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Medicinal Applications
Action
alterative, anthelmintic,
antiparasitic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative,
detoxifier, disinfectant, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant,
rubefacient, rejuvenative, stimulant, vesicant
Uses
Garlic is beneficial in:
Asthma
Atherosclerosis
Blood and lymph cleanser
Colds and flu
Colic
Congestive heart failure
Convulsions
Cough
Edema
Heart disease
Hemorrhoids
High cholesterol
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Hypertriglyceridemia (high triglycerides)
Hysteria
Immune function
Impotence
Indigestion
Intermittent claudication
Nerve and bone tissue rejuvenative
Paralysis
Recurrent ear infection
Rheumatism
Skin diseases
T. B.
Tremor
Tumors
Round worms
Yeast infection
Circulatory Effects:
More than 250 publications have shown that garlic supports the
cardiovascular system. It may lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels
in the blood, inhibit platelet stickiness (aggregation), and increase
fibrinolysis-which results in a slowing of blood coagulation. It is
mildly antihypertensive and has antioxidant activity.
Note: Garlic only keeps
clotting in check, a benefit for persons at risk for cardiovascular
disease. It cannot effectively replace stronger anticlotting drugs; its
primary value is as a preventive.
Antimicrobial Actions:
Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal activity' It may
work against some intestinal parasites. Garlic appears to have roughly 1
% the strength of penicillin against certain types of bacteria. This
means it is not a substitute for antibiotics, but it can be considered
as a support against some bacterial infections. Candida albicans growth
is inhibited by garlic, and garlic has shown long-term benefit for
recurrent yeast infections.
Anticancer Actions:
Human population
studies show that eating garlic regularly reduces the risk of
esophageal, stomach, and colon cancer. This is partly due to garlic's
ability to reduce the formation of carcinogenic compounds. Animal and
test tube studies also show that garlic, and its sulfur compounds,
inhibit the growth of different types of cancer-especially breast and
skin tumors.
Miscellaneous
Garlic is often applied
to indolent tumors, ulcerated surfaces and wounds. A poultice of the
bulb is used for scrofulous sores and ring worm. A clove of Garlic when
introduced into the ear passage give relief of ear-ache. It is locally
used in sciatica, paralysis and neuralgic pains. Raw Garlic juice is
inhaled in whooping cough and pulmonary tuberculosis. The oil in which
Garlic has been fried is believed to be a useful liniment for rheumatic
pains, nervous diseases like infantile convulsions, scabies and maggot
infested wounds.
Garlic is useful for
fevers, coughs, flatulence, disorders of the nervous system, agues,
dropsical affections, pulmonary phthisis, whooping cough, gangrene of
the lung and dilated bronchi. A decoction of garlic made with milk and
water is given in hysteria, flatulence and sciatica. A syrup of garlic
is a valuable remedy for asthma, hoarseness, disorders of the chest and
lungs. The garlic oil is useful for paralytic and rheumatic affections. |
