Garlic is a vegetable crop with a pungent taste and characteristic odor. This vegetable is widely distributed all over the world. Garlic is most commonly used in cooking as a condiment. In addition, garlic is a popular traditional medicine.
Useful properties of garlic
The specific taste and smell of garlic is due to its essential oil, which is rich in biologically active substances - phytoncides. These substances effectively destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. Therefore, garlic is useful for preventing colds and intestinal infections.
Among the phytoncides contained in garlic, allicin is especially distinguished. This chemical compound not only kills germs, it is also a powerful antioxidant, digestive stimulant and expectorant. According to recent medical research, allicin also has anti-tumor activity. It inhibits the growth of cancer cells and repairs damaged genes, the mutation of which can cause cancer.
In addition, allicin is an effective agent that prevents the development of atherosclerosis and hypertension. First, allicin lowers total cholesterol levels. Secondly, allicin enters into a special reaction with red blood cells, as a result of which hydrogen sulfide is released, which reduces the tension of the vascular walls. Thanks to this, blood flow in the vessels improves, blood pressure decreases, the load on the heart decreases and the internal organs are enriched with oxygen. By the way, the vasodilating effect of garlic is useful not only for the heart, but also for male potency.
The benefits of garlic are also due to the various vitamins and minerals included in its composition, including B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, pantothenic and folic acids), vitamin C, vitamin PP, phylloquinone, choline, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium. Thanks to this "cocktail", regular consumption of garlic has a tonic effect on the entire body and serves as a good prevention of hypovitaminosis.
Garlic treatment
Traditional medicine offers many uses for garlic. So, for example, with a sore throat and a runny nose, you need to cut a clove of garlic and constantly inhale its smell throughout the day. For better discharge of viscous sputum with pneumonia and bronchitis, you should drink a glass of warm milk with a teaspoon of garlic juice. In case of joint diseases, sore spots must be rubbed with garlic gruel mixed with butter. And to disinfect and heal the wound, grated garlic wrapped in gauze should be applied to it for 10 minutes.
