Medicinal Uses of Garlic, Allium sativum

• Save

Garlic, Allium sativum ~ My Absolute Favourite Herb !
© Helen Chow, Herbalist

• Save

Not only is it sooooo good to eat, it is also therapeutic. Its benefits are so many that it should be a staple ingredient as well as a medicine in every household.

.
Perhaps it’s no wonder that this humble herb is used all over the world. It’s really so famous that it knows no boundaries. Go anywhere in the whole wide world, and you will find garlic in almost any kitchen.

If you don’t like the taste, don’t you worry. Just learn to use it for medicinal purposes. It’s cheap and powerfully effective. This, by itself, is a very wise choice to make as far as your health is concerned

Therapeutic Properties

Anti-bacterial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antithelmintic, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, expectorant.

Universally-recognised and Much-Loved Herb
Garlic, Allium sativum, is among the few herbs that have a universal usage and recognition. Its use knows no borders and despite its very strong odour, has been embraced into the culture and cuisine of almost every ethnic group in the world.

It and its less potent botanical relatives: onions, scallions, leek, chives and shallots – rank among the world’s oldest medicines.

Anti-Microbial
Its daily usage aids and supports the body in ways that no other herbs does. It is one of the most effective anti-microbial plants available, acting on bacteria, viruses and alimentary parasites.

• Save

Medicinal Herb
An ancient Egyptian medical papyrus from the sixteenth century B.C. lists twenty-two remedies employing Allium sativum for everything from heart disease and worms to tumours, headaches and bites.

Allicin ~ Anti-biotic & Fungicide

Biochemists have confirmed the ancient use of Allium sativum as an antibiotic and fungicide, isolating allicin as the active component. It is this agent that emits the characteristic smell; however, allicin appears only in freshly cut or crushed raw garlic.

If the aroma – hence allicin – is destroyed, as in cooking or other processing, garlic is no longer a microbe killer, although it can perform other therapeutic tricks such as lowering cholesterol and act as a decongestant.

More Effective than Penicillin
One raw crushed clove contains the anti-biotic equivalent of one hundred thousand units of penicillin, and has proven more effective than either penicillin and tetracycline in suppressing certain types of disease-carrying agents.

Dr. Albert Schweitzer used Garlic
Dr. Albert Schweitzer, deep in the jungle, with his mainstream pharmaceuticals depleted, gave his patients garlic for amoebic dysentery; in Japan, a cold-processed, odourless, raw garlic substance called Kyolic serves as an anti-biotic; and in the former Soviet Union, where garlic is known as Russian penicillin, officials on one occasion imported some five hundred tons to combat an outbreak of influenza.
X

Benefits the Digestive System
Garlic is one of the most beneficial foods for the digestive system and has a strong effect on the lymphatic fluid and tissue, aiding in the elimination of noxious waste matter.

Heavy Metal Detoxification
In fact, European studies show how garlic helps eliminate lead and other toxic heavy metals from the body.

Many Therapeutic Functions
It is also effective in ridding the alimentary canal of worms and other parasites, boosting immunological functions, purifying the bloodstream by removing sticky inorganic deposits in the blood vessels and regularizing the action of the liver and gallbladder.

Protection when travelling in Foreign Countries
For protection against dysentery, such as when travelling in foreign countries, chew a clove of garlic before consuming suspect food or water.

• Save

Mosquito Repellent
To ward off mosquitoes, eat garlic at least once daily.

Remedy for Athelete’s Foot
As a remedy for athlete’s foot, spread freshly crushed garlic over the affected area (which will feel warm for about five minutes) and leave on for a half hour before washing with plain water. Do this once a day for a week. If the skin burns, wash immediately with plain water and try later with less garlic.

Another method is to sprinkle powdered garlic daily on wet feet and let the feet dry before wearing socks.

Good for Respiratory Infections
The volatile oil is an effective agent and as it is largely excreted via the lungs. It is used in respiratory infections such as chronic bronchitis, catarrh, recurrent colds and influenza. It may be helpful in the treatment of whooping cough and as part of a broader approach to bronchitic asthma.

Preventive Measures ~ Infections, Digestion, Respiration
It may be used as a preventative for most infectious conditions, digestive as well as respiratory. For the digestive tract, Allium sativum will support the development of the natural bacterial flora whilst killing pathogenic organisms.

Lowers Blood Pressure and Blood Cholesterol Levels
In addition, it will reduce blood pressure when taken over a period of time as well as reducing blood cholesterol levels.

Ringworm / Threadworm
It has been used externally for the treatment of ringworm and threadworm.

Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Use fresh, diluted juice

Otitis Media
Can use oil directly in the ear; mix with mullein

Lung disorders
Put garlic oil at the back between shoulder blades

Warts on skin
Use garlic oil

Intestinal worms
Take internally.
Single dose 3 to 5 cloves in infusion or taken raw. Repeat 3 to 6 times a day until problem is resolved.

Or blend with a little sesame or olive oil for external use.

• Save

Pinworms
Make a paste with olive oil.
Or bruise some cloves and insert directly into the rectum.

Vaginitis, leucorrhoea
Wrap one or two cloves of garlic in muslin and insert into the vagina.

CAUTION
Raw garlic, when eaten to very great excess, may cause various digestive problems. It may also result in burns in the mouth, throat, oesophagus and stomach. Garlic is high in suphur and iodine.

Use garlic each and very day of your life.

Educate Yourself. Make Smarter Health Choices. Consciously. Deliberately. Actively.
© Helen Chow, ND
.

• Save

.
Not receiving my Health Letters yet? Or Gift eBook?

• Save

• Save

Contact      Terms of Use      Privacy Policy     Disclaimer/Health Warning