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Introduction: Overview-what is garlic
1. Different types of garlic
2. Garlic Festivals
3. 5 steps for Growing garlic
4. 5 tips for preserving garlic
Part 2 Garlic as a medicine:
5. Garlic medicinal uses-general overview
6. How garlic is used as an antitoxin
7. 5 Ways That Garlic is Good for Lowering Cholesterol and Helping Your Heart
8. Topical uses for garlic ointments and salves-how to make at home
9. Garlic and pregnancy
10. Garlic and folk medicine
11. Garlic in western medicine
Part 3 General Uses
12. An easy way to repel insects in the garden
13. Garlic culinary uses
14. Garlic supplements
15. Garlic as a mosquito repellent
16. The pros and cons of garlic as a remedy for Insomnia
17. 5 Tactics To Choose And Store Your Garlic
18. Resources-where you can get garlic and information on garlic
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Introduction: Overview-what is garlic
Overview - What is Garlic?
 The Stinking Rose  not a very flattering name for any plant. In fact, it s downright
ironic.  Stinking Rose is actually an alternate name for the plant called garlic. And the
only thing that s right about this description is the word  stinking .
Indeed, garlic has a pungent odor but it s hardly a rose. In reality, garlic belongs to the
plant order liliales or  lilies . The only commonality it has with the rose is its bulb-like
shape. It belongs to the family of Allium, the most common variety being the Allium
sativum or what we call the cultivated garlic. It is in the same family as onions and
shallots.
The Look
When people hear the world  garlic , the first thing that comes to mind is the bulb  the
part that is used for cooking. The bulb is off-white in color and is covered by a thin
papery film. Inside the bulb, you can find around ten to twenty cloves which, if you peal
away the covering, look whitish-pink. The bulb is more commonly called the  head of
garlic even though it grows in the bottom. Because of the bulb, garlic has been classified
as a root crop.
But the thing is, the bulb isn t the only thing called  garlic. In fact, garlic is the name of
a whole plant. So, it s only natural that a long stalk with leaves shoot out from the bulb.
These stalks and leaves are also edible and are mostly eaten when they re still young or
immature.
Above the stem, the features will start to differ depending on the variety of garlic used.
There are usually two varieties of cultivated garlic. One is the hardneck garlic. There are
two things that grow out of the stem of the hardneck garlic are bubils (miniature cloves)
and flowers.
The bubils are off-white in color just like the bulb while the flowers are usually purple.
The flowers look good as decoration but they re hardly ever left to grow, same with the
bubils. Flowers and bubils also need nourishment. This means that they can take away
nutrients from the bulb. Since the bulb is the most important part (it is the part used for
cooking, after all), growers tend to cut off the flowers and the bubils.
Softneck garlic, on the other hand, rarely grows bubils or flowers so it s more popular
among growers.
The Smell
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The most noticeable aspect of garlic, however, is its smell. Many people have
complained about how its stink clings to the skin. Indeed, when garlic is cut, it releases a
pungent odor that is sharp and tangy. Most people dislike the smell, giving rise to the
negative term,  garlic breath. This peculiar stench of garlic comes from the enzyme that
its cells release when it gets damaged (e.g. cutting, slicing, chewing). This enzyme
causes the sulfur-containing compounds of garlic to break down. The result of this
breakdown is what causes the peculiar smell.
The Taste
The smell isn t the only thing peculiar to garlic. There s also the taste of it. Indeed,
garlic is often used as spice or as flavoring. It has a sharp and hot taste that, ironically, is
the plant s defense mechanism. Its taste deters animals and birds to eat it. But, strangely
enough, humans really like it.
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Chapter 1: Different Types of Garlic
Have you ever seem a bulb of garlic with vivid purple stripes? Chances are high that you
haven t even had a glimpse of this type of garlic yet. It s understandable, really, since
most markets don t have more than one variety of garlic.
There are actually several types of garlic, 600 sub-varieties to be exact. There are two
main types of garlic and these are the orphioscorodon or the hard-necked garlic and the
sativum or the soft-necked garlic. Of the two, the soft-necked garlic is more common
because it s easier to cultivate.
Hard-Necked Garlic
Hard-necked garlic is also called wild garlic simply because they were the first garlic to
ever grow on earth. In fact, soft-necked garlic or sativum originated from this variety.
You see, orphioscorodon usually grow bulbs and flowers, thereby making them harder to
grow and to cultivate. Bulbs and flowers tend to take some of the nutrition from the
bulbs so, if you re growing garlic just for the sake of its bulb, then these bulbils and
flowers, no matter how attractive they may be, can become complete pests.
The most popular hard-necked garlic is probably the purple-striped garlic. It s called
purple-striped garlic simply because it is (as the name implies) purple striped. Indeed,
the wrappers of this type of garlic are striped with the color purple ranging from mild
tones to vivid ones, depending on the growing conditions.
This type of garlic has a decent storage life and is quite strong in terms of flavor.
However, you can t exactly say that it s excessively pungent. Its taste is quite exotic. In
fact, the sweetest roasted garlic can only be made from garlic of this variety, namely the
Chesnok Red and the Persian Star.
Soft-Necked Garlic
As I said, the most common variety of garlic is the soft-necked garlic. The sativum was
grown from the orphioscorodon variant by means of selection. Since soft-necked garlic
is most favorable for cultivation, most growers breed this type.
This type of garlic is also called the  artichoke garlic . This type is hardly bothered by
differences in the growing conditions. This makes it rather easy to cultivate. Another
reason why this is a favorite of garlic growers is that it contains more cloves than the
average hard-necked garlic. For every clove of the hard-necked garlic, the soft-necked
garlic has two. In fact, most garlic has about 12 to 20 cloves each, not including all those
smaller cloves that can be found closer to the center.
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Unlike the hard-necked garlic, this variety isn t very colorful. In fact, most soft-necked
garlic is plain white or off-white in color.
Other Garlic Varieties
Still, there are other types of garlic. There is the silverskin garlic. This is the garlic with
the longest storage life. It s also the easiest to braid because the neck of the silverskin
garlic is soft and pliable and is therefore easier to manipulate. There s also the creole
garlic, which is great whether you want to eat raw or cooked garlic. There s also the
ever-popular elephant garlic, which isn t really garlic but a type of leek.
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Chapter 2: Garlic Festivals
It s incredibly hard to believe that a simple plant can achieve so lofty a status as to
deserve a festival all its own. But amazingly, there really are some plants that have
achieved this status. One of them is garlic.
Of course, if there s any plant that deserves praise, then garlic is indeed a prime
candidate. Its various uses, both culinary and medicinal, certainly have given it the right
to its own festival.
All over the world, there are several festivals which are held in honor of garlic. The most
popular of these festivals is probably the Gilroy Garlic Festival.
The Gilroy Garlic Festival
This festival is the most popular and the best garlic festival in the world. It s held in
Gilroy, California (The Garlic Capital of the World) annually on the last full weekend of
July at Christmas Hill Park.
Indeed, this three-day festival is one wherein the fun never ends. It s full of festivities
that are guaranteed to please any self-professed garlic lover. Here, you can share your
sentiments with other garlic lovers all over the globe  all 100,000 of them.
It really is amazing to think that over a hundred thousand people unite over some a
simple matter as garlic  but it s true. Ever since the festival began, there have been over
3 million people who have attended. It also receives over 400,000 visitors per year.
