Garlic for
Health
Copyright: 2006 Marilyn Pokorney
Before modern medicine garlic was used for almost whatever ailed you. And
today's scientists are discovering that what the ancients knew was true.
Garlic contains more than 100 therapeutic sulfur compounds but one, alliin,
is converted into allicin, and it's the chemical responsible for garlic's
healing powers.
Garlic is best known for its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular
system. Garlic is effective in preventing and treating high blood pressure,
high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reports the American Heart
Association.
Some studies show that a daily garlic supplement can even stop and reverse
atherosclerosis, commonly known as hardening of the arteries.
According to German researchers garlic appears to prevent the buildup of
fatty plaques in the arteries and may even shrink existing plaques.
Garlic can help keep blood thin so it doesn't produce clots thus reducing
the risks of stroke. Anyone taking a blood thinner should be careful of
adding garlic to their diet for this reason.
Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties.
Yeast infections, colds, flu, sore throat, sinus problems, respiratory
infections, and bronchitis, all yield to garlic because allicin blocks key
enzymes that aid bacteria and viruses.
Garlic works like a broad-spectrum antibiotic but because it's a naturally
occurring substance no antibiotic resistance can be built up like with
synthetic drugs.
During both WWI and WWII doctors used garlic juice to treat battle wounds to
prevent gangrene.
Garlic aids in the elimination of intestinal parasites, builds the immune
system and even helps to reduce the pain of rheumatism and arthritis.
MRSA, the most commonly referred to as hospital acquired infections, can be
very serious especially to the elderly and the young.
Scientists at the University of East London found that allicin can cure MRSA
within weeks. It was also effective on the newer strains of MRSA which are
not cured by even the most potent of all antibiotics, Vancomycin and
Glycopepetides.
For more information on the health benefits of garlic visit:
http://www.apluswri ting.net/ health/garlichea lth.htm
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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves
crafts, gardening, and reading. Website:
http://www.apluswri ting.net
Email: Current address on website
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