Been Around Long Time time
Garlic has been around for centuries and was even worshiped by ancient Egyptians for its culinary and medicinal powers. From the earliest times right up until today, garlic has been used for various forms of healing, as well as building strength and endurance. Although today's studies of garlic focus on the prevention of heart disease and cancer.
Used To Treat Lots Of Ailements
Garlic has been used to treat everything from leprosy in ancient times, to wounds in both world wars, to parasites such as worms, and even as a treatment for hemorrhoids. It is also believed that garlic may interfere with the metabolism of cholesterol and aid with lowering the over all cholesterol count.
Lowering Cholesterol Levels
Studies have shown that the use of garlic in countries like Italy and Spain may the be cause for the lower number of cases of hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. Garlic is also credited with lowering cholesterol levels, combating fungal infections, lowering blood pressure, boosting the immune system, fighting infections, reduced blood clotting and the prevention of some forms of cancer.
Garlic Aids With Circulation Garlic works in the body on the platelets, which are the blood clotting cells, making them less likely to stick together and cling to artery walls causing heart attacks. Studies have shown that garlic aids with circulation by widening blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure. Garlic is also credited with dissolving clot forming proteins that affect the formation of plaque.
Comes In Many Different Forms Garlic comes in many different forms including fresh herb or clove, liquid,
oil, powder and capsules. When taking garlic one should look be sure that it supplies at least 4000 milligrams of allicin per pill, which is the amount of allicin provided by one fresh garlic clove. In a supplement, between 400 to 600 milligrams of garlic per day will help combat colds and the flu.
Odorless Garlic Supplements
If you find that the pungent odor of garlic is a bit more than you bargained for you can purchase the odorless
garlic supplements. Garlic oil applied 2 to 3 times a day to skin abrasions is effective in fighting infection. You can apply the juice from crushed garlic cloves to the skin for the same effect but take care when doing this because overuse may cause skin irritation.
Part Of The Human Experience The amazing garlic has been a part of the human experience for around 5,000 years evolving under cultivation. It has been used as food and medicine since Egyptian times. It was traditionally used in Roman times to treat asthma, suppress coughs, expel intestinal parasites. In China, garlic was traditionally used to reduce fevers, fight against intestinal parasites and dysentery.
Louis Pasteur And someone that we recognize is Louis Pasteur who first acknowledged it’s anti-bacterial activity in around 1858. There were a few drawbacks that the garlic had though. It caused bad breath, dulled eyesight, thirst, harmful to the stomach and causes gas if used in large amounts.
Positive Effects
In about the last 25 years, well-documented health benefits from garlic are reduction in cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood and increasing lipoproteins (good cholesterol), lowering of high blood pressure. It is said to have positive effects in helping prevent yeast infections, cancers, colds and flu. Garlic has good anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory, and immune-stimulant properties.
Added Raw To Cooked Foods
Garlic can be cut and crushed, can be fresh and dried. Today they have capsules that can be purchased at your local supermarket or health store. One fresh garlic clove can be chewed daily or added raw to cooked foods. When adding garlic to cooked foods make sure it is added at the end of cooking because then the food retains the sulfur compounds more efficiently.
Be Aware Of These Things
Things you need to be aware of in taking garlic: there are possible allergic reactions. It can also cause heartburn and stomach gas in some people. A clove of garlic a day just may keep the doctor away.
* Note: Image(s) by the courtsey of http://www.wikipedia.org.