That s certainly an amazing feat for one small herb.
The Gilroy Garlic Festival boasts of a wonderful musical entertainment and the most
diverse garlic cook-off. Indeed, garlic has been cooked and manipulated in ways that you
would never imagine  say, garlic ice cream?
Yes! Garlic Ice cream is one of the specialties served during this unique festival. They
also serve garlic fries, garlic beer and candied garlic. There s really no telling what
people will think of next.
To add to the fun, the Gilroy Garlic Festival also holds an annual  Queen of Garlic
contest. Here, beautiful women compete for the title of  Ms. Gilroy Garlic. She has to
go through grueling interviews, talent competitions, evening gown competitions, and she
even has to compose her own  garlic speech. How amazing is that?
Other Garlic Festivals
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However, Gilroy Garlic Festival isn t the only festival dedicated to garlic. There are
actually several others held in different locations during different seasons. There s the
Pocono Garlic Festival, the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival, the Long Island Garlic
Festival, and still several others.
Some of these festivals even feature, interesting bands like the  Garlic Eating Tuba
Troubadours  a band of tuba players who eat garlic before they play their songs,
thereby allowing the scent of garlic to permeate the air. There are also belly dancers who
have braids of garlic hung all over their outfits as decoration. There are also singers and
bands that compose songs about their beloved garlic.
Indeed, with these festivals, another use for garlic has been discovered. Now, garlic does
not just serve culinary purposes and medical purposes. It is also being used for
entertainment and for promoting social welfare; the money earned during all of these
festivals usually goes to charity. It really is amazing what a simple herb can do to and for
people.
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Chapter 3: 5 Steps For Growing Garlic
Garlic is undoubtedly one of the most important commodities for cooking today. In light
of this, it may be wise to just grow your own garlic instead of going to the store for your
garlic supply. After all, it would be a bit too impractical to go to the store every time
you re cooking something that involves garlic. Moreover, odds are that store-bought
garlic is not fresh. However, if you plant your own garlic, then you can be sure that the
garlic you re using is fresh and healthy.
There are a number of steps that you should consider when you grow your own garlic
plants.
1. Soil
Garlic is actually a very versatile plant. It can grow on almost all soil types. However, it
would grow beautifully if you put it in sandy-clay-loam soil. Soil that is suitable for
garlic-planting is that which crumbles easily when you hold of it. Moreover, you should
make sure that your water supply is not stagnant and is easily drained as the bulbs of
garlic can rot in the ground if left untended.
2. Preparation
One thing to remember when planting garlic is to always till the soil. The roots of garlic
tend to grow deep so it follows that you should till deeply too. Also, it would be wise to
add in the fertilizer at this point to get the nutrients evenly distributed in the soil. A
suitable fertilizer for garlic is manure but before adding that in, you should make sure that
it s properly composted or you might just run the risk of botulism.
3. Planting
One important thing to note when planting anything is to know when the right time to
plant is. In the case of garlic, then it s best to plant during early autumn  assuming, of
course, that you live in a place, which has all four seasons.
The rationale for this is that garlic is a plant with a  head or a  bulb. When winter
comes along, it freezes the ground, thereby leaving little or no space for the bulb to grow.
However, if you plant it in early autumn then, by the end of the season, the bulb will have
already started germinating. A good indicator that your plant is growing nicely is that
little green shoots would start springing out before winter comes along.
What you use as  seeds are the individual cloves. The sooner you get these cloves into
the ground after you open them up, the better. Make sure that you use the bigger cloves
for your planting, or else you re going to end up with frustratingly small bulbs.
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Plant the cloves two inches into the soil, making sure that the sharp end points upwards
and the blunt end points downwards. Though the inverse position won t really do
anything to the actual bulbs, it would cause your stalks to bend as they grow.
Space the cloves evenly but make sure that they re not too far apart so that you can
control the weeds better. You should also remember to give the bulbs enough room to
grow.
4. Watering
When watering garlic, you should remember that there should just be enough water. Too
much would cause fungus and bacteria to proliferate, resulting in dirty and infected
garlic. Too little would, of course, cause the plant to wither and eventually die.
5. Harvesting
Knowing when to harvest garlic is not as hard as you may think. All you have to do is to
look at the stalk. If the lower portion of it (1/3-1/2) is brown in color, then it s ready for
harvesting.
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Chapter 4: 5 Tips For Preserving Garlic
As awesome and as brilliant as garlic may be, it s still a normal garden-variety plant 
and like any normal plant, it rots. Garlic gives off different flavors depending on the
amount of time that has gone by since it was harvested. The flavors also differ from one
variety of garlic to another. Furthermore, garlic s flavor or taste also differs depending
on how it was grown or on what season it was harvested.
Garlic flavor: Garlic is usually at its mildest when it s freshly picked. Over time, it loses
its moisture thus making the chemicals inside it condense and become more concentrated.
As the garlic dries, it decreases in mass and size. It also becomes more pungent.
Indeed, it s very hard to predict the taste of garlic. Its taste is ever changing. While most
of the time the subtle differences in flavor are hardly noticeable to the  untrained tongue,
there are still times when the difference becomes glaringly obvious. At such times,
whole dishes could be ruined. Thus, it would be best if one makes sure to use garlic that
would give optimal taste and flavoring.
Unfortunately, some garlic varieties that grow in springtime and are perfect for some of
your recipes might not be available in winter when you actually want to try out those
recipes. The best thing that you can do to cope, therefore, is to preserve garlic.
There are a number of ways to preserve garlic. You can try drying, pickling, or freezing.
Drying
This is arguably the best method of preserving garlic. It s simple, really. The only thing
that you have to do is to cut garlic into smaller pieces one-fourth to one-eight of its
original size.
1. Using a dehydrator: you simply put the small pieces in the dehydrator, set it at
103 degrees Fahrenheit or at 40 degrees Celsius, and wait for them to dry.
2. Remember, however, to make sure that they are  dehydrated and not  cooked .
Just wait until the garlic pieces are hard and crisp. Don t allow them to become
brown in color  you d be cooking them then.
3. For people without dehydrators, you can simply take the sliced-up garlic and
place them in a screen (to make sure that the bottom part gets dry too) and wait
for it to dry. However, this process usually takes a few days.
When they re fully dry, you can store them in a jar. As long as they re kept dry, they will
retain most of their potency.
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4. Pickling
Pickling garlic, unlike the other methods, is not used to retain garlic s flavor. Pickling
gives garlic a whole new taste that s perfect for salads and for sandwiches. There are
several recipes for pickling garlic but most of them involve the use of onions, vinegar,
cucumber, sugar, salt, and of course, pickles. You can even create your own recipe for
pickled garlic depending on your taste.
5. Freezing
Freezing is arguably the easiest method of preservation. All that you have to do is to
store your whole garlic bulbs in air-tight bags and put them in your freezer. They re
ready for use the moment you need them. One downside to this is that the frozen garlic
cloves usually don t last as long as the dried ones.
One important thing to remember, however, is that even if you preserve garlic in the best
way possible, it still won t last forever. No matter what you do, it will still rot. The
length of time in which the garlic can be preserved, however, depends on what variety it
is.
