Garlic as Herbal Antibiotic and Home Remedy

Garlic is one of the best sources of natural medicinal compounds, daily used by many as home remedy for a number of ailments. The botanical name of garlic is Allium sativa and it is a rich source of germanium, a mineral thought to strengthen the immune system. The health benefits of raw garlic are numerous, as are its uses. Use of garlic may play a big role in your overall health. It can protect you from digestive and allergic disorders, and provide prophylaxis against a wide range of infections and infestations. Garlic probably is nature's most potent immune system booster. Its aphrodisiac properties enhance the vitality and libido. Experimental studies have demonstrated that garlic has bactericidal action on over two-dozen bacteria. Though the modern physicians have bypassed the use of herbal antibiotics due to easy availability and reliability of pharmaceutical antibiotics, but the herbal antibiotics have least side effects.

The history of civilization stands testimony to the medicinal properties and use of garlic in a variety of ailments including atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, digestive disorders like dyspepsia and gastritis, stroke, cerebral aging, asthma, cough and cataract. The garlic's power as health promoter probably comes from germanium and rich variety of sulphur containing compounds, mainly allicin-an amino acid. It is a natural cholesterol buster also. Modern physicians have also appreciated its use in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and hyperlipidemia. Some benefits of regular use of garlic are listed below:

• Garlic boosts the immune system and bone marrow.


• It provides prophylaxis against bacterial and viral infections.


• It helps lowering the blood pressure as it relaxes the smooth muscles and reduces the viscosity of blood.


• It helps to prevent and treat the cancer of digestive system.


• It is helpful in the management of hyperlipidemia as its regular intake lowers the LDL-cholesterol.


• Its regular intake can help to prevent atherosclerotic plaques in arteries.


• Regular consumption of raw or cooked garlic improves brain function and memory.

Important Tips:

• Chewing raw garlic should be avoided as it may cause very strong burning sensation on your tongue.


• Paste of raw garlic should be taken with curd, buttermilk (lassi), lemon water or hot curries.


• Paste of raw garlic and green coriander leaves with lemon juice with salt and pepper to taste is the best recipe to be taken with major meals.


• Curries and snacks cooked with garlic paste are equally beneficial.


• Daily intake of raw garlic in any recipe should not be more than 2 gram.

Healthy Heart Mantras

Avoid Alcohol: Excessive consumption of causes high blood pressure and may cause cardiovascular disease. There is no distinction between good or bad alcohol or self made or foreign made alcohol. However, it is documented that one or two pegs (25 to 50ml) of alcohol day help protecting your heart from coronary heart disease.

Do Exercise: Exercise is must for fitness of heart since it is a muscular organ. Atleast 3o minutes of physical activity once daily is must. The activity should be intense enough to make you breathe heavily than normal and feel warmer. You can choose activity of your choice - like cycling, swimming, brisk walking, gardening or washing and cleaning your own car.

Diet Control: A customized diet may help you keep in perfect healthy condition. One gram of fat has more calories than one gram of sugar. Avoid fat and bad sugars. Eat fruits (fruits have good sugars) and vegetables along with proteins and minimum quantity of fat (ghee and oil).

Give up Smoking: If you smoke, then please give up smoking to protect your heart. Smokers are doubly prone to heart attack as compared to those who never smoke. Smoking damages the lining of arteries, leading to the atheroma and coronary heart disease.