Garlic Benefits

Garlic Benefits - Garlic belongs to the Allium family of vegetables. Latin name for garlic is Allium sativum. It is one of the most valuable and versatile foods on the planet. Garlic has been used for both culinary and medicinal purposes from ancient days.

Garlic is cultivated all over the world, but China is the top producer of this wonderful herb. Raw garlic has more therapeutic effects than the cooked dishes. By cooking garlic loses its potential to some extent.

Garlic contains antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal property. Garlic is popularly known as "nature's antibiotic". Because of the known garlic benefits, in 1858, Louis Pasteur observed garlic's antibacterial activity, and it was used as an antiseptic to prevent gangrene during World War I and World War II. 

Many publications have shown that garlic supports cardiovascular system. According to them it lowers cholesterol,and triglyceride levels in the blood, inhibits platelets stickiness and slows blood coagulation. 

How much garlic to take ?

According to the Ayurveda Pharmacopoeia of India, 3 to 6 grams of peeled garlic paste can be taken twice a day. Garlic is a little spicy and pungent in taste. Milk boiled with Garlic is a nice way to consume garlic. It has several additional health benefits.

Common Garlic Benefits

• Garlic promotes the well-being of the heart and immune systems with antioxidant properties and helps maintain healthy blood circulation
• Garlic helps to enhance the body's immune cell activity.
• Garlic is helpful in reducing cholesterol.
• Garlic contains germanium, which is an anti-cancer agent.
• For regulating blood pressure, whether low or high, garlic is helpful.
• Regular use of garlic promotes defense system in the body to fight against allergies.
• Garlic lowers LDL cholesterol (bad type cholesterol), and increases HDL (good cholesterol).
• Garlic is helpful to fight against cold and flu. 
• Garlic is useful in preventing arterioscloerosis, and reduces the risk of heart attack or stroke.
• Daily use of garlic is helpful to prevent cancer.
• Garlic is also useful in reducing weight.
• Garlic is also helpful in treating asthma, hoarseness, coughs, difficulty of breathing, and most other disorders of the lungs.
• Garlic helps as an antiseptic and helps in curing wounds very quickly.

Side effects of Garlic

Though there are many garlic benefits, like many other medicines, Garlic too has some side effects.Garlic can cause indigestion, nausea and diarrhoea. Topical application of raw garlic to young children is not advisable.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician, or health care provider before taking any home remedies. 

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