Garlic - A Drop of Amrutam

It is said that when deva-vaidya Dhanvanrti was taking the Amrutam (the elixir of life) to the heavens, a drop of it fell down to earth and took the form of Garlic. While this legend might (or might not be true), it summarises the usefulness of garlic to the human body.

The (Indian) colloquial name of Garlic is lasoon, while its botanical name being Allium Sativum. It is known as RASONA in sanskrit.

 

Garlic is a proven tonic for nervous debility (weakness) and the repair of nerve endings. It is also popular as a general pick me up for  sexual impotency. In Ayurvedic scriptures garlic is considered to be a powerful detoxifying and rejuvenating agent.

In more specific terms it should be taken to:

• Lower cholesterol levels 
  
• Boost immunity to colds and flu
  
• Reduce risk of high blood pressure and blood clots thus improving the blood circulation
  
• Produce healthy red cells (RBC) thereby improving the immunity system
  
• Protect against the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (which is the leading cause of stomach ulcers)
  
• It also protects liver (hepato-protective)
  
• It is an invaluable aphrodisiac, which helps in spermatogenesis
  

These are battles that any of us are constantly fighting and garlic should be ingested regularly to combat them. A perfectly acceptable way to take garlic is to simply add plenty of fresh garlic to meals. 

In addition to the above, garlic can also fight off diseases and complaints such as

• Whooping couh 
  
• Earache 
  
• Flatuance 
  
• Colic 
  
• Fertility problems 
  
• Conditions caused by a lack of minerals in the body 
  
• Intestinal worms and other similar parasites 
  

Garlic is the drug of choice in vata related diseases like facial palsy, paralysis, sciatica and also as a brain tonic.  Along with sesame oil, garlic is valuable in epilepsy treatment. The fresh juice is given with the honey and ghee in curing night blindness.

There are two main ingredients which produce the garlic health benefits: allicin and diallyl sulphides. The organosulphur compounds present in garlic helps prevent agains prostrate cancer.

Garlic and Hair Care

 

Garlic, as well as being good for our body, is also really good for our scalp and hair.

It stimulates the flow of blood to the scalp, thereby nourishing the hair. It not only strengthens existing hair but also encourages growth of new hair.

If you have dry hair or an itchy scalp, a shampoo with garlic extract will  give you relief from these nasty symptoms. 

Researchers in Argentina have found that application of garlic helped kill more than 96 percent of lice in just fifteen minutes.

Garlic and Pregnancy

Gynaecologists have found that mothers-to-be who eat garlic boosts the birth weight of small babies. They also discovered that it cuts the risk of pre-eclampsia (this was told in ayurveda thousands of years back) .

NOTE

Don't take garlic supplements if you are on a blood-thinning medication or before any surgery. Discuss these aspects with your GP.

Garlic is more potent when it is consumed in sliced or minced form instead of consuming it as a whole.

Rreferences

http://www.costadelsol-vacationrentals.com/garlic.html

http://www.ayurvedicherbsdirect.com/garlic-himalaya-p-86.html

http://www.whatcausesbaldness.net/A-Surprising-Treatment.htm

http://www.ayurvedictalk.com/garlic-%e2%80%93-the-natural-healer/540/

http://www.nzhealth.net.nz/herbs/garlic.shtml

http://www.ayurvedic-medicines.com/herbs/garlic.html