Garlic Herb

Garlic herb is affordable, easy to obtain, has a variety of medicinal uses and tastes great too. Also known as Allium sativum, it can be eaten raw or roasted, used in foods, combined with other substances to make healing remedies or taken in supplement form.

Garlic, a member of the onion family, is a bulb consisting of multiple cloves. The primary compound is Allicin, a chemical released when Garlic cloves are chopped, chewed or crushed. Allicin has powerful antibacterial properties that inhibit the growth and reproduction of germs in the body. In addition, Garlic, more than any other herb, contains the high levels of Geranium, known for cancer prevention and treatment.

Garlic herb is a durable plant that can flourish in almost any climate, planted indoors or out and can be cultivated throughout the year.

Properties

Garlic herb has impressive antibacterial and antiviral properties. For over 5,000 years, in numerous cultures including Roman, Greek, Egyptian and Mediterranean societies, it has proven to be a powerful healing herb able to fight infections, strengthen the immune system, promote heart health, prevent cancer and contribute to weight loss.

Garlic is rich in vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants including Vitamins A, B and C, selenium, potassium, calcium, zinc and magnesium. Arming the body's immune defenses through inciting production of immune cells such as T-lymphocytes and macrophages, Garlic prevents and fights infections. Antioxidants ward off free radicals and boost the immune system, helping a wide-range of conditions that affect the heart, lungs, stomach and skin.

Garlic is great for heart health, helping to:

• Lower LDL or bad cholesterol
• Increase HDL or good cholesterol
• Reduces triglyceride levels
• Increase fibrinolysis or the body's ability to break up blood clots
• Lower blood pressure
• Increase circulation
• Reduce coagulation by helping platelet stickiness/aggregation
• Aid in weight loss

In addition, the reduction of free radicals significant to maintaining heart health prevents arteriosclerosis and reduces risk of heart attack and stroke.

Garlic is listed as one of the top ten anti-cancer foods, allowing individuals to reduce carcinogenic chemicals by simply incorporating it into his/her diet.

Applications

A number of options exist to incorporate Garlic herb into your diet as well as use to treat specific conditions.

Garlic can be used as an expectorant to treat asthma, bronchitis, coughs, congestion associated with allergies, sinusitis as well as other breathing-related conditions. A popular, time-worn, remedy for asthma:

• Boil Garlic bulbs until soft
• Place in a jar, off to the side
• Add vinegar, in equal part to the water used to boil the bulbs
• Add sugar
• Boil until the mixture reaches a syrup consistency

Take one or two bulbs with a spoonful of the syrup.

Garlic also helps ease the pain of ear infections. You can insert a small piece of Garlic herb into the ear and leave overnight or place a few drops of Mullen Oil into the ear and leave a piece of cotton overnight.

Sucking on a clove of Garlic can help ease a sore throat.

Additional conditions that benefit from Garlic remedies:

• Insect bites
• Colds
• Toothaches
• Warts
• Rashes

Garlic is most potent when fresh, raw whole cloves are used.

*For a full selection of essential oils, we recommend Mountain Rose Herbs.

Precautions

Garlic herb is best in moderation; too much can result in an upset stomach, heartburn or an odor on the breath and skin. In general, you can get rid of "garlic breath" by drinking lemon juice or sucking on fresh slices.

Supplements in the form of pills, capsules and tinctures are alternatives for those who dislike or cannot tolerate the taste of Garlic; possible side effects are headache, fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite, and muscle aches.

Garlic can affect blood clotting and should be used with caution while on blood thinning medication, pregnant or due to have surgery.

Garlic, along with most members of the onion family, is unsafe for consumption by cats and dogs.

Summary

Garlic herb has culinary and medicinal purposes, is safe, affordable and easy to grow. Garlic is a powerful, versatile herb able to strengthen the immune system, increase heart health, prevent cancer and treat a number of common conditions such as asthma, rashes, insect bites, colds and sore throats.

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