Healthy Benefits of Garlic

Garlic is one of the oldest known medicinal plants, and it often enhances the flavor of food dishes. Sometimes called the stinky rose its popularity grows each year as we learn more about its many uses other than cooking.

Ancient Indian (Sanskrit) records reveal garlic remedies were used over 6,000 years ago. The Chinese has used garlic for over 3,000 years for medicinal purposes.

Garlic has sulfur bearing compound called allicin and diallyl sulfides; this is the chemical that gives garlic its pungent taste and smell. Garlic makes a wonderful health supplement but the garlic cure is no substitute for the basics: sensible eating and appropriate exercise. Garlic should be seen as part of a healthy lifestyle – not as an alternative to it.

Garlic is a member of the Amaryllis family, which also includes leeks, onions, and shallots. It is a perennial with an underground bulb commonly called cloves.

The word garlic comes from Old English garleac, meaning “spear leek.” It is native to Central Asia, and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent seasoning in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Egyptians worshipped garlic and placed clay models of garlic bulbs in the tomb of Tutankhamen. Garlic was so highly-prized; it was even used as currency. Folklore holds that garlic repels vampires, protects against the Evil Eye, and warded off jealous nymphs said to terrorize pregnant women and engaged maidens.

In the 1940’s America embraced garlic, recognizing its value as not only a seasoning, but as a major ingredient in recipes. Slang of the 1920’s referred to garlic as Bronx vanilla, halitosis, and Italian perfume. About one million hectares (2.5 million acres) of garlic produce about 10 million metric tons of garlic globally each year.

Medicinal benefits of Garlic:

Garlic can lower blood levels of Cholesterol. Garlic is an anticoagulant, a natural blood thinner. Garlic protects against cancer. Garlic reduces the risk of stomach cancer. Garlic is a natural antibiotic Garlic helps combat Candida infections and Garlic helps fight off Colds.

Have you had your Garlic today…