Common name: Lahsoon Sanskrit name: Rasona, Yavanesta English name: Garlic Scientific name1: Allium sativum Linn. (Fam. Liliaceae)
Garlic is one of the most commonly used cooking spices adding aroma and flavor to many food dishes, but it has some impressive health benefits too. The key medicinal ingredient in garlic is allicin, which has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antioxidant properties. In addition, garlic is packed with vitamins and nutrients. Some of these include vitamins A, B, B2 and C, as well as protein, potassium, calcium, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, manganese and many others.
Garlic health benefits
Fights respiratory diseases Inhibits cancer Kills herpes on contact Thins blood Is an anti-oxidant Detoxifies Lowers blood sugar Lowers cholesterol Treats HIV/AIDS infections Strengthens the immune system
Garlic has been found to provide benefits in following problems:
Heart Attack: Garlic helps to lower serum lipids, and breaks down cholesterol that might have accumulated in the blood vessels. This way it helps in restoring elasticity to them, thus preventing heart attacks.
High Blood pressure: The extract of this herb is one of the most effective remedies in lowering blood pressure, since it lowers the spasm in small arteries. It modifies pulse, modulates the rhythm of the heart and relieves symptoms of high blood pressure and dizziness.
Cancer: Garlic has been proved to be a retardant in the growth of a number of tumors as well as in cases of cancer of the colon and other organs. In one study, cancer-affected mice that were given garlic lived up to 6 months while those that were not given garlic died in 16 days.
Blood disorders: The extracts of garlic help to remove toxins from the body and the blood, while stimulating circulation and stimulating lymph in the body.
Diabetes: Garlic has an astounding effect on diabetes since one of its extracts (allicin) acts as anti-diabetic agent. It lowers blood glucose levels.
Rheumatism, lumbago, arthritis: Garlic’s anti-inflammatory properties make it particularly effective against arthritis, lumbago, and rheumatism.
Chest diseases: Whooping cough, tuberculosis, diphtheria, pneumonia asthma and even pulmonary gangrene are all effectively cured by a regular intake of garlic in milk.
Lead and Cadmium poisoning: Garlic extracts were tested and found to reduce the absorption of lead and cadmium (which are toxic, heavy metals) in internal organs such as liver and the kidney, thus reducing the effect of toxic metal poisoning.
Digestive disorders: Garlic helps to remove microorganisms that might be harmful for the body while also keeping helpful intestinal bacteria unharmed. It stimulates the secretion of digestive juices and cures inflammations of the digestive tract as well.
Aphrodisiac: Garlic extracts have been tested and found to be effective as aphrodisiac, and cures impotency when taken regularly.
Wounds: Garlic acts as an effective antiseptic while also relieving the patient of pain from the wound.