KnowyourHerbs
Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG)
Garlic
(Allium sativum)
G
arlic: Love it or hate it, there is ful anti-bacterial properties. In laboratory
no in-between. Much has been trials, garlic was shown to be as effective
written about garlic; it is one of as penicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin
the oldest healing plants known to hu- and chloramphenicol and showed no
man kind. In ancient Egypt, slaves were evidence of bacterial resistance.
given daily rations of garlic to keep their More effective as a broad-spectrum
strength up while constructing the pyra- antibiotic than modern antibiotics that
mids. Clay models of garlic were discov- target specific pathogens, garlic is espe-
ered in an Egyptian tomb dated 3750 cially useful for chronic, low-grade and
BCE, as well as in the tomb of the in- recurrent infections. Garlic has been
famous King Tutankhamen. Throughout shown to kill particularly virulent bacte-
history, garlic has been revered and ma- rial strains, including, bacillus, staphy-
ligned. It was praised in the most ancient lococcus, escherichia, streptococcus,
of medical texts, from the oldest Sanskrit vibrio and mycobacteria. It seems that
manuscript in existence to the most fa- the sulphides in garlic interfere with sul-
mous Ben Cao Gang Mu -The Compen- phuric enzymes that bacteria require for
dium of Materia Medica written by Li Shi olytic (clot-dissolving) ability is increased growth and reproduction; at a lower dose,
Zhen during the Ming Dynasty. within 1-3 hours after garlic is consumed; garlic inhibits bacterial reproduction, and
Contrarily, Mohammed forbade any- it gradually returns to previous levels after at high doses, it will kill the bacteria. Be-
one who had eaten garlic from entering about a day, so taking garlic three times cause it can cross the blood brain barrier
a mosque, and in Tibet, monks were offi- daily is preferable when the objective is to (BBB), garlic is used frequently in the treat-
cially prohibited from entering a monas- keep thrombosis at bay. It has been shown ment of Lyme disease when there are neu-
tery, even to save it from burning, if they in other studies that as little as 1/3 a clove rological symptoms and is beginning to be
had eaten garlic (this restriction, I am told, of garlic taken daily is enough to prevent studied for certain brain cancers.
was generally ignored). It was condemned blood clots from forming. Although large Garlic performs well for infections
as an evil plant in a Mohammedan legend quantities of garlic may be taken without such as cystitis, works admirably in cases
whereby Satan, upon leaving the Garden danger of excessive bleeding, it is prudent of food poisoning, treats the poisonous
of Eden, caused garlic to spring from the to avoid medicinal doses prior to surgery. toxins created by E. coli, and has even
ground where his left foot had trodden and In Ayurvedic medicine, garlic is known been used successfully for tuberculosis.
onion sprang forth from his right footprint. for improving circulation and reducing fat Garlic is an effective remedy for coughs
Garlic’s pungent aroma is the cause of in the blood. In fact, science has been re- with excessive sputum and can be taken
its reputation, for good or evil, as well as searching garlic for the purpose of reduc- as syrup with honey for that purpose. Dr.
the source of its medicinal value. Perhaps ing cholesterol levels in the blood. Aside Albert Schweitzer reportedly used garlic at
it is the sulphurous quality of garlic that from helping the body shift the balance of his mission hospital in Africa for typhoid
brings Ol’ Scratch to mind, but it is these cholesterol from LDL to HDL, garlic can and cholera, and due to its effectiveness, it
very compounds which contribute to the actually help prevent the liver from produc- was used by Soviet troops at the front line
array of health benefits that garlic offers. ing excess fat and cholesterol. An obvious during World War II and became known
Garlic contains a compound called alliin; benefit of using garlic to keep cholesterol as “Russian penicillin.”
when fresh garlic is chopped or crushed, levels lowered is its safety. Garlic is very In Serbia, the concern about H1N1 has
this compound is released and converted safe to take, especially when compared to caused an increased demand for garlic, as
through oxidation to allicin, the most well- the myriad of side effects that cholesterol- it has been shown to be extremely effective
known and bio-active component in this lowering drugs are known to cause. when taken preventatively or when symp-
powerful herb. Research has shown promise for the toms first appear. From my own experience
Many studies have been done to ascer- use of garlic as an adjunct therapy in cas- I can tell you that while the flu was making
tain the medicinal benefits of allicin and it es of hypertension, cancer, diabetes, and its way through our home, my husband ate
has been shown conclusively that Garlic many herbalists employ the judicious use copious amounts of raw garlic, and despite
interferes with platelet aggregation; in oth- of garlic for fungal infections, particularly being up close and personal with me dur-
er words, it makes the blood less sticky and Candida albicans. One of the most famous ing my battle royale, he never even man-
prevents blood clots. The blood’s fibrin- medicinal uses for garlic remains its power- aged to get a sniffle. I was too late with the
32 NaturalNutmeg
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