12 Ways to Benefit from the Healing Power of Garlic

Hailed as the oldest cultivated plant in the world, garlic’s amazing health and healing qualities have been
legendary for longer than the written word.
Garlic is a natural remedy that has been handed down for centuries.
In fact, the Chinese have been using garlic for medicinal purposes for more than three thousand years.
This ancient remedy has been used to combat anemia, improve liver function, lower blood pressure,
prevent constipation and facilitate blood flow.
Due to garlic’s high sulfur content, it has also been used to combat fungi, and to inhibit salmonella
poison and bites by mosquitoes, bees and scorpions.
There has been so much research done on the health benefits of garlic that it would take volumes to
explain it all. Although hundreds of studies have documented the health benefits of garlic, our
great grand parents didn’t need studies–they relied upon from folk remedies and wisdom passed
down for generations–and from their own experiences.
We know that garlic is good for us, so let’s explore more of the powerful health and healing benefits
garlic has to offer.

More Healing Benefits of Garlic

Relieves Ear Infections or Aches

The use of garlic oil for ear infections or ear aches is an important natural remedy handed down
for generations.
One recent study showed that 14 strains of bacteria (taken from the noses and throats of children
who had ear infections) were killed when treated with garlic.
Try and get more fresh garlic into your children’s diets—it may help eliminate these
infections altogether.

Reduces Rheumatism Pain and Inflammation

Prepare a paste from a few cloves of garlic and rub it on the affected area.
Garlic’s anti-inflammatory action reduces pain in sore and swollen joints.

Helps Keep Blood from Clotting

Here’s another good reason to eat fresh garlic daily.
Platelets that clump together cause all kinds of troubles including arteriosclerosis, stroke and heart attack.
Garlic contains a compound called diallyl disulfide that helps keep blood from clotting.
Ingesting fresh garlic has been proven to stop platelets from sticking together thereby allowing your blood
to circulate properly.

Helps to Prevent Hair Loss

Prevent hair loss by rubbing your scalp with this garlic remedy:
1 teaspoon of Garlic Juice
8 oz. of Rosemary Tea
1 tbspn Honey
1 tbspn Lemon Juice
Mix the ingredients together in a cup.
Rub this mixture into your scalp nightly.
 

Helps to Lower Cholesterol

Here’s another good reason to eat fresh garlic daily.
The liver makes cholesterol, so we don’t need to eat any extra in our foods.
Unfortunately, cholesterol is everywhere. Help lower your cholesterol by making better
food choices and by eating one-half to one clove of fresh garlic every day.
Studies showed that eating this amount of garlic on a daily basis lowered cholesterol
about 9 percent.
 

Helps to Lower Cancer Risk

There are many things you can do to help lower your risk of getting certain types of
cancers, naturally. And garlic consumption is one of them.

According to the National Cancer Institute:

“…Several population studies

show an association between increased intake

of garlic and reduced risk of certain cancers, including cancers

of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and breast.

… An analysis of data from seven population studies showed

that the higher the amount of raw and cooked garlic

consumed, the lower the risk of stomach and colorectal cancer.

…Protective effects from garlic may arise from its antibacterial properties

or from its ability to block the formation of cancer-causing substances,

halt the activation of cancer-causing substances, enhance DNA repair,

reduce cell proliferation, or induce cell death.”

Helps to Lower Blood Pressure

To help lower blood pressure, make a syrup with the following ingredients:
2 cloves peeled Garlic
2 tbspns Sugar
1/4 cup filtered or Spring Water
Crush and mash the garlic
Mix the garlic with sugar and a glass of water.
Drink 2 tablespoons daily.
 

Cough or Chest Cold Remedy

Garlic can be used to fight coughs, chest colds and bacterial infections.
Crush a few garlic cloves, put them in a jar or bowl, and cover them in olive oil.
Rub the oil on your feet.
(Adults can put garlic pieces between your toes.)
Then put on socks and go to sleep.
The garlic enters your system and heads to the lungs.
It enhances your immune system and fights viruses.
You can also spread garlic directly on your chest and back to soften the cough
and relieve airways.
 