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Part 2 Garlic as a medicine:
Chapter 5: Garlic  Medicinal Uses
What s great about garlic is that it s not only good for cooking, but it s good for the
health too. Garlic has been proven to be a good antibiotic, anti-hypertensive and anti-
diabetic. It has also been reported to be great for the prevention of cancer.
As an Antibiotic
The Egyptians, the Greeks, and the Romans already used garlic as an antibiotic since
ancient times. It was even reported to be used as a counter for the dreaded black plague.
In fact, the use of garlic as an antibiotic was so popular that soldiers used it to treat battle
wounds in World War World War II and I. It was even used to treat cholera and
dysentery during the 1950 s.
Indeed, garlic is good at treating infections caused by staph and strep bacteria. It is also
used to cure E. Coli-related infections such as some gastrointestinal tract infections and
urinary tract infections. It could also be used to prevent peptic ulcers which are primarily
caused by the helicobacter pylori bacteria.
Garlic can even be used to treat candidiasis, a sexually transmitted disease caused by
Candida albicans. It is certainly good at treating yeast infections and it can even be used
to fight the common cold and other more serious respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis
and asthma. Furthermore, if warm garlic oil is inserted into the ear, it can help cure
several types of ear infections.
As an Anti-Hypertensive
Research shows that people who like to eat garlic tend to have lower cholesterol levels
than those who don t. They even say that eating two cloves of garlic per day could get
people s cholesterol level to return normal.
The reason for this lies in the fact that garlic contains sulfur compounds that help reduce
cholesterol levels. Now, as you may know, having high cholesterol puts people at risk
for hypertension. And hypertension puts people at risk for stoke and heart attack. Eating
garlic can also help prevent atherosclerosis, thereby reducing the risk of having
myocardial infarction.
It also prevents stroke by inhibiting platelet aggregation. You see, when the blood
vessels receive damage, the platelets clump around it to aid in healing it. While this may
be generally helpful and quite vital in healing the damaged blood vessels, sometimes, it
can be detrimental too.
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When there is too much damage, too many platelets become clumped up; this can cause
an occlusion that further leads to ischemia. Garlic helps prevent this by making the
platelets more slippery, thus reducing the clumping.
As an Anti-diabetic
Another great medicinal property of garlic is its ability to increase insulin levels in the
blood, thereby helping diabetics maintain their blood sugar.
As a Prevention for Cancer
Perhaps one of the most important uses for garlic is its ability to help prevent cancer.
You see, garlic can block the formation of certain carcinogens. Also, garlic compounds
releases anti-oxidants that help protect the cells from damage caused by free-radicals.
Some studies even claim that garlic can inhibit the growth of some tumors.
Indeed, garlic is an amazing plant. Not only does it taste great, it s good for the health
too. The only price you have to pay for it is some good, old-fashioned garlic breath. Not
a very steep price to pay, wouldn t you say?
1. How garlic is used as an antibiotic
How Garlic is Used as an Antibiotic
Legends say that garlic is a potent anti-vampire weapon. The veracity of this claim,
however, has never been proven. No matter how far-out that legend is, it remains a fact
that there are real benefits from garlic that has nothing to do with vampires.
For thousands of years, people have found garlic to be of great use to them. Ancient
civilizations used garlic as a cure  an amulet if you will. More recently, garlic s health
remedy has come into the forefront of alternative medicine. In fact, it now belongs in the
roster of highly-effective herbal medicines.
What s in a Bulb
Studies have shown that garlic contains Allicin, a compound product that is activated or
formed only when the garlic bulb is crushed, halved, sliced, diced; or maimed any other
way. Essentially, garlic has the chemical Alliin  only one of the sulfur compounds that
garlic has. When the garlic bulb is damaged in any way, garlic releases the Alliinase
enzyme. This enzyme is the catalyst that converts Alliin into Allicin.
Allicin is basically that which gives garlic its distinct scent and flavor. It is also garlic s
own defense system  thus it is only produced when the bulb is damaged. This
compound also fights off a lot of alien bacteria that invades the human body.
Specifically, Allicin prevents or blocks the production of bacterial enzyme, thereby
inhibiting bacterial infections. It is known effective against eczema, psoriasis infection
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and acne since studies show that the bacteria staphylococcus aureus has no resistance to
Allicin. Due to its antibacterial properties, Allicin (and thus garlic) makes a very good
antibiotic.
Other Benefits of Garlic
1. It is an affective remedy for some fungal infections, i.e. thrush/candidiasis;
Athlete s Foot; Toenail Fungus. External use only.
2. Its antimicrobial components have been said to help alleviate cancer symptoms.
3. It helps prevent and/or cure common colds and flu.
4. Garlic also helps peel off warts in the body. External use only.
5. Cures rheumatism.
How Should You Take It?
Garlic, left on its own, is not a truly great medicinal remedy. However, once processed:
chewed, crushed, sliced, diced, maimed and mangled; its benefits are astounding.
Whether eaten raw or cooked, garlic has health benefits good for the body.
However, you should know that Allicin  the main antibacterial component of garlic 
easily degrades with heat that comes with cooking. Thus, if your goal is to fight off or
cure bacterial infections, garlic is best taken or eaten raw.
Some Side Effects
The effect of regularly eating garlic - while good for warding off illnesses and curing
symptoms  may cause vomiting, bloating, loose bowel movement; and may result in
running a temperature. Thus, it might be a good idea to test your tolerance for garlic
before you take it regularly.
In Conclusion
As of this writing, studies are still being conducted about the extent of the antibacterial
benefits from garlic. But tales as old as time, so to speak, have stood witness to the many
wonders of this bulb.
Nevertheless, before taking matters into your own hands and self-medicating with garlic,
you must consult your regular physician. Your symptoms and condition might not be
sufficiently relived by merely eating 3 cloves of garlic everyday.
You are entreated not to throw caution to the wind and focus on garlic alone. Garlic does
help  a lot! However, you must tell your physician about your garlic intake so that he
could check for conflict with your current medication. Remember, garlic may react with
your other medicines, thereby rendering them ineffective. You must also practice due
diligence and find out everything you can about the medical benefits of garlic and how
they can alleviate your symptoms.
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Chapter 6: How Garlic Is Used As An Antitoxin
Let s face it. We live in an environment that sadly, has become the source of some of the
world s worst toxins that can gravely affect our health (note that the term toxin, in this
case, is used in a non-specific and non-technical way to include any substance organic or
not that can cause ill health): Even in our own homes, a lot of things are sources of
harmful toxins bug sprays, cans of paints, pollen, and a lot more others.
How many times have you found yourself getting sick for no apparent reason? You
know you didn t catch the bug from anyone. Look around you, the culprit might be right
under your nose.
People usually look to the medicine cabinet for a remedy. However, did you know that
there are also natural remedies in your kitchen? Carrots are a source of beta-carotene and
vitamin A; citrus fruits are a source of vitamin C, and so on and so forth. Garlic is a
natural antitoxin, too.
The Antitoxin Garlic
Garlic is not only something you cook with. True, garlic is not for the faint of heart
because it does smell awful. If you are not overly sensitive about garlic s smell,
however, you can gain a lot of health benefits from incorporating garlic in your diet. In
fact, in the field of alternative medicine, garlic is recognized as an antitoxin (among
others).
