|
Part Used: The bulb
Common Uses How Garlic Works Garlic has been called the "stinking rose", but while it may have a powerful smell, it also packs a powerful punch when it comes to dealing with some serious health problems. Garlic keeps the cholesterol levels in our blood in good balance. It does this by lowering serum cholesterol levels while raising good HDL-cholesterol levels. Garlic strengthens blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, and improves circulation by reducing platelet "stickiness." As a natural antibiotic it protects us from infection, It also detoxifies our bodies while maintaining healthy flora in our intestine. Eating garlic on a regular basis has been linked with reduced rates of stomach and colon cancer. Garlic has powerful antibacterial properties. When fresh cloves are when applied topically, they are an effective treatment of skin infections and acne. It is suggested that, because of the odor, this treatment is best applied at night. Garlic is rich in Selenium, a natural cancer fighting compound and antioxidant. Side Effects No major side effects are known. Some people experience flatulence or heartburn while taking garlic. Rare cases of allergic reaction have been reported. Don't like garlic breath? Chew on a sprig of fresh parsley, or a piece of orange or lemon rind. Safety Concerns If you are taking anticoagulant medication you should use garlic with caution. There are no known contraindications for the use of garlic while pregnant or lactating. The History of Garlic Garlic is one of the most ancient remedies known to man and has truly earned a place in History! It has been cultivated, and highly valued for more than 5,000 years, and used for medicinal purposes since the time of the Egyptian Pharoahs and the earliest Chinese dynasties. The Bible tells that the Israelites complained that they had too little garlic in their provisions as they fled from Egypt. The most renowned Greek and Roman physicians, Hippocrates, Galen, Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides all recommended garlic. It was used it for a wide range of complaints including respiratory and digestive problems, weight loss, parasites and low energy. Traditional Chinese medicine also saw the importance of Garlic and it wrote about it in their literature in 510 A.D.. They prescribed it for colds, tuberculosis, digestive problems and diarrhea. It was also used topically to treat snake bites, fungal infections of the skin and pinworm. In more recent times, Louis Pasteur studied the antibacterial effect of garlic and Albert Schweitzer used garlic to treat dysentery during his visit to Africa. In modern times more than 1000 papers have been written about this small odorous bulb, which appears to not only frighten off vampires but also other unwelcome visitors like viruses, bacteria and yeast infections. It's hard to believe that it tastes good too! Little Known Garlic Facts 1 Medium-sized garlic clove packs the antibacterial punch of about 100,000 units of Penicillin. Studies have shown that garlic reduces blood sugar levels - this is good news for diabetics! Garlic powder sprinkled on athelete's foot fungus will effectively kill it. Got a sore throat? Chew a couple cloves of garlic and swallow. If the taste is too strong for you, try mixing mashed fresh garlic with honey first. Garlic-water sprinkled on plants is an effective pesticide. Garlic leaves are nutritious and highly edible. They contain high amounts of Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Use the outer shoots of the stalk when they reach 8 to 10 inches tall. Add to salads and soups. How To Use Garlic At only 4 calories per clove, Garlic is a great diet food! One to two fresh cloves of garlic a day is an excellent way to boost your health. When buying fresh garlic, look for firm bulbs with thin, paper-like skin and no spots or discolorations. Avoid sprouting garlic, which means it is not very fresh. Garlic is also available dehydrated, powdered, dry-minced and wet-minced. Garlic stays fresh longer when stored in a cool, dry, dark place with plenty of air circulation, such as a metal basked hanging in your pantry. For indefinite storage, peel cloves and store in a jar of olive oil. When frying garlic, be careful not to burn it, as it will turn bitter. Fresh minced garlic is wonderful mixed in with soft butter, or cheese spread. Roasted garlic is a wonderful treat. You can even purchase terracotta garlic roasters specificially for this purpose. If you don't have a garlic roaster, you can still enjoy the sweet nutty flavor of roasted garlic. Trim the top 1/8 inch off of the full head before roasting. Stand the garlic upright, root side down, in a covered glass baking dish. Add about a tablespoon of water. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Squeeze or scoop out the soft mushy cloves - delightful spread on bread, crackers, mixed in with mashed potatoes, served on top of baked potatoes, mixed into sauces or marinades. |