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Herbs For Better Health: Garlic

Garlic is a natural antibiotic and has been referred to as “nature's penicillin”. It has been historically used in the treatment of various cancers and is also well-known for its capabilities of destroying bacteria, fungus, virus and parasites.

Author: Michelle Newport

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Common name(s):

Garlic

Botanical name(s):

Allium sativum

Plant part used:

Bulb

AHPA Class:

2c Not to be used while nursing

Indications:

Asthma, Blood Impurities, Blood Poisoning, Bronchitis, Cancer, Candida, Colds, Colitis, Coughs, Ear Infections, Fevers, Flu, Fungus, Gastric Disorders, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol and Triglycerides, Indigestion, Infection, Liver Disorders, Lung Disorders, Parasites, Prostate problems, Respiratory problems, Staph/Strep Infections

Actions:

Adaptogen, alterative, anthelmintic, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-spasmodic, anti-viral, antibiotic, anticoagulant, antineoplastic, blood purifier, cardiovascular tonic, carminative, cholagogue, decongestant, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, hypertensive, hypotensive, nervine, stimulant, stomachic, vasodilator, vermifuge

Constituents:

Volatile oils, including, allicin (diallyl trisulfide), alliin and other sulfur-bearing metabolites. Also contains citral, geraniol and linalool. Other constituents include calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, sodium, sulfur, vitamins A, B-complex and C

Traditional:

Garlic is a natural antibiotic and has been referred to as “nature's penicillin”. Louis Pasteur was the first scientist to use garlic in scientific experiments and found that when put into a petri dish full of bacteria, garlic quickly destroyed the bacteria. It has been historically used in the treatment of various cancers and is also well-known for its capabilities of destroying bacteria, fungus, virus and parasites. Garlic is also used to lower incidence of heart disease and is also used to lower high cholesterol levels.

Daily dose:

4 grams fresh garlic, 3,000 – 4,00 mg. dried

Contraindications:

Should not be used while nursing in therapeutic dosages. May cause mild blood-thinning in therapeutic dosages. Consult your doctor if using therapeutic dosages of garlic prior to surgery.

Side effects:

May cause gastrointestinal discomfort when used in large doses, unpleasant odor.

Drug interactions: None

Special caution: None

References:

Botanical Safety Handbook. by McGuffin, Hobbs, Upton and Goldberg, 1997 Mastering Modern Herbal Medicine, by LaMar Wiscombe, 2001
Today's Herbal Health, by Louise Tenney, 2000
Basic Herbalism, by Horne & Robinson, 2000
The Encyclopedia of Natural Remedies, by Louise Tenney, 1995
The Complete German Commission E Monographs, edited by Blumenthal et al., 1998

About Author

Michelle Newport is a certified herbalist and naturopath and is the founder of Nature For Life, a company offering natural health consulting services and education. Michelle is an author and an educator on topics of natural health and enjoys researching natural health from a Biblical perspective. For more information, please visit http://www.natureforlife.com

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