Garlic is one of the oldest cultivated plant in the world and it has been grown for over 5000 years. Its Native to Central Asia. Ancient Egyptians seems to have been the first to cultivate this plant that played an important role in their culture. Currently China, South Korea, India, Spain and United States are among the top commercial producers of Garlic.
Garlic (Allium Stivum) is a plant with a very strong and bitter flavor which has been used for both cultinary and medical purposes for hundreds of years. The key medicinal ingredients in garlic is Allicin, which is a wonderful anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant properties.
Garlic has long been considered a herbal "Wonder Drug", with a reputation in folklore for preventing everyting from the Common Cold and Flu.
Now lets talk about the health benefits of Garlic:
- Garlic is known to have antiviral properties, which helps the body to fight against allergies.
- Garlic's antibacterial, analgies and anesthezing properties can help to cure toothaches.
- Garlic's antibacterial properties make it a wonderful treatment for coughs and other throat irritations. It may also reduce the severity of upper respiratory tract infections.
- Garlic is considered to regulate blood sugar levels, by increasing the release of insulin in diabetics.
- Garlic acts as a heart relaxant, garlic regulates the Cardiac rhythm, helping to avoid arrhythmia. This is beneficial for people that have accelerated heart rates and Cardiac arrhythmia.
- Garlic is powerful against tumor formation (including Cancer) due to its Sulfur and Selenium Content.
- Garlic can help cure tuberculosis.
- Garlic aids weak digestion because its stimulates the secretion of Gastric Juices.
- Garlic acts as a great lung decongestant helping to loosen the harmful (infection) secretion of bronchial tubes.
- Garlic may help improve your Iron metabolism. That's because the diallyl Sulfides in garlic can help increase production of a protein called Ferroportin. (Ferroportin is a protein that runs across the cell membrane, and it forms a passageway that allows stored Iron to leave the cells and become available where it is needed)
- One can also benefit from Garlic during Pregnancy. According to studies done by doctors in London hospital supplementation may help Weight-Gain for babies that may be at risk for low birth weight.
High doses of raw garlic have caused gas, bloating, diarrhea and fever in some. To fight bacteria, raw garlic is better. However cooking does not diminish blood thinning and other cardioprotective capabilites. As a cancer fighter, raw garlic may be better than cooked ones.
The list of studies involving garlic and our health could go on and on. Continuous research is being done showing the association between garlic and improved memory and learning function, as well as findings show it can help to prevent the onset of "Stress-induced hyperglycemia".