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"best efforts" basis for interest only and does not constitute
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In folk medicine garlic has been said to cure just about everything from the everything from the common cold and flu to the Plague!
Some of the old stories of garlic's healing properties have doubtful validity, but many of its claimed health benefits
have been backed up by modern scientific research. There are two main medicinal ingredients which produce the garlic health
benefits: allicin and
diallyl sulphides.
Garlic is a sulphurous compound and in general a stronger tasting clove has more sulphur content
and hence more potential medicinal value. Some people have suggested that
organically grown garlic tends towards a higher sulphur level and
hence greater benefit to health. Whether or not that is in fact the case,
in my experience it certainly has the best taste.
Benefits
Various garlic health benefits have long been claimed and
the "stinking rose" treatment has been
used extensively in herbal medicine (phytotherapy) down the centuries.
Many of the claims are best unproven, however there are some very positive garlic health facts that are now widely
accepted. Amongst the most interesting potential
applications are suggestions that garlic might be able to assist some people in the management of
blood pressure
cholesterol levels.
Modern science has shown that garlic is a powerful natural antibiotic, albeit
broad-spectrum rather than targeted. The bacteria in the body do not appear to
evolve resistance to the garlic as they do to many modern pharmaceutical antibiotics. This means
that its positive health benefits can continue
over time rather than helping to breed antibiotic resistant "superbugs".
Some studies have also shown that garlic - especially aged garlic - can have a
powerful antioxidant effect. Antioxidants can help to protect the body
against damaging free radicals. There are claims that fermented black garlic contains even higher antioxidant levels than normal cloves.
People who want the claimed health benefits without the taste might prefer to take garlic supplements.
These pills and capsules have the advantage of avoiding the side effect of garlic breath.
Dosage
So how much garlic should you eat or otherwise consume to maximise the health benefits? That's difficult to say - much of the
research is still patchy and different people have different needs and tolerances. However a
World Health Organization (WHO) monograph says:
"Unless otherwise prescribed, average daily dose is as follows (7): fresh garlic, 2-5g; dried powder, 0.4-1.2 g; oil, 2-5mg; extract, 300-1000mg (as solid material). Other preparations should correspond to 4-12mg of alliin or about 2-5mg of allicin).
Bulbus Allii Sativi should be taken with food to prevent gastrointestinal upset."
This information is referenced from "Bradley PR, ed. British herbal compendium, Vol. 1. Bournemouth, British Herbal Medicine Association, 1992."
Side-Effects
Even garlic isn't a perfect. Apart from garlic breath there are other possible side effects,
especially if used to excess. Use common sense and don't overdo it.
Raw garlic is very strong, so eating too much could produce problems, for example
irritation of or even damage to the digestive tract.
There are a few people who are allergic to garlic. Symptoms
of garlic allergy include skin rash, temperature and headaches. Also, garlic could
potentially disrupt anti-coagulants, so it's best avoided before surgery.
As with any medicine, always check with your doctor first and tell your doctor
if you are using it.
Important: Research published in 2001 concluded that garlic supplements
"can cause a potentially harmful side effect when combined with a type of medication used to treat HIV/AIDS".
More details are available on the
NIAID website.
See also the warnings page on this site.
Garlic makes a wonderful health supplement for many people but the so-called "garlic cure" is no substitute for
the basics: sensible eating and appropriate exercise. Garlic should be seen as part of a
healthy lifestyle - not as an alternative to it. Always consult your doctor first
regarding any medical condition.
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