What are the benefits of Garlic?
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Garlic is a ‘wonder-drug’, it contains more than 100 biologically useful chemicals. It also has various anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant properties.
Here’s a list of some of it’s proven properties
- Studies have shown that taking 600 mgs of garlic daily, lowers cholesterol levels considerably.
- Garlic’s ability to fight infections and bacteria makes it an effective cure for warts and skin problems.
- It’s a great aphrodisiac. It helps improve blood circulation and also helps prolong an erection.
- Regulates blood sugar levels by increasing the release of insulin in diabetics.
- Garlic’s antibacterial and anesthetising properties can help cure toothaches.
- Antibacterial and Antiviral: Garlic is most well-known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. They help control bacterial, viral, fungal, yeast and worm infections. Fresh garlic is thought to play a role in preventing food poisoning by killing bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella enteritidis, etc.
- Reduce Blood Pressure: Angiotensin II is a protein that helps our blood vessels contract thereby increasing the blood pressure. Allicin in garlic blocks the activity of angiotensin II and helps in reducing blood pressure. The polysulphides present in garlic are converted into a gas called hydrogen sulphide by the red blood cells. Hydrogen sulphide dilates our blood vessels and helps control blood pressure.
- Protect your Heart: Garlic protects our heart against cardiovascular problems like heart attacks and atherosclerosis. This cardio-protective property can be attributed to various factors. With age, the arteries tend to lose their ability to stretch. Garlic may help reduce this and may also protect the heart from the damaging effects of free oxygen radicals. The sulphur-containing compounds of garlic also prevent our blood vessels from becoming blocked and slow the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). The anti-clotting properties of ajoene help prevent clots from forming inside the blood vessels.
- Allergies: Garlic is known to have anti-inflammatory property. It can help the body fight against allergies. The anti-arthritic property of garlic is due to diallyl sulphide and thiacremonone. Garlic has been show to improve allergic airway inflammation (allergic rhinitis). Raw garlic juice may be used to immediately stop the itching due to rashes and bug bites.
- Skin Infections: The chemical ajoene found in garlic may help treat fungal skin infections like ringworm and athlete’s foot.
- Blood thinning:The anti-clotting properties of ajoene found in garlic help in preventing the formation of blood clots in the body. Hence, it may also increase the risk of bleeding after surgery.
- Respiratory Problems: Daily use of garlic might reduce the frequency and number of colds. Its antibacterial properties help in treating throat irritations. Garlic may also reduce the severity of upper respiratory tract infections. Its benefits in disorders of the lungs like asthma, difficulty of breathing, etc. make it a priceless medicine. Its ability to promote expectoration makes it irreplaceable in chronic bronchitis.
- Diabetes: Garlic increases insulin release and regulates blood sugar levels in diabetics.
- Lowers cholesterol: Garlic has the ability to moderately lower our blood triglycerides and total cholesterol and reduce arterial plaque formation.
- Acne: It might not be a main ingredient in your drugstore acne medication, but garlic makes a great natural remedy to banish unsightly blemishes. Its antioxidants kill bacteria, so rub a sliced clove of garlic on the pimple for an effective topical treatment.