Garlic in herbal medicine
Garlic (Allium Sativum) is an excellent herb for building up the immune system.
Garlic is a favorite medicinal and culinary herb. It helps build immunity naturally, and adds savory flavor to everything from spaghetti sauce to artisan breads.
Garlic cloves contain sulfur and an amino acid called alliin.When crushed, alliin converts into allicin, a potent antibiotic that combats bacterial and fungal infection before they take hold.
Garlic also contains thiamine, which helps discourage mosquito and other insect bites. Germanium, an antioxidant that enhances endurance and promotes healing, is also found in garlic.
Most people recognize the smell of garlic, and it is often used as a culinary herb. It is one of the most useful herbs known to man.
Garlic inhibits breast and skin tumors.
Garlic reduces the formation of carcinogenic compounds and may inhibit breast and skin tumors. Many herbalists recommend garlic as a cancer preventive and also when fighting the disease (or undergoing chemotherapy).
Garlic also helps protect the heart. It helps clear arteries, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, helps prevent blood clots, stimulates the immune system, lowers blood sugar and triglycerides, promotes a healthy digestive system, and improves the health of the cardiovascular system.
Use garlic as a herbal remedy for the lungs
Garlic is a very powerful herbal remedy for the lungs. The active ingredients not only act on bacteria and fungi, but also protect against viruses, parasites, and yeast infections.
Louis Pasteur used garlic to treat TB in the early part of the 20th century. In 1858 he confirmed what herbalists already knew - garlic possesses a strong antibacterial action.
Garlic has a long history.
Garlic's use in China goes back for thousands of years. Garlic was also used by the ancient Romans and many other cultures.
The Bible mentions that the people craved garlic. Numbers 11:5 talks about God's people being tired of manna from heaven and longing for cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.
If manna was a sweet wafer as some people believe, I guess they were hungry for something savory.
Garlic juice heals skin.
Garlic cloves can be rubbed on skin conditions like acne, warts, and corns to help speed healing. Treatments must be repeated three times a day for up to six weeks in stubborn cases.
Garlic can kill intestinal worms.
To treat worms, eating 3 to 6 cloves a day is recommended. Drink lots of water so the dead parasites are flushed out of your system quickly.
Garlic has many uses.
Many studies are being done on the benefits of garlic. The cloves, eaten daily, may help prevent stomach and colon cancer.
Garlic has been used as a therapeutic food for many centuries especially for disease prevention. It has been used internally against infection and externally for problems with the eyes, ears, and throat.
It has also been used to promote sweating, which helps rid the body of toxic chemicals.
The science of garlic in natural remedies
Garlic is a strong antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and lipid-reducing properties. Garlic has been shown to be useful in the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular problems, metabolic disorders, diabetes, bone disease, skin disease, and high blood pressure.
Garlic's impressive bioactive compounds include organic sulfides, saponins, polyphenols, flavanols, tannins, and polysaccharides. These substances work to heal inflammation in our bodies.
Garlic also contains high levels of potassium, phosphorus zinc, and sulfur plus selenium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, and vitamins that nourish the body.
Science shows that garlic really can help build immunity by modulating cytokine production.
Garlic tablets at a dose of 400 mg daily, are useful in the hospital environment. This simple preventive measure reduces the incidences of septicemia and urinary tract infections.
Isn't it nice when scientific studies prove what herbalists have known for centuries!
Garlic festival
Gilroy, California hosts a yearly garlic festival that celebrates everything garlic. Most commercial garlic is produced in China, but California is the top garlic producing state in the USA.
Growing garlic
Garlic is a perennial bulb that sends out slender, round stems (like an onion). There are two types, hard neck and soft neck.
Garlic grows one to three feet high depending on variety. Garlic blooms are white or lavender and are a welcome addition to any flower border.
The bulbs multiply during the season forming clusters of bulblets or cloves. Propagate by dividing the bulbs in late summer.
Garlic needs full sun and loose, well-drained soil with lots of organic matter. Soil should be kept on the dry side since garlic does not like wet feet.
Elephant garlic, which has a huge bulb, is really a type of wild leek. It is not a true garlic and doesn't contain the same properties.
*Do not use garlic if you take blood thinners or before having surgery. Don't take garlic if you're on hypoglycemic drugs. Avoid while nursing as garlic may cause the baby to have indigestion. Garlic can irritate the stomach and skin in sensitive individuals. Test before using large amounts! Avoid high doses of garlic in pregnancy and while nursing.
Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any herbal remedy especially if pregnant, nursing, or taking other medications.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7402177/
Blessings to you and yours!
Thanks so much for reading my blog. Jan.
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