My Vedic Life

What is Garlic:

• Garlic is a bulb of a plant that is used as a spice and ayurvedic medicinal herb.
• It can reduce blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and lower the risk of heart disease. It is beneficial for colds and flu, improves athletic performance and memory, strengthens bones, etc. It is native to middle Asia, from West China to Kazakhstan. It is a plant that belongs to the onion genus, "allium".
• Garlic has been part of kitchens for centuries. This herb has curative and medicinal properties because of its antibacterial and antiseptic nature. The beneficial properties of garlic are because of a compound, "Allicin". It is rich in minerals like phosphorus, zinc, potassium, and magnesium. Vitamins C, K, Folate, niacin, and thiamine also are found abundantly in garlic. (More Details)

How is it available:

• Garlic is available in fresh, powder, or oil form is used to add flavor.

What are its benefits:

• Raw garlic has the potential to ward off cough and cold infections. Eating two crushed garlic cloves on an empty stomach has the maximum benefit. For kids and babies, hanging garlic cloves in a thread around their necks is supposed to relieve congestion symptoms.
• Garlic promotes brain health because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is effective against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Also, read more on the best brain foods to include in your diet.
• Allicin, a compound found in garlic stops the oxidizing of LDL (bad cholesterol). This reduces cholesterol levels and improves heart health. Regular consumption of garlic reduces the incidence of blood clots and thus helps prevent thromboembolism. Garlic also lowers blood pressure so is good for patients with hypertension. Another ayurvedic herb to control high blood pressure is "Sarpagandha" or Indian Snakeroot, devil peeper, Serpentine wood, a very endangered plant that grows in the sub-Himalayan region of the Indian sub-continent and East Asia (India to Indonesia).
• Digestive problems improve with the inclusion of raw garlic in the diet. It benefits the intestines and reduces inflammation. Eating raw garlic helps to clear out intestinal worms. The good thing is that it destroys the bad bacteria and protects the good bacteria in the gut.
• Garlic reduces the expression of genes responsible for the formation of adipose cells that store fat. It also increases thermogenesis in the body and leads to the burning of more fat.
• Garlic protects against free radicals and prevents damage to the DNA. Zinc in garlic promotes immunity. Vitamin C helps to fight off infections. It is very beneficial against eye and ear infections as it has antimicrobial properties.
• Garlic helps prevent acne and lightens acne scars. Cold sores, psoriasis, rashes, and blisters can all benefit from the application of garlic juice. It also protects against UV rays and therefore prevents aging.
• Fresh garlic juice has the potential to reduce the growth of E. Coli bacteria that cause urinary tract infection (UTI). It also helps prevent kidney infections.

Ayurvedic Properties of garlic:

• "Rasa" (taste) of garlic is "Madhura" (sweet), "Lavana" (Salt), "Katu" (Pungent), "Tikta" (Bitter), "Kashaya" (Astringent).
• It balances "Vata" and "Kapha" doshas and increases "Pitta" dosha.
• Ayurveda recognizes garlic as a blood purifier.
• Ayurveda does not support excessive usage of garlic as it considers garlic to be "rajasic" (disturbed sleep and drained energy) in nature.