Garlic has been recorded as a medicine in almost all human civilizations. Some studies suggest that it even helps in curing cancer. But what are the benefits of Garlic? Let’s find out why we should also take advantage of the medicinal effects of the Garlic.
The delicious taste and health benefits of garlic lead to a constant demand for the Onion family member plant. The average garlic consumption per head is around 900 grams per year. An adult can consume up to four cloves of garlic a day, each weighing one gram. It is best to eat at least two cloves of garlic every day.
1. Garlic in Ancient Times
Garlic has been used in the kitchens of almost all cultures not only as a seasoning ingredient to enhance taste, but also medicinally. It is particularly well known that garlic keeps blood, heart and blood vessels healthy. The benefits of Garlic also extend to disinfect the intestine and control diabetes. It is known to even fight cancer.
The benefits of garlic is a long list as it was used all across the world. It is believed that initially, about 5,000 years ago, garlic was grown in Central Asia and from there it spread across Europe via the Middle East. Egypt was literally considered the garlic country of antiquity.
Garlic was regarded as a sacred plant and given to the pharaohs as a burial object on their journey. The workers who built the pyramid were given raw onions and garlic to maintain their health and strength.
In China, garlic was also known to have been used since 2,000 BC. Also, when Roman doctors came to a new country, they first planted garlic and it is also mentioned that garlic treated the athlete’s foot of the Roman soldiers on their long marches.
But wherever the garlic was planted and used medicinally, its main areas of application were almost the same everywhere: indigestion, respiratory diseases, all kinds of infections, snake bites, worms and general weakness. Garlic was also used against the plague and other contagious diseases. It was also used as a medicine against scurvy and rheumatism.
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The first scientific evidence of Garlic’s strong antibacterial properties was discovered by Louis Pasteur himself in 1858. The pasteurization technique was developed by Louis Pasteur who was well known particularly in the field of vaccine research.
So, what are the benefits of Garlic?
2. Benefits of Garlic: Garlic Protects Against Free Radicals
The sulfur compound allicin in particular is the substance to which garlic not only owes its smell, but also its medicinal effect. Allicin boosts the levels of the two antioxidant enzymes called catalase and glutathione peroxidase, in the blood.
This way more free radicals can be trapped and the damage to the cell membranes can be avoided. This slows down the ageing process.
3. Benefits of garlic: Garlic stabilizes blood pressure
- Aging processes of the vascular system (arteriosclerosis) can also be curbed with the garlic. In addition, it improves the flow properties of the blood, expands and relaxes the blood vessels and thus contributes to the normalization of an excessively high blood pressure.
- The saponins in garlic, have positive effects on the regulation of cholesterol contributing to an improved blood flow and an increased elasticity of the vessels.
- Another sulfur compound in garlic is Ajoen which naturally dilutes the blood by breaking down the coagulant called fibrin.
- With the help of all these different substances, garlic can counteract blood clots and prevent thromboses and strokes in a natural way and without side effects.
4. Benefits of Garlic: Garlic is a Natural Antibiotic
It is no wonder that garlic is traditionally used for intestinal problems like flatulence, fermentation processes, stomach ache as well as for colds and flu.
Allicin and the sulfur compounds present in the Garlic have germicidal properties and because of that they can act against all possible types of pathogenic microorganisms like parasites and bacteria, without attacking the beneficial intestinal bacteria.
5. Garlic Relieves Acne
Garlic can remove blemishes because the ingredient allicin has an antibacterial effect. Applied to affected skin areas, it can support healing.
6. Garlic Stops Hair Loss
Our hair mainly consists of the protein keratin. The body needs sulfur to produce this protein. If there is not enough sulfur available, the hair will become brittle or fall out . Garlic contains a lot of sulfur. The mineral stimulates growth and strengthens the hair from the root.
4. Garlic Fights Colds
The miracle bulb counteracts colds. People who eat garlic suffered less from runny nose, sore throat and coughs during the winter months. A normal cold also disappears faster with Garlic consumption. The sulfides contained in the garlic help against the viruses and alleviate inflammation.
5. Garlic in Cancer Prevention and Therapy
The cancer-inhibiting properties of garlic have now been proven by a number of studies. This only goes on to tell you about the benefits of garlic.
The sulfur compounds are said to be primarily responsible for the anti-cancer effects of garlic. Garlic preparations have also been used for a long time in the treatment of prostate cancer and benign prostate enlargements.
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6. Garlic is a Miracle Cure
The list of all the benefits of garlic on health are extremely impressive. The effects resulting from the combination of a healthy lifestyle and the regular consumption of garlic are certainly not to be underestimated.
If you want to make particularly good use of garlic, you should crush garlic before use and let it steep for about ten minutes. Allicin, the compound that provides garlic with its medicinal properties, only develops when the cell walls of the garlic are damaged and it comes in contact with the air.