A Natural Bacteria Fighter

Garlic has been referred to as ‘a natural bacteria fighter’.
Apparently, some strains of bacteria that become resistant to antibiotics are killed off
when garlic is used.
For example, the fungus that causes swimmer’s ear has been treated successfully when a
mixture of garlic and water was used.
Of course, it is best not to mess with the inside of your ears yourself. Go to a qualified natural
doctor if you want to try this treatment.
 

Removes Warts and Acne Spots

Did you know that you can apply the garlic directly onto the skin to clear spots caused by
acne and to remove warts?
This particular use was new to me.
 

Make Garlic a Regular Part of Your Diet

Garlic is so easy to get and even easier to use.
There is no excuse for not including fresh garlic in your diet.
Eating healthful meals with antiviral and antibiotic properties built into them is optimal so eating
garlic regularly is extremely healthful.
No wonder garlic is an integral ingredient in Italian, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine,
as well as many others.
Garlic is an excellent source of vitamin B6, and a good source of selenium, manganese,
and vitamin C.
It provides calcium, phosphorous, iron, copper and potassium.
Surprisingly, 149 calories of garlic contains a 6.4 grams of protein.
Although, cooking with garlic is good for your health, when you need it in an acute situation, ingest it raw.
Garlic is much more beneficial when consumed raw because cooking it diminishes some of its healing properties.
 

Healing Garlic Recipes:

These garlic recipes are a great example of “eating your medicine.”

Juicing Raw Garlic

Since garlic is most potent when taken raw, adding it to other raw juices is a great way to benefit
from the curative powers of raw garlic.
When juicing your garlic, push it through with an apple.
Peel two or three cloves and throw into the juicer.
Tip: Wrap your garlic cloves in a nest of greens like spinach, or parsley, then throw the nest into the juicer
to reduce the bad breath effect without compromising the benefits.
Apparently the chlorophyll of the greens binds to the garlic smell.
This tip is particularly important for your social life!

Garlic Vinegar

Infuse garlic in vinegar as a great way to get the raw qualities of garlic.
(You can even drink eat the vinegar straight when ill.)
Use it in salad dressings or recipes that call for vinegar.
It has been said that adding garlic to salad at night can help you sleep.

Garlic Ginger Cold and Flu Tea

Ingredients:
1 1/2 – 2 cups filtered or Spring Water
3-4 cloves fresh Garlic
1 inch piece fresh Ginger Root
4 tbspns fresh squeezed Lemon Juice
3 tbspns Honey (or to taste)
Directions:
Boil the water.
Wash and brush the ginger root.
Grate a one-inch piece of fresh ginger root.
Put the ginger into a thermos or a saucepan.
Add a few cloves of crushed garlic.
Add 4 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the thermos.
Add 3 tablespoons of honey.
Pour the boiling water in the thermos or saucepan.
Stir.
Cover the mixture up and let it brew for 20 minutes.
Strain the tea into a tea cup and sip.
Option: If needed, you can add a bit of cayenne powder to your tea, to help to break a sweat.

A Few Precautions

Although garlic has been used safely in food preparation and in home remedies, it is important to note that
excessive consumption may possibly cause some side effects, in addition to strong breath and body odors.
Garlic occasionally causes allergic reactions that can range from mild skin irritation to potentially
life-threatening problems.
The possibiltiy of drug interactions should be taken into consideration. Garlic has been shown to interfere
with several prescription drugs,  so check with a health professional if you are taking medications.
If you plan to use garlic as a remedy for a specific aliment, you may want to visit a natural doctor or herbalist
to determine the right garlic remedies for you specific needs.
These are just a few of the many health and healing uses for garlic.
Research confirms that making garlic a regular part of your diet  provides an extra layer of protection against many
ailments and infections, and serves as an effective home remedy for a host of maladies.
I’m off to make garlic vinegar now!
Which remedy will you try first?
 
What are your favorite garlic recipes or remedies? Share you suggestions and experiences with us.
 

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