What are the benefits of garlic and how to use it correctly so as not to harm your health

The homeland of garlic is Central Asia. Throughout human history, people have highly valued this vegetable for its beneficial properties and taste. Today, the importance of the plant cannot be overestimated - it is actively used in cooking, folk medicine, and cosmetology.

In this article we will look at the beneficial and medicinal properties of garlic and study tips and recommendations for its use.

What's good about garlic?

First, let's figure out what vitamins and microelements are contained in this vegetable and what their usefulness is.

Chemical composition

100 g contains:

• 6.5 g protein;
• 0.5 g fat;
• 29.9 g carbohydrates;
• 1.5 g dietary fiber.

The plant also contains vitamins B1, C, B2, K. In addition, it is rich in potassium, magnesium, iron, iodine, zinc, and saturated fatty acids. In total, the plant contains about 30 useful macro- and microelements.

Benefits and harm to the body

The vitamins contained in the root vegetable are involved in redox reactions, support the immune system, and promote the absorption of iron. The product also has an antimicrobial effect and a healing effect. Essential oils saturate the body with vital elements.

However, do not forget that garlic is an allergenic product, so it should not be abused. It may cause an adverse reaction, such as irritation of the mucous membranes, liver and kidneys. The plant can cause burning, heartburn, nausea and a number of other adverse effects.

Benefits for women

First of all, the product reduces the risk of tumors of the mammary glands and uterus. In addition, the vegetable reduces irritability, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, and reduces stress and anxiety. Do not forget that garlic is recognized as an aphrodisiac.

As for pregnant women, doctors advise not to abuse this product. The rule also applies to women who are breastfeeding. Essential oils affect the taste of milk. Garlic is a strong allergen, it is not known what reaction it can cause.

For men

For representatives of the stronger half of humanity, garlic is also useful:

• kills intestinal infections - for example, a vegetable will help eliminate the consequences of a bad lunch, as it can remove toxins from the body;
• stimulates the production of bile, which means it improves the functioning of the digestive tract;
• scientists have proven that the plant improves memory and raises the overall tone of the body;
• promotes rapid restoration of cartilage tissue;
• has a beneficial effect on the reproductive function of men.

For children

Children can only be given boiled garlic from the age of 8-9 months. It is recommended to consume the vegetable in small quantities for colds and bronchitis.

It is recommended to use it as inhalation or drops in the nose (of course, in the appropriate dosage). Medicines for children containing garlic extract have antimicrobial, expectorant, and antibacterial effects. Children are also given garlic to remove intestinal parasites from the body.

Medicinal properties of garlic

Let us examine in detail what exactly the value of the plant as a medicine is.

Treatment of rhinitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, sore throat, laryngitis, pharyngitis, colitis

The list of the most common diseases for which garlic is useful is as follows:

1. Rhinitis – mucous discharge from the nose. Indications for the use of garlic are yellow or green discharge, as well as pus in the nasal cavity. However, it should not be used for allergic and vasomotor rhinitis, as severe irritation may occur.
2. Sinusitis is a complication of a runny nose or flu. You can soak cotton swabs in garlic juice and insert them into your nose - the juice of the plant will have a strong antimicrobial effect.
3. Tonsillitis - inflammation of the tonsils in the throat. You should eat fresh garlic, apply compresses or inhale it. The vegetable can be used not only as a remedy, but also as a preventative.
4. Laryngitis - inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa as a result of a cold. An effective treatment is garlic and honey. It is also recommended to suck on fresh garlic cloves to reduce inflammation.
5. Pharyngitis - inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa. Treatment is similar to that for laryngitis.
6. Colitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the colon. To reduce inflammation, you should consume 1/2 spoon of garlic powder daily. This will normalize digestion and reduce unpleasant symptoms.

For weight loss

If you are on a diet, the plant will help you lose weight. The fact is that garlic normalizes blood sugar levels and improves lymphatic drainage - removes excess fluid from the body and improves blood circulation. It also helps to properly process cholesterol and improve fat metabolism.

Important! In addition, garlic promotes a good appetite - instead of one bowl of soup, you can easily eat two.Therefore, be careful, do not abuse it.

To strengthen the immune system

Regular consumption of 1-2 cloves every day will boost your immunity and help prevent the flu or cold. It’s not for nothing that garlic is called a “folk healer” - it has excellent antimicrobial and preventive effects.

For diabetes

Garlic helps normalize blood sugar levels and also improves metabolism. All these factors have a beneficial effect on the health of people suffering from diabetes. Doctors advise eating 1-2 cloves daily to reduce sugar levels.

Fighting endocrine diseases

Endocrine diseases are diseases that arise due to improper production of hormones and glands. It is necessary to take the product after consultation with your doctor, as the product has contraindications.

To improve overall health, it is recommended to take the vegetable in small doses - 2-3 times a week with meals.

For blood vessels and heart

Taking garlic-based medications lowers cholesterol levels, reduces blood vessel blockages, and reduces the risk of heart attacks.. The vegetable contains hydrogen sulfide.

It is thanks to it that a beneficial effect on the walls of blood vessels occurs. In addition, the product improves the elasticity of vascular walls. A proven remedy is especially popular - a mixture consisting of garlic, lemon and honey.

For gout

Gout is a disease caused by the deposition of uric acid salt crystals. This disease looks like bumps on the human body, mainly on the arms or legs.

For gout, it is recommended to consume garlic as often as possible, as it reduces the acidity of various fluids in our body. The most active component in this case is sulfur.

From parasites

Essential oils have the ability to destroy parasites in the body. Cleansing with garlic is a proven method of traditional medicine. An infusion from a vegetable can eliminate not only larvae, but also adult parasites.

Popular methods include enemas with root juice (dangerous for the intestinal mucosa), decoctions and mixtures, and prevention in the form of fresh consumption.

For the liver

Is the vegetable good for the liver? The answer is yes. It prevents the development of congestion in the liver. Every day you need to eat no more than 3 g of garlic per day.

Contraindications

Garlic should not be used if:

• increased sensitivity;
• epilepsy;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• hemorrhoids;
• pancreatitis;
• anemia;
• kidney diseases.

Excessive consumption of the product can lead to headaches, slower body reactions, and severe allergic reactions. It is also not recommended to eat garlic at night.

Application and benefits of garlic

The vegetable can be consumed either alone or in combination with other products.

1. Raw garlic perfectly kills germs and bacteria, and also has a healing effect.
2. Fried garlic does not lose its beneficial properties; as a result of heat treatment, its taste softens, essential oils evaporate, and the pungent odor disappears. Despite the fact that some of the beneficial substances disappear along with this, the remaining elements are enough to have a beneficial effect on the body.
3. Boiled garlic is recommended for use in dietary nutrition.Boiled vegetables have virtually no effect on the freshness of your breath. As with frying, the plant loses some of its vitamins, but this slightly reduces its benefits.
4. Pickled garlic has a high chlorine content. It helps break down fats, has a beneficial effect on liver function, and is involved in intestinal function. In addition, the pickled vegetable contains a large amount of allicin, a strong antioxidant.

Garlic peel

The husk contains a large amount of vitamin P, which has a remarkable therapeutic effect, namely: it slows down the aging process, removes toxins, and improves tissue regeneration. A drink infused with garlic peel improves immunity and kidney function. In addition, the blood vessels are cleaned and the condition of the joints improves.

Garlic juice

It contains nicotinic acid, copper, phosphorus, and sodium. Thanks to the increased amount of essential oils, the juice becomes a strong antioxidant. Eating it improves blood pressure and prevents heart disease. Garlic squeeze is often used to make sauces and spices.

How to use garlic correctly

Doctors advise consuming no more than 1-2 cloves per day. If you heat-treat a vegetable, do not exceed the cooking time.

The optimal frying or boiling time is 20 minutes. This way the plant will retain most of the nutrients and vitamins. If a vegetable has sprouted, do not throw it away. In this form it contains even more antioxidants.

If you have a cough, cold, poor appetite, parasites or other infections, consume it fresh. Dental floss and breath fresheners based on natural herbs will help get rid of the specific odor.

External use

Garlic-based tincture can relieve a number of diseases:

• for psoriasis, compresses made from vodka tincture with the addition of garlic will help;
• for sinusitis, wash the nasal cavity with vodka tincture of the product;
• for dandruff, make garlic masks for the scalp;
• For stomatitis, it is recommended to rinse the mouth with tincture.

Traditional medicine recipes

We bring to your attention 3 popular folk recipes using garlic:

1. When you have a cold, take a couple of cloves, make a paste out of them and mix with butter. You need to rub the resulting mixture into your chest every evening.
2. To make an alcohol tincture, you need to pour 200 g of garlic into a glass of vodka and let it brew in a dark place for 10 days. For a month, drink 5 drops of the drink 3 times a day before meals. Alcohol tincture is a universal remedy for many diseases.
3. Inhalation perfectly kills germs and eliminates colds. Place the head in a saucepan with a thick bottom, add a liter of water, and cook for 20 minutes over low heat. Add a spoonful of lemon juice and breathe deeply over the pan until it cools.

Tips and tricks

Before consuming garlic, make sure you have no contraindications. The vegetable can be consumed either fresh or after heat treatment. If your body responds well to this product, then eating garlic will only benefit you.

To get rid of bad breath, follow the simplest rules of oral hygiene: brush your teeth, use a mouthwash for fresh breath. It is desirable that it contains herbal extracts. Remember that a cooked or fried vegetable is practically not accompanied by a specific aroma.

Don't be afraid to use the plant as medicine. The main thing is to follow the permissible dosages. You can also use the vegetable as a cosmetic product - for example, make yourself a garlic hair mask.

Read also:

The best varieties of spring garlic.

Secrets of effectively growing garlic at home.

Reviews

Some praise garlic for its wonderful properties, others consider the vegetable to be the strongest allergen, while others do not like the plant for its specific taste. Here are some reviews.

Galina from Naberezhnye Chelny claims that it is stronger than any antibiotics. A woman shares her secret that you can recover from a cold in 3 days - you just need to eat a few cloves a day. In this case, pre-chopped garlic must be left for 20 minutes, and only then added to food.

However, many complain that garlic treatment causes severe heartburn and a burning sensation in the stomach. At the same time, there are numerous reviews that only pills help get rid of garlic heartburn; it does not go away on its own.

In addition, some people are dissatisfied with the effect of a popular remedy - garlic tincture. Drinking the drink caused headaches and poor health. However, this is the exception rather than the rule.

Conclusion

Garlic undoubtedly has more advantages than disadvantages. It will enrich your diet with useful substances and protect against many diseases. Treat the consumption and use of garlic carefully, remember the contraindications.