What is Garlic?
Garlic is best known as one of the most flavorful and quintessential aromatic herbs. Most cuisines of the world could not imagine cooking without it. It is so good at being an aromatic and flavoring agent that its medicinal properties are often overlooked or forgotten. The fact is that it has been used as medicine for thousands of years, dating back to when the Egyptian pyramids were built. During both World Wars, soldiers were given garlic to prevent gangrene. It was also topically applied to wounds to prevent infection.
In modern times garlic is used to help prevent heart disease; including atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries that can block the flow of blood and may lead to heart attack or stroke), high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
It is also known to boost the immune system and be rich in antioxidants. The human body overtime has a buildup of harmful particles called free radicals that destroy cells and DNA. Antioxidants help the body by neutralizing free radicals. These properties make garlic a protectant against cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Benefits of Garlic
- It is great for the heart. It slows down atherosclerosis and lower blood pressure. It also acts as a blood-thinner which helps prevent heart attacks and strokes
- It helps prevent the common cold and makes its symptoms go away faster
- It strengthens the immune system and helps it function better during times of need such as in cancer. It also lowers the risk of developing colon and stomach cancer
- It has shown in some tests that it has the ability to kill roundworms, the most common type of intestinal parasite
- It reduces urinary symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). It also reduced the size of the prostate
- A gel made out of it can be applied to the skin to treat ringworm, jock itch, and athlete’s foot
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By : Natural Health News
