Garlic: A Superfood for Health and the Immune System

Garlic has a long history in folklore as a protector from disease and evil spirits (such as vampires). For these reasons, garlic is not only consumed as a healthy food and medicine but it is also worn to fight various ills. Many native cultures throughout the Caribbean use garlic in religious rituals and divinations. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used garlic in infectious diseases and particularly prescribed it for intestinal disorders.

12th century German mystic Hildegarde von Bingen recommended simmering garlic in water for twenty minutes and drinking the "tea" for bronchial problems like asthma. This treatment is still in use in many cultures. Three cloves of garlic in boiling water is also recommended as a topical cure for athlete's foot. Additionally, garlic was used extensively in the battlefields during World War I (1914-1918) to treat and dress wounds and infections. Being a natural antibiotic and widely available, it was the most effective antiseptic available at the time.

HEALING POWERS OF GARLIC:
Garlic has been used in herbal medicine to treat asthma, deafness, leprosy, bronchial, congestion, hardening of arteries, fevers, worms and liver and gall bladder trouble. Herbal books list it being useful in Leucoderma, leprosy, piles, worms, catarrhal disorders and cough. Additionally, it is reported that garlic is good for the heart, stimulates appetite, and is an energy tonic.

Garlic's unpleasant odor is due to its sulphur content. This mineral is contained to a greater degree in its volatile oil, which has remarkable medicinal virtues.

Juice of garlic has a most beneficial effect on the entire system as it helps dissolve an accumulation of mucus in the sinus cavities, bronchial tubes and the lungs. It also helps expel poison from body through pores of the skin.

There is a supplement that will help your arteries. It was discovered by Dr. Louis Ignarro who won a nobel prize for his discovery - Prevent Heart Attack and Stroke with Nitric Oxide. I take 1000 mg L-Arginine and 750 L-Citralline daily - taken together in the a.m. before eating. It relaxes the arteries from a hard, tight state. I have taken these two supplements for three years for plaque in my left subclavian artery. I get an ultra sound every year. My blood pressures were different in my arms the first two years. The third year, last year, my blood pressures were the same and my ultra sound results were very good. My doctor, a vascular surgeon, is following me closely. You can read about Dr. Ignarro in The World's Greatest Treasury of Health Secrets, Bottom Line Publications. He was also interviewed by Hugh Downs for his discovery.

Be very careful about e-mails such as those who direct you to not take supplements. They are probably from big pharmaceutical companies. Many pharmaeutical drugs say they can cause tuberculosis and many other dibilitating problems and many of them say they end in death. Do not be influenced, use your own common sense if you think you need a drug check it out on drugs.com We are guinea pigs for pharmaceutical companies who need to test their drugs on the masses. CAUTION

High potency garlic pills are not as good for you as fresh garlic cloves. I took a garlic pill for awhile and had the most horrible heartburn I could possibly have. Today I cut up fresh garlic the size of pills and eat a teaspoon twice a day with 2 tbsp of apple cidar vinegar in 8 oz of water. I have been able to stop using Nexium. Use fresh garlic if you can. Acid reducers such as Prilosec, Nexium etc. Are very dangerous to continue for any length of time. If you have a germ in your stomach you need the acid to get rid of the germ.

Also, ignore the post that says you must cut or chop and eat the garlic in 30 seconds. Many such post come from people who work for big pharmaceutical companies. They have invaded many good sites. There is one called "quackbusters" and they say bad things about just about all natural healing foods and supplements. The man works for a pharmaceutical company.

You have 10 minutes to cut and eat to get the benefit.

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

Any news about the lecithin and castor oil solution? I am also very eager to know. Thank you so much.

I am so glad we have garlic to heal us. I am a normally healthy person but occasionally I get bronchitis and sinus infections. I don't have health insurance so I can hardly even make a doctor visit. Once I had