Garlic - The Wonder Drug


Cancer:

Ever since its cultivation began thousands of years ago in ancient China, garlic (botanical name: Allium sativum) has been held in high esteem throughout the ages for its gastronomic as well as for medicinal properties. When crushed or finely chopped, garlic yields allicin, which is a powerful antibiotic and antifungal compound. It is allicin that lends the characteristic smell and the hot pungent taste to garlic. Allicin is also known for its antioxidant and fat-dissolving properties, and has been shown to inhibit arteriosclerosis (thickening and hardening of arteries).

Nutritional Value Of Garlic
The chemical analysis of garlic shows garlic to have a storehouse of valuable minerals like phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, copper and zinc, in addition to substantial amount of vitamin C and a small amount of vitamin B complex. Its moisture content is 62%, protein content 6.3%, carbohydrate content 29.8%, and fat content is only 0.1%.

Of the 100+ chemical compounds present in garlic, scientists have identified more than 30; these along with the unknown ones act in synergy to make it a wonder drug that it is. For example, its hypertension-lowering ability is attributed to the compound allyl mercaptan, which also lowers cholesterol, prevents artherosclerosis (formation of plaque in arteries), and has anti-tumor and anti-diabetic properties. The amino acid arginine in garlic is considered a stimulant that warms the body and improves blood circulation by helping to relax blood vessels.

Benefits Of Garlic
The extract of garlic is a very potent medicinal compound having pharmacodynamic properties. Scientific studies have shown that garlic has many medicinal properties, such as for preventing and fighting common cold, reducing platelet aggregation and thrombosis (formation of blood clots), reducing bad cholesterol (LDL or low-density lipoprotein) while increasing good protective cholesterol (HDL), reducing blood pressure, etc.

In traditional herbal remedies, garlic has long been in use for ailments like bacterial and fungal skin infections, bronchial congestion, intestinal disorders, poor appetite, high blood pressure, rheumatism, whooping cough, etc. The sulfur compound diallyl disulfide present in garlic oil, formed by steam distillation of garlic, has also been associated with anti-cancer properties (could be partly due to its inhibitory action on bacteria like H. pylori) and anti-diabetes properties.

For the digestive system too garlic is very helpful: it aids in elimination of toxic wastes in the body, benefits the lymph, and stimulates the secretion of digestive juices. It also helps fight infectious diseases and inflammations of the stomach and intestine.
In traditional Indian medicine system garlic infused in milk is suggested as a remedy for respiratory disorders like asthma and tuberculosis of the lungs.

To sum up, the principal ailments for which garlic is known for its beneficial effects are:
1.Cardiovascular diseases
2.Hyperlipidemia (i.e., high cholesterol)
3.Hypertension
4.Digestive disorders
5.Respiratory Disorders
6.Skin ailments
How Much Garlic?
The American Dietetic Association suggests 600 to 900mg (about 1 fresh clove) per day of garlic in order to obtain its potential health benefits.

Donnell Koh is the author of "7 Simple Steps To Lower Your Cholesterol". He is a garlic advocate and uses natural Himalayan Garlic to lower cholesterol. To receive your free copy of the ebook and free tips on ways to lower cholesterol, go to: garlictolowercholesterol.com


Hot Topics In Cancer

    Mesothelioma: More About this Asbestos Cancer

    Cancers and other forms of diseases are usually named
    according to the part of the body or the internal organ
    where abnormal growth of malignant cells takes place.
    In the case of Mes...

    Dogs, Cats, And Natural Herbal Remedies

    Pets are affected by today's high pollution, poor nutrition, and growing causes for excessive stress, and are becoming more vulnerable to chronic disease and bad health.

    Since their ancient origins,...

    Prostate Cancer: What it is and the Treatment options Available

    About 80% of men who are 80 years old are found to have prostate cancer. It is thought that EVERY man, if they live long enough, will eventually get it. About 1 in 6 of all men will be diagnosed with ...

    Skin Cancer - Keep your skin safe

    There's more to prevention than you think

    Statistics surrounding skin cancer are astounding. More than one million new cases are diagnosed each year, more than all other cancers combined. This means...

    Colon Cancer Early Symptoms

    Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer or bowel cancer, is a cancer that develops in the colon or rectum. The cancer is most curable when detected before the development of the symptoms or duri...

    Alternative Cancer Treatments - Oxygen Therapy

    There is much evidence to suggest that oxygen is a major deterrent to the creation and survival of cancer cells in the body and many emminent scientists and researchers consider the development of oxy...

    Health Risks Of Smoking Cigars

    Everyone has heard the risks associated with smoking cigarettes, but the risks of cigar smoking are often overlooked. Many people are uncertain whether the risks of smoking cigars are equally dangerou...

    Breast Augmentation Surgery

    Breast augmentation is surgery designed to enhance your breasts through the use of breast implants. Women who are unhappy with the size of their breasts, and desire a way to increase the size or shape...

    Cancer Drugs - Learning About Cancer Medication

    There are many types of cancer that people may suffer from but one thing that stays similar is the types of medication that they may be using. There are many forms of medication that you may be pre...

    Can Green and Black Tea Fight Some Tumors?

    In a recent study by the Department of Dermatology at the Mount Sinai-NYU Medical Center in New York, NY, aqueous extracts of green and black teas were revealed to ward off experimentally induced anim...

    Treatment of prostate cancer has augmented since the breach of the PSA.

    According to the health-disease.com, the five-year relative survival rate for patients whose cancer is detected whereas still in the general and regional stages is 100%.

    Prostate cancer is among th...

    Alternative Cancer Cure Teatment Options are Gaining Popularity and Trust

    Medical science has taken great strides forward. However, the vulnerability to many diseases like cancer, remain. Thus, billions of dollars are spent on researching alternative cancer cure treatments ...

Most Recent Cancer Supplements

Newly Popular Illness Articles

    Acne And Diet There Are Other Issues As Well

    On average 9 out of 10 people at some stage of their lives will suffer from the skin condition known as acne. Although some believe that acne and diet issues are the main cause for their suffering fro...

    How to Get Rid of a Yeast Infection

    What is a yeast infection and how can you get rid of it? If you've never before even heard of yeast infection and you're suddenly told by your physician that you have one, what are you supposed to do?...

    Finding The Best Migraine Medicine For You

    Migraine is a common complaint affecting thousands of Americans, especially women. It presents as severe headache coupled with nausea and discomfort. The sufferer is quite unable to do any useful acti...

    Looking For An Effective Bad Breath Remedy?

    Bad breath is definitely a problem that everyone wants to get rid of. If you're trying to find new creative ways to eliminate bad breath throughout the day, there are several things you can do to make...

    Foods To Avoid When You Suffer Acid Reflux

    When you have been diagnosed with acid reflux, you know that there are certain foods you need to avoid. Avoiding certain foods can help you feel better and lessen the damage to your esophagus. If you ...

    Massage Therapies for Arthritis: An Overview

    Massage therapies for arthritis have been practised some thousands years old, but are still considered to be one of the most effective treatment for arthritis.

    Arthritis is a kind of rheumatic disea...

    Back Pain Relief QA: An Interview with a Neurosurgeon

    Lower back pain is a major problem for hundreds of thousands of Americans. In fact, it's reported by the National Institutes of Health that lower back back pain cost us around $50 billion annually in ...

    How To Care For Your Teeth

    With more people taking better care of their teeth at home and with advanced dental treatments, more people are keeping their natural teeth for a lifetime. Two of the most important things you can do ...

    A Meditation Technique for Dealing with Headaches

    De-stress yourself. This is particularly true for those who suffer from tension headaches. Below I have included some tips on how to distress your self.

    Meditation brings with it peace of mind as we...

    Finding An Insomnia Cure

    Insomnia the inability to fall or stay asleep has likely held each of us in its grip at one time or another. Tossing and turning the whole night through, we finally succumb to whatever fitful nugget o...

Interesting Today:

Most Recent Illness Blogs:

Releated to Illness:

Cancer Links: