| Garlic is among the world's
oldest and most effective herbal remedies. Ancient healers from Greece to
India used Garlic to treat a wide range of ailments. The Egyptian slaves who
built the pyramids were given a daily ration of Garlic to prevent disease
and promote strength. More recently, Garlic was the remedy of choice for treating wounded soldiers during WWI. Although penicillin was discovered in 1928 and antibiotics replaced Garlic after then, when the Russian army ran out of penicillin in WWII they turned again to Garlic. Subsequently, Garlic was nicknamed the Russian penicillin.
Its array of benefits is staggering. One of the best-studied plants in the world, Garlic is a veritable panacea, whether eaten as a food or used as a medicinal extract. It boosts the immune function, favorably modifying the course of almost any infectious disease. Garlic has antioxidant properties and is rich in allyl sulfides, which serve to inactivate carcinogenic chemicals and promote their excretion from the body. The phytochemical compound, organosulfur, offers protection against cancer of the intestines and stomach. The compound allicin is one of the plant kingdom's most potent, broad-spectrum antibiotics, useful for combating cold viruses, flu, herpes and many other viruses and even ulcers. The quercetin in Garlic retards inflammatory reactions, helping with allergies. According to the British Journal of Clinical Practice (1993;47(2)), it lowers high blood sugar and might increase the body's metabolism enough to promote weight loss. The British Journal of Cancer (1993;67) says that big doses of the extract may even help to prevent cancer. Garlic cuts back the risk of heart disease tremendously. It reduces the level of cholesterol and prevents blood fats and plaque in your arteries; improving your overall heart health, and thinning your blood. Containing nine anticoagulant compounds, it is the best anti-clotting herb--helping to lower your risk of heart attack and stroke, including ischemic (not for hemorrhagic strokes). If you suffer from clotting disorder, consult with your doctor before taking medicinal amounts of Garlic. Garlic regulates your blood pressure so effectively that it is used to treat both high and low blood pressure. Study after study have shown it to significantly lower diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels, alleviating hypertension. In a large 12-week study, people with intermittent claudication (leg pain) were
given 800mg of Garlic a day. On average, they walked better by the fifth week. They Garlic may help in the treatment of colds, flu, bronchitis, whooping cough, food poisoning, blood diseases, bowel infections and women's bladder. One of its chemical constituents, ajoene, was almost as effective against mildew fungus as several pharmaceutical antifungals. Clinical studies have shown that among people who took 25ml (five to six teaspoons) of Garlic extract taken daily, exhibited significant antifungal activity in their blood serum. Garlic can even inhibit the body's release of thromboxane B2, a substance that constricts blood vessels and bronchial passages. More than one alternative medicine advocate suggests using Garlic and Ginkgo, which is also known to help in circulation, in combination to treat Raynaud's disease. Garlic reduces the level of sugar in your blood; if you are diabetic, talk to your doctor about incorporating Garlic into your regular medical regimen. Clinical trials have shown it to be effective against several opportunistic infections of sinusitis and AIDS, including herpes and pneumocystis pneumonia. Ajoene may inhibit the spread of HIV within the body. As a digestive aid, it is used to relieve gas and indigestion. It may even help to eliminate lead from your blood. Lead can cause serious brain damage, especially in children. Also used to treat soroche (altitude sickness). Helps combat Lyme disease when used as a supplementation with other anti-biotic medications. Several scientists suggest taking Garlic to enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol and streptomycin, in treating tuberculosis. Additionally, if nursing mothers take Garlic an hour before breast feeding, babies attach to the breast more readily, stay there longer, suck and drink more, according to studies done at the Monell Chemical Senses Center. Garlic also appears to be a potent anti-arrhythmic agent. In animal studies, animals that ate Garlic powder showed less ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. Making your platelets a little less active apparently helps prevent migraines. Eating lots of Garlic interferes somewhat with platelet activity. Garlic is also used to treat pinworms, roundworms, giardia and other parasitic infection. Preferably, juicing three cloves with four to six ounces of carrot juice and taking it every two hours. Externally, Garlic is used to treat ringworm, other skin parasites and warts. Rub Garlic oil into your skin to soothe aching muscles, insect bites and stings. A few drops of the oil in your ear will help clear up an earaches, such as ear infections and middle ear infections. Studies have shown that it treats fungal infections as well as or better than pharmaceutical drugs. Make a paste as a poultice and apply directly to treat vaginal yeast infection (vaginitis/candida) and burns, it has undeniable antiseptic properties.
Garlic:
Nature's Super Healer Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck: Family Remedies for Holistic Healing by Andrienne Selko, David A. Brownstein.
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It's an excellent overall tonic for your body. Take it daily to strengthen your
digestive and respiratory systems. It's both an antiviral (for colds) and antibacterial
(for sore or strep throat and tonsillitis). Try it in a tea as a gargle. Garlic also
protects your body from diseases. It's the closest thing we have to an herbal wonder drug
for treating infections.
also had lower blood pressure and
cholesterol levels.