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We know that garlic is a tasty spice used in recipes….but do you know the benefits of garlic for your health?
Garlic is a must have in so many of my recipes. I include liberal amounts in the majority of the savory recipes I create because it imparts such amazing flavor to my dishes. But, not only do I love the flavor that it brings to meals, but the amazing health benefits it provides. For that reason, I use it not only in my food. But I also use it as a remedy for several health ailments as well. And I have been benefiting for years from the amazing healing properties of this great food.
One of the most important components of garlic that makes it such a powerful healer is allicin. Allicin is a sulphur based compound that gives garlic it’s distinctive smell. And of course, it is the reason why garlic lingers on the breath longer than most would like it to.
Here are some of the ways that garlic can help to boost your health!
1. Potent anti-viral and anti-bacterial.
In other words, garlic is perfect for fighting colds, flu and other viruses and infections. When I begin feeling a bug coming on, I whip up a batch of my great home remedy for coughs and sore throats which includes a good amount of raw garlic. It works amazingly well and quite quickly at helping to get those sick bugs out of your body so that you can feel better fast! The most important thing to remember is to use raw garlic, because cooking will eliminate a lot of the best healing properties!
2. Powerful anti-inflammatory.
Garlic is known to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation throughout the body which in turn reduces aches and pain. It can help with inflammatory pain such as arthritis, toothaches and even headaches from sinus and allergy problems.
3. Can lower blood pressure and help to prevent heart attacks.
Garlic helps to lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure and helps to protect the cardiovascular system from inflammation that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
4. Helps to promote detoxification of the body.
Because of the increase of exposure to heavy metals, it is important to support the liver and the body’s natural detoxification pathways to remove them so that they cannot create long term health issues. Both allicin and selenium, which garlic is rich in, help to protect the liver from damage. A four week study of workers that worked in a plant that manufactured car batteries, which exposed them to high levels of lead, showed a 19% decrease of lead in blood levels, when garlic was taken. (1)
5. Powerful cancer fighter.
With cancer affecting a growing number of people each year, anything that can be done to reduce cancer risks should be noted. Researchers believe that the consumption of large amounts of garlic daily can help to reduce instances of stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas and breasts. This is due to garlic’s power to boost the compound hydrogen sulfide which prevents cancer cells from forming.
6. Can help to reduce the pain of and heal ear infections.
There is nothing quite like the pain of an ear infection. One natural remedy that has been around for centuries and that people today still swear by is warmed garlic oil, dripped into the ears to help heal an ear infection. Both the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial components of the garlic can quickly help to ease the pain and kick that infection to the curb!
7. Can help to kill candida and other fungal infections.
Garlic is a powerhouse when it comes to being an anti-fungal. It should definitely be a part of any anti-candida protocol. Garlic oil can be used topically on the skin to help combat any fungal infections of the skin.
Garlic is definitely beneficial to use in your wellness arsenal. Keeping raw garlic on hand will not only benefit the food that you cook, but will go a long way to boosting your health as well!
