for treating high cholesterol, cardiovascular ailments, bacterial and fungal infections, gum inflammations and high blood pressure; for reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke
Disclaimer: This information is in no way intended to be a substitute for modern medical care. Do not self-treat any medical complaint without the guidance of a licensed health care provider.
All information provided in this article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; and Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White.
Known for its pungent odor and taste, garlic is a popular, safe and useful natural remedy. A close relative of the onion, garlic has been cultivated and prized since ancient times. Featured in the Ebers Papyrus, the world's oldest surviving medical text, garlic is one of the earliest medicinal plants known to man, as well. Garlic appears in this manuscript as an essential ingredient in 22 remedies - for scorpion and insect bites, intestinal worms, menstrual discomfort, tumors and heart problems. It was also treasured by the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Greeks, Romans and Indians.
During World War I, doctors used it juice to dress wounds. Garlic's antibiotic, expectorant and antiviral medicinal effects are still highly valued today; it has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels, increasing perspiration and thinning the blood. Garlic also prevents and fights chest and throat infections. Research shows that it may even help prevent cancer. Unlike some natural remedies, garlic is safe to use even in large amounts.
Garlic Preparations
Garlic is available in many commercial remedies sold in pharmacies and health-food stores. Garlic is either pressed to extract its oil or dried, and then processed and packaged by itself or in combination with other natural remedies. You can buy garlic capsules, drops, lozenges, tablets and even juice. Fresh squeezed garlic juice can also be found in some health food stores, but it can be made at home in a juicer for less money, by using a juicer to extract the juice. The freshly squeezed garlic juice can be beneficial for gum inflammations, since it inhibits the growth of germs. Massage it into your gums several times a day for 4 weeks; or less, if the gums are no longer inflamed. Chew fresh parsley to mask the strong odor.
Wild Garlic can be made into medicinal teas that are effective for hair loss; blemishes, candidiasis of the intestine, joint pain, circulation, gastrointestinal symptoms and for detoxifying the body.
Therapeutic Effect
Garlic's ability to lower blood cholesterol levels is one of its most important effects. It thins the blood, preventing blood clots from forming and blocking the vessels. It also helps regulate high blood pressure and inhibits the growth of internal and external bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, garlic is valuable in helping to eliminate parasites, reduce infection and alleviate inflammation.
Components:
Garlic contains protein, fat and carbohydrates. Selenium and vitamins A, B, C and E. Calcium, phosphorus, copper, iron, lithium, zinc and molybdenum are also found in garlic. Its many medicinal effects can be attributed to its volatile oil, which is also responsible for the herb's characteristic scent.
For prevention of arteriosclerosis
Studies have shown that garlic can help lower elevated cholesterol levels. In one experiment, volunteers who ate garlic with a high-fat meal had decreased cholesterol levels, compared with increased amounts in people who did not eat the garlic. The allicin and ajoene in garlic oil seem to be responsible for this effect. They help to reduce LDL, or "bad," cholesterol and triglycerides, while increasing the proportion of HDL, or "good," cholesterol.
To help prevent cancer
Researchers have found that eating garlic may help prevent cancer. The garlic oil may ward off cancerous cells and stop their growth.
To inhibit bacterial and fungal growth
Garlic's antiseptic quality is useful for treating bacterial ailments, such as tuberculosis, food poisoning, diarrhea and bladder infections. It also kills the fungi that cause athlete's foot.
Disclaimer: This information is in no way intended to be a substitute for modern medical care. Do not self-treat any medical complaint without the guidance of a licensed health care provider.
All information provided in this article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; and Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White.
Known for its pungent odor and taste, garlic is a popular, safe and useful natural remedy. A close relative of the onion, garlic has been cultivated and prized since ancient times. Featured in the Ebers Papyrus, the world's oldest surviving medical text, garlic is one of the earliest medicinal plants known to man, as well. Garlic appears in this manuscript as an essential ingredient in 22 remedies - for scorpion and insect bites, intestinal worms, menstrual discomfort, tumors and heart problems. It was also treasured by the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Greeks, Romans and Indians.
During World War I, doctors used it juice to dress wounds. Garlic's antibiotic, expectorant and antiviral medicinal effects are still highly valued today; it has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels, increasing perspiration and thinning the blood. Garlic also prevents and fights chest and throat infections. Research shows that it may even help prevent cancer. Unlike some natural remedies, garlic is safe to use even in large amounts.
Garlic is available in many commercial remedies sold in pharmacies and health-food stores. Garlic is either pressed to extract its oil or dried, and then processed and packaged by itself or in combination with other natural remedies. You can buy garlic capsules, drops, lozenges, tablets and even juice. Fresh squeezed garlic juice can also be found in some health food stores, but it can be made at home in a juicer for less money, by using a juicer to extract the juice. The freshly squeezed garlic juice can be beneficial for gum inflammations, since it inhibits the growth of germs. Massage it into your gums several times a day for 4 weeks; or less, if the gums are no longer inflamed. Chew fresh parsley to mask the strong odor.
Wild Garlic can be made into medicinal teas that are effective for hair loss; blemishes, candidiasis of the intestine, joint pain, circulation, gastrointestinal symptoms and for detoxifying the body.
Therapeutic Effect
Garlic's ability to lower blood cholesterol levels is one of its most important effects. It thins the blood, preventing blood clots from forming and blocking the vessels. It also helps regulate high blood pressure and inhibits the growth of internal and external bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, garlic is valuable in helping to eliminate parasites, reduce infection and alleviate inflammation.
Components:
Garlic contains protein, fat and carbohydrates. Selenium and vitamins A, B, C and E. Calcium, phosphorus, copper, iron, lithium, zinc and molybdenum are also found in garlic. Its many medicinal effects can be attributed to its volatile oil, which is also responsible for the herb's characteristic scent.
For prevention of arteriosclerosis
Studies have shown that garlic can help lower elevated cholesterol levels. In one experiment, volunteers who ate garlic with a high-fat meal had decreased cholesterol levels, compared with increased amounts in people who did not eat the garlic. The allicin and ajoene in garlic oil seem to be responsible for this effect. They help to reduce LDL, or "bad," cholesterol and triglycerides, while increasing the proportion of HDL, or "good," cholesterol.
To help prevent cancer
Researchers have found that eating garlic may help prevent cancer. The garlic oil may ward off cancerous cells and stop their growth.
To inhibit bacterial and fungal growth
Garlic's antiseptic quality is useful for treating bacterial ailments, such as tuberculosis, food poisoning, diarrhea and bladder infections. It also kills the fungi that cause athlete's foot.
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