Garlic Supremacy

Garlic or Allium sativum is of Anglo-Saxon origin with its name being coined from ‘gar’ which means “a spear” and ‘lac’ which means “a plant” in reference to the shape of its leaves. Garlic is a member of the same group of plants as onion (Allium) which is a native from central Asia. This plant can grow up to 2 feet high or more. It grows best in rich, filthy and moderately damp soil with liberal amounts of sunlight. The compound bulb which is usually made up of 4 to 20 cloves and weighs about 1gram per clove is the most vital part of this plant since this contains the medicinal elements. In every 100 grams of garlic, there are about 67mg of sulfur. Garlic contains vitamins like A, C and B and other minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium, potassium and copper.

Garlic has already been used both as a food and medicine around thousands of years ago dating back to when the Pharaohs gave the laborers and slaves garlic to increase their stamina and strength as well as to protect them from disease, while building the Egyptian pyramids. It was also used by the gravediggers in France as protection from disease during the early 18^th century and in World Wars I and II, soldiers used it as prevention to gangrene.

Today, garlic has cultivated worldwide and is making a strong comeback as an effective, all-natural, herbal tonic. When garlic bulbs are crushed or digested in the intestinal tract, alliin, an odorless sulfur-containing amino acid derived from the amino acid cysteine, is converted into another compound called allicin. Allicin, on the other hand, is one of the main active compounds that give garlic its distinctive odor as well as its healing benefits. However, the potential benefits of garlic are greatly reduced by cooking. Its strong flavor and smell are due to its sulfur content. It is even loaded with antioxidants, which help break free radicals that can probably be a factor of aging process.

In reality, there are around 300 varieties of garlic that has grown worldwide. Some of these are: American Garlic which has a white skin and a strong taste; Chileno Garlic which is grown in Mexico, reddish in skin color and is sharp-tasting; Green Garlic has a long green top, a small white bulb, green in color and is harvested young to have a milder flavor; Italian Garlic has a milder flavor than the American garlic and is mauve in color.

Garlic has long been acclaimed for its abundant benefits to health because clinical studies have shown the efficacy of Garlic supplementation to have the following advantages:

Cardiovascular

• Because aged garlic products are usually fermented, it is easily absorbed and high in sulfur compounds. Therefore; it inhibits the development of cardiovascular diseases.
• Lessen the risk of developing arterial plaque formation that can block blood flow and further lead to heart attack or stroke.
• It reduces blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension.
• Modestly reduce blood cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels.
• It helps raise good cholesterol (HDL)

Cancer

• Laboratory studies have shown evidence that garlic extracts may have anti-cancer activity by inhibiting cell cycle progression and strengthening the immune system.
• Garlic is an effective treatment to malignant tumors.
• Case control studies suggest a protective effect of garlic consumption in contradiction of the growth of breast, prostate, laryngeal (throat), gastric and colorectal cancers.
• Ripened garlic enhancement according to studies made, side effects of chemotherapy like fatigue and lack of appetite may be minimized.

Yeast Infection

Garlic is one of the best, simple, inexpensive and safe ways to naturally cure a yeast infection that is usually caused by a fungus and at the same time preventing its recurrence. It contains natural anti-fungal properties and consuming fresh garlic daily has the power to fight off and kill the fungus. Just don’t forget to drink lots of water to rehydrate your body and most importantly, help flush the fungus and bad bacteria out.

Others

• A gastric stimulant & aids with digestion.
• An anti flatulent, carminative and diaphoretic.
• A diuretic.
• An expectorant having a special effect on the bronchial and pulmonary secretions.
• It helps heal fractured bones.
• A great antiseptic.
• It invigorates sexual malfunctions.
• It improves functional activity of smokers.

Although Garlic is a health food, an extensive alternative in the quantity of active components present in garlic preparations depends on the garlic’s growth process as well as the preparation of the product. As a result, there is some irregularity on how these substances can enhance blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and battle the disease.