Garlic

Garlic


Garlic's most well known medicinal benefits, likely is its use as an antibiotic. Garlic's antibiotic properties have been studied more extensively than some of the other health benefits. Garlic has been used since the days of the Egyptians to treat wounds, infections, tumors, and intestinal parasites. Back in the nineteenth century they examined Garlic's use as an antibacterial and showed it did kill bacteria under lab conditions. Modern studies show that Garlic has definite antibiotic properties and is effective against many bacteria, fungi and viruses.

An advantage of Garlic is that the body does not seem to build up a resistance to it as it does to many modern antibiotics.

Garlic possesses the ability to stimulate the immune system.

Garlic especially aged garlic can have a powerful antioxidant effect. Antioxidants help to protect the body against damaging "free radicals".

Scientific studies have shown that garlic stimulates the production of the liver's own detoxifying enzymes which neutralize carcinogens and other toxins.

Arthritis Garlic taken daily helps ease the pain and possibly eliminates the disorder by stimulating the immune system.
Asthma A combination of garlic and honey can help stop an attack if taken right away, say herbal practitioners.

Bladder Infections Garlic has proven effective in killing the bacteria responsible for recurrent bladder infections.

Blood Pressue: Garlic is packed with allicin; selenium and other nutrients that, studies show, help keep hypertension under control.

Cancer The National Cancer Institute has been studying how garlic can protect against cancer, and garlic has definitely proved to be a formidable weapon. It is a member of a food group that contains powerful phytochemicals compounds researchers believe inhibit cancer growth.

Researchers have identified three ways garlic protects against cancer: by directing inhibiting tumor cell metabolism, by preventing the initiation and reproduction of cancer cells, and by boosting a person’s immune system to more efficiently fight cancer cells. Several studies have also shown that garlic reduces the risk of stomach cancer.

Garlic can even be effective as a natural mosquito / blackfly repellent.

Caution. If you take medications such as aspirin or other drugs that thin the blood, see your vet/doctor before taking garlic supplements. If you are going for surgery, stop taking garlic beforehand. Garlic has anticoagulant properties.