Garlic has the ability to flush out harmful toxins from your body. If you ve been exposed
to a lot of harmful chemicals  even regular exposure to small amounts of toxicity can be
harmful in the long run  or if you ve been eating a lot of junk, garlic can help your body
get rid of all these poison you ve been unwittingly ingesting.
Garlic can also help prevent biological toxicity or toxicity that comes from living
organisms. Bacteria, viruses and fungi can produce toxins which are harmful to the body.
Apparently, garlic can block the production of toxin by bacteria like the Bacillus
anthracis.
Bacillus Anthracis is a bacterium that can infect both humans and animals. It causes the
Anthrax disease. Exposure to animals suffering from this disease can result to infection.
Using any product derived from the infected animal will also most likely result in the
user being given the anthrax disease.
Garlic is believed to be the best natural anti-toxin against Anthrax. Garlic can neutralize
toxins that the anthrax-causing bacterium produces.
Using Garlic for Great Antitoxin Benefits
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Eating fresh cloves is best. This would bring the most concentrated amounts of garlic s
healing compounds. However, if you don t like the strong smell and taste of raw garlic
(or if you suffer from bleeding and digestive tract irritation from eating garlic raw), you
can always take garlic capsules. You can also just regularly prepare garlic-flavored
dishes.
Do Your Research
You d be surprised at all the great benefits you will get from garlic, raw or cooked. If
you re still not convinced about garlic and its medicinal wonders; you might find it
helpful to read more about this wonder bulb.
The internet is a great source of garlic information. You will also most likely come
across a few blogs and forums that rave about the magical healing powers of garlic. If
you re still not sure, you can always try it for a less serious condition such as colds.
If you re not happy about it, you can always stop taking it. But, it s doubtful that you
won t find garlic a very helpful home remedy.
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Chapter 7: 5 Ways That Garlic is Good for Lowering Cholesterol
and Helping Your Heart
There s no doubt that the most common use of garlic is for cooking. In fact, not a lot of
people know the benefits of eating garlic raw. Garlic may be one of the most useful
natural remedies but its strong odor deters most people from taking garlic as a form of
health therapy.
Those who can take the smell and the sting of garlic, however, do enjoy a lot of benefits
from garlic. Among these benefits are included reduced cholesterol levels and a healthier
heart.
It s Got More than Smell
There have been various studies on the matter of garlic and cholesterol levels. The
results are varied. In these studies, there is a trend for a reduction in cholesterol levels
from 10% and above in the people who were asked to take raw garlic or garlic
supplements for a minimum of 3 to 4 months.
Organosulphur compounds: Supposedly, garlic helps lower bad cholesterol levels
because of its organosulphur compounds (Allicin is one) that reacts with thiols (also
known as mercaptans) that have an important role in regulating the production of
hydroxy-beta-methylglutaryl-CoA or the HMG-CoA reductase and other such enzymes
crucial to the biosynthesis or production of cholesterol.
The Heart of the Matter
Probably the best reason to take garlic is its benefits to the heart.
1. Lower cholesterol: Taking garlic can lower bad cholesterol levels (this is good for
the heart).
2. Unclogs arteries: Aside from its ability to lower cholesterol, some studies have
demonstrated garlic s effectiveness in reducing cholesterol and fat build-up in the
arteries which lead to hardening of arterial walls (atherosclerosis).
3. Lowers blood pressure: This reduces congestion and minimizes high blood
pressure symptoms.
4. Garlic can also prevent heart attacks.
5. Some also claim that garlic helps normalize irregular heartbeats.
Garlic helps alleviate cholesterol build up in arterial walls through its antioxidant
properties. Garlic, by preventing oxidation reactions involving blood cholesterol,
prevents buildup of cholesterol- and triglyceride- carrier proteins in the walls of the blood
vessels. Some clinicians are even optimistic that aside from preventing build-up, garlic
may even be able to reverse build-up.
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There are a lot of other medical benefits from garlic. However, you have to remember
that as in regular medicine, your body s reaction to garlic can be different from your
neighbor s. Thus, you may find that garlic lowers her cholesterol more that it does yours.
Bite the Bulb
It s true that looks can be deceiving. Garlic has proven that smell can be deceiving, too.
Who would ve thought that such a strong-smelling small bulb can do so many great
things that benefit the human body?
So the next time you feel repulsed by the garlic because of its smell, you might want to
consider the wonders it can do to your body. It could save you trips to the doctor and
save you a lot of money, too.
If you don t like the way garlic tastes, you can try taking it in small doses, say, half-a-
clove at a time. You can also start eating it cooked so it is a lot less pungent. No matter
how you take it, just be sure that you take it. Roasted, toasted, fried, or raw  garlic is
great for your heart.
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Chapter 8: Topical Uses for Garlic Ointments and Salves  How
to Make at Home
Sometimes called the 'jewel among vegetables, ' garlic is found in virtually every corner
of the globe, and all the cultures that use it inevitably have non-food purposes for it.
Perhaps people equate garlic's pungency with potency: it has been advertised as a
therapy and cure for almost every ailment under the sun, resulting in treatments which are
at times humorous and bizarre. For example, did you know that an old sore throat
remedy consisted of the sufferer rubbing an ointment made from garlic and lard into the
soles of his feet? That sounds about as effective as spitting into the open mouth of a frog
(yes, another old folk remedy for sore throat).
Garlic Used as Medicine
But the truth is that garlic does possess some beneficial qualities. In recent clinical
studies it has been shown to reduce cholesterol, help control high blood pressure, and
reduce or even reverse conditions which can lead to plaque build-up in blood vessels and
arteriosclerosis. Aged garlic extract has been shown to reduce the number of Heinz
bodies in the red blood cells of anemia sufferers. Its antioxidant properties show promise
in reducing the occurrence of certain types of cancer.
Garlic's classical use has always been as an antiseptic/antibiotic and antifungal. Some of
these healing qualities can be accessed in the form of salves and ointments. These are
usually made by mashing or cutting the garlic (to start the formation of Allicin, that
unstable compound which may or may not be responsible for the majority of garlic's
curative powers, depending on whom you ask) and either using it or some preparation
like garlic oil and blending it with a carrier.
Sample Topical Uses of Garlic
A garlic poultice can be used to help wounds heal. This is made by macerating enough
cloves to cover a sterile piece of cloth, then folding it and applying it over the wound to
both disinfect and prevent further infection. As with other medicinal uses of garlic,
however, check with a physician first before undertaking this. Applied incorrectly, garlic
can damage flesh instead of healing it. Also, make sure the cloves are organically grown.
Plagued by pimples? Rest, control of diet and drinking the right amount of water is
always a good idea, but if a little extra help is needed, garlic can help. Garlic juice,
which is one part garlic steeped in 3 parts water, is a good cleaning agent when used
topically. Raw garlic, rubbed on the skin, can make blemishes disappear make sure to
test beforehand as garlic juice can cause skin irritation in some people. Test by rubbing it
on a small spot of the inner arm.
Since the plant as a defense against insects most probably developed garlic s odiferous
qualities, it can also be used in the creation of repellents. This can be done in various
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ways. One is to mix mint and garlic in suitable oil (such as coconut oil) and apply this to
the skin. Another is to just eat a clove; garlic metabolites are excreted over a couple of
days through the lungs and skin, and this will help discourage insects. Unfortunately,
you will repel more than just insects.
