Garlic

Botanical Name: Allium Sativum
Indian Name: Lahsoon

Origin, Distribution and Composition
Garlic is an erect biennial herb of the onion family, normally grown as an annual. It has irregular roots, condensed, flattened stem and narrow, flat leaves. The bulb consists of 6 to 35 bulblets called cloves, enclosed in a thick whitish, glistening and transparent covering.

Garlic has been highly valued for centuries all over the world for its health building qualities. Khnoum Khoufouf, the builder of one of the oldest pyramids, (4500 BC) was among the first to recognise the virtues of garlic, for he decreed that all his workers should take garlic every day to maintain their health and strength. Hippocrates, the fattier of medicine (460-357 BC) recommended the use of this herb in infectious diseases arid particularly prescribed it for intestinal disorders.

Garlic is believed to have originated in Central Asia and was known to the Chinese as far back as 3,000 BC. It continues to be one of the staple spices of’ the Chinese diet till today. Egyptians, Greeks and Romans also used garlic both as a staple food and as a medicine for several ailments. It spread to A parts of the world and is now widely grown in the Mediterranean region, India, Philippines, China, Ethiopia, Kenya, Brazil arid Mexico. It grows well in cool climates with dry weather.

An analysis of garlic shows it to contain moisture 62.0 percent, protein 6.3 percent, fat 0. 1 percent, minerals 1.0 percent, fibre 0.8 percent and carbohydrates 29.8 percent per 100 grams of edible portion. Its mineral and vitamin contents are calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C. It also contains traces of’ iodine, Sulphur and chlorine. Its calorific value is 145.

The bulbs yield an essential oil containing allyl propyl & Sulphide, diallyl disulphide arid two other sulphur compounds. They also contain antiseptic land hypotensive or, causing low blood pressure principles–allicin, allisatin I and allisatin II.

Healing Power and Curative Properties
In herbal medicine, garlic has been traditionally used for asthma, deafness, leprosy, bronchial congestion, arteriosclerosis -that is hardening of arteries-- fevers, worms and liver and gall bladder trouble. Garlic is good for the heart, a food for the hair, a stimulant to appetite, a strength giving food, useful in leucoderma, leprosy, piles, worms, catarrhal disorders, asthma and cough.

Clinical experiments in recent times have confirmed several ancient beliefs about the healing value of this herb. These experiments have in fact proven much greater power of garlic than known previously. The unpleasant odour in garlic is due to its sulphur content. This mineral is contained to a greater degree in its volatile oil, which has remarkable medicinal virtues!

Garlic juice has a most beneficial effect on the entire system. The ethers in garlic juice are so potent and penetrating, that they help dissolve accumulation of mucus in the sinus cavities, bronchial tubes and the lungs. They help in the expulsion of poisons from body through pores of the skin.

Chest Diseases
Garlic has proved effective in certain diseases of the chest. It reduces foetidity or stinking of the breath in pulmonary gangrene. Garlic is useful in the treatment of tuberculosis.

In Ayurveda a decoction of garlic boiled in milk is considered a wonderful drug for tuberculosis. One gram of garlic, 250 ml of milk and a litre of water are boiled together till Its reduces to one fourth of the decoction. It should be taken thrice a day. Taken in sufficient quantities, it is a marvelous remedy for pneumonia.

Asthma
Three cloves of garlic boiled in milk, can be used every night with excellent results in asthma. A pod of garlic is peeled crushed and boiled in 120 nil pure malt-vinegar It is strained after cooling and an equal quantity of honey is mixed and preserved in a clean bottle. One or two teaspoons of this syrup can be taken with fenugreek decoction in the evening and before retiring. This has been found effective In reducing the severity of asthmatic attacks.

Digestive Disorders
Garlic is one of the most beneficial herbs for die digestive system. It is good for the lymph, and aids elimination of noxious waste matter in the body. It stimulates peristaltis, or movement of the intestines – and the secretion of the digestive juices. Crushed doves of garlic may be infused in water or milk and taken for all disorders of digestion. It has an antiseptic effect and is an excellent remedy for infectious diseases and inflammations of the stomach and intestine. Garlic oil is absorbed into the alimentary tract and is eliminated partly through the urine.
The herb is an excellent worm expeller. It is also good in treating various forms of diarrhoea. Problems such as colitis, dysentry and many other intestinal disorders can be successfully treated with fresh garlic or garlic capsules. One garlic capsule taken thrice a day is usually sufficient to correct mild cases of diarrhoea or dysentery. For more persistent cases, up to 6 capsules a day can be taken. Garlic has the ability to destroy harmful bacteria in the intestines without affecting the beneficial organisms which aid digestion.

High Blood Pressure
Garlic is one of the most effective remedies for lowering blood pressure. Pressure and tension are reduced because it has the power to ease the spasm of the small arteries. It also slows the pulse and modifies the heart rhythm, besides relieving symptoms of dizziness, shortness of breath and formation of gas within the digestive tract. The average dosage should be 2 to 3 capsules a day to reduce the blood pressure.

Rheumatism
In Russia, garlic is used extensively in the treatment of rheumatism arid associated diseases. Even in Britain, garlic is recommended for rheumatic afflictions. Recent experiments in Japan tested a garlic extract on patients with lumbago and arthritis with a large number being benefited without any undesirable side-effects. Its anti-inflammatory property accounts for its effectiveness in the treatment of arthritis arid rheumatism.

Heart Attack
Following a recent study, a West German doctor claims that garlic may prevent heart attack. Garlic helps to break up cholesterol in the blood vessels, thereby preventing any hardening of arteries which leads to high blood pressure and heart attack. If a patient takes garlic after a heart attack, the cholesterol level comes down. Though the earlier damage may not be repaired, the chances of new attacks are reduced.

Cancer
Garlic preparations, including extracts and juices, have been used successfully against cancer in both animal and human studies. A study report tells of mice being injected with cancer cells, some of which were treated with garlic extract and some were not. The mice not given garlic died within 16 days while the ones treated, lived for 6 months. In Russian studies, garlic preparations have been found to retard tumour growth not only in animals, but also in human beings, writes Dr. Airola.

Dr. Tariq Abdullah, a US researcher and staff physician of the Akbar clinic and Research Institute in Panama City, Florida, said recently that he and his colleagues found that white blood cells from six patients given garlic killed 139 per cent more tumour cells in a lab dish than did cells from people who did not eat garlic.

Whooping Cough
Garlic is all excellent remedy for whooping cough. Syrup of garlic should be taken in doses of five drops to a teaspoon, two or three times a day in treating this condition. It should be given more often if the coughing spells are frequent and violent.

Blood Disorders
The herb is regarded as a rejuvenator. It has been found to help remove toxins, revitalise the blood, stimulate circulation and promote intestinal flora, or colony of bacteria that prevent infection by harmful bacteria.

Skin Disorders
Garlic has been used successfully for a variety of skill disorders. Pimples disappear without a scar when rubbed with raw garlic several times a day. Even very persistent forms of acne, in some adults, have been healed with garlic. The external use of garlic helps to clear the skin of spots pimples and bolls. The process is further helped by also taking the garlic internally to purify the blood. A regular course of three garlic capsules per day should help to clear minor skin infections quickly.
Garlic, rubbed over ringworm, gives quick relief. The area is burnt by the strong garlic and later the skin peels off and the ringworm is cured.