Garlic: Health benefits, uses and side effects.

Studies conducted show that the garlic plant mainly constitutes of organosulfur compounds, such as allicin, diallyl disulfide, S-acetylcysteine, and diallyl trisulfide. The composition of raw garlic is 59% water, 33% carbohydrates, 6% protein, 2% dietary fiber, and less than 1% fat.

Main Benefits

1.Alleviates Cold and Cough

The presence of Allicin present in garlic helps in treating cold and cough. Allicin naturally has antibacterial and antiviral properties and helps in defending viruses in humans.

2.Lowers Cholesterol Levels

Research suggests that a systematic intake of garlic in any form can reduce LDL cholesterol levels in the human body that are responsible for cardiovascular diseases. The allicin present in garlic is responsible for deactivating cholesterol producing enzymes and thus reducing LDL cholesterol levels.

3.Reduces Hypertension

Hypertension is a condition in the body where the blood pressure in your arteries is continuously high. The presence of organosulfur compounds in garlic lowers Hypertension   by increasing the Hydrogen sulfide concentration.

4.Regulates Blood Sugar

Garlic is a rich source of vitamin B-6, which plays a significant role in controlled carbohydrate metabolism. The B-6 in garlic ensures that the rate of metabolism is under check. The sulfur compounds present in garlic are also responsible for increasing the insulin levels in the blood, helping in proper metabolism of the food. All these reasons are responsible for the increased use of garlic for diabetes.

5.Heals Wounds

When the skin suffers a wound, the body’s defense mechanism kicks in and starts the healing process by the formation of connecting tissues and regrowing epithelium, which is a thin tissue that forms the outer layer of the skin. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties present in garlic aid this process is leading to faster healing.

6.Weight loss

Garlic for weight loss is used because of its ability to increase blood circulation, metabolism rate, and as an appetite suppressant. Garlic is also rich in antioxidants, which help flush out all the toxins from your body, cleaning your digestive system, and enhancing the digestive process. However, eating raw garlic for weight loss is good only as long as it’s taken in moderate quantities.

7.Acts as Immunity Booster

Research shows that consuming garlic regularly can result in lowering the probability of falling sick in the first place, and if it all you do fall sick, it helps you recover faster. All this is because of its ability to boost the disease-fighting response of white blood cells.

8.Inhibits the Growth of Cancer Cells

Garlic is one of the most researched medicinal plants. It contains an active compound alliin that produces allicin, which is known to have anti-cancer properties. Its presence is known to kill off cancer cells in multiple studies.

9.Relieves Toothaches and Ear Infection

Garlic for toothache – Garlic for tooth infection is used because of its antibacterial properties that help kill the bad bacteria in your mouth, which may be the cause of your toothache. Chewing on garlic helps relieves the pain by killing the pain-causing bacteria.

Garlic for ear infection –Garlic for ear infection can be used in two ways, you either place the clove directly in the ear (not recommended for children) or make garlic oil and put 2-3 drops in your sore ear. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties help get rid of the pain-causing bacteria or fungus, thus relieving the pain.

Garlic for Skin-Related Issues

Garlic is said to have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that help with a lot of skin conditions like acne, rashes, etc garlic for acne is specifically used because of its amazing antibacterial properties from allicin that kill the acne-causing bacteria.

Additionally, Garlic helps treat the following:

1.Garlic for fleas

Mixing some amount of garlic in any form in your pet’s diet makes their blood unpalatable to fleas, thus acting as a flea repellent. However, the dosage should be given only for a week and should be reduced every day; otherwise, it can be harmful to the pet.

2.Garlic for Pinworms

Pinworms are tiny, thin worms that affect the human colon and intestine. The worms lay eggs in the folds of skin near the anus that cause intense itching. Eating a clove of garlic or applying a paste (minced garlic mixed with petroleum jelly) topically is said to kill the existing eggs.

3.Garlic for Haemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids or piles are swollen and inflamed blood vessels in or around the anus and rectum that causes discomfort and pain during bowel movements. Many physicians recommend taking garlic orally as it aids the digestive capability of the stomach, and its anti-inflammatory properties help in alleviating any inflammation along the alimentary canal.

4.Garlic for Warts

Warts are caused by viruses in the HPV (human papillomavirus) family. It is a small growth that can appear on any part of the body. Because of the antiviral properties of allicin present in garlic, it is suggested that garlic be applied on warts topically to get rid of them.

5.Garlic for Herpes

Herpes affects the area around the mouth or genitalia. All herpes medications have only been known to reduce the effects of herpes. Thus, applying garlic mixed with olive oil topically on herpes sore may give you temporary relief but will definitely not cure it.

6.Garlic for Ringworm

Ringworm is a skin infection that occurs because of fungi that live on the dead tissues of your skin, hair, and nails. Since garlic contains allicin, which is known to exhibit excellent antifungal properties, its topical application can drive ringworms away.

7.Garlic for Cold Sores

Cold sores are blister-like lesions formed near the lips on the chin and cheeks and cause pain, itching, and a burning sensation.

Garlic has excellent antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that work wonders on cold sores.

Cut a clove of garlic into two pieces and place it on your cold sore, allowing the juices to be in contact with the affected area.

8.Garlic for Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a condition in which the lining of your bronchial tubes is inflamed. Studies have shown that garlic inhibits the growth of the Infective Bronchitis Virus (IBV). Its antiviral properties are responsible for limiting the IBV and thus providing relief to the patient.

9.Garlic for Hair Loss

When the presence of certain germs and bacteria damage the scalp, it results in hair loss or inhibits hair growth. The antimicrobial properties of garlic help get rid of these bacteria, thus helping with hair loss.

10.Garlic for Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is a fungal infection that gets into the nail because of cuts and cracks near the toe skin. One can treat this fungus by cutting a garlic clove into two pieces and placing it on the impacted area.

11.Garlic for Arthritis

Arthritis is basically inflammation of joints that cause pain and stiffness and is an irreversible condition. Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties that effectively reduce the production of pro-inflammatory compounds.

12.Garlic as an Aphrodisiac

The compound allicin present in garlic is said to increase blood flow. The increased blood flow results in open arteries and leads to lasting erection and stamina. In ayurvedic medicine, garlic is considered an aphrodisiac because of its ability to increase the production of semen in men.

Health Benefits of Garlic and Honey

Garlic and honey both have been widely researched and have a lot of healing properties. When taken together, they prove to be an effective home remedy.

The study suggests that garlic and honey together help stop the growth of a certain type of bacteria. They had the same effect on the bacteria individually but worked even better when used together as a combination.

Side Effects of Garlic

1.Bad Odor

Garlic contains organosulfur compounds, which are responsible for its bad odor. Garlic smell lingers in your mouth long after brushing too, and bad breath is a turn off like no other.

2.Liver Damage

Studies show that excessive consumption of garlic may affect the liver. Though garlic is rich in antioxidants, it can put the liver in damage. Garlic for the liver is known to increase.

3.Diarrhea

Consuming garlic on an empty stomach may cause diarrhea. It is known to be a gas-producing herb that may trigger diarrhea. It should always be consumed in moderate quantities and mostly as part of the diet.

4.Skin Rashes

Garlic contains a compound called alliinase, which is the cause of skin rashes. Excessive consumption of garlic may lead to irritable skin and rashes.

5.Toxic for Pets

Garlic is good for getting rid of fleas from your pets, but care should be taken that it is not used in concentrated amounts as it can cause severe toxicity in cats and dogs.

6.Headache

Consuming raw garlic is known to trigger headaches. According to studies, it stimulates the trigeminal nerve to release neuropeptides that then go and the membrane covering the brain and trigger a headache