may be more easily absorbed into your system.
Caution
Don’t use garlic supplements if you’re taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) or hypoglycemics (a type of diabetes drug). Do not take if breastfeeding. Rarely, may cause allergic reactions.