Garlic can also help in clearing up chest congestion caused by a cold. For this, you will
need to peel and mince around eight cloves of garlic and place it in a double-boiler (or
any suitable container to be left standing in a pan of water), covering it with enough
shortening of your choice. Boil this for around an hour or two then add half a teaspoon
of eucalyptus oil to the mix. Cool it, store it, and apply by working it onto the chest or
upper back.
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Chapter 9: Garlic and Pregnancy
Those nine months of pregnancy are trying times for all women. Not only is carrying a
baby in one s womb incredibly uncomfortable; it s also dangerous. Pregnant women are
at risk for serious diseases such as pre-eclampsia. Nowadays, too, more and more
women give birth to underweight babies because of poor nutrition.
What is Pre-Eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia is a condition wherein women experience pregnancy-induced hypertension
and proteinuria. Pregnancy induced hypertension simply means that a pregnant woman
has blood pressure that is higher than the normal range. Proteinuria happens when there
is an abnormally large amount of protein in the urine. Pre-eclampsia can lead to
eclampsia which is a life-threatening condition.
Any pregnant woman who has been diagnosed with this condition should be monitored
constantly. She is also required to have complete bed rest. This means that for the rest of
her pregnancy, she is not supposed to leave her bed because she is always at risk for a
miscarriage. Furthermore, severely eclamptic women should be placed in a room that s
constantly dark; visitors are also usually discouraged.
Pregnancy, as I said, is a difficult time for women. It s bad enough that they have to deal
with all the normal discomforts (cramping, nausea, etc). They definitely would not want
to deal with eclampsia. The best thing that women can do to avoid this condition is to
prevent it.
The Role of Garlic
Studies have shown that garlic can help reduce the risk for eclampsia. The reason for this
is that garlic can lower the blood pressure of a person. Since pregnancy-induced
hypertension is one of the defining aspects of this condition, then garlic can surely help
prevent it.
Not only does garlic help the mother; garlic also helps the growing fetus. Aside from
preventing fetal distress by keeping the mother s blood pressure in normal levels, garlic
also helps the baby grow.
The fetus and its mother share the same blood. The blood that courses through the fetus
comes from the mother and enters through the placenta. If the mother s blood circulation
is impaired, this means that the fetus isn t getting enough nutrition. If the fetus does not
get enough nutrition, then chances are that the baby will be born with a low birth weight.
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An underweight baby is at risk for several complications and diseases when he or she
gets exposed to the outside world. Garlic helps because it improves blood circulation and
thereby gives the baby more nutrition that stimulates growth.
Some mothers who have been eating garlic all throughout their pregnancies even report
that when they eat garlic before they breastfeed, the taste of garlic somehow gets to the
milk and their babies appetites increase considerably. However, this has not yet been
officially proven in the studies.
Indeed, garlic has proven its worth to pregnant women. Despite what some old women
say, garlic is not contraindicated during pregnancy. On the contrary, garlic is quite
beneficial. The only downside to garlic is its pungent aroma. Surely, though, this is a
small enough price to pay for the well-being of both mother and baby?
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Chapter 10: Garlic in Folk Medicine
If all the different ancient civilizations (China, India, Greece, Rome, Egypt, etc.)
independently came up with the notion that garlic is some sort panacea for all diseases,
then there is probably some truth in it.
Garlic has been used as medicine for thousands of years now, ever since it was
discovered in Central Asia. People used it in their concoctions and potions. It was even
included in some of their rituals involving white magic  almost all of which were
directed at curing various diseases.
The Ancient Uses of Garlic
In folk medicine, garlic is most commonly used as an antibiotic. The people of India
extracted the juices from garlic and used them to relieve coughs, colds, and fevers.
Although it is hard to imagine people rubbing the foul-smelling herb all over the skin,
people really did it.
In some cases, the garlic bulb was pulped and turned into paste. This paste was then
applied to the hair because of the belief that garlic can help prevent graying. It was also
said that garlic is good for the skin and can cure several diseases like scabies and eczema.
Modern studies have shown that garlic can cure ear infections. This could explain while
people used to pour small quantities of garlic juice into a deaf man s ears. This was also
done to people suffering from an earache.
Back in the ancient times, furthermore, the Allicin was extracted from the garlic pulp and
inhaled by women who had an irregular menstrual cycle. Rumors had it that garlic was
also used for abortions. The same people who used garlic for abortions also used it to
treat various brain problems which caused paralysis and forgetfulness.
Garlic was also used to cure gastrointestinal diseases. Whenever someone experienced
colicky pain or hyperacidity, garlic was given to him. Although the witch doctors didn t
really know it during those times, garlic s compounds do have the power to counter the
helicobacter pylori bacteria  a microorganism which causes peptic ulcers.
In the ancient times, garlic was also used to treat fever. This is probably because garlic is
such a good antibacterial medication. Fever or elevated temperature is a manifestation of
infection. When there is an infection of the body, fever (along with redness and swelling)
is one of the body s defense mechanisms. Thus, if a sick person were to eat garlic and if
the microorganism causing the infection was susceptible to garlic, the infection would be
cured. Naturally, the fever would subside along with the infection.
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Not only does garlic kill bacteria, it kills viruses and parasites too. People who suffered
from parasite infestation were told to drink the extracts of garlic in order to kill the
parasites. Garlic was also used to treat yeast infections. Believe it or not, people used to
insert cloves of garlic into their vaginas in order to relieve the itching. Of course, the
cloves were removed afterwards.
Masking the Taste
Garlic has a peculiar taste that may be unpleasant for some people and children in
particular. To get around this problem, healers mixed garlic with several other
ingredients like honey, sugar, lemon, and water in order to make a better-tasting
concoction.
Ancient beliefs in garlic s curative properties still persist today. Even if modern science
has demonstrated that garlic is not panacea for all diseases, it is still one of the most
effective, all-around herbal medicines around.
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Chapter 11: Garlic in Western Medicine
Having garlic breath can be terribly embarrassing. Thus, even if garlic has so many
health benefits, some people still prefer to stay away from this wonderful plant. They d
rather not have halitosis, thank you very much.
Humans are resilient and resourceful creatures, however. They always find a way around
their problems. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the pharmaceuticals in the
west actually found a way for people to gain the benefits of eating garlic yet still keep
their breath smelling fresh and clean.
For the westerners, the answer to garlic breath was quite simple. No, it s not eating
parsley in order to get rid of garlic breath  although that works well enough. No, it s not
genetically modified, odorless garlic either  although the idea is not at all far-fetched.
The answer lies in Garlic Supplements.
Effective or Not?
Some people question the effectiveness of garlic supplements. Artificial products are
frowned upon by several people. Some people believe that all natural is the way to go.
For some, the benefits of going for herbal medicine are lost when one takes such
medication from a bottle.
Nonetheless, it wouldn t be fair to disregard garlic supplements just because they re no
longer  all-natural. After all, why would anyone bother to make them if they weren t
somewhat effective? The truth is that some garlic supplements are effective while others
aren t. It all depends on the covering.
There are some pills which get digested while they re in the stomach and some chemical
reactions would cause Allicin, the most important compound in garlic, to degenerate.
However, there are other pills which have an enteric cover. An enteric cover cannot be
dissolved in the stomach, meaning that the Allicin will be able to get through the stomach
and into the intestines to be absorbed into the blood stream.
Garlic supplements are available in many other forms. Aside from pills, there are
capsules, oils, and syrup. There are even various types of topical garlic medication.
The effectiveness of garlic (garlic supplement in the western context) also depends on the
amount of Allicin released by the supplements. Some people say that garlic supplements
can t have Allicin since they are odorless.
Garlic is known for its smell. Whole, garlic is odorless. Once you cut it or chew it, a
potent odor seeps out from it. This peculiar smell is caused by Allicin. Now since garlic
supplements claim to contain nice and proper doses of Allicin, the fact that they re pretty
much odorless makes the supplements seem just a little bit fishy.
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There s no inherent contradiction, however, in garlic supplements being odorless and
having Allicin content. Garlic supplements that say they have Allicin do contain Allicin.
The only difference lies in the amount of Allicin and the processing supplements have
gone through.
When to Take It
The recommended amount of garlic that you have to consume each day is two to three
cloves. This small amount of garlic intake is enough to give you bad breath. Thus, if
you re not keen on dealing with garlic breath everyday, it would be best to just take garlic
supplements instead. Garlic supplements can be generally taken everyday (exceptions:
when talking other medications that may react with the supplements) so you get garlic s
health benefits without the stink. That s garlic therapy in the west for you.
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Part 3 general uses
Chapter 12: An easy way to repel insects in the garden
Garlic tends to cause mixed reactions  either one likes it or hates it. Rarely do folks stay
neutral about it, whether as a food or as a natural remedy.
It is also big business, with around 15,000 tons of it being produced worldwide in 2005
and millions of dollars made off a product in which commercial interest has been
growing ever since the 1970s. Most garlic comes from China, followed by India, Korea,
and the US. Some of this is marketed as fresh produce and the products derived from it.
The other major market segment is for dehydrated garlic, which is used in the food
industry to improve meat, fish, and bread, and to create products like garlic flakes, garlic
powder, and garlic salt. Believe it or not, it is also used in the production of ice cream!
A small section of garlic production is geared towards raising seed stock for use in
improving the characteristics of cultivated varieties.
Garlic's use isn't confined to the food industry, however. There is a large market for
garlic products based on its healthful and distinctive properties. These include food
supplements, and cosmetic products (yes, Virginia, there is toothpaste with garlic in it),
and even insecticides.
Organic Insecticides in Agriculture
The use of insecticide products made from natural ingredients is based mainly on the
premises behind Integrated Pest Management. Broadly speaking, IPM seeks to manage
pest infestation through means that are not as damaging to the environment as
conventional methods.
This means reliance on a particular pest's natural enemies (for example, ladybugs
introduced into a garden to combat aphids), companion planting (planting certain species
of plants near each other to provide beneficial effects), and the use of naturally-derived
products whenever possible, such as insecticides made from garlic and other plants.
Garlic Insecticide
Garlic's insecticidal powers have been known for quite some time. In 1954 it was shown
that garlic extracts had an effect on ticks. Garlic was reported to have insecticidal
properties in a 1970 report by S. V. Amonkar and E. L. Reeves, where a low-
concentration solution was successful in destroying mosquito larvae.
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Garlic-based sprays were introduced in the 1970s, and a range of them are available for
use nowadays in organic agriculture. Data from California indicate that garlic-based
insecticides, while effective on various threats such as aphids, beetles and whiteflies, are
not toxic to humans and plants.
The plant's insecticidal powers come from Allicin, the chemical responsible for its
powerful smell and hot taste. This strong antioxidant works as an enzyme disabler.
It is important, when using a garlic-based insecticide, to achieve complete coverage of
the area concerned. This is because if any part of a plant is left unsprayed, insects will
congregate there.
Garlic preparations used in this manner also present a set of special problems in that their
pungent odor will also have a deterrent effect on insects. This means that pests will be
repelled sooner than the insecticide can kill them. Plants will also tend to smell like
garlic for a couple of days, so gardeners and farmers will have to take this into account if
there are any issues with neighbors. It is also helpful to test the reactions of specific
plants and people beforehand by testing the insecticide before putting it into widespread
use.
Sample Garlic Insecticide
Here's a recipe for a garlic-based spray that you can make at home.
Macerate around four cloves of garlic. Steep them in a liter of water; leave the mixture
overnight; strain, and put in a sprayer. Easy, isn't it? This mixture will kill ants, worms,
and caterpillars. If you want to increase the effectiveness, you can add a little soap to the
mixture, but be warned  this will also increase its toxicity to any plants you happen to
spray the mixture on.
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Chapter 13: Garlic - Culinary Uses
Many centuries have since passed since the Greek playwright Aristophanes wrote about
garlic s role in the Peloponnesian War. It's also highly unlikely that garlic figures
significantly in today's wars, but one thing's for certain: people still love the plant.
According to the United Nation's Food and Agricultural Organization, worldwide
production of garlic reaches some 30 billion pounds annually. It is used as a flavoring
agent, and in certain areas of the world it has been used as medicine for centuries. Next
to salt, it is probably the second most-used flavoring.
Garlic in Worldwide Cooking
Garlic comprises an integral part of many cuisines. It can be found in the recipes of
India, China, the Middle East, and the Carribean. It is also used in Central and South
American cooking.
In Europe, it is more often used in Southern than in Northern regions; this may be due to
the fact that Northern European dishes are relatively mild-tasting and that garlic
overwhelms their dishes. English cooking has also traditionally shunned the condiment.
Commercially, garlic oil is used in meats, soups, stews, breads and sauces. It has even
found its way into such food products as candies, ice cream, pastries, and beverages.
In Indian cuisine, garlic forms part of the basic masala (a mixture of ground herbs used to
flavor foods), where it blends into the flavoring with the long cooking time. In Chinese
and South-East Asian cooking, a faint garlic aroma and flavor often remains due to it
being introduced late in the cooking process.
In Thai cooking fried garlic slices can be used to decorate food. Garlic can also be
simmered along with the rest of the ingredients to form spicy soups and curries.
Cambodian cuisine also uses garlic to make pastes to add to soups and stews.
Mediterranean cooking makes extensive use of garlic, where it is used to flavor dishes
involving red or white wine. It is also extensively used in making sauces. It is an
essential component of aioli, which is basically garlic-flavored mayonnaise.
In Mexican cooking, garlic is used to make mole and salsa. It is also a popular ingredient
in the southern U.S.
Preparing Garlic for Cooking
Preparing garlic for cooking would depend on the dish it would flavor and the strength of
flavor desired. Using whole garlic cloves results to milder garlic flavor than using
minced garlic.
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If garlic would be part of a sauce or dressing, the smaller the garlic pieces are, the better.
For garlic sauces, it would be best to make garlic paste. Simply simply chopping the
garlic cloves into very small pieces can do this. Systematically slicing the garlic pieces
would offer more precision and smaller-sized chunks. Add salt to the garlic chunks and
mash them flat. This should release the garlic s moisture, thereby making the mixture
pasty.
For sautéing, you can actually just slice the clove of garlic lengthwise (from one end of
the clove to the other). This would release the flavor but not make the garlic so small it
would be easily burned. For flavoring late in the cooking, you can use minced garlic
instead.
Finally, roasted garlic can be used to flavor roasted peanuts or be used as garnishing for
other dishes. Garlic can be roasted whole or sliced for this purpose.
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Chapter 14: Garlic Supplements
Virtually everyone has heard of the health benefits posed by eating that smelly wonder
bulb known as garlic. For centuries various restorative and medicinal properties were
attributed to the plant, and it looks like scientific research backs it up.
The 'Stinking Rose' in History
Garlic has been used since antiquity for medicinal purposes. It was mentioned in
cuneiform tablets from Nineveh in Mesopotamia and the Codex Ebers, a papyrus dating
from 1550 BC, which may be the oldest extant medical treatise.
The ancient Egyptians prescribed it to reduce fever, treat cavities, and as a general tonic.
The Romans used to prescribe it for toothache (and ate garlic's close relative, the onion,
raw as a favorite dessert). The Roman Pliny the Elder listed it as a cure for a variety of
ailments. It was used by the Cherokee for similar reasons. The prophet Mohammed
himself recommended garlic as a theriac (cure-all) for stings from scorpions, vipers and
other poisonous creatures. Louis Pasteur noted its antimicrobial effects in the 1800s and
more recently studies have shown that it may be useful in controlling hypertension,
lowering cholesterol, and reducing the risk of contracting some types of cancer.
Small wonder it is that today people continue to consume garlic as a 'functional' food, one
that not only tastes great but is also good for the body. But a major deterrent to eating
garlic is the rank odor and sometimes the rank sweat that results  no one wants to be
accused of, or shunned thanks to, body odor and 'garlic breath.'
It is the odoriferous characteristic of garlic and its relations (onions, leeks, chives, and
shallots) that probably led to the saying that when the Devil left the Garden of Eden,
garlic sprung up in his left footprint and onion in his right. For some people the smell is
just too strong to take. Plus, there are no odorless varieties of garlic available. So they
turn instead to garlic supplements, which promise the benefits of garlic without the odor
and taste and subsequent social drawbacks.
Garlic Supplements
For a long time it was impossible to stabilize the key ingredient among the 200 or so
chemicals that a clove of garlic contains  the compound Allicin. It doesn't exist in a
whole clove, but is produced when the clove is mechanically damaged by crushing, biting
or bruising  actions which trigger the action of an enzyme that converts the chemical
Alliin to Allicin. Naturally occurring Allicin is unstable. After production, it gradually
breaks down into other substances.
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Garlic supplements usually state how much Allicin they release. It doesn't matter if the
labels say "contains the equivalent of x number of cloves" or some such phrase  the
important thing is how much Allicin a capsule of garlic supplement contains.
Other supplements contain Alliin instead, which is converted by the enzyme Alliinase
into Allicin. The drawback to using this approach is that stomach acids can destroy this
enzyme, thus rendering Alliin-to-Allicin conversion highly variable.
A study a few years back measured the effective amounts of Allicin released by different
brands of supplements and found them to differ widely, with the weakest releasing so
little that it would have taken 84 pills to equal the amount of Allicin in a clove. It helps
to pay attention to consumer news on the subject of garlic supplements if you re thinking
of taking some.
Caveats
Garlic is not without its dangers. As with any other supplement, one should first consult
a physician before taking it. It should not be ingested by those using drugs that interact
with it  these include various anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, and blood-thinning
medications. Check with your doctor before consuming garlic, either in fresh or
supplement form.
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Chapter 15: Garlic as a Mosquito Repellent
Garlic's special properties have been recognized by humanity since the dawn of
civilization. Its uses predate written history, and today it is still utilized in a number of
ways, chief of which is for food flavoring and as a condiment.
But there are also other purposes to which garlic may be applied. It is also popular as a
food supplement, taken for its ability to lower cholesterol levels, control hypertension,
fight infection, and reduce the risk of developing some kinds of cancer.
It can also be used as an insect repellent, a very useful thing to have indeed in this day
and age when deadly pathogens such as the West Nile virus, malaria, Japanese
encephalitis, and hemorrhagic fever are carried by flying vectors such as mosquitoes,
whose range is increasing worldwide because of the climate changes brought about by
such factors as global warming.
How a Mosquito Finds a Meal
The compounds responsible for garlic's smell and taste are also responsible for its
efficacy in driving away mosquitoes. Among these is a compound named Allicin, which
does not exist in garlic per se, but is formed when a clove is crushed or mashed.
To understand how garlic works as a mosquito repellant, it is important to understand the
mechanism by which a mosquito finds a meal. First of all, it is only the female mosquito
that sucks blood; it requires the extra protein to mature its eggs. A likely source for a
blood meal is detected and tracked by its discharges of carbon dioxide and lactic acid
(among other things).
The mosquito homes in on the source, lights on its prey, and uses its proboscis (a needle-
sharp modified mouthpart) to pierce the skin and drink blood. In the process, any
disease-causing organisms which may be present in its saliva can be transferred to the
hapless victim.
Efforts to eradicate mosquitoes have been tried but they have mostly failed, with serious
consequences to people and the environment; this is not surprising when one considers
that insects are among the most successful animal groups on earth. The next best thing,
therefore, would be to appear as unpalatable to them as possible.
How Repellants Work
Insect repellants work not by actually disgusting the insects, but by blocking their ability
to sniff their prey out, in the same way that a deodorizer masks unpleasant smells. Thus
the mosquito misses the human, who is saved much annoyance and scratching and
probably worse things.
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The most commonly used chemical in these products is DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-
methylbenzamide). It is the standard by which other repellant substances are judged. If
people are somehow unable to procure or use DEET-containing products, there are
always natural-derived repellants as an alternative choice, and one among these is garlic.
One way of using garlic to repel mosquitoes is to simply eat it. The metabolites of
Allicin, which are actually the ones that carry the stink of garlic breath, can only be
flushed through the skin and lungs, and there is evidence that this discharge deters
mosquitoes. Another way is to use or even create a spray or balm with garlic. In a test in
India, a topical application consisting of 1 percent garlic oil, beeswax and petroleum jelly
was found to prevent mosquito bites for up to eight hours.
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Chapter 16: The Pros and Cons of Garlic as a Remedy for
Insomnia
Sleep plays a vital part in maintaining our health. It is during this period of quiescence
that the body and mind recharges and repairs itself; certain functions are carried out only
during this time and are not possible otherwise.
Insomnia
But there are many factors that can disrupt one's sleep pattern in today's hectic world.
These can be physical or psychological: if a person is living in the city, for example,
ambient noise may be enough to prevent him or her from sleeping, especially if this
comes on top of other problems like stress induced by problems with family and job,
conditions not conducive to rest like a too-warm or too-cold room, and possibly other
factors such as pain caused by various physical illnesses or mental conditions like
depression.
Rough estimates put the amount of people worldwide affected by insomnia at anywhere
from ten to thirty percent. Taking the appropriate medication, lifestyle changes and
therapy can help this condition. Some realms of thought are of the idea that disrupted
sleep is caused by an imbalance in the body, and that returning the balance can help cure
ailments such as insomnia. In this, garlic has a role to play.
Garlic as Treatment for Insomnia
As far back as 5,000 years ago, people were already using garlic as treatment for various
conditions. In the Middle Ages it was considered as a curative herb for everything from
baldness to toothache. Garlic kept away the Evil Eye, hanging garlic braids were an
effective repellent to vampires, and garlic preparations were used to discourage viscera
suckers.
