Garlic (Allium sativum) is a bulbous perennial herb related to onions. As a culinary and medicinal herb, garlic has been held in esteem throughout history. Egyptians valued it as both currency and as an oath-taking symbol. Ancient Greeks, such as Hippocrates and Galen, incorporated garlic into their medicinal repertoire. Dioscorides, an early pharmacist, utilized garlic for a spectrum of ailments, from coughs, infections, bronchitis, and leprosy, to clogged arteries. During the 1600s, garlic played a role in combating the plague, and in both World Wars, it was used in treating battlefield wounds.
As you are most likely familiar with the taste of garlic, you probably have noticed that it imparts a warming and drying effect on the body. Garlic contains many vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, such as iron, calcium, potassium, copper, manganese, selenium, vitamin C, B vitamins, and antioxidants. Garlic has an affinity for the digestive, respiratory, and circulatory tracts.
This versatile herb functions as a potent antimicrobial, addressing bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Its impact extends to
cardiac health - supporting improved blood pressure, healthy cholesterol levels, and reduced risk of heart disease
blood sugar - supporting the management of blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes, while reducing the risk of atherosclerosis-related inflammation in the arteries
anti-inflammatory - reducing blood levels of inflammatory markers, and increasing level of antioxidants in the body, such as glutathione
immune support - providing antimicrobial properties while also increasing the number of T-cells in your bloodstream
gut health - providing prebiotics through the fructans, promoting the production of good gut bacteria
Incorporating one to two cloves of garlic into your daily diet yields notable health benefits, including reduced blood pressure, decreased inflammation, and improved blood sugar control. While eating an entire head of garlic is an option, it's not recommended regularly due to potential side effects such as anemia, dryness, excess blood thinning, and GI flora imbalance. To mitigate garlic breath, a helpful trick is to consume parsley afterward, providing additional health benefits. If you prefer adding fresh raw garlic to your meals, consider using a garlic press to incorporate a peeled clove directly.
Research shows that garlic is most effective when it is raw, as you probably could guess since the taste potency reduces with cooking (but by all means still do enjoy cooking with garlic as much as you please). Garlic, like all herbs, has a variety of active constituents but one of the most studied is allicin. Allicin is a volatile sulfur compound that gives garlic its unique smell and taste and is one of the compounds that has an antimicrobial effect. Metabolized allicin is expelled through sweat and breath, making garlic a promising option for lung infections. If you are not a fan of eating garlic, that’s ok because you can still experience many of its benefits from applying garlic-infused oil on your skin, especially as a foot massage oil.
Topical Garlic Oil
Ingredients
3 cloves of garlic
2 Tbsp of olive oil (or carrier oil of your choice)
As recommended by herbalist Rosalee de la Foret, simply infuse the garlic into the oil. After finely mincing the garlic, let it sit for 10 minutes to activate the allicin, then combine it with olive oil in a jar, and let the garlic infuse into the oil for up to 12 hours. Strain the garlic, retaining the oil for a soothing bedtime foot rub. To prevent getting oil on the bedsheets, wearing one or two pairs of socks is advisable. This method allows for garlic absorption through the skin, still undergoing metabolism and expulsion through the lungs—a valuable option for combating respiratory infections like colds and flu.
Garlic Honey
Ingredients
about 15 cloves of garlic (½ cup)
½ cup raw honey
8 oz glass jar with lid
Peel and chop garlic and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. While the garlic is sitting, fill the jar about ½ full with honey. When garlic is ready, add garlic to the honey jar fill the jar to the top with honey, and put the lid on. Allow the garlic to infuse into the honey for at least 24 hours, this can be done in the refrigerator or on the counter. The honey will get rather thin. I prefer to store the garlic honey in the refrigerator after the first 24 hours of infusing. You can also add chopped onions, thyme, or other herbs to your mixture to add more complexity to your infused honey.
Aged Garlic Vinegar
Ingredients
5-6 heads of garlic (enough to fill half of the mason jar)
Raw apple cider vinegar
½ tsp dried oregano
Pint-size mason jar
8 oz glass jar with plastic lid
Peel all the cloves of garlic, but do not cut or crush. Put the peeled garlic cloves into the mason jar, add the oregano, and pour in apple cider vinegar to cover the garlic but leave a one-inch head space. Cover with a plastic lid (the vinegar will corrode a metal lid). Gently shake the mixture daily. Allow to infuse in a cool dark location for a minimum of 3 weeks. After a few days, you may notice the garlic turn blue/green, this is a normal reaction between the garlic and vinegar. The longer you age the garlic, the mellower/milder it becomes. Once the aging process is complete, the garlic can be eaten raw or added to dishes. Store garlic vinegar in a cool, dark, dry place. This vinegar can last at least 3 months after opening.
Essential Oil
Garlic essential oil is not a common essential oil; it is not available through my usual essential oil resources, so I have not personally used this oil. Nevertheless, garlic essential oil has an array of documented properties as a natural remedy. It has been shown to have analgesic, antimicrobial, and anticoagulant qualities, this unique oil holds promise in the realm of cardiovascular health. Studies suggest that garlic essential oil may contribute to lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Its applications extend to preventive measures for respiratory infections and inclusion in detoxification protocols.
Caution
Garlic is generally considered safe, but if you are on prescription medications or OTC NSAIDs, use caution as there is a risk for herb-drug interactions. Garlic can increase the risk of bleeding, especially for those on blood thinners or post-surgery due to its anticoagulant properties. Some people may have a sensitivity to garlic and may experience heartburn, flatulence, or gastrointestinal irritation after consuming garlic. If you are allergic to garlic or are rather sensitive to it, you should avoid its use.
Do not use the essential oil internally, and use caution with topical use when taking blood thinners or if you have an active bleed.
Garlic has remarkable versatility as both a culinary delight and a natural healer. While its potential is vast, it is important to approach its use with some caution, respecting potential herb-drug interactions and individual sensitivities.
References
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