Here are some of the benefits of garlic:
Antibiotic, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, cardiotonic, antioxidant, antibiotic. antitoxic, anti-diarrhoeal, immunostimulant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, rubefacient, anti-hypertensive, carminative, oestrogenic, antidepressant, febrifuge, anthelmintic, antiseptic, cholagogue, hypoglycaemic, diuretic, expectorant, diaphoretic, antitumour, antimutagenic, emmenagogue, thyroid stimulant, possible cortisone-like properties.
But as with everything, there\'s a downside, too!
Avoid large doses of garlic is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, or if suffering from restlessness, insomnia with accompanying exhaustion, thirst and dehydration. Therapeutic use should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation. Ingesting more than 10 raw cloves per day can be toxic. Pure, undiluted juice used externally can burn sensitive skin. (Remember that garlic can be absorbed through the skin.) Garlic capsules combined with diabetes medication can cause a dangerous decrease in blood sugars. Do not use garlic if taking any of the following: Aspirin. Anticoagulants. Diabetes medications. Hypoglycaemic drugs. Antiplatelet drugs. Warfarin. Some people who are sensitive to garlic may experience heartburn and flatulence. Never use essential oil in the ear – use only the diluted juice, or infused oil for earaches.
You should be able to easily buy garlic supplements from supermarkets, chemists and health stores. You can get odour-free garlic, and garlic/parsley combinations. Kyolic is one brand, but there are many. If you eat parsley after eating garlic, it will help reduce that awful smelly effect.
Research results differ according to which supplier does the research, but it has been suggested that only fresh garlic provides the full range of benefits.
