GARLIC is one of the oldest known medicinal plants possessing superb antibiotic, anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties.  It’s been credited with fighting heart disease, lowering blood pressure and helping to fight off colds.

When cloves are chewed, crushed or cut, they release a sulphur-bearing compound called allicin – the chemical that gives garlic its pungent taste and smell.  Allicin is not present in an unbroken clove of garlic.  It only gets released when the clove is crushed.  When crushed and added to a dish, any parasites, bacteria or other microbes get killed even before the temperature kills them.  Scientists have discovered that it is this allicin that is responsible for garlic’s therapeutic qualities and eating a clove of garlic a day helps to ward off most infections.

Garlic contains sulphur which is a potent disinfectant and a good defence for killing germs in the body.  Studies have shown that consuming garlic generally has the following physical effects:

• Lowers blood pressure.
• Lowers LDL cholesterol.
• Garlic helps reduce atherosclerotic build up (plaque) within the arterial system.
• Helps to regulate blood sugar.
• Garlic helps to prevent blood clots from forming, thus reducing the possibility of strokes and thromboses. It is important to note however, that garlic may not be good for hemophiliacs.
• Garlic may help prevent cancer, especially of the digestive system. It also prevents certain tumors from growing larger.
• Raw garlic is a potent natural antibiotic and while less strong than modern antibiotics, can still kill some strains of bacteria that have become immune or resistant to modern antibiotics.
• Garlic has anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.
• Garlic dramatically reduced yeast infections due to Candida species

COLDS:  One of the most common ailments garlic has been touted to treat is the common cold.  Upon the onset of the sniffles, many people testify that consuming a clove or couple tablets of garlic keeps the flu away.  Studies have shown that garlic improves immune function, giving our natural defense system a boost and helping it conserve our levels of antioxidants in our system.  It is this strengthening of the immune system that aids in its support for other health related conditions.

ASTHMA:  Three cloves of garlic boiled in milk every night produces excellent results in asthma.

HEART ATTACKS:  Garlic may prevent heart attacks since it helps break up cholesterol in the blood vessels, thereby preventing any hardening of arteries which leads to high blood pressure and heart attack.

BLOOD DISORDER:  Garlic is regarded as a rejuvenator. It has been found to help remove toxins, revitalize the blood, stimulate circulation and promote good bacteria, that prevent infection.

SKIN DISORDER:  Garlic has been used for a variety of skin disorders.  Pimples disappear without a scar when rubbed with raw garlic several times a day.  Even very persistent forms of acne have been healed with garlic.  Garlic rubbed over ringworm, gives quick relief.  The area is burnt by the garlic and later the skin peels off and the ringworm is cured.

CANCER:  For years, research has been conducted on the effects of garlic on cancer.  A healthy immune system is necessary to fight cancer.  Studies have been done on the people, animals and test tubes.

HEART DISEASE:  Just as there are many factors that cause heart disease, there are many benefits of garlic that aid in preventing and treating it.  So how can garlic help keep our heart in check?  First it helps lower our cholesterol levels.  It raises our HDL (good) cholesterol levels, prevents LDL (bad) cholesterol from building up on arterial walls.  This reduces the chances of plaque forming in our arteries.  It has also been shown to lower cholesterol levels by 9% in people who ate two cloves of garlic per day.  Age, poor diet and environmental factors such as smoking can damage the aorta, causing it to stiffen.  Regular consumption of garlic slows the aging of the aorta and helps keep it flexible.

HYPERTENSION:  Another heart benefit of garlic is its ability to help control our blood pressure by thinning our blood.  Once again the chemical found in garlic, called ajoene, thins the blood and keeps clots from forming.  Studies done with general populations have shown that where there is more garlic consumed in a population, there is also a reduced incidence of hypertension and heart disease.  It is interesting to note that over 100 years ago, Chinese herbalists have been using garlic to treat people with angina attacks and circulatory disorders.

INFECTION: garlic has been known for its anti-bacterial properties. Louis Pasteur discovered that bacterial cells died when they were saturated with garlic.  Garlic is known to have not only antibacterial but antiviral and antifungal properties as well.  It is effective in treating intestinal parasites, recurrent yeast infections, it stimulates T-cells that help fight infection and it also slows the growth of candida albicans.

Garlic is truly a multi-faceted healer and one that should be consumed on a daily basis.  Whether raw or cooked, garlic is beneficial.  If you are adding fresh garlic to your food, start with a little at a time as too much can upset your stomach if you are not used to it.  Even starting with a little can bring health benefits.

As a skilled Esthetician and Wellness Coach, Naema Khan specialises in providing personalised care through Electrolysis, facials and various therapeutic massages such as Swedish, Thai, Indian head massage and therapeutic foot massages. She also offers consultations on natural health and wellness. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of AZP News. Khan can be contacted at 1-868-330-9448