Garlic is an amazing flavorful food ingredient and also a remarkable medicine. We use it extensively in South India, especially in non-vegetarian dishes. Some people, despite religious customs, consume meat, and even though some eat it,
let’s comprehensively learn about the wonders of this vegetable and how to use it. Originally, garlic is not just a modern thing; it has been used worldwide in various medicines from the beginning. Back then, it was used against skin diseases.
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Historical Uses of Garlic
For foot-related blisters or bacterial infections, extracts from garlic were applied. Similarly, when Egyptian mummies were made, garlic was widely used as part of the preservatives to prevent the body from decaying, a fact known through historical research. From the beginning, garlic has had a special place in all medical systems, something truly special.
Key Components of Garlic
So, what does garlic contain? Primarily, it contains trisulfide, allicin, and inulin, among others, although these three are particularly significant. These three are wonderfully useful in medical science.
Health Benefits of Garlic
Cardiovascular Health
Primarily, where does garlic help? In cardiovascular diseases, from plaque removal to strengthening blood vessels, ensuring no blockages, and acting as a cleaning agent for blood vessels, it is remarkably effective. Thus, garlic’s role in cardiac health can be said to be number one.
Detoxification
Another major benefit of garlic is detoxification, meaning it helps remove waste toxins from the body. Allicin, present in garlic, is wonderfully effective in this process. Allicin is a phytochemical with remarkable medicinal properties. Through allicin, many wonders occur.
Digestive Health
It helps prevent skin diseases and cleans the digestive system. In a way, there is good bacteria in our stomach, and sometimes bad bacteria too. Inulin, present in garlic, acts as excellent food for good bacteria. Garlic is primarily useful for good bacteria. In gut cleansing, there is nothing better than garlic. It wonderfully aids digestive enzymes in functioning effectively.
Neurological Disorders
Garlic is also used in various neurological disorders, especially dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases, where it is remarkably effective.
Men’s Health
Another important point is that garlic is wonderfully effective in preventing erectile dysfunction in men aged 40 to 50.
Antimicrobial Properties
It is the best antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral, with allicin being the key component responsible for these benefits.
Culinary Enhancement
In non-vegetarian dishes, the combination of ginger and garlic is the primary reason for the rich flavor. In vegetarian dishes too, garlic wonderfully enhances the taste of food. When preparing tempering for pulses, sambar, or curries, using garlic correctly transforms the taste of those ingredients completely. It has the ability to shift the taste 100% to the positive side.
Cancer and Diabetes Prevention
Garlic, particularly allicin, is also effective in preventing certain types of cancers. Additionally, it has been scientifically proven to effectively combat diabetes and reduce obesity.
Women’s Health
For women post-menopause, who face issues like estrogen problems, consuming one or two raw garlic cloves daily can wonderfully control these issues. Studies have shown remarkable changes in those who consume one or two raw garlic cloves daily, particularly in preventing osteoporosis and bone-related issues like osteoarthritis, where allicin is highly effective.
Other Benefits
Some people complain about sweaty or cold hands and feet. For those with this issue, consuming raw garlic as described can resolve it quickly. For those wanting to look youthful, allicin is a remarkable medicinal property for anti-aging.
Potential Downsides
Garlic does have some minor negatives, not major ones. The allicin in garlic, being somewhat powerful, can cause a burning sensation or gas-like feeling in the stomach if taken on an empty stomach due to its strong acidic nature. This is temporary and minor. Another issue is that after eating raw garlic, it leaves a strong smell in the mouth, which might be described as bad or pungent, potentially causing discomfort to others. These are minor issues that can be addressed simply by brushing your teeth or drinking green tea or similar things to neutralize the odor.
How to Consume Garlic for Maximum Benefits
The key point is how to consume garlic for maximum benefits. If you use garlic in cooking, it provides no medicinal benefits. When garlic is heated, some of its properties are destroyed, and it loses its ability to convert into allicin. For allicin to form, there is a specific method. If garlic is consumed without allicin, it is a waste. When garlic is cooked, the ingredient needed to convert into allicin is lost or destroyed, so it only enhances taste but does not convert into allicin.
To obtain the medicinal benefits of garlic, it must be consumed raw. To get 100% of its benefits, when garlic is taken under the teeth, saliva triggers the formation of allicin. There are several ways to consume it:
- Cut into small pieces: Cut garlic into small pieces and eat it within 10 minutes of cutting.
- Crush it: Crush garlic and eat it.
- Chew raw: Place raw garlic under the teeth and chew it, allowing saliva to interact with it to produce allicin, which is what makes it medicinally effective.
Heating garlic provides no benefit. South Indians mostly cook garlic or use it in pickles like mango pickle, but that provides no benefit. It must be consumed raw for it to be effective, even if it’s inconvenient.
Recommended Daily Intake
How much garlic should you consume daily? When cooking, using more is fine, but for raw consumption, two to four cloves are enough. Consuming two to four cloves daily, especially for women post-menopause, can address estrogen-related issues and prevent osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
Practical Tips
For safety, consuming garlic in the evening allows the smell to dissipate by morning, avoiding discomfort. You can consume it any time of the day, but plan it so these issues are avoided. By following this method, you can fully enjoy both the taste and medicinal benefits of garlic.
Conclusion
Garlic is a Sanjeevani (life-giving herb) in our kitchens; use it correctly. Eating it heated serves only taste, not medicinal purposes. If you eat one or two garlic cloves and brush your teeth afterward or consume natural items like green tea or mint tea, the odor won’t persist.
Garlic Benefits Summary Table
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Cardiovascular Health | Removes plaque, strengthens blood vessels, and acts as a cleaning agent. |
| Detoxification | Removes waste toxins from the body with allicin. |
| Digestive Health | Cleans digestive system, supports good bacteria with inulin. |
| Neurological Disorders | Effective for dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases. |
| Men’s Health | Prevents erectile dysfunction in men aged 40-50. |
| Antimicrobial Properties | Acts as antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral due to allicin. |
| Cancer Prevention | Allicin helps prevent certain types of cancers. |
| Diabetes and Obesity | Combats diabetes and reduces obesity, as proven by scientific studies. |
| Women’s Health | Controls estrogen issues and prevents osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. |
| Anti-Aging | Allicin supports youthful appearance with anti-aging properties. |
