Garlic as medicine and spice |  Photo Credit: iStock Images
Key Highlights
- In any Indian household, garlic pods are easy to come by and moms and grandmothers often use them as remedies for small health upsets.
- Garlic is a herb with qualities that heal. It is used to treat cholesterol by Ayurvedic experts.
- Garlic is most commonly used for conditions related to the heart and blood system.
Garlic is one herb that is grown around the world and is related to onion, leeks, and chives. Botanists claim that garlic is native to Siberia, but spread to other parts of the world over 5000 years ago. As for India, no kitchen ingredients and fresh spices are complete without garlic pods. fresh garlic, garlic powder, and garlic oil are used to add flavour to foods and beverages.
Have you noticed how, whenever we think of a well-stocked kitchen, apart from items like olive oil, salt, and black pepper, one pominent ingredient is garlic. In an Indian household almost any dish we make seems to have a few cloves tossed in. This powerhouse of flavour brings classy taste and relish to simple dishes.
But beyond the use as a spice, garlic also has acclaimed medicinal uses. Let us take a ook at the commonly known medicinal qualities of garlic.
- According to an American Journal of Medicine: "Allicin and other sulfur compounds are thought to be the major compounds responsible for the antimicrobial effect of garlic. Garlic is effective against a number of gram-negative, gram-positive, and acid-fast bacteria, including Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Vibrio, Mycobacteria, and Proteus species". "Another study indicated that Allicin has antiparasitic activity against Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma brucei brucei."
- Another American Research paper says: "Garlic and its preparations have been widely recognized as agents for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The wealth of scientific literature supports the proposal that garlic consumption have significant effects on lowering blood pressure, prevention of atherosclerosis, reduction of serum cholesterol and triglyceride, inhibition of platelet aggregation, and increasing fibrinolytic activity" "Although experimental studies demonstrated a clear hypoglycemic effect of garlic, the effect of garlic on human blood glucose is still controversial... However, some other studies showed no change of blood glucose level after that in human... Garlic extracts have been reported to be effective in reducing insulin resistance"
- Garlic is most commonly used to treat conditions related to the heart and blood system such as high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia), and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
- Garlic produces a chemical called allicin which also gives it the strong odour. The process of making garlic medicines "odourless" by aging the garliccan render it less effective. In case you hate garlic smmell, it is a better idea to take supplements that are coated (enteric coating) so they will dissolve in the intestine and not in the stomach.
- Many randomized clinical trials have studied the effects of garlic on lipid levels. You may find your doctor recommending usage of garlic in diet or may prescribe garlic-extract tablets to be had as medicine to lower lipids in the blood.
The anciet herb has served humanity well and is truly a spice that heals.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.
The Link LonkFebruary 19, 2021 at 10:21PM
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The Goodness of Garlic: The herb that heals - Times Now
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