Garlic, a herbal remedy used to lower cholesterol

Where does Garlic come from?

Garlic has been used as food and medicine for centuries by many cultures and Egyptians worshiped this potent herb for its medicinal and culinary powers.

18th Century French drank Garlic tea to try and prevent getting sick from the plague.

Doctors in both world wars used Garlic to treat battle wounds.

Garlic is related to the onion and spring onion plants. The bulb contains the healing powers and flavor.

Today, Garlic is used to prevent heart disease.

What are the benefits of Garlic?

Studies suggest that Garlic can prevent heart disease in many ways. One study showed that Garlic extract prevents the stiffening of the aorta which occurs naturally with age.

Garlic makes platelets less likely to clump and stick to artery walls, thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks.

This herbal medicine helps to dissolve clot-forming proteins, which affects plaque development. Plaque build-up can cause arteries to narrow and cause heart attacks.

Garlic widens blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, helping blood circulate better.

Recent studies have proven that Garlic interferes with the metabolism of cholesterol in the liver and so less cholesterol is released into the blood, making Garlic an alternative to long-term cholesterol treatments.

People who take Garlic supplements are less likely to suffer from the common cold and when suffering from a cold, the symptoms lasted a much shorter period. People who suffer from asthma can benefit from regular use of Garlic supplements.

Because of its immune-enhancing properties, Garlic is now being studied as an herbal medicine in the fight against cancer.

Large quantities of fresh, raw Garlic may have anti-parasitic properties against roundworm, which is a common type of intestinal parasite.

Garlic contains allicin, which is antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal.

Garlic consumption can help to fight the bacteria that cause stomach ulcers.

Herbal practitioners have prescribed Garlic to treat adult cholic for many years.

Warts can be treated by placing a crushed raw Garlic clove directly on the wart.

What are the side effects of Garlic?

Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care.

Consult your health care professional if you are taking anti-coagulants such as Warfarin and medications to lower blood pressure.

Garlic can be taken indefinitely, but if you are taking Garlic to lower your cholesterol levels, make sure that you test the levels regularly to ensure that it has a positive effect.

Some people have reported heartburn, flatulence and diarrhea when taking high doses of Garlic. Lowering the dose and taking enteric-coated supplement will reduce these side-effects.

How do I use Garlic?

Most experts recommend that you buy Garlic powder supplements as they are more effective.

Cooked Garlic loses most of its nutritional and herbal nutrients, so fresh Garlic is a better option.

Enteric-coated Garlic supplements prevents most of the side-effects from occurring and is also passed through the stomach undigested, ensuring that you are getting all the necessary nutrients.

Studies have shown that deodorized Garlic supplement have the same benefits as regular supplements.

When buying Garlic supplements, make sure that it contains at least 4 000 mcg of allicin per pill, as this is what you would find in one clove of fresh Garlic.

To boost general health and to assist to lower cholesterol, take 400 to 600 mg of a Garlic supplement a day.

To fight common colds and flu, take 400 to 600 mg Garlic supplements four times a day.

To treat skin conditions such as warts or fungal infections such as athlete's foot, apply a crushed Garlic clove or Garlic oil directly to the affected areas.