Besides the strong, pungent smell and its ability to ward off vampires, I knew little about the benefits of garlic. I happen to be one of those garlic-breathing people who just love the herb so much I’ll deal with the after-taste and the strong odor on my breath so I can taste the flavor on my palate. Fresh lemon water and parsley go a long way to freshen breath and moisten that same palate. What I have learned is that garlic possesses many beneficial assets; the most widely studied is its use as a natural antibiotic.

Properties of Garlic

In the 19th century, Louis Pasteur put a clove of garlic in a Petri-dish of bacteria and found that it killed the bacterium. Garlic is purportedly one percent as potent an antibiotic as penicillin according to studies done at Wright State University.

Garlic (Allium sativum), native to Asia, is now grown around the world. Garlic’s primary healing property, allicin, which is produced from alliin (a complex sulfur compound) when a clove is crushed, and is also responsible for the strong aroma.

How to use Garlic Therapeutically

Taken orally:
Capsules: Aged, odorless garlic is the preferred form in capsules. Take one capsule up to 3 times daily.
Cloves: Sautéing the cloves or pulling out the core will help eliminate the garlic breath and aftertaste. Add two to three cloves to any of your favorite dishes. Eaten daily will help maximize the benefits.

External uses:
Oil: Garlic oil from the capsule can aid in the healing of earaches by putting a few drops into the affected ear, or rub it directly onto the affected area for sprains, aches, and minor skin disorders.

Possible Benefits

• Helps prevent heart disease by reducing blood pressure and blood lipids
• Helps fight infection
• Can destroy some types of cancer cells (may be toxic to others: check with your physician and the National Cancer Institute before using medicinally)
• Excellent digestive aid
• Relieves gas

Specific Uses:

Angina Pectoris—consumed raw daily, garlic has been proven to eliminate the pain associated with angina. It cleanses the blood, removes sticky deposits in the blood vessels, and also enhances the quality and quantity of the blood supplied to the heart. Take 6-8 cloves daily as a therapeutic dose (mince into foods or gelatin capsules for easy swallowing).
Arteriosclerosis—garlic purifies blood and removes sticky inorganic deposits from walls of blood vessels; restores elasticity and free flow of blood. Follow the recommended therapeutic dose daily.
Headache—best blood vessel cleansers; taken in conjunction with lecithin garlic not only eliminates toxic conditions that often cause headache but can also enhance memory, learning and other mental functions.
Varicose veins—garlic dissolves the deposits of inorganic calcium and cholesterol that lead to varicose veins.
AIDS—garlic helps to protect the body from all sorts of germs and parasites to which AIDS victims are susceptible. This prevents the onset of severe infections during other forms of therapy used in fighting the AIDS virus. Daily therapeutic dose recommended.
Cancer—Check with health care professional before using garlic therapeutically to ensure avoidance of toxicity. As mentioned above, garlic can be toxic to some types of cancer cells. Otherwise, use the daily recommended therapeutic dose.

Warning

Eating more than 10 raw garlic cloves a day can be toxic and can possibly trigger an allergic reaction. If you are breast-feeding, keep away from eating garlic. It can pass through the breast milk and has been attributed to causing colic in infants. Garlic can interfere or interact with certain medications, check with your doctor before using garlic medicinally. Avoid therapeutic use of garlic if you have a blood disorder.

Books on Garlic:

Garlic: Natures Super Healer by Joan Wilen and Lydia Wilen
Honey, Garlic, & Vinegar: Home Remedies & Recipes: The People’s Guide to Nature’s Wonder Medicines by Patrick Quillen
ALLICIN- The Heart of Garlic by Peter Josling
Healing Power of Garlic: The Enlightened Person’s Guide to Nature’s Most Versatile Medicinal Plant by Paul Bergner

-Anne

Do you have any home remedies using Garlic? Comment and share them with us!

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