Garlic's Healing Power

A favorite herb used in Mediterranean foods because it is so good for you. Ancient Egyptians were serious garlic fans. They fed the odoriferous bulb to their slaves to keep them healthy. Now research shows that garlic can lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels and may even help heart attack survivors live longer. The National Institute in Rockville, Maryland, is studying garlic's tumor-fighting properties. On a more mundane level, garlic relieves gas and aids digestion.

It was and still is used by all three classic healing systems—Traditional Chinese Medicine, traditional European medicine, and Ayurveda—all included garlic—more than any other herb. The Greek physician, Dioscorides, stated that garlic "cleans the arteries and opens the mouths of the veins" — a fact that science affirmed nearly a thousand years later.

Most amazing is the fact that when garlic is crushed, alliin becomes allicin, a potent but unstable antibiotic that produces garlic's taste and smell. Allicin is what helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure and helps prevent blood clots. Eating fresh, raw garlic or taking certain dried garlic preparations can reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and other risk factors for coronary disease.

Research indicates that garlic is effective against bacterial and fungal infections, digestive ailments, and high blood pressure. What's more, studies suggest that this familiar food may even help prevent cancer. I use a garlic press to convert fresh garlic into allicin for maximum effect. First remove the skin by pushing on a clove with a wide spatula and then squeeze it in a garlic press into salads, soups, salsa, spaghetti sauce and as a marinade on grilled meat. I fork it into the meat with some oregano, olive oil and pour some red wine over the meat prior to grilling it.

Garlic is effective against cholesterol at around 3,000 micrograms (mcg) of raw garlic, which is about 3 cloves a day. Remember: Mince and add to salads or toss in the pot just before serving soups, sauces, or stews to spike up the flavor and increase the health benefits.

For bronchitis, crunch some cloves of garlic. Garlic makes a great addition to herbal treatment for acute and chronic bronchitis. I am never without dry onions and garlic. Herbal wisdom says that this odoriferous herb contains powerful antibiotic compounds that are actually excreted through the lungs, so they help treat bronchial conditions from the inside.

Garlic's scientific name is Allium sativa. Garlic, with more than 100 chemical parts, may protect against cancer in your lungs, colon, kidneys, mouth, skin, and breasts. Crush garlic to release its full anti-cancer powers, and let it "rest" about 10 minutes before heating it.

The flavonoids in garlic keep your arteries soft and flexible and thin your blood so it doesn't clump. Sauteed or roasted garlic can really add spice to your life.

On April 17, 2005 Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld entitiled his column, "Live Longer With a Mediterranead Diet." "According to The Journal of the American Medical Association, you can improve your chances for a longer and healthier life by eating a Mediterranean diet.." There are many variations of the diet but all include: olive oil, lots of legumes (peas and beans), fruits, nuts, grains and fish; and lean meat and low-fat dairy products. According to the study, the death rate among elderly people on this diet and regimen---which improves blood vessel function and reduces inflammation of the arteries--- was more than 50% lower than among those who were not. "Olive oil on your salad is good for your veins."