Garlic

Allium sativum

Garlic

The medicinal effects of Garlic have been well known for literally thousands of years. The Codex Ebers or Ebers Papyrus dating back to 1,500 BC is one of the earliest recorded medical texts detailing the uses of plants by the Egyptians. Well preserved cloves of Garlic were found in the tomb of King Tutankhamen. The historical uses could fill many volumes. Garlic remains one of the most widely used herbs in the world and is one of the most well researched plants on the planet.

What is Garlic Used For?

There are a number of different Garlic preparations available, and different preparations will yield different chemical properties. Dried Powdered Garlic, if prepared properly contains S-allylcysteine sulphoxide (alliin) and the enzyme alliinase. A majority of the published clinical studies used garlic powder preparations. Aged Garlic extracts or “odorless” Garlic are produced through fermentation and contain sulphur compounds. Steam Distillation of Garlic yields Garlic Oil which is rich in diallyl sulphides. In addition to these preparations, fresh Garlic should also be considered as it is the most chemically complex form of this medicinal herb. Dr. James Dukes Ethno botanical database lists over 170 non ubiquitous chemicals in garlic bulb. Many studies have been conducted on Garlic’s potential to support heart health and normal blood lipids. It also appears to be beneficial for supporting immune health.