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

Ghee -The life saver

Ghee, a clarified butter, has a very long and rich history. It has been used in Indian cooking for thousands of years. The following quote from an Indian philosopher Charvak (3,000 BC) shows the importance of ghee:

"Yada Jeevam, Sukham Jivet
Rinam Kritvam, Ghritam Pibet "
which means:
As long as you live, live happily
Beg, borrow or steal, but relish ghee

According to ayurveda,

• Ghee is said to have curative and rejuvenative(Rasayana) effects on the body that in turn promotes longitivity.


• Application of ghee on mild burns prevents blistering and scarring.


• Ghee is also believed to improve absorption and assimilation of nutrients. In other words, ghee helps to regularize bowel movement and relieve constipation. Taking one or two teaspoons of ghee in the morning followed immediately with a glass of hot water, will promptly produce bowel movements.

• It is finest fuel for digestive system (Jatara-Agni) of the body. It helps to balance excess stomach acids and maintains as well as repairs the mucus lining of the stomach (cures gastric ulcers).

• It strengthens the brain and nervous system and is believed to promote all three aspects of mental functioning, i.e ghee improves the intelligence, refines the intellect and improves the memory.

• It nourishes and lubricates the connective tissues thus making the body flexible and increasing stamina.


• Ghee also contains 2-3% conjugated linoleic acid, which has anti-carcinogenic properties.


• An Anti-oxidant: Ghee has beta-carotene and vitamin E, both known anti-oxidants that counter the effects of free radicals. Science has been able to establish that free radicals cause nearly 90 percent of all degenerative diseases.
• Fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K2 (Activator X) help in production of proteins and lipids essential for mental health.


• It makes the skin smooth and gives glowing complexion.


• Ghee is also useful for eyes. It is used in Netra Tarpan- an Ayurvedic treatment for the eyes that relieves tiredness and improves the eyesight.


• It also boosts our immune system.

Fatty facts of ghee

In the case of ghee, most of its saturated fats are short-chain fatty acids which make it easily digestible. It also contains up to 27% monounsaturated fatty acids and only 4% to 5% polyunsaturated fatty acids. Since our body needs both saturated and unsaturated fats, this
combination is close to ideal.

Ghee actually maintains the ratio of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good” cholesterol) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad” cholesterol) levels. Clinical experience is that if ghee is used in moderation as appropriate to ones body type it does not raise ones cholesterol levels.

Note:

1. 15 to 20gm of visible fat (oil/ghee) is recommended per person per day.
2. Ghee in your diet will carry fat-soluble foods quickly and easily inside cells
3. Ghee's rate of absorption into body tissues is 96 per cent, the highest of all oils and fats. This is why most of ayurvedic medicines are prepared with ghee as the base
4. Cow ghee in particular the best option.
5. Ghee does not contain harmful trans fats or hydrogenated oils which can cause heart disease and many other serious health problems.
6. The coagulated lactose and other milk solids are removed in the process of making it, rendering it suitable for lactose intolerant people.

So the next time you sit at the dining table do not forget to reach for the ghee bowl!!!