Garlic Clove
Garlic is the edible bulb from a plant in the lily family.
Over the centuries garlic has been used medicinally and as food flavoring.
Health Benefits
The use of garlic on a regular basis is believed to prevent cholesterol clogging the arteries.
Preliminary research also suggests that taking garlic may slow the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), a condition that can lead to heart disease or stroke.
NCCAM is supporting studies looking at how garlic interacts with certain drugs and how it can thin blood, which in turn would alleviate high blood pressure.
Garlic is also believed to guard against cancerous growths, especially in the digestive system.
Antibacterial Properties
Garlic has a broad spectrum of activity against many common bacteria. It can also destroy some very nasty infections including E.Coli; Salmonella; Helicobacter Pylori, that is the cause of gastric ulcers; and the hospital acquired infection Methicillin resistant Staplrylococcus Aureus (MRSA).
There seems to be only a few bacteria against which garlic seems not to be effective ie. Clostridium botulinum; Enterococcus faecium; Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus β hemolyticus.
Surprisingly, various bacterial strains that are resistant against antibiotics such as Enterococcus; Escherichia coli; S.flexneni; S.sonnei; Shigella dysenreiae; and the hospital acquired infection, Methicillin resistant, Staphylococcus aureus, are sensitive to garlic.
Anti-fungal Properties
Garlic also has very high anti-fungal properties, and is especially effective against Candida.
Anti-parasitic Properties
Garlic has been known to be effective against parasites since ancient times, and has been used effectively to treat intestinal worms and dysentery by many cultures.
Antiviral Properties
Fresh garlic extracts have been known to be effective against several viruses, chief amongst witch are the viruses that cause colds, flue and herpes.
Garlic cloves can be eaten raw or cooked. They may also be dried or powdered and used in tablets and capsules. Raw garlic cloves can be used to make oils and liquid extracts.
Side Effects And Cautions
Garlic appears to be safe for most adults, but rarely cause heartburn, upset stomach, and allergic reactions..
Side effects include breath and body odor, especially common with raw garlic.
Garlic can thin the blood (reduce the ability of blood to clot) in a manner similar to aspirin. This effect may be a problem during or after surgery. Use garlic with caution if you are planning to have surgery or dental work, or if you have a bleeding disorder. A cautious approach is to avoid garlic in your diet or as a supplement for at least 1 week before surgery.
Garlic has been found to interfere with the effectiveness of saquinavir, a drug used to treat HIV infection. Its effect on other drugs has not been well studied.
Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
Recipe
Hearty Tomato Soup
Ingredients:
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup soaked sundried tomatoes
1 tbs. agave nectar
1 cup water
2 tbs. olive oil
1-2 clove garlic
1/2 tsp of dried basil, oregano, and thyme
2 tbs. lemon juice
Sea salt to taste
Dash of nutmeg
How to:
Put everything in a high speed blender and blend till thick and smooth. Serve at room temp.
Garlic Clove
