Garlic – An ancient herb with powerful benefits
Garlic (Alium Sativum).
It’s energetics are hot and dry. The list properties this herb has to offer is long and listed below. And it’s packed with essential nutrients, low in calories but rich in vitamins and minerals.
A single bulb of garlic contains vitamins C and B6, manganese, selenium, and fiber.
With its strong aroma and distinctive flavor, garlic has been a staple in kitchens for centuries. And its history dates back for thousands of years. Personally, I believe that’s due to not only its fabulous taste but because of the many benefits it provides.
Here’s A Little Garlic History
The exact origin has been lost in time, but evidence suggests that it was recognized for its medicinal and edible properties as long as 5000 years ago.
Sumerian clay tablets have references to its various uses in ancient times.
The Egyptians used garlic as a stamina enhancer, and it was given to the soldiers in ancient Greece to boost their courage.
In medieval Europe, it was believed to ward off evil spirits and protect against vampires. Even now some cultures hang the bulbs to guard against negative energy.
This long history gives us an idea of how potent and effective it is.
Some of the Benefits Garlic Provides
To get the best benefits when using garlic, crush the clove and then allow it to set for at least 10 min. This allows the active enzymes to react to oxygen and activate giving you all it has to offer.
When eaten, garlic provides an immediate sense of warmth or heat. But a little goes a long way. Too much isn’t necessarily beneficial.
For some folks too much raw garlic can cause stomach issues. It’s recommended to start using garlic in small amounts, then gradually increase your intake if you need more.
With that said, here’s some things we love garlic for.
An Immune Booster:
Garlic has long been known for its immune-boosting properties.
It contains allicin, a compound known for its antimicrobial and antiviral properties that might help strengthen the immune system and protect against infections. Eating raw garlic with oil, honey, or some type of carbohydrate, can be a little gentler on the stomach and it will still retain its antimicrobial properties.
The immune-modulating and immune-stimulating properties make it great for combating colds and flu.
Eating raw garlic regularly has been known to strengthen the immune system and can reduce the likelihood of getting sick. And taking it at the first sign of getting sick might help shorten its duration or reduce the severity of the symptoms.
Garlic’s stimulating diaphoretic properties can support the fever process, helping to more efficiently and effectively allow the fever to do its job. And assist in raising your body temperature when you have chills or are just feeling cold.
A Digestive Aid:
Garlic is renowned for its positive impact on digestive health.
It stimulates digestion by promoting the secretion of digestive enzymes. This is a great way to help gently detox the body.
It’s rich in inulin, a prebiotic that’s food for the probiotics in our gut. This aids in the maintenance of a healthy gut flora. And this healthy gut flora helps keep small intestine bacterial overgrowth in check, in turn promoting overall gut health.
And its spicy and stimulating nature can boost appetite and alleviate common digestive issues like gas, bloating, and heaviness in the stomach.
Respiratory Health:
Garlic has been used to relieve symptoms of respiratory conditions like coughs, colds, and bronchitis. Its expectorant properties can help expel mucus from the lungs.
The hot and spicy flavor can help break up congestion which makes it effective as an ingredient in infused oils that can be applied externally to the chest or feet.
Heart Health:
Studies suggest that the regular consumption of garlic might help lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels.
With it’s slight blood thinning effects, it can help in the prevention of the formation of blood clots. This can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However folks who take blood thinning medication will not want to eat more than culinary amounts without checking with a medical professional first because of this.
Antioxidant Power:
Garlic is rich in antioxidants. And this helps protect the body against oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
These antioxidants might also be playing a role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases, like certain types of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Anti-inflammatory Properties:
Garlic contains compounds that possess anti-inflammatory properties. These properties may help alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. You can use it as an infused oil to rub into painful joints for this.
Antibacterial and Antifungal:
Garlic’s antimicrobial properties make it effective against various bacteria and fungi. Infuse it into an oil and use it to treat topical infections like athlete’s foot and fungal nail infections.
Other uses for Garlic:
Garlic oil can be used to alleviate ear infections by slightly warming the oil and dropping a few drops into the affected ear.
The sulfur content and volatile oils in garlic contribute to its potency as both an internal and external antiseptic.
Garlic infused in certain oils, honey, or vinegar, can add to its antimicrobial effects.
Final thoughts:
It is important to use caution when using garlic. As I mentioned earlier eating too much can cause digestive issues for some folks. Its hot and dry nature means that those with a warm constitution should use it sparingly too.
To gain the best effects from garlic, incorporating it regularly into your meals is best. But it’s important to differentiate between garlic bulbs and cloves when cooking. There’s a huge difference in the size of the two.
Garlic’s long history and diverse health benefits make it an exceptional herb. Next time you savor the delectable taste of garlic, remember its ancient origins and the incredible benefits it can bring to your life.
Now you’ll look at garlic in a whole new way next time you go to use it, knowing how rich it’s history is and knowing how many different ways it can work for you.
How do you plan to use it next?
