Garlic
is known throughout the world by many different
names. The word “garlic” comes from old English and
means “spear leek”. In China,
garlic is known as “Syun tauh” and “Da
Suan” and in Ayruveda, it is called,
Rasona (void of sour taste) and Ugraghandhi ( one that smells
pungent).
The
Egyptians worshipped garlic as a deity and the Greeks
used it to appease the gods. Garlic has been around mankind since the
invention
of writing, and plants benefits in cooking and in medicine can be found
in
writings of the Sumerians and Hebrews. It is even written about by
Moses, as he
tells of his tribe lamenting the loss of garlic as they leave
Egypt.
We all know
what typical garlic looks like. The fleshy cloves, bunched
together,
surrounded by a white flakey skin. Anyone who has used garlic can also
tell you
how it smells, that strong pungent aroma that opens your airways and
whets your
appetite. It is no wonder why the ancients thought it was worth
mentioning.
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Garlic has been traditionally
used for many different
purposes
In India,
it has been used to treat worm infestations, skin
disorders and low libido. Ayruvedic physicians also recommend it to
help
enhance you complexion, improve eyesight, strengthen bones and joints,
improve
digestion and regulate bowel movement. They also have believed garlic
to be
healthy for the heart and to be beneficial in cases of heart disease.
Antibiotic powers
Garlic has
been called “nature’s antibiotic”. It has
long
been used as an antiseptic and is very
effective against fungus, yeast and viral infections Garlic has
been used in army field hospitals during World War
1 , touted by Louis Pasteur in the late
1800’s and even used to help prevent
anthrax in cattle.
Expectorant
Eating
garlic can help you produce more phlegm and help you
cough more effectively. It makes a great medicine for coughs, hoarse
throats,
breathing disorders and anything else lung related. Since it
is such a good expectorant, garlic
is also a good remedy for whooping cough as well as chronic bronchitis.
Reduces Cholesterol
Science is
catching up to what the ancients already know.
More scientific papers are being produced everyday that show that the
bioactive
agents in garlic can help lower cholesterol as well as triglyceride
levels in
the blood. It also helps with platelet viscosity, and help slow the
rate of
blood coagulation. It also contains antioxidants.
Lowers blood pressure
Clinical
studies have also proved that garlic can
effectively lower blood pressure and help the heart recover faster. It
also
eases small artery spasms and reduces the amount of pressure on them.
Digestive
problems
Consuming
garlic stimulates peristaltic action and the
secretion of digestive juices thereby whetting the appetite.
It can also rid the body of toxins and its
antimicrobial properties make it ideal for intestinal infections.
Skin Disorders
Garlic
helps purify the blood and can reduce the effects of
minor skin infections
Cancer
Studies
indicate that eating garlic on a regular basis can
help reduce the risk of certain cancers, namely esophageal, colon, and
stomach
cancer. Researchers believe that this is because of allicin’s
ability to reduce
the formation of carcinogenic compounds.
Impotence
Garlic can
help improve blood circulation and research has
shown that it can help stimulate the production of nitric oxide
synthase, an
enzyme thought responsible of erections.
Pregnancy
Eating
garlic during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of
raised blood pressure and studies point to garlic as being a way to
help boost
the birth weight of babies.
Herpes
Research
has also found that oral or topical applications of
garlic or garlic extract may help reduce
an outbreak.
Side Effects:
Garlic can
cause heartburn and flatulence. People on
anticoagulants should first talk to their doctor before taking garlic
since
garlic itself is an anticoagulant. Rubbing garlic on the skin can cause
burning
and peeling.
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