Garlic • (Allium sativum)
“Use odor-free in a variety of available products, or eat fresh and uncooked for greatest benefit; prevents, slows, and fights a long list of dis-eases and conditions; immune booster and immune stimulant; protects against free radical damage (antioxidant); can reduce risk of heart dis-ease by 20 to 25 percent and risk of stroke by 30 to 40 percent, reduces high blood pressure, reduces total and LDL cholesterol, increases “good” HDL cholesterol, lowers homocysteine and C-reactive protein (both heart dis-ease markers), prevents blood clots; for diabetes support, lowers blood sugar, increases circulation to the legs and feet, prevents some diabetic complications; increases ability to fight off bacterial and infectious dis-eases; increases resistance to colds, flu, viruses, and infections of all kinds, reduces duration of colds, coughs, flu, croup, bronchitis, earaches, and other respiratory dis-eases (used internally and as a chest rub or in oil as an eardrop); expectorant (thins and expels mucus); formerly used in war to prevent development of gangrene in wounds; may be a preventive and reduces progression of cancer and tumors, including cancers of the colon, stomach, breast, prostate, and throat; reduces chemotherapy side effects and organ damage; expels parasites and intestinal worms; antifungal properties for athlete’s foot, nail fungus, Candida albicans, thrush; tick repellent; antibacterial against the H. pylori bacteria that causes stomach ulcers; cures toothache and gum dis-ease; raises testosterone. Antioxidant, antiviral, expectorant, anticancer, antiseptic, antimicrobial, antibiotic, antifungal. Possible side effects include indigestion, bloating, bad breath, body odor, skin irritation; rare side effects of dizziness, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle aches, skin rash; safe for long-term use; raw garlic used topically can burn the skin; use only food amounts in pregnancy, nursing babies may refuse the breast if mother is taking garlic; use with insulin only on expert advice, and avoid with blood thinners, protease inhibitors, and sulfonylurea drugs.”
Excerpt From
Healing Herbs A to Z
Diane Stein
