Garlic

Few plants have been cultivated from time immemorial as garlic – a garden vegetable of the onion family. At different occasions it has been described as a food, a herb, a medicinal plant, an antiseptic, a beauty accessory, (and a weapon to ward off evil) by people throughout the ages. In fact, fossil remains of a Neanderthal man discovered in Scandinavia revealed a number of cloves of garlic in the ancient man’s bags preserved in the snow. It is argued the ancient man knew about the powers of garlic.

Garlic grows in form of a bulb consisting of 6 to 35 bulblets called cloves enclosed in a thin, whitish, glittering, transparent covering.

The health benefits of garlic have been considered for centuries all over the world. It is known to contain high percentage of minerals and vitamins, iodine, sulfur, and chlorine.

Garlic is effective in maintaining health in several ways as follows:

1. It fights infection: Garlic contains antimicrobial properties as well as antifungal agents which can be applied to the skin and also eaten.

2. Skin disorders: Acne is a major problem – especially for teenagers – but it disappears without scarring when rubbed with raw garlic several times a day. The external use of garlic helps to clear skin of spots and pimples and boils. Added to this is taken it orally to purify the blood stream so as to prolong its effect on the skin.

3. Serves as antioxidant: Garlic when eaten regularly provides antioxidants that can rid the body of toxins and make dispersing of waste much easier. It works as a natural anti aging remedy and lessens the effect of nicotine.

4. It prevents cancer: A diet high in garlic may also prevent a variety of cancers including breast, colon, prostrate and pancreas. It also slows down tumor growth.

5. Controlling cholesterol: LDL, one of the two types of cholesterol and which increase risk for heart disease, is effectively controlled by garlic by removing hydroxyl radical linked to this ailment.

6. High blood pressure: Garlic is said to work wonders as it effectively lowers blood pressure. It essentially eases the tension and pressure on the arterioles (smaller arteries) carrying blood.

7. Digestive system disorders: Garlic stimulates digestion by activating the secretion of the gastric juices. Cloves can be crushed and infused in water or milk and used to relieve all types of disorders of digestion. Its’ antiseptic effect helps cleanse the blood and prevent infectious diseases and inflammations of the stomach and intestines. It can successfully treat colitis, a disease that causes pain and swelling in the colon, a part of the bowels, dysentery and many other intestinal upsets.

Those are just some of what this miracle plant can do for you, and if you don’t mind the smell, eating it regularly is more or less preventive medicine.

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