Garlic
Botanical name: Allium sativum
Other name: Poor Man’s Treacle
Description:
• Garlic is in the lily family and is a member of the Allium genus which also includes onions, leeks and chives.
• It is a perennial herb with flat, fleshy greyish
leaves and a bulb, composed of typical garlic cloves.
• It has been used as both a medicine and a spice for thousands of years.
Part used: only the bulbs or garlic cloves are used.
Phytochemicals: garlic contains flavonoids and Sulphur-containing compounds:
- Diallyl Sulphate - Alliin
- Ajoene
- Allicin
Medicinal properties
• To decrease the progression of cardiovascular disease.
- lower cholesterol and blood lipids - protect blood vessels
- lower blood pressure
- protect the aggregation of platlets
• To pervent certain types of cancer, including stomach and colon cancers.
• Helps to prevent and treat the common cold. • Have anti-inflammatory action
• Is an effective remedy against infections.
Available Forms
Garlic can be eaten raw or cooked. It may also dried or powdered and used in tablets and capsules. Raw garlic cloves can be used to make oils and liquid extracts.
Precautions
• Unpleasant breath and body odour
• A range of abdominal symptoms including increased flatulence and
abdominal pain
• Dermatitis, rhinitis and asthma (typical symptoms of allergic reactions)
Garlic supplement prooducts