---

Chinese people have known of the health benefits of raw garlic for thousands of years. In China, apart from being used to flavor food, garlic is also traditionally used in teas and folk remedies. Why? Garlic is one of nature's strongest immune system boosters, and a powerful antibiotic, digestive aid and libido enhancer. As you'll see below, these are just some of the health benefits of raw garlic.

Garlic has been shown to inhibit cholesterol formation and inhibit platelets from sticking together making it a viable option to aspirin. Many papers have been published on the antibacterial and antifungal properties of garlic. Naganawa et al., found that the compound known as ajoene found in garlic inhibited the growth of many different strains of bacteria including staph, strep, Klebsiella, E. coli and the ulcer-causing Helicobacter pylori.

One of the most commonly known garlic benefits is its anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. Garlic is a powerful antioxidant—it helps protect the body against damage from free radicals. It also has antibacterial properties, protecting against bacterial and fungal infections. It is used by some people to treat acne and minor wounds. Garlic can also be effective as a natural mosquito repellent.

One of the most common ailments garlic is used as home treatment has been touted to treat is the cold. Upon the beginning of the sniffles, many people testify that consuming a clove or more of raw garlic takes them away. Researches have shown that garlic extract improves immune function, giving our natural defense system a enhancement, and helping it conserve our levels of anti-oxidants in our system. It is this intensification of the immune system that aids in its support for other health related conditions.

Garlic's health benefits are substantiated by a wealth of modern day research that confirms its anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is also a powerful antioxidant and immune booster with anti-inflammatory properties. Garlic helps reduce plaque or arterial buildup within the arterial system, thus becoming a tremendous aid in preventing and eliminating heart disease.. It helps to regulate blood sugar in diabetics. Garlic helps to prevent blood clots from forming, thus reducing the possibility of strokes

There are over 300 varieties of garlic grown worldwide. It has been in used since 6,000 years ago. It is a native crop to to Central Asia and also a staple food in the Mediterranean region. It is now more often used as a seasoning in Asia, Africa and Europe. The Egyptians used to worship garlic and models of garlic bulbs had been found in the tomb of Tutankhamen. Once it was even used as a form of currency. Folk superstition use garlic to repel vampires (our favourite Drakula) and had also been revered as an aphrodisiac.

The best way to consume garlic for health purposes is raw. When garlic is cooked or dried it loses a lot of its health benefits. Heat and water appear to inactivate the beneficial sulfur enzymes. When the sulfur enzymes lose their power they basically diminish the garlic's antibiotic effects. Other than its antibiotic effect, garlic has also proven to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. That is why there are many garlic based supplements available at the local grocery stores today which are said to aid in lowering cholesterol levels

Related Articles on Supplements

1. Synthetic Human Growth Hormone
   
2. Moringa - The breast feeding supplement
   
3. Vitamin ABCs: Bioflavonoids -- Do I Really Need Them, or Can I Just Take Vitamin C?
   
4. Vitamin ABCs: Pomegranates Aren’t Just for Stained Fingers Anymore
   
5. Moringa - The vision improver
   
6. Moringa - The health supplement
   
7. VITAMIN ABCs: Is Coral Calcium Better Than Other Forms?
   
8. Moringa - The Natural cure for Macular degeneration
   
9. Moringa - The Natural Calcium Supplement
   
10. Moringa - The Natural Health Supplement for Menopause
    
11. How Omega-3 helps your mind and body
    
12. What is Calcium?
    
13. Benefits of GHr1000, Sytropin and Genf20 on bodybuilding
    
14. Nutrition Supplements & Vitamins - Knowing then Buying
    
15. Benefits of Whey Protein
    
16. Curcumin – The Most Powerful Antioxidant
    
17. Natural HGH Supplement
    
18. Are Fish Oil Vitamins Necessary?
    
19. Tea Tree Oil
    
20. What Is A Fraudulent Taheebo Product?
    

Latest Articles on Supplements

1. Health Benefits Of Garlic, Garlic As Wonder Herb
   Chinese people have known of the health benefits of raw garlic for thousands of years. In China, apart from being used to flavor food, garlic is also traditionally used in teas and folk remedies. Why? Garlic is one of nature's strongest immune system boosters, and a powerful antibiotic, digestive aid and libido enhancer....
2. What Is A Fraudulent Taheebo Product?
   "Taheebo" is the South American name for a tree. It grows in Brazil, Argentina and many other countries. The bark of this tree has been used for centuries by the natives of each of these countries -- used to treat all sorts of serious health problems, but particularly to treat cancer....
3. Tea Tree Oil
   Tea Tree Oil is one of the most useful products in nature. It has been used by some Aboriginal People in Australia for many centuries as one of their most useful medicines. Tea Tree oil is derived from Melaleuca Alternifloria which is a narrow-leafed paper bark tree that is native to certain parts of Australia....
4. Are Fish Oil Vitamins Necessary?
   What are fish oil vitamins first? Fish oil can be obtained from two parts of the fish: the flesh and the liver. The fish oil extracted from the flesh has a high concentration of EPA and DHA, the two most essential omega-3 fatty acids. The fish oil from the liver also has this, but it also has a high content of Vitamins A and D....
5. Natural HGH Supplement
   Natural HGH supplement is available in many forms. They act naturally, increasing your natural production of HGH. All of them are to be taken before bedtime, as our bodies naturally produce HGH while we sleep. Natural HGH taking control of your life, by making sure you are as healthy as you can be while growing older, will improve your quality of life by taking natural HGH....
6. Curcumin – The Most Powerful Antioxidant
   Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a member of the ginger family, is a traditional Indian curry spice. It is also used as a yellow food coloring and has been used in traditional medicine in India and Ancient Egypt for at least 6000 years. Several natural substances have greater antioxidant effects than conventional vitamins, including various polyphenols, flavonoids and curcumenoids....
7. Benefits of Whey Protein
   Whey protein is a dairy-based source of amino acids that supports protein synthesis. Considered a fast protein because it hits the bloodstream quickly. Contains branched chain amino acids — made up of Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine which are important for the maintenance of muscle tissue. Has a high protein digestibility, biological value, protein efficiency ratio, and amino acid score...
8. Nutrition Supplements & Vitamins - Knowing then Buying
   In this article information is presented on Nutrition, supplements and vitamins. In addition, recommendations for buying nutraceuticals have been made. I propose to redefine functional foods and nutraceuticals. When food is being cooked or prepared using "scientific intelligence" with or without knowledge of how or why it is being used...
9. Benefits of GHr1000, Sytropin and Genf20 on bodybuilding
   Human growth hormone, commonly referred to as HGH, is a hormone that is secreted by the pituitary gland and helps in regulating the growth of tissues, repair of cell, while promoting fat loss, muscle development. HGH is considered to be an important hormone in the development of the human body. The role of HGH in the body is prominent during puberty as the levels of the hormone dictate the height...
10. What is Calcium?
    Calcium is the primary mineral responsible for bone well-being, and it is needed every day. This essential mineral promotes bone strength and provides the building blocks for strong teeth. Calcium plays an especially vital role in achieving peak bone mass in children and young adults. In addition to contributing to bone health, Calcium helps promote healthy blood and heart function, muscle contrac...

Related topics in Health & Fitness

Submit Articles © 2009 KeepArticles.com, All Rights Reserved.