What is Garlic and where did it originate from?
Popularly viewed as one of the most healthy vegetables throughout history Garlic is a diverse medicinal plant with many health benefits. Ailing from the genus Allium (Onion Family) it is well documented throughout history by the Egyptians and Babylonians for it’s medicinal properties. The meat of the Garlic is split into pieces called cloves and this is where it’s medicinal properties reside. Rich in Manganese, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Selenium and Fibber Garlic is very low in Calories but also has a very high nutritional value.
Some Of the Daily uses and Remedies Of Garlic
Garlic can be used in a variety of ways and as documented since ancient times it’s medicinal properties and it’s nutritional values make it a very important spice , vegetable and medicine in our every day lives. Who can forget when we were younger and our parents gave us Garlic and honey to help us fight the common cold? Many cultures around the World use Garlic to make tea as it is widely believed to relax the nerves and help calm even the most severe of head aches. The cloves of the vegetable can also be added as a spice to a wide variety of dishes when crushed/grinded.
Proven Health benefits of Garlic
1.Garlic Boosts immunity:
Who knew boosting your immunity can be as simple as eating more garlic? According to one study involving 41,000 middle-aged women, those who routinely ate garlic, fruits and vegetables had a 35% lower colon cancer risk. Keep in mind that benefits came from raw and cooked garlic – not supplements.
2. Garlic Improves cardiovascular health:
Research indicates that it can have a positive impact on your arteries and blood pressure. Researchers believe red blood cells turn the sulfur in garlic into hydrogen sulfide gas that expands our blood vessels, making it easier to regulate blood pressure. The good news is that you may be able to put your blood pressure medication away, so consult with your doctor if adding more garlic to your diet could be helpful for you.
3. Garlic helps to give you better hair and skin:
Garlic’s antioxidants and antibacterial properties can clear up your skin by killing acne-causing bacteria. One study shows rubbing raw garlic over pimples can clear them away. Be aware, though, that it could cause a burning sensation on your skin. Consult with your dermatologist first before putting Garlic on your skin if you are using any other products, too.
4.Garlic Is Easy to Include in Your Diet and Tastes Absolutely Delicious
This may not be a health benefit, but it is still important. Garlic is very easy (and delicious) to include in your current diet. It complements most savory dishes, particularly soups and sauces. The strong taste of garlic can also add a punch to otherwise bland recipes. Garlic comes in several forms, from whole cloves and smooth pastes to powders and supplements like garlic extract and garlic oil. However, keep in mind that there are some downsides to garlic, such as bad breath. There are also some people who are allergic to it. If you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood-thinning medications, talk to your doctor before increasing your garlic intake. A common way to use garlic is to press a few cloves of fresh garlic with a garlic press, then mix it with extra virgin olive oil and a bit of salt. This is a healthy and super satisfying dressing.
5. Garlic helps to maintain Stronger Bones
There is some evidence that garlic can help reduce bone loss by increasing estrogen in females, which can be a big win for your bone health after menopause. Adding a daily dose of garlic could help reduce your risk of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. You still need to include other healthy foods to make a real impact on bone density dairy products, green leafy vegetables, fish, and nuts are all good choices. But it’s easy to season your salmon and spinach dinner with garlic for some extra oomph.
6. Garlic helps to Improve Memory
Damage from free radicals contributes to aging, but garlic contains a powerful antioxidant to help battle that S-allyl cysteine. This antioxidant shows promise in protecting against brain damage and keeping your brain functioning better as you age. It works by increasing your brain’s blood flow thanks to garlic’s ability to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. This means a reduced risk of brain disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
8. Garlic Helps Us to produce Better Athletic Performances
Ancient cultures used garlic to enhance the performance and reduce the fatigue of people doing physical labor. Eventually, the Olympic athletes in Greece started using garlic to enhance their athletic ability. Now modern athletes (and regular folks too) are using it to reduce exercise-induced fatigue. Some studies have shown people with heart disease who took garlic oil for six weeks improved their peak heart rate by 12% and could exercise longer without feeling as tired. If you like to stay fit and love garlic, add a little more to your daily diet and see if you get an endurance boost.
9. Garlic Helps to fend off Colds and Flu
Digested garlic helps boost the immune system and reduces the severity and length of cold and flu symptoms. One study showed that taking a daily garlic supplement reduced the number of colds participants experienced by 63%. Studies have also reported that the average length of cold symptoms were reduced from five days to a day and a half. If you like garlic, try adding more to your meals when you feel a cold coming on.
10. Garlic Helps To Reduce The Risk of Heart Disease
Garlic is a natural at reducing heart disease risk because it lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. It’s also great at reducing your risk of heart disease by relaxing hardened blood vessels and preventing platelet aggregation. How does it work? Garlic increases production of nitric oxide which keeps blood vessels relaxed. It also prevents platelets from binding to proteins, which reduces blood clots. When it comes to heart disease help, garlic’s got you covered.
Benefits Of Garlic And Honey
Did you know you can make tea from garlic? It’s true! You can steep chopped garlic in hot water and cover the taste with honey. However, sometimes taking advantage of garlic’s benefits gets a little complicated. Heating it or putting it in a recipe can change its pH balance. The enzymes from the allicin need a few minutes to start working, so let it sit after you mince, crush or chop it. You’ll get the most benefit from raw garlic. If you choose to cook it, don’t heat it above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher temperatures kill the allicin, so add garlic to your recipes when you’re almost done cooking.
Side Effects Of Garlic
Garlic’s health benefits are plenty, but don’t add too much to your diet too quickly, as tempting as it may be. Overdoing it can cause discomfort, including upset stomach, bloating, diarrhea, body odor and bad breath. (Pass the gum, please!). You may also get a stinging feeling on the skin if you handle significant amounts of fresh and dried garlic. To avoid garlic-induced skin lesions, wear kitchen gloves.
On rare occasions, garlic supplements can cause headaches, fatigue, appetite loss, muscle aches, dizziness and allergic reactions such as asthma attacks or skin rashes. If you take blood thinners, taking a garlic supplement can increase the medication’s effect, making it even harder for your blood to clot. Be sure to consult your doctor before taking any garlic supplement.
How does Garlic boost the immune system?
When talking about Indian cuisine, it is hard to miss garlic. Belonging to the Allium (onion) family, the bulbous vegetable is widely used to add flavour to the food. Its pungent taste and distinct aroma are mainly due to the presence of organosulfur compounds including allicin and ajoene. But the use of garlic is not limited to cooking. It has also been used as a medicine through ancient and modern history.
The garlic cloves are consumed in different ways to combat health issues like cold, cough, high blood pressure, arthritis, toothache, constipation and infections. One of the most common ways to consume garlic for health benefits is to have it on an empty stomach in the morning. This practice has been vouched for a long time by Ayurveda. In this article, we will tell you why you should try this home remedy at least once.
What is the best way to have Garlic?
Take two garlic cloves, peel their skin and crush them using brick and mortar. Have them on an empty stomach in the morning and drink a glass of water after that.
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