by Helena Pucko

Garlic – A Simple Kitchen Staple with Amazing Medicinal Uses

January 14, 2023 | Herbs

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  • Garlic – A Simple Kitchen Staple with Amazing Medicinal Uses

Garlic is an amazing plant ally as well as every chef’s favorite secret. Not only it enhances the flavor of food, but also improves health in many ways. It has been used medicinally for a long time in many cultures, and it is especially valued for its cardiovascular and antimicrobial properties. There are records of its use in Ancient Egypt for both culinary purposes and therapeutic effect.

Garlic has a high concentration of sulfur - containing compounds including allicin which is believed to have antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and antithrombotic effects.

Cooked garlic is less powerful medicinally, so to use it for colds and flu and similar conditions, it’s best used raw or infused in an oil. But you can add cooked garlic freely to soups, pastas and other culinary recipes to improve flavors.

In traditional herbal practices, garlic has been a herb of choice for treating colds, flus, sore throat, and sluggish digestion. It stimulated production of white blood cells, boosting body’s immune function. Sulfur compounds make it a powerful internal and external antiseptic, antibacterial and antimicrobial agent useful for treating many types of infection.

garlic health medicine

Garlic is also a vermifuge, used to treat intestinal worms in humans and animals.

Used daily, it is very effective for maintaining healthy blood cholesterol levels and helps prevent blood platelet aggregation, making it a great herb for circulatory issues.

Potential Health Benefits of Garlic in Human Studies

  • Antioxidant Properties - Garlic has strong antioxidant properties due to its nutritional and phenolic compounds.
  • Anti-inflammatory Properties - Garlic has shown to exert potent anti-inflammatory effects and a tendency to improve immune system by modulating cytokine production.
  • Lipid Lowering Properties - Studies have shown promising effect of garlic on the reduction of serum cholesterol concentration. Garlic in powder and non powder forms reduced lipid levels in periods within one to three months. In combination with olive oil, it regulated cholesterol and triglycerides levels in diabetic patients.
  • Prevention of Cancer - There is credible evidence for association between garlic intake and colon, prostate, esophageal, larynx, oral, ovary and renal cell cancers. Garlic can provide symptomatic relief of various cancer conditions and has a therapeutic potential for specific cancer treatments.
  • Cardiovascular Disease - Based on current research, garlic can significantly reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke.
  • Metabolic Syndrome - The consumption of crushed raw garlic for 4 weeks has significantly decreased several risk factors of metabolic syndrome, such as blood pressure, triglyceride levels, fasting blood glucose, and improved serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
  • Blood Pressure Benefits - Garlic has showed a beneficial effect as a remedy for high blood pressure by regulating high cholesterol levels and stimulating the immune system.
  • Diabetes - Double blind clinical trial in diabetic patients showed that herbal medicine containing garlic at certain doses had potential effects for diabetes management by reducing fasting blood glucose levels.
  • Antimicrobial Properties - Garlic has shown inhibitory effects against pathogenic viruses, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. The antimicrobial mechanism of garlic involves the inhibition of extracellular enzymes, deprivation of substrates needed for microbial growth, prevention of bacteria to adhere to epithelial cells.

Key Constituents

  • Alliin (allicilin)
  • Essential oils
  • Sulfur compounds
  • Germanium
  • Selenium
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorus
  • Vitamin A
  • B vitamins
  • Vitamin C
garlic antioxidant benefits

In general, garlic is considered safe and ingesting one to two cloves per day for an adult is considered a normal dose. For some people, garlic can add to much “fire” to their system causing heartburn and gastrointestinal upset and sometimes evokes anger. It can be a stomach irritant for babies and small children. It can also irritate and burned sensitive skin when applied topically.

Sources

https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2005/0701/p103.html

Gladstar, Rosemary: Medicinal herbs, A beginner’s guide; Storey Publishing, 2012

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7402177/

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About the author, Helena Pucko

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Helena is a multi-passionate and enthusiastic health and wellbeing coach dedicated to helping others achieve their optimal health and manifest the life they want to live.

Whether you're struggling with chronic health issues, looking to make a major life transition, or simply seeking greater clarity and balance in your life, Helena is here to guide and support you on your journey. With compassion, expertise, and a deep commitment to your wellbeing, Helena will help you achieve your goals and unlock your full potential.

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