Millions of people around the world eat garlic every day, but not many of them know that it actually has very powerful medicinal properties. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Babylonians and Chinese knew about the health benefits of garlic and used it widely. It is also a powerful remedy for various diseases and conditions according to Ayurveda in India, although it is mentioned that it also has some side effects. So you can continue to use garlic in your pizza and pasta, but you can also use it as real medicine when you get sick. Here are 7 reasons to use garlic for health.
Cold and flu
Garlic is a powerful immune booster and will help your body fight off a cold or flu in no time thanks to the sulfur compounds produced when you crush, chop or chew a fresh clove of garlic. This means that you can get the most benefit from eating raw garlic. To combat the seasonal flu, take a few raw garlic cloves or brew garlic tea with a little ginger and honey to make the taste more tolerable. It will increase immunity and get rid of cold symptoms.
Nutrients
Garlic is packed with vitamins and minerals essential for overall well-being. It has high levels of vitamin C, copper, iron, selenium, magnesium and vitamin B6. The latter two are known to be responsible for cognitive function, brain health and good mood. Garlic is low in calories, which makes it an ideal health supplement.
Antiparasitic
For thousands of years, our ancestors have used garlic to fight various infections, protect against parasites and eliminate toxins. You can also say goodbye to harmful bacteria and yeast infections. A mouthwash made with garlic will clean your mouth of all the bacteria that cause cavities, although it’s not the most refreshing. Long-term intake of garlic and certain herbal mixtures will free your body from various parasites.
Normalize the pressure
High blood pressure is the cause of various heart diseases. Not only does garlic help regulate blood pressure, it also balances cholesterol and lowers blood sugar. All this happens with the sulfur compound allicin, which is present in freshly cut, crushed or pressed garlic. This means that you will get the most benefits from raw garlic, as it loses most of its medicinal properties when you add it as an ingredient to food.
Skin youth
One of the main reasons why our skin looks tired and old is a lack of collagen, which is caused by poor nutrition, inadequate sleep cycles and stress. All of these factors lead to more wrinkles, making you look older than you want. Garlic helps retain collagen and can also be used topically to treat various skin conditions and fungal infections.
Healthy hair
You may have heard that onions can repair damaged hair to some extent – well, garlic can also have some beautifying effects. If you have thin hair with bristles and feel that it is too much, take garlic extract (made from raw crushed garlic) and gently rub it into your scalp. As you probably know, all hair problems are either diet or scalp related. You have to keep them both healthy! You can also try some garlic oils and massage your scalp at least once a week. Your hair will become much stronger.
How to use it
Now that you know that garlic is pretty amazing, especially when eaten raw, you can include it in your diet. Prepare a spicy salad dressing by crushing a clove of garlic and mixing it with olive or sunflower oil. You can also make a healthy, if a bit smelly, toast spread – just crush a clove of garlic and mix it with ghee for extra flavor. If raw garlic isn’t for you, just use it to add spice to vegetables, soups, and smoothies. There are also supplements you can take without the smell!
