Medicinal plant: GARLIC

Scientific name: Allium sativum

Fuente: icex.es

Garlic is the most assertive member of the onion family, Allium, which varies in intensity and aroma according to the way in which it is used and cooked. Garlic is native to central Asia where it has been a staple for thousand of years. In fact, it is well-known that the ancient Egyptians used garlic for culinary and medicinal purposes. It is possible to grow garlic all the year round, climate permitting.

Garlic is believed to be native to central Asia or India but is widely cultivated and does not flourish in cold, northern climates.The leaves are long and fat, reaching up to 3 feet in length  The white, star-shaped flowers grow in umbels. Garlic, a perennial, is a popular garden plant and does well in fertile, moist soils in full sun. A hardy perennial,it is often cultivated as an annual. Bulbs are made up of cloves, or bulbs, in a papery, white, or pinkish white casing. The clump of flat leaves grows to 60cm/ 2ft. Flowers are greenish white. Plants bulbs in autumn or winter in rich soil and a sunny position. Lift in late summer and dry in the sun storing. Increase by dividing bulbs and replanting.

Garlic is a key ingredient in many ethnic cuisines and has a inherit history in herbal medicine. It also has a stunning reputation for fighting off infections, especially in the gut and the lungs. Some of the physiological effects of the garlic alternative, antibiotic, antifungal, aphrodisiac, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, parasiticide, vasodilator and yang tonic.

Garlic shows activity against many types of infectious disease, including staphylococcu, streptococcus and salmonella bacteria. It also helps prevent blood platelet aggregation, which makes it of use in addressing problems of the circulatory system. It is used in the treatment of  arterosclerosis, asthma, candida, catarrh, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, obesity, tuberculosis, whooping cough and worms.

Garlic is the herb of choice for treating colds, flus, sore throats, and poor or sluggish digestion.  Garlic stimulates the production of white blood cells, boosting the body's immune function, and its sulfur compounds and essential oils make it a potent, internal and external antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial agent, effective for treating many types of infections. Garlic have been found effective against several forms of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Garlic is also a well known vermifuge and is used to treat intestinal worms in humans and animals. Garlic is very effective for maintaining healthy blood cholesterol levels and helps prevent platelet , aggregation, making it the herb of choice for many circulatory issues. Studies show that it also lowers blood sugar levels, making it a useful aid in treating type 2 diabetes. Aside from all this, garlic is just plain tasty.

Garlic has therapeutic properties lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, good for cardiovascular disease, cancers, enlarged prostate , diabetes, osteoarthritis, pre-clampsia, the immune system, coughs, headache, stomach ache, blocked sinus, gout, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, asthma, bronchitis and fungal infections.

Topically, garlic con be prepared as a bolus to treat years infection or an enema to treat hemorrhoids. Garlic-infused oil can be used as ear drops to treat ear infection or as a wash to treat gangrenous wounds and snakebite.The garlic rhizome is edible and has been used as a seasoning since ancient times. However,it loses its medicinal properties when heated.

Eating garlic is said to repel mosquitoes and ticks. Planting garlic in the garden helps repel pets.

How to Use

Cooking deactivates some of garlic's activity, so one of the easiest ways to take garlic is simply to eat it! Raw garlic is probably the optimal form Crush a couple cloves and put in olive oil, add a dash of lemon, and toes over a salad.

If buying garlic in capsule form, look for products standardized to allicin, a key ingredient. Research suggest garlic products providing 4 to 8 mg allicin daily are optimal.

Juice:

Take up to 1 tsp ( 5ml) of juice in honey or water twice  a day to combat infection, arteriosclerosis, or to reduce the risk of thrombosis.

Fresh cloves:

Rub the cut side of a fresh clove on acne pustules at night. Eat 2-3 cloves in cooked food each day to improve the cardiovascular system, lower cholesterol, or help prevent colds and flu.

Capsules: 

Take 1 capsule before meals (check dosage on the package) to help prevent seasonal infections.

Tincture: 

Take 40-80 drops (2 - 4 ml) in water 3 times daily for cardiovascular problems respiratory disorders, or fungal infections.

Powder: 

For anyone who has suffered a heart attack, take up to 1 level teaspoon each day stirred into water of fruit juice to help prevent further attacks.

Contraindications:

Excess amounts of garlic can be irritating to the stomach and kidneys, some people find that even small amounts of raw garlic can cause heartburn. 
Avoid large doses during pregnancy and while nursing, as it may cause digestive distress in the mother and the baby. 
Some people may be allergic to garlic. 
Excessive use can provoke anger and emotional irritability.
Use with caution if you are taking blood-thinning drugs. May cause  upset stomachs in nursing infants.

Garlic oil is a skin irritant and should only taken in capsules.

Garlic can cause gastric irritation in some people.

Do not apply garlic directly to the skin for more than a few minutes, as it can burn the skin.

Side effects: 
Safe by mouth , but may cause heartburn, flatulence, nausea, body odor and diarrhea in some.

Home Remedies:
 Garlic ear oil