Garlic
Health Benefits

Garlic: A Superfood for Health and the Immune System

Peeled Garlic Vs Fresh Garlic

Posted by Richard (Wilmington, Delaware) on 05/08/2011

Is there much of a difference between peeled garlic you can buy at a supermarket, and fresh garlic bulbs? Thank you -- immensely!

Replied by Kate
(Uk)
12/18/2016

I'm not sure how helpful a comment published six years later but a. firstly I'm amazed that peeled garlic is a thing, we haven't become quite that lazy over here yet! and b. I would think you're better off with something with its skin on, and ideally local and organic if you can get it. In at least some parts of the world garlic is irradiated for supermarkets so it won't sprout - I *think* that doesn't happen unless labelled in the UK, but seems to in Canada (eg http://ediblegardenproject.com/2012/10/27/food-irradiation-know-your-garlic/) so might well be in the US. Something raw with the skin off must've gone through some process to stop it rotting (like enzymes or chlorine baths that don't need to go on the label). In the UK, garlic I get from the organic shop has got loads more of a kick than the stuff from the supermarket - sometimes you can't track exactly what is doing what (freshness? farming practices?) but just follow your nose.

Can I also recommend Joanna Blythman's book Swallow This, which is very enlightening about 'clean labelling' - ie putting foods, including apparently raw, fresh simple vegetables through all sorts of food processing that is invisible on the label. For instance, those fresh fruit salads in supermarkets don't go off for several weeks because of an enzyme dip, and harmless and 'natural' sounding words like 'beetroot extract' on a label are actually the same stuff that would have had a long chemical name in the 90s. Only at some point it would've been waved in the general direction of a beetroot. So even if you're a committed label reader, you won't necessarily be getting a very clear picture of what's happened to your shopping, because there's a whole culture committed to hiding it. If you want to get round this, garlic unpeeled and ideally from a local foodchain, not a major supermarket is probably your best bet.


Raw Garlic Side Effects

1 User Review
(1) 
  100%

Posted by Junebug (Pasadena) on 08/29/2020

I had an interesting experience with raw garlic yesterday and am wondering if anyone has an idea. I chopped up garlic and ate a couple of small cloves with heirloom tomatoes for lunch, not something I normally do (raw garlic, that is). About 10-15 minutes later, I felt very light headed and a little dizzy, like mild vertigo. It lasted for about 5 hours and I was fine after that. Do you think it was my blood pressure plummeting from eating raw garlic or a high histamine response? Thanks for your thoughts. Am thinking about doing a before and after blood pressure reading next time I eat raw garlic, but didn't think about it in time.

Replied by Gertjr
(Madison)
08/30/2020

I know that when I eat lots of raw garlic, I will bleed more than usual. If I'm getting bloodwork done, I avoid it for a week prior. If I don't, the simple gauze pad on the site doesn't stop it from bleeding and I need to apply pressure for quite some time or it'll bleed right through the dressing. So, for me, it thins my blood. Who knows what that does to my blood pressure.


Repels Insects

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Judy (Concord, NH) on 06/02/2005
★★★★★

My husband and I use garlic in just about everything we eat. We have just started juicing (vegetables) and have found that garlic helps to tolerate the taste better. Also my husband works outdoors and he is finding that he is being less bothered by black flies and other nagging insects. Also for you dog lovers.... we crush about 4 or 5 garlic cloves and boil them in approximately 1 gallon of water. You strain and let cool down. Then put in a spray bottle and lightly spray your dog (as often as needed. Helps keep fleas and ticks away. In a more concentrated form, works great as a flea dip. I'm thinking that whereas garlic has antifungal and antiviral properties, it would also be great for animals with ear problems...ie yeast infections etc. If anybody has any input on that, I'd be very interested. I also want to say that my husband has slightly high blood pressure as well as his cholesterol levels are high. At the end of june he gets retested, and if he has been able to lower those, we will owe his success to garlic and of course a healthier diet. Hope my input helps someone out there. Judy

Replied by Cindy
(Smiths, Bermuda)
09/02/2009
★★★★★

I accidentally came across the mosquito-repelling effect of eating garlic. For days the sumer mosquitoes have been biting me, especially after eating or drinking something sweet like fruit juice. I made a plate of cooked brown rice, butter, minced garlic, and parsley flakes, microwaved to heat it up and there have been no further attacks after eating it, even though I had some dessert after that. I am wondering if the effect lasts as long as you can taste the garlic on your breath. In any case it has made life more comfortable.


Roasting Garlic

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Marie (GBG, PA) on 02/19/2007
★★★★★

Garlic is my friend! I agree with all the testimonies on the wonders of garlic. I do disagree however that roasting it is bad. I roast a whole bulb (roasted with olive oil) and eat it with my main meal and I have experienced the same amazing results as what I am reading on this website. The trick might be that I don't usually over roast it-- at least several of the cloves have retained firmness when consumed. Since studies has proven garlic to be a natural anticoagulant, some people might need to be careful about the amount they consume at one time, especially if they are taking aspirin,or are on prescription anticoagulant drugs. Yet, it is my personal belief that if they transition off of methods such as, blood thinning prescription drugs and aspirin, and embrace garlic as a preventive alternative, they will come to know and love the hidden benefits as well.


Runny Nose

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Toma (Chicago, IL) on 09/16/2007
★★★★★

Running Nose Remedy: Cut 2 pieces of garlic that it would fit in in the nostrils, and stick one in each nostril. If it hurts in your nostrils and you sneeze a lot, it's good, it means that there's infection and garlic is killing it. If in some time you stop sneezing, blowing your nose, and it won't hurt in your nostrils any more, put new pieces of garlic into your nostrils. But don't overdo it, otherwise, your nose may start bleeding.


Sensitive Teeth

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Nina (Jonesboro, GA) on 03/30/2007
★★★★★

I just returned from the grocery store and spent $26 on Tylenol rapid release, aleve, oral gel powder, toothpaste for sensitive teeth and something else that you you put in your cavity to temp. fill it. Any how after trying the powder and 2 aleve, the pain is still here. I don't know why I didn't try the internet first. Anyhow I tried the only thing that I had on hand---RAW GARLIC. I peeled and sliced it and rubbed it on my gums and tooth but I didn't stop there I got a really big piece of raw garlic and peeled it. I cut all the sides off so that the juices were flowing then I placed it on the tooth and bit down on it I couldn't even hold it in my mouth for a whole minute, it burned that bad but that was o.k. because I read that if it burns its killing the infection. So I spit it out and tried it again. IT'S AMAZING IT STOPPED HURTING. But this is the thing I also have a cavity on the tooth right above it to the top side when the pain went away it seemed to move up into the other tooth so i tried it again and it seemed to dulling the pain I'm about to repeat the process again because it seems to be coming back again But now as bad as it was!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much for this web site. I'm going to make my husband try it his mouth has been hurting really bad lately, just until we can go to the dentist.


Serbian Tradition

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
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Posted by Mary Simon (Stoneham, MA USA) on 04/24/2009
★★★★★

Here's an old Serbian tradition for the New Year and a great way to take garlic - dip a peeled garlic clove into a dish of honey and scoop as much honey as you can with the clove- pop in your mouth and chew. If you need a little more honey - sip on an extra teaspoon or so. It's actually quite tasty, and even as kids, my brother and I never minded this mixture at all. Also, for some reason, the garlic odor seems to be a little more "contained" in the honey and seems to fade away sooner. Try it! You'll be pleasantly surprised.


Sexual Disorders

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Laci (Oxford, MI) on 11/02/2005
★★★★★

Garlic has worked wonders for not only me, and my friends but my pets too. I don't believe in using lots of prescription medicine, with all those crazy side effects, when I start feeling a cold coming on, I eat garlic, my friend came down with chlamydia , I told her to eat garlic, and the next time she was tested (2 weeks later) IT WAS GONE. My dog got intestinal parasites, the whole family started on garlic, no problem. Not only can this amazing plant prevent, but it can also cure infections and diseases. I recommend it to everyone and I have been illness free for 2 years. I have been studying wild edible medicinal plants for 6 years now, and I am a true fan of this wonderful herb.

EC: Garlic is said to be a tonic for impotence. It also treats sexual debility caused by over indulgence in sex and nervous exhaustion from dissipating habit. It is said to be especially useful in older men.

Replied by Mellissa
(Conyers, Georgia)
11/15/2010

HOW LONG DID SHE HAVE TO EAT THE GARLIC AND HOW MANY TIMES A DAY?

Replied by Breianna
(Suitland, Md)
11/25/2011

Hi, I had a question how many times a day did she had to take it 2 get rid of the chlamydia?


Sore Throats

8 User Reviews
5 star (6) 
  75%
3 star (1) 
  13%
1 star (1) 
  13%

Posted by Megan (Nashville, Tn) on 01/21/2011

Hi, I recently had strep throat about 3 weeks ago and feel it is coming back again. I'm not really thrilled at the idea of taking another round of antibiotics (because it doesn't appeared to have worked the first time), and instead was wanting to eat a couple of crushed, raw garlic cloves a day. Also, I feel that I may be pregnant. Would it be safe to consume garlic in this manner if I am indeed pregnant?

Replied by Brenda
(Ashtabula, Ohio)
07/08/2011
★★★★★

I am brand new to the garlic remedies. I had woke up a few weeks ago with my glands in my throat swollen so much that I almost couldn't breathe. I had mixed garlic powder in water. I had mixed a thick mixture of these two. Then I had gargled it until the mixture was gone. My glands cleared up within hours and I have had not one problem with them since. Amazing! And thank god cuz I don't have medical insurance.

Replied by Jrod
(Boston, Ma - Massachusetts)
11/19/2012

I get strep every year. heres what works for me. Mix this well:

1 tbsp honey
1/4 tsp cayene pepper
4 crushed or microplaned cloves of garlic.
take 1/2 tsp for every waking hour.

Don't wash down with water, tea, etc. Honey helps to suspend garlic in affected area. Cayene helps to bring blood to area to get immune system going. cured in 2 days- true story


Sore Throats
Posted by Dana (Phoenix, AZ) on 04/11/2009
★★★★★

I was coming down with strep throat, ealy stages, extreme sore throat, plem build up in lungs...so I made a Ms. Grass chicken noodle soup, brought it to a boil, sliced up 9 cloves of fresh garlic, put them in the boiling soup, I then let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, and put in a massive amount of black pepper. I then let it cool a little and ate it. It burned quite a bit but it opened everything up, I mean everything. I then went to bed and could actually FEEEL the garlic in my blood working, seriously, it was like my blood was burning, in a good way...killing the virus. I woke up and the fever was gone and I hacked up some extremely large chucks of phlem from my lungs, all of it...the infection was killed, it all came right out witha few coughs...I was really shocked, and cured 100% no joke. For those of you who have had strep throat then you know how horrible it is...so if garlic did this in one night for me I hope others read this and perhaps it will help with you in a similar situation...if you can handle smelling like garlic for a week....the side affects are worth it.

Replied by Susan
(London)
07/05/2012

I'm drinking garlic tea, tonight I have a bit of running nose n a cough, annoying cough. Anyway I made garlic tea with 4 cloves of garlic chopped with boiling water except I dont know if I have to swallow the garlic too. Help.


Sore Throats
Posted by Marilyn (Cherry Hill, US) on 03/28/2008
★★★★★

My 27 year old son was so sick with strep throat. He couldn't swallow or talk much. I boiled a cup of water, once the water came to a boil I put one garlic clove cut in half in the water and let it continue boiling for 2-3 minutes more. Now I let it cool and let him drink it. This way you hardly taste the garlic. I did this twice every day for a week. He got better. My son never wanted to believe in the old remedies but now he can't deny the reality. I hope this helps someone.


Sore Throats
Posted by Jessica (West Brookfield, Massachusetts) on 03/16/2008
★★★★★

re: strep. THANK YOU THANK YOU! I used raw garlic for my sore throat and although it burned at first, it took the pain away. After six days I am finally comfortable!


Sore Throats
Posted by Victoria Marie Homen (Eagle Mountain, Utah) on 01/27/2008
★★★★★

Ok so I have had a slight voice change for the last oh i suppose three days, with no pain no congestion and pretty much healthy feeling despite the fact that i sounded like a chipmunk. I initially thought something like lyeringitis ... but last night I started having a runny nose and a stuffed up head, So I thought decongestant. Well I woke at about four this morning and boy was my sinuses all dried up, so dry in fact that it was uncomfortable. So I made some tea and tried to go back to sleep. well the same situation happened when I woke for the second time. So I got online and looked for sore throat remedies and found this site, well I read that garlic can help with strep and since my little nephew had recently been diagnosed with step I thought I didnt want to take any chances. So i went to the kitchen and melted some butter added some minced garlic cloves, and made some garlic toast. Instantly my sinuses released and my head felt 100% less stuffy. It says to repeat for a couple of days, and I think that I will be greatly satisfied with the result... thanks for the idea ...and the relief!!! ... Victoria


Sore Throats
Posted by John (Panama City, FL) on 01/20/2008
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

re: Raw Garlic for Sore Throats. This remedy DOES provide a certain "numbing" effect but for those unaccustomed to hot, spicy foods, BE WARNED: raw garlic IS hot! I had no idea just how hot it would be, never having eaten it raw, and my tongue was ON FIRE! Luckily, I had a cup of hot tea handy and this seemed to help soothe it. (Ice water was also handy and this did NOTHING to help.)

Replied by Jocelyn
(Los Angeles, CA)
10/02/2009

I have found the best way to keep the garlic from burning you is to put it in a spoonful of yogurt!

Replied by Doddie
(Lawrenceville, Georgia, Usa)
04/24/2013
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Yes, garlic burned me too! I put it in the back of my throat, burned like heck!! I fortunately had some water near by. Throat is kind of sore but I can swallow!


Sore Throats
Posted by Zach (Vancouver, Canada) on 11/30/2007
★★★★★

When i have a sore throat, i usually go straight for the hot liquids, but this time i tried to research all cures. I came across this site and tried the cayanne pepper and apple cider remedies. I have to say, both of them tasted terrible and only provided up to ten minutes of relief. I then came accross a post about raw garlic, i was skeptic, but willing to try almost anything. I took two garlic cloves from my fridge and chopped them up into cylinders. I slowly ate each piece one by one, apart from the burning sensation on your tongue, the garlic coats your throat and soothes teh soreness. I have absoulutely no pain now!

Replied by Doddie
(Lawrenceville, Georgia, Usa)
04/24/2013

You are brave!



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