Concerning more down-to-earth matters, garlic has changeable effects on a person's
ability to sleep, which is to be expected from an herb which is marketed as a stimulant
rather than a sedative. How can the bulb lead to a restful night's sleep?
Pros and Cons of Using Garlic as Insomnia Treatment
Garlic is a natural product, which means it is safer to use than medications like
benzodiazepines and other hypnotics. There is no risk of becoming addicted to garlic in
the same harmful manner one can become addicted to sleeping pills. All the same, it is
wise to consult one's physician before consuming garlic, especially if one is taking any
medications.
A sample recipe used in Ayurvedic treatment of insomnia would be to simmer 1 cup of
milk combined with 1/4 cup water and a garlic clove. Reduce the mixture to 1 cup and
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drink the warm mixture to aid in falling asleep. This is said to work because it helps
cleanse and balance the system of excess data.
Garlic can also aid indirectly in achieving rest by easing conditions, which interfere with
it. It can, for example relieve nasal congestion in cold sufferers by drying the nasal
passages, and the easier breathing can be enough to send the person off to dreamland.
At the same time, one should not ingest too much garlic before bedtime. Studies have
shown that an excess of garlic consumption could result in tremors, upset stomach, and
insomnia itself. If a person is in any way sensitive to garlic, it is best to refrain from
consuming it some hours before bedtime to ensure a good night's sleep.
If garlic works as a sleep aid for you, well and good! However, please consult your
doctor before taking garlic medication.
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Chapter 17: 5 Tactics To Choose And Store Your Garlic
Garlic is a bulb and grows in the ground. It is from the same family as onions and
shallots. Fresh garlic can be found year-round in the supermarket. The type of garlic we
are most familiar with is softneck garlic called artichoke garlic. There are actually over
600 species and subspecies of garlic. Many of them are regional and can only be found in
certain areas.
1. When choosing garlic look for bulbs that are firm with tight skin. Avoid garlic
with loose skin or those that look shriveled. Garlic will keep for long periods of
time and artichoke garlic keeps especially long, up to 3 months or more.
2. Garlic should not have any shoots growing from it but this will occasionally
happen, especially if the garlic is exposed to any moisture. As garlic ages it can
also start to develop green shoots inside. Any green shoots within the garlic
should be removed before using as they cause the garlic to be bitter.
3. Storing your garlic: Garlic should be stored in a cool, dry place. Moisture will
make the garlic spoil and can cause mold to develop. Peeled garlic can be stored
for up to five weeks in a refrigerated container. Minced garlic can be purchased
in jars and will keep for up to three months in the refrigerator.
4. Finding different types locally: There are many types of gourmet garlic available
both locally and through online merchants. Since garlic keeps well it can be
easily shipped if packaged properly. Always keep some air circulation around
garlic to keep it from becoming moist. In the kitchen, store garlic in a basket or
special garlic keeper. Fresh garlic should not be refrigerated. Buy gourmet garlic
from a reputable place to ensure good quality and fresh garlic. Check instructions
for keeping and using specific types of garlic when you buy them.
5. Finding different types online: There are many types of garlic to choose from.
Each type of garlic has its own subtle taste changes. Some garlic has a mild
flavor while others are much stronger. Smaller garlic bulbs have fewer cloves.
The smaller cloves still have plenty of flavors. They can be sautéed and used in
all types of cooking. Elephant garlic is a large and has cloves that can each be as
large as a typical bulb of artichoke garlic. People often think that elephant garlic
is stronger than regular garlic but actually the opposite is true. Elephant garlic has
a more subtle and sweeter flavor than other garlic.
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Chapter 18: Resources - Where You Can Get Garlic and
Information on Garlic
Getting ready to get your own dose of garlic medication yet still not definite about the
wisdom of such a move? After all, garlic is herbal and natural. For some people,  herbal
and natural simply means  quack. Perhaps you re thinking of incorporating garlic into
your family s diet yet you still need to know more information about using garlic in meal
preparations?
Don t worry. If you have an internet connection, then you have virtually endless
resources for finding more information about garlic.
Information Resources
If you wish to find out more information about garlic in general, the free online
encyclopedia, Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garlic) is a good source of
comprehensive but basic information about garlic.
However, if you are looking for medicinal information, you are advised to visit
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/garlic/ which is the piece about garlic by The National Center
for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of
Health. This guide about garlic will give you substantiated and valid information on
garlic and its health benefits. A privately maintained site, The Garlic Information Centre
(http://www.garlic.mistral.co.uk/) can also shed more information on garlic s medicinal
properties.
There are a lot more other sites that deal with medicinal properties of garlic, among other
things. The Herb Society of America has an online library which contains information on
garlic s medicinal information (http://www.herbsociety.org/garlic/gresource.php). Some
content would require membership for viewing though a lot of information is still
publicly available. This can also be a goof source of garlic websites that may interest
you.
If you need garlic cooking recipes, visit Garlic Recipes (http://www.garlicrecipes.org/),
The Garlic Page (http://www.garlicpage.com/), and Garlic Central (http://www.garlic-
central.com/garlic-cooking.html). Garlic cooking tips are available at Hormel Foods
(http://www.hormel.com/templates/knowledge/knowledge.asp?catitemid=114&id=842).
Gourmet Garlic Gardens
(http://homecooking.about.com/od/howtocookvegetables/a/garliccooktips.htm), on the
other hand, can give you a step-by-step procedure for preserving garlic.
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If you are interested in becoming a garlic grower and thus need information about the
properties of garlic that can make garlic-growing a profitable venture, then you should
check out http://www.garlicseedfoundation.info/resources.htm by Garlic Seed
Foundation. This site will give you the names of recognized experts in the garlic
growing industry as well as some other sites that may be of interest to you.
If you have any questions about which garlic products and supplements to use, you are
urged to visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration s website http://www.fda.gov. Just
type in the keyword  garlic at the search bar found on the upper-left portion of the home
page and the site will return all entries that are about garlic.
From this site, you will glean valid information on how initially innocuous garlic
products can become a health hazard, on which garlic products have been recalled due to
possible health risks or poor quality control and which companies are making erroneous
claims about their garlic supplements, and which companies have proper documentation
to support their claims.
Where to Find Garlic
If you are ready to get garlic for food supplementary intake, you can try The Garlic Store
at http://thegarlicstore.com/ where there are various types of organically grown garlic for
sale. This site also offers garlic stock for planting.
For some fresh garlic and gourmet garlic dishes and delicacies, you should visit the
Garlic World Online Store at http://www.garlicworld.com/ where you can buy garlic
jelly, garlic almonds, garlic pistachios, and other garlic specialty food products for sale.
However, it would still be practical if you were to approach your local garlic grower for
your garlic requirements. This, however, may mean you are a bit limited in your garlic
variety s choices. Another alternative is getting garlic delivered to your home. Diamond
Organics, a Gilroy-based producer of roots and tubers,
(http://www.diamondorganics.com/prod_detail_list/28) promises to do this overnight.
You can find almost any information that you need about garlic online. You can also
find garlic growers who can be your ready source of fresh, processed or preserved garlic
produce. In fact, the sheer volume of information about garlic in the internet can be a bit
overwhelming.
Just a simple rule of thumb, though: if you are thinking of undergoing garlic therapy or
supplementation, the best recourse would still be to consult your physician. He or she
will be your best source of relevant information (or information as it particularly relates
to you) about garlic s health benefits.
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