Garlic

Ahh, I can still recall my childhood experience of coming into the house with the aroma of garlic sautéing with some onions in a shallow bath of extra virgin olive oil! It was the base for so many of the dishes being prepared, so, it was commonplace, but never disappointing, whether a red or white sauce was on the evening's menu. Meatballs and Italian sausage, braciola, the white clam sauce; I can sense the Pavlovian effect working right now! Garlic has always been a staple in our household, even today, and the suggested health benefits have been growing.

Garlic has been used medicinally for thousands of years; in addition, it has been believed to ward off evil spirits, and at one time was exchanged as a valuable form of currency.  Hippocrates used garlic to heal many different kinds of infections.  In fact, garlic is often used to kill parasites and pathogenic microbes. 

According to the Journal of National Medical Association (JNMA) study, it is reported that garlic contains thirty-three sulfur compounds, all of the essential amino acids, all major minerals, several trace minerals, and Vitamin A, B, and C.  What makes garlic effective treatment against herpes is allicin-ajoene. 

In 1985, the medical journal, Planta Medica, reported positive results using garlic for treatment of herpes simplex.  The study proved the anti-viral properties of garlic and its success in killing the herpes simplex virus.  

In 1988, researchers studied garlic’s medicinal value and reported that it plays an “invaluable role” in prevention and treatment for major causes of death.  The JNMA reported that researchers considered it to be a broad-spectrum antimicrobial and immune booster. 

Garlic has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, with wide-ranging health benefits including usage in treating infections, reducing blood pressure, and lowering cholesterol.

Some believe that garlic can help prevent colon cancer, rectal cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer, although very few studies or research has been conducted into garlic health benefits in treating various cancers.

Like many natural cures, it can be difficult to untangle the real health benefits of garlic from the fiction that is often conjured up to sell products such as garlic pills, tablets, and supplements. Study after study has shown that garlic is most effective when eaten fresh and shortly after being crushed, minced, sliced, or chopped.

The vast majority of pills and tablets have no real effectiveness as allicin, the active ingredient in behind most garlic health benefits– peaks quickly after a fresh clove is prepared and disappears over time.

Other garlic health benefits center around its antimicrobial properties, with garlic showing promise as a treatment for staph and MRSA infections. Studies have been limited but garlic has shown effectiveness against more than 30 strains of MRSAs, including many that now resistant to other chemical agents and treatments. A clove a day should be sufficient and garlic can be eaten raw, sliced up into a salad, or very lightly sautéed, although baked garlic and roasted garlic recipes will have little health impact since the cloves aren’t chopped or crushed. Porcelain varieties are highest in allicin content so look for varieties such as Romanian Red, Georgian Crystal, Music and Northern White if you want to max out allicin consumption in your garlic.

If you do decide to use a garlic pill or supplement, do your homework to ensure that the product you’re buying is prepared using a process that preserves the allicin in active form. Many supplements don’t, rendering the pill or extract useless from the perspective of someone looking to explore garlic health benefits.

So, while the local rain has dampened the outdoor plans for today, it might be a perfect time to prepare that delicious meal that may not only bring a smile to your olfactory and taste senses, but, may give you a health boost as well! 

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