(27-03-11) Discover the ancient secrets and modern magic of garlic

by Carolanne Wright

(NaturalNews) Medicinal use of garlic has been well documented around the
world and throughout history. Modern science supports many health claims of the
ancients while also revealing newly discovered benefits of garlic. The strong
bioactive components that support cardiovascular and immune system health are
well known; yet many are unaware of the superior nutritional properties of
garlic, which make this common bulb a truly supernatural food.

Native to central Asia, garlic has been grown for over 5000 years. Garlic was
revered by the ancient Egyptians, who appear to have been the first to have
cultivated this plant. Not only was garlic considered sacred and placed in the
tombs of Pharaohs, but it was also used for strength and endurance. Ancient
Greek and Roman athletes used garlic before sporting events while soldiers ate
it before battle. Hippocrates, considered to be the "Father of Medicine," used
garlic to heal cancerous tumors.

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a member of the lily family and is rich in sulfur
compounds including thiosulfinates, sulfoxides, and dithiins. These sulfuric
elements are what give garlic its odor but also many of its health enhancing
benefits. Garlic sulfides create hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S), which helps to
dilate blood vessels. This dilation helps to keep blood pressure under control.
Furthermore, these same sulfur elements assist in iron metabolism and are a
potent protector against oxidative damage and high cholesterol.

Garlic has very strong antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral
properties. The antibacterial action of garlic makes it an ideal substitute for
dangerous antibiotics while the antifungal attributes help to manage Candida
albicans. Garlic helps to fight such illness as colds, flu, bronchitis, chicken
pox, and urinary tract infections. Incredibly, many documented cases have been
reported of tape worm expulsion after the consumption of one clove of garlic
per day for a month.

Several epidemiological studies found that the ingestion of garlic reduced
stomach and colon cancer risk. In a study of 40,000 postmenopausal women, those
who had a consistent intake of garlic had almost a 50% reduction in colon
cancer risk. Cancer cells are vulnerable to the allyl sulfur compounds present
in garlic which slows and even prevents the growth of tumors.

Not only does garlic contain high levels of sulfur-containing, health
enhancing elements, but it is also an excellent source of micro-nutrients.
Garlic yields high levels of manganese, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. This herb is
also a very good source of protein and thiamin (vitamin B1) along with
phosphorus, selenium, calcium, potassium, and copper.

To benefit from the compounds in garlic, a few guidelines are helpful.
Crushing or chopping activates an enzymatic process that converts alliin into
allicin. Allicin is the component that is responsible for a majority of the
health benefits of garlic. For maximum allicin activation, allow the crushed or
chopped garlic to sit for ten minutes to complete the enzymatic process. Avoid
boiling or cooking whole garlic cloves as this deactivates the enzymes. If
cooking is required, do not expose to heat for longer than five minutes.

As a potent tool in the prevention and healing of illness, garlic proves to be
a timeless ally for robust health.

Sources for this article:

"Garlic", George Mateljan Foundation. Retrieved on February 22, 2011 from,
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?...

"Functional Foods: Their Role in Disease Prevention and Health Promotion",
Claire M. Hasler, Ph.D. Institute of Food Technologists. Retrieved on February
22, 2011 from, http://www.nutriwatch.org/04Foods/f...

"Intake of Garlic and Its Bioactive Components", Harunobu Amagase, Brenda L.
Petesch, Hiromichi Matsuura, Shigeo Kasuga, Yoichi Itakura, Journal of
Nutrition. 2001; 131: 955S-962S

"Historical Perspective on the Use of Garlic", Richard S. Rivlin, The Journal
of Nutrition, 2001;131: 95S-954S.

"Beating Cancer--how to take charge of your cancer cure and outlive the lies
of the cancer industry", Mike Adams, September 18, 2005, Natural News.
Retrieved on February 22, 2011 from, http://www.naturalnews.com/011701.html

"Does Garlic Prevent Cancer?", Medicine Net. Retrieved on February 23, 2011
from, http://www.medicinenet.com/script/m...

"Medicinal Properties of Garlic against Microbes, Harmful Organisms, Bacteria,
Fungi, Parasites, and Viruses", All 4 Natural Health. Retrieved on February 23,
2011 from, http://www.all4naturalhealth.com/me...

"Garlic and Cancer-Is Garlic Anti Cancer?", All 4 Natural Health. Retrieved on
February 23, 2011 from, http://www.all4naturalhealth.com/ga...

"Potent Immune System Booster-Garlic", Dr Jenny Tylee, Ezine Articles.
Retrieved on February 25, 2011 from, http://ezinearticles.com/?Potent-Im...

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