A nice warm bowl of soup is great for the cold winter days, when bacteria and viruses thrive and our immune systems are a tad weakened. All soups are great in the winter, but a ginger-garlic soup will keep your immune system healthy and help your body fight even the most challenging viruses. The soups contain raw garlic, ginger, lemon, onions and thyme, natural ingredients which have incredible antibacterial and antiviral properties. Most of the benefits of the soups can be attributed to garlic, a natural powerhouse that has been used as a remedy against various ailments for a long time.
Garlic’s amazing health benefits
Garlic is a vegetable from the allium family rich in Sulphur and a rare compound known as allicin. According to studies, allicin is more effective against various bacteria and virus infection than many pills, but you need to activate it first. To do this, you just need to crush a garlic clove, then leave it for 15 minutes.
Consuming garlic on a daily basis is a great thing for your health. Garlic can lower your cholesterol levels and prevent atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular problems, while the rich nutritional profile reinforces your immune system and helps your body fight various diseases and conditions. Garlic has been used to treat colds, the flu and digestive problems for a long time, and can be easily added to your diet. You can mash it and mix it with olive oil then spread it on toast, or simply crush the cloves and add them to your soup.
Even experts are recognizing the potential of garlic against colds – according to a recent study, increasing your garlic intake during the cold winter months can cut through the symptoms of colds. Of course, further research is needed on the topic, but we strongly suggest adding the vegetable in your diet.
Garlic as medicine
Garlic has been used as a natural remedy against various health problems since ancient times. Ancient Egyptians used garlic against more than 20 diseases, while ancient Greeks used it against blood disorders, insect bites, leprosy and even lung problems. Roman soldiers were given garlic to boost their immune system, while in the Middle Ages, the vegetable was used to prevent infections.
In recent times, science has been able to discover how garlic improves our heart health. According to one study, the vegetable increases the number of T-cells in the bloodstream which can boost your body’s defenses and fight germs and viruses. Another study discovered that allicin is a powerful germ-killer which can improve your blood flow as well and regulate your cholesterol levels, which will prevent a variety of cardiovascular problems.
Just recently, a study found out that consuming garlic regularly can lower blood pressure, while a Brazilian study from 2007 discovered that the vegetable can destroy bacteria responsible for gum diseases and tooth decay. Furthermore, garlic contains special oils which can destroy snails and protect your garden from being ruined.
The best way to use garlic
Although eating it raw is possible, the unpleasant aroma might stick around with you. This is why it’s best to add it to soups such as the garlic-ginger soup we have for you today. Here’s how to prepare it:
- 26 peeled garlic cloves
- 26 unpeeled garlic cloves
- ½ a cup ginger (chopped)
- ½ a cup coconut milk
- ½ a teaspoon cayenne powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 ½ cups vegetable broth
- 1 ½ teaspoon dry thyme
- 4 lemon slices
- 2 ¼ cups onion slices
Preheat the oven while you’re cleaning the garlic cloves, then roast the peeled cloves in a small dish with some olive oil and salt. You’ll need about 45 minutes. When they’re done, put them in a separate bowl.
In the meantime, melt the bowl in a skillet and add the onions, cayenne pepper and ginger, the cook for 5-6 minutes before adding the unpeeled garlic cloves. Cook for a few minutes, then add the broth and continue cooking for 20-25 minutes. The garlic should be soft at that point. Mix everything in a blender, then simmer it on low heat with the coconut milk – once the mixture boils, it’s ready to serve. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice in it and garnish with lemon slices, then enjoy this powerful soup!