Garlic

Did you know that the dash of garlic you put in to spice up your dishes and curries is good for your heart too?

Since time immemorial garlic has been used to stave off evil spirits, build stamina, enhance immunity, and ward off infections. During the ancient Olympic games in Greece athletes were said to swallow garlic as a stimulant.

Garlic is a part of the lily family along with onions and chives. Undisturbed, the garlic bulb has limited medicinal properties. Chopping and crushing garlic releases the miraculous properties for which we tout garlic.

The magical potions of garlic emanate from alliin that when crushed converts in allicin, a powerful antibiotic, and may possess anti-clotting properties too.

The healing touch

• Garlic is said to be good for heart
• It can lower blood pressure, help you maintain a healthy blood-lipid- profile and has anticoagulant properties too.
• It is believed to treat cancer, and helps fight microbial infections.
  There are reports that eating garlic reduces the frequency and severity of the common cold.
• Garlic may also inhibit breast cancer
• Garlic protect cells against radiation, pollution, and aging, and stimulate the immune function
• Studies have shown that garlic – especially aged garlic – can have a powerful antioxidant effect. Antioxidants help to protect the body against damaging “free radicals”.
• Even with regular use body does not develop resistance to garlic. It’s positive benefits continue with regular use.

How much garlic is enough

On the downside garlic can give you bad breath. Chewing on sprigs of parsley or few fennel and cardamom seeds can counter the problem.

Garlic in excess can cause anemia and inflammation of the digestive tract. A clove or two of cooked garlic a day cannot hurt. Though, experts disagree on the amount of garlic consumption. A good way to escape this debate and garlic breath is to take garlic pills or supplements.

There are a few people who are allergic to garlic. Symptoms of garlic allergy include skin rash, temperature and headaches. Avoid garlic before surgery.

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