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Garlic Benefits Are Widely Known
The health benefits of Garlic have been known for centuries. The ancient
herbalists knew of the health benefits of garlic, benefits which they used often. The English name for Garlic
originates back to Anglo-Saxon times, being derived from gar (a spear) and lac (a plant). This is a reference to
the shape of the garlic plant's leaves, which are long, flat and thin.
Garlic is a member of the Lily family, one of its closest
relatives being the onion.
Garlic benefits are mentioned in Old English writings from the tenth to the
fifteenth century. Chaucer, for example, refers to Garlic as 'Poor Man's Treacle', meaning an elixir or
'cure-all'.
Writings on the health benefits of Garlic date back to the time of Pliny, in the first
century. He states that Garlic and onion were called upon as gods by Egyptians undertaking oaths.
The main health benefits of garlic from general knowledge, are for: garlic and
high blood pressure; garlic and cholesterol; and the use of garlic as an antibiotic. Garlic benefits not only the heart, arteries, immune
system and high blood pressure, but also is very beneficial for the lungs. These uses are explored
below.
One of the additional health benefits of garlic is that, when
considering any problems of using garlic, side effects are very few. Garlic - Antibiotic of Nature
The use of garlic as an antibiotic has been known for many years. For
many centuries, Garlic has been used to fight various infections. Long before antibiotics were developed in
1928, Garlic was often used in the treatment of infections from
bronchitis and tuberculosis to dysentery and typhoid as well as your general colds, flu, ear, nose & throat
infections.
During World War I, The health benefits of garlic were strongly tested: garlic was used to dress the wounds of
soldiers, with fantastic results. Garlic certainly saved many lives by stopping
infections in the wounds turning to blood poisoning.
It is still not fully understood exactly how garlic benefits the
immune system and achieves its antibiotic action; though its pungent, odorous volatile oil, allicin, is considered
to be one of the main active constituents.
Other therapeutic constituents present in Garlic are, vitamins A, B, C and E; minerals such as
Germanium (assists toxic metal elimination, restores pH - acid & alkaline balance - and is an immune
enhancer); and Selenium (an essential nutrient, and antioxidant which enhances the body's own healing
mechanisms).
[Next: Uses of Garlic...]
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