Garlic Herb Superfood

Good for Most of What Ails You

Garlic has been a part of my regiment for good health for about as long as I have known about this herbs many medicinal properties. Clove garlic, garlic oil, garlic powder, you name it and I've had it. Garlic is one herb that works hard to earn its place at or near the top of any SuperFood list.   

Garlic is nicknamed Russian Penicillin, and for good reason. This herbs antioxidant properties are legendary, and it is believed that the builders of the ancient pyramids used it daily for strength and endurance.

Among Garlic's many properties and uses are: 

Garlic oil is good for the heart and colon, and is effective in treating arthritis, candidiasis and circulation problems.

The sulfur and hydrogen compounds in garlic are effective protectorants against oxidation and free radicals.

Garlic aids in the detoxification of peroxides and helps to prevent fats from being oxidized and deposited into tissues and arteries. It contains the antioxidant nutrients of vitamin A, vitamin C and selenium.

Studies on aged garlic extract (AGE) have shown that the aging process boosts garlic's antioxidant potential substantially. AGE protects against DNA damage, keeps blood vessels healthy and guards against radiation and sunlight damage.   

Oneresearcher and nutritionist concluded that aged garlic can prevent liver damage caused by carbon tetrachloride,

a common indoor pollutant and free radical generator.

By using aged garlic extract to reduce high blood cholesterol levels, you can lower your risk of heart disease. It also prevents clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

With my family history of heart disease and high cholesterol levels, I take this supplement every day, generally in the form of aged Kyolic pills, but I also use fresh cloves to add to stir fry dishes or to add to fresh veggie juices. I have been known also to pick up the sautéed version available in the fresh olive section in whole food supermarkets or fresh markets.

Whenever I feel a cold or flu coming on, I quickly pop extra garlic pills to ward it off before the infection has a chance to grab a strong hold in my body. Consequently, when winter comes and the flu season arrives, I get to continue to go to work while my co-workers are out sick (I don’t know if that is a good thing or not!:)-

Garlic is one superfood I would take even if there weren’t any parsley I could take with it or chew to mask the odor. It’s just that important.

Still odorless garlic supplements are available, or you can find the pills/supplements in the combo "garlic with parsley" variety.

The only people who are cautioned against taking garlic are folks who take anticoagulants, since garlic does have blood-thinning properties.

More Garlic Resources  l  Garlic Juicing Recipes

Did you know this article includes properties of garlic and usage information extracted from  Prescription For Nutritional Healing, a book by the Balch's. If you're into natural health and healing, the Balch's book is an excellent resource for drug free remedies using vitamins, minerals, herbs and food supplements.