Some call it the natural antibiotic, and for thousands of years, it has been known to help against various diseases.
In the next post, I will expand on the benefits and uses of garlic.
The Active Ingredients of Garlic
Many stories and superstitions (or not) brought much fame to garlic:
From hanging at the entrance of the house as repelling vampires and demons (or at least friends), to being a natural and ultimate magic potion.
The healing ability of garlic is internal and external to the body to the point that today it is one of the ingredients of quite a few drugs.
The main ingredient of garlic that gives it its medicinal properties is allicin,
a phytochemical that is formed only after the garlic cloves are broken and crushed.
This substance also protects the garlic itself from bacteria, insects, and other invaders.
With the formation of allicin, the compound breaks down and is absorbed into other components.
These components also become antioxidants and antitoxins.
The strength of these properties varies under the following conditions:
Heat, dryness, or the level of freshness of garlic.
Garlic contains other ingredients that have a healing effect on the body,
such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and antioxidants.
It also naturally contains omega 3 and omega 6, which are unsaturated fatty acids.
These two unsaturated fatty acids play a key role in the development and normal functioning of the brain and the central nervous system of our body.
Health Benefits of Garlic
Garlic can be used as an antibiotic against parasites and viral infections.
It is also used as a natural antibiotic against bacteria, intestinal worms, acne lesions, visual disturbances caused by internal infections, viruses, and colds.
Benefits of Garlic to the Heart and Circulatory System
Garlic Helps Prevent Heart Disease
Garlic is good for the heart, or rather – for those who may suffer from heart disease.
The effect of garlic in this area is related to the fact that eating garlic reduces the chance of developing heart disease, arrhythmias, and stroke.
Garlic reduces the levels of bad cholesterol in the body and therefore prevents atherosclerosis.
Moreover, while doing so, the garlic also lowers blood pressure.
In fact, the link between garlic and blood pressure is very successful since garlic triggers anti-hypertensive activity.
The main ingredient in garlic that we mentioned before, allicin is the one responsible for this action.
Eat Garlic Daily to Lower Blood Pressure
Studies show that daily consumption of 1-2 cloves of crushed garlic in the morning is very effective.
It is equivalent to taking prescription pills to lower blood pressure in people who have high blood pressure.
Garlic and Diabetes
Garlic is known as a natural remedy for treating diabetes in adults as it helps in regulating the blood sugar level.
Children usually avoid eating garlic so it is not always possible to convince them.
However, juvenile diabetes can be more balanced if the child consumes several cloves of garlic a week.
Some parents choose to combine the garlic in different recipes and thus make it easier for the child to eat it.
Benefits of Garlic for the Treatment of Various Skin Problems
Relief of Psoriasis
The anti-inflammatory properties of garlic can greatly help and even prevent the itchy and bothersome psoriasis.
Some of the active ingredients in the garlic integrate with arachidonic acid (fatty acid) which is found in the skin.
Arachidonic acid is associated with the formation of psoriasis symptoms.
Apply garlic oil to the areas suffering from psoriasis in the body once or twice a day.
Garlic may Help those Who Suffer from Herpes
One of the natural ways to relieve herpes is by using garlic.
Garlic has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial components that help those who suffer from herpes.
Medical studies show that allicin has an antiviral effect and is, therefore, effective at the onset of herpes.
It can be gently applied to herpes sore and achieve local relief in no time.
Thorn Removal
No one likes it when a thorn gets in his finger, it hurts when it comes in and it hurts to take it out too.
If the thorn goes too deep, it will be a particularly difficult task to get it out, and that’s when you can use garlic.
Cut a thin slice of garlic and press it to the position of the thorn with a bandage.
With the help of garlic, the thorn will come out within a few hours.
Garlic to Treat Alopecia
The scalp hair loss in some men with age and genetics has indeed made baldness a fashionable solution.
However, it is worthwhile beforehand to try to encourage hair growth with the help of garlic.
If it does not help, it certainly won’t hurt to try.
Soak three cloves of crushed garlic in three tablespoons of olive oil.
Then spread and massage the oil on the scalp.
Leave for ten minutes and rinse the hair.
Treatment of Feet Fungus
Feet fungus, also known as athlete’s foot, prefer heat and humidity.
This fungus tends to appear between the toes and is itchy, bothersome, and quite not aesthetically pleasing.
Use garlic to treat this fungus.
Crush two cloves of garlic and put in a tub, or bowl filled with warm water.
Soak your feet in the water for half an hour and repeat the treatment once a day.
Benefits of Garlic to the Digestive System
Prevents Gases
Garlic is rich in sulfur, which can cause flatulence in most people.
However, for those whom it does not cause gases, it can actually do the opposite.
The trick is to consume garlic regularly to maintain a healthy digestive system.
Garlic kills harmful bacteria, and at the same time helps nourish good bacteria that help us in digestive activity and prevent flatulence.
Eating Garlic Prevents and Heals Gastric Ulcers
The antibacterial property of the garlic allicin compound also helps in healing stomach ulcers and other diseases of the digestive system.
Most peptic (gastrointestinal) and gastric ulcers are caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
In a small clinical trial conducted in 2016 in which 15 people with a gastric ulcer participated,
it was found that fresh garlic helps eliminate stomach and intestinal infections.
The study showed that consuming 2 cloves of crushed garlic a day has an antibacterial effect against H. pylori infection.
In another study involving over 8,000 people with Helicobacter pylori infection,
it was found that people who consumed fresh garlic cloves on a daily basis had lower levels of the bacterium.
Other studies have found that garlic powder tablets also have a peptic anti-ulcer effect.
More Benefits of Garlic to Your Health
Relief of Cough
Coughing is troublesome and is mainly related to the winter season.
If you wish to avoid industrial, chemical-based drugs to treat cough or phlegm,
the modest garlic and its benefits will be of help here as well.
Crush a few cloves of garlic and soak in date syrup in a 1:1 ratio for a few hours.
Filter and store in a dark glass jar.
Then, take a teaspoon of it every few hours.
It removes phlegm, it is an expectorant and is excellent for curing diseases of the respiratory tract, like hoarseness, and chronic cough.
Ear Infection
Ear pain can be very difficult to tolerate not only in children but also in adults.
In some cases, the doctor will tell you that there is redness but no discharge or a hole in the eardrum which can explain your pain.
An excellent tip for such situations:
Take 3 cloves of peeled garlic and crush them moderately.
Put the crushed garlic into a small glass.
Fill the glass with olive oil until the oil covers the garlic.
Cover the glass with a towel or paper and place it in a shady and cool place for two days.
After two days, strain the garlic out of the oil.
Store the oil in a dark vial with a dropper (available at health food stores) in a cool, shady place or in the refrigerator.
When an inflammation appears, drip a few drops into the ear when lying down and the sore ear turns upwards.
Then immediately cover with a cotton ball for a few seconds.
Garlic Strengthens Women’s Bones After Menopause
Osteoporosis is a condition that tends to affect women more after menopause.
Consumption of fresh garlic or quality garlic supplements on a daily basis helps reduce or eliminate the effects of menopause on bone density.
Reduces the Likelihood of Chronic Diseases and Cancer
Garlic contains antioxidants, which fight free radicals in the body.
Therefore, a diet rich in garlic reduces the likelihood of chronic diseases and cancers by preventing and destroying cancer cells.
