Garlic Benefits
Allium sativum,
commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium.
Garlic has long
been used to treat various ailments. It is extremely easy to source in most
countries and can be consumed cooked or fresh. It is most easily included in
your food or can be eaten on its own. You don’t need to limit yourself to fresh
garlic either. Garlic powder or dried garlic flakes are just as effective and
super easy to keep in the cupboard for everyday use.
Garlic is an
herb. It is well known as a flavoring for food and natural remedy for many
diseases. Garlic has been used as a medicine to prevent or treat a wide range
of diseases and conditions. The
fresh clove or supplements made from the clove are used for medicine.
Antibacterial and Antiviral
Garlic is most
well-known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. They help control
bacterial, viral, fungal, yeast and worm infections.
To treat skin
infections
The chemical
ajoene found in garlic may help treat fungal skin infections like ringworm and
athlete’s foot.
Blood
thinning
The
anti-clotting properties of ajoene found in garlic help in preventing the
formation of blood clots in the body. Hence, it may also increase the risk of
bleeding after surgery.
Reduce blood
pressure
Angiotensin II
is a protein that helps our blood vessels contract thereby increasing the blood
pressure. Allicin in garlic blocks the activity of angiotensin II and helps in
reducing blood pressure. The polysulphides present in garlic are converted into
a gas called hydrogen sulphide by the red blood cells. Hydrogen sulphide
dilates our blood vessels and helps control blood pressure. Garlic actually may
be effective in slowing the development of atherosclerosis and seems to be able
to modestly reduce blood pressure.
Protect heart
Garlic protects
our heart against cardiovascular problems like heart attacks and
atherosclerosis. This cardio-protective property can be attributed to various
factors. With age, the arteries tend to lose their ability to stretch. Garlic
may help reduce this and may also protect the heart from the damaging effects
of free oxygen radicals. The sulphur-containing compounds of garlic also
prevent our blood vessels from becoming blocked and slow the development of
atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). The anti-clotting properties of
ajoene help prevent clots from forming inside the blood vessels.
Reduce
cholesterol
Garlic has the
ability to moderately lower our blood triglycerides and total cholesterol and
reduce arterial plaque formation.
Combat allergies
Garlic is known
to have anti-inflammatory property. It can help the body fight against
allergies. The anti-arthritic property of garlic is due to diallyl sulphide and
thiacremonone. Garlic has been show to improve allergic airway
inflammation (allergic rhinitis). Raw garlic juice may be used to immediately
stop the itching due to rashes and bug bites.
Remedy for
respiratory problems
Daily use of
garlic might reduce the frequency and number of colds. Its antibacterial
properties help in treating throat irritations. Garlic may also reduce the
severity of upper respiratory tract infections. Its benefits in disorders of
the lungs like asthma, difficulty of breathing, etc. make it a priceless
medicine. Its ability to promote expectoration makes it irreplaceable in
chronic bronchitis.
Diabetes
Garlic increases
insulin release and regulates blood sugar levels in diabetics.
Effective
against warts and corns
Applying fat
dissolving garlic extracts to corns on the feet and warts on the hands is
thought to improve these conditions.
Cancer
prevention
Daily intake of
garlic has been found to lower risk of most types of cancer. This anti-cancer
property is due to allyl sulphides found in garlic. PhIP, a type of
heterocyclic amine (HCA), has been associated with increased incidence of
breast cancer among women. According to studies, diallyl sulphide found in
garlic inhibits the transformation of PhIP into carcinogens.
Garlic contributes to prevent colon
cancer, rectal cancer, stomach cancer,breast cancer, prostate
cancer, and lung cancer. It is also used to treat prostate cancer and bladder
cancer.
Improve iron
metabolism
Ferroportin is a
protein which helps in iron absorption and release. Diallyl sulphides in garlic
increase production of ferroportin and help improve iron metabolism.
Stir up
passions
Garlic’s
aphrodisiac property is due to its ability to increase the circulation.
Toothaches
Garlic help relieve toothaches due
to its antibacterial and analgesic properties.
Reduce weight
According to recent research, garlic
may help to regulate the formation of fat cells in our body. The
anti-inflammatory property of 1, 2-DT (1, 2-vinyldithiin) found in garlic may
help inhibit the conversion between pre-adipocytes are converted into fat cells
(adipocytes). This may help prevent weight gain.
Garlic has been tried for treating an enlarged
prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia; BPH), diabetes, osteoarthritis,
hayfever (allergic rhinitis), traveler's diarrhea, high blood pressure
late in pregnancy (pre-eclampsia), cold and flu. It is also used
for building the immune system, preventing tick bites, and preventing and
treating bacterial and fungal infections.
Other uses include treatment of fever, coughs, headache, stomach ache, sinus congestion, gout, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, asthma, and bronchitis, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, high blood sugar, and snakebites. It is also used for fighting stress and fatigue, and maintaining healthy liver function.
Other uses include treatment of fever, coughs, headache, stomach ache, sinus congestion, gout, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, asthma, and bronchitis, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, high blood sugar, and snakebites. It is also used for fighting stress and fatigue, and maintaining healthy liver function.
No comments:
Post a Comment