FRESH Garlic - heart health, ear infections, plantar's warts, and colds - REALLY! by Angela Coulter

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

The post on onions got me thinking about garlic (since they're both medicinally powerful, and in the same family)... and though many people do know a few things about the benefits of garlic, I'm sure there are some of the lesser-known uses, but they are researched and documented.

When crushed raw, garlic emits a powerful natural antibiotic allicin, as well as a powerful antifungal compound called phytoncide. It also shows strong antiviral properties, too! That's right - antibacterial, antiviral, AND antifungal in ONE food!

NOTE that the medicinal properties in garlic are from RAW GARLIC ONLY; when you cook the garlic, about 80-90% of the medicinal compounds cook away within 30 seconds of hitting the heat.

• Heart Health - Garlic has been shown to help reduce and prevent plaque buildup in the arteries and it also thins the blood; there have also been indications that it may help lower cholesterol, as well (note: if you are already taking a blood thinner, such as warfarin, don't take medicinal amounts of garlic at the same time - discuss it with your doctor/practitioner first!)
  
  
• Colds and Flu - The antiviral compounds in garlic are great for preventing and minimizing the effects of colds and flus. The Cherokee used it for coughs and the croup.
  
  
• Helps regulate blood sugar levels - Regular ingestion has actually shown to help control blood sugar and even diabetes. However, if you are taking insulin, don't take garlic medicinally until speaking with your dr/practitioner.
  
  
• GREAT for ear infections! About 5 years ago, I got a garlic/mullein tincture from Whole Foods (on the advice of my pediatrician - even though I'd known about it, I'd never tried it!), and would put 3 to 4 drops of it in my children's ear if they complained about pain associated with an ear infection. Guess what? The pain would be gone the next day, and I would continue for a day or two to make sure it was gone. PLUS, my kids haven't had to go to the dr for an ear infection again!
    
  
• The BEST - gets rid of plantar warts - even really bad ones! My kids, husband, and I have been taking Tae Kwon Do for 5.5 years. About 2 years into attending, I got my first plantar wart ever on the bottom of one of my heels. It got really painful! I tried every over-the-counter remedy there was, with little or no effect. Then I read an article in one of my herb publications that talked about garlic doing wonders on them. Note that this was about SIX MONTHS after it had appeared, so it was pretty big and pretty painful! Anyway, I'd crush a clove, put it RIGHT ON the wart, and cover it with a piece of gauze and then some duct tape. I'd leave it on for 24 hours, take it off, soak the foot in warm water (some people will add tea tree oil to the footbath, but I couldn't because I have skin sensitivities to it), then do it again. About the 3rd day, it BURNED when I put the new clove on after the footbath... which I knew meant it was working. On day 6, the entire thing just peeled right out; I've never had one again. After 6 months of I can't tell you how many other things I tried!
  
  
• Cancer - I've read that there are preliminary findings that link garlic with cancer control, and even treatment (especially of skin cancers) and prevention.
  

Overall, an AWESOME herb... and I LOVE it, too! Easy to grow; in middle to southern areas, you can plant bulbs in the fall, and they will come up in the spring. In colder climates, you can plant them in February/March, for growth later in the season.