Garlic

Garlic

Most people know that Garlic is good for you, but do they understand the reasons why. Learn about why Garlic is so good for you and can improve your health.

Almost everyone is familiar with Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic. This herb is a member of the onion family, and grows bulbs below ground while rising tall green shoots above the ground, rather like a larger version of a green onion. Garlic is used every day to flavor food, but it is also a very powerful natural medicine.

You may be surprised to learn that garlic is a potent natural antibiotic. It will kill harmful bacteria and germs that are responsible for several illnesses. It will also cure several infections both inside and outside the body. Garlic is an anti-fungal herb as well, which means it can kill fungus related infections.

The active antibiotic portion of garlic is a compound that occurs naturally. This compound is known as allicin, and a mere one milligram is equivalent to the potency of fifteen standard units of Penicillin.

Allicin is responsible for garlic’s pungent odor too… and a common mistake made by natural health fans is to buy “odorless” garlic supplements. Manufacturers and marketing companies make odorless garlic because more people will buy it.

It seems that everyone wants to benefit from garlic, but they don’t want to smell like garlic. So, they try the odorless variety instead. It is unfortunate, but the odorless supplements are a waste of money, time and effort. Since they don’t contain allicin, they don’t have the healing potential. You are better off eating real garlic.

Keeping real garlic bulbs in your kitchen or even growing a few bulbs in your garden is the best way to ensure you have garlic on hand when you need it, and that it is at full potency. If something prevents you from doing this, however, real garlic supplements may be your next best choice.

Garlic’s natural antibiotic properties make it a powerful weapon to have in your herbal arsenal… it fights ear infections, throat infections… practically any infection you may be bothered with. Take the supplements internally or eat fresh bulbs to kill any harmful bacteria that are causing infections in your body.

If you suffer from toenail or fingernail fungus, cut a fresh garlic clove and rub it on the affected area several times a day, or you can use garlic oil capsules. Pierce one and rub it over the affected areas instead.

Garlic does more than play mercenary. It is an excellent herb for maintaining the proper balance of good bacteria in your intestinal tract, which can help control excessive gas, indigestion, and other problems. When you eat enough garlic on a regular basis, it can help normalize blood sugar levels, strengthen your blood vessels, and help prevent plaque from building up in your arteries, which can lead to heart disease.