Garlic is packed with a sulphur-containing compound called allicin. Allicin is responsible for most of the therapeutic effects of garlic. Importantly, chopping or crushing garlic stimulates the enzymatic process that converts alliin (in garlic) in to allicin (the powerful active compound).
Health Benefits of Garlic: Fights Infection & Protects against Cancer
Garlic provides significant protection against cardio-vascular disorders, such as, atherosclerosis, hypertension and myocardial infarction. It plays an important role in reducing blood pressure and lowering serum cholesterol levels.
Garlic is also a wonderful infection fighter. It exerts strong anti-microbial activity; and fights colds, influenza, stomach viruses, yeast, tuberculosis and a host of skin ailments.
The herb also appears to offer considerable protection against some cancers.Research says, two or more servings of garlic per week, can help protect against colon cancer. Garlic also prevents breast cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer. Substances found in garlic not only protect the body’s cells from cancer-causing agents and free radicals, but also stop the growth of cancer cells once they develop.
Garlic and Blood Pressure: Lower Cholesterol Naturally without Drugs
Innumerable studies, clinical trials and research investigations have testified that garlic reduces blood pressure levels appreciably. Typically, one can hope to decrease eight mm Hg off the systolic blood pressure and five mm Hg off the diastolic blood pressure, especially in those individuals who are diagnosed with hypertension.
Ideally, raw garlic is the best. Chop or crush three flakes of raw garlic, and let them sit for 10 minutes. Thereafter, consume. Furthermore, adding the herb to most cooked dishes will yield good results.
Garlic can reduce total blood cholesterol level notably. Alongside, it increases high density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as HDL cholesterol). HDL cholesterol is ‘good cholesterol’ that actually protects the heart from damage.
Benefits of Garlic Oil: Supplements and Capsules
Garlic oil is one of the essential oils that is used internally. The oil is steam distilled from crushed garlic bulbs. It helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and protects the heart.
It also helps treat recurrent respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections and skin blemishes.
Garlic oil or garlic essential oil is ingested orally or administered anally in the form of gelatin capsules. The supplement acts as a powerful antibiotic, antiseptic, antitoxic, diuretic, hypotensive and stomachic.
Clearly, the beneficial effects of garlic are quite extensive. Its utilization as food should definitely be encouraged, especially, in individuals suffering from cardio-vascular disorders, diabetes, asthma and recurrent infections.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Reference:
Indian J Exp Boil, Therapeutic Values of Onion and Garlic, Augusti, K. T., 1996.
Shweta Shah - A practicing homeopath using aromatherapy, yoga, acupressure and diet in patient management
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