Garlic Nature's Healing Aid?

Garlic is better known as a condiment and spice used in cooking. It is very pungent both in smell and taste. For thousands of years garlic also has been used as an alternative medicine for the treatment of various health conditions. Garlic was widely used in past great civilizations such as Egypt, China and India.

Garlic has been the subject of studies since the 1940’s. It was found that garlic has anti-cancer properties. Recent studies by the National Cancer Institute also confirm that garlic hinder the formation of tumor cells. It is used to prevent certain cancer such as colon and stomach cancers.

When garlic is used on a long term basis it helps to balance blood pressure and blood sugar. It is also of benefits in the maintenance of healthy circulation and resistance to infection. Garlic is very often used to treat urinary infections, respiratory infections, acne, sinusitis, ulcers, bronchitis and asthma.

Garlic is a good antibiotic that has the ability of garlic to inhibit bacteria. It is more effective than penicillin. Garlic has shown good results in fighting against strep, enteritis, staph bacteria, cholera and dysentery.

There are many claims that garlic has the ability to reduce heart problems. Garlic thins the blood very much like aspirin. It reduces blood clots and is taken by many to prevent vascular changes that result in cardiovascular disease.

The ability of garlic to inhibit the absorption of cholesterol makes it excellent for lowering cholesterol level. Most cholesterol lowering drugs have some side effects. However, garlic is well tolerated and does not cause any allergic reactions.

For thousands of years people have used garlic to expel worms and harmful parasites from our bodies. Studies have shown that garlic dos have the ability to kill hookworms and other parasites living in the intestinal tract

Avoid taking garlic if one is taking the HIV drug Saquinavir as garlic could affect the effectiveness of the drug. If you are to have any surgery you must stop taking garlic a week before the operation. Garlic may cause excessive bleeding during surgery due to its ability to reduce blood clots. Anyone are on blood-thinning drugs like Ticlopidine or Coumadin, apply caution when using garlic.

You can take garlic in many forms raw, cooked, capsules or tablets. Garlic capsules and tablets are available in all health food stores and supermarkets. However, researchers have shown that to get the best therapeutic effect, raw garlic should be used on a regular basis. With its long history as a natural remedy garlic has remained a popular alternative medicine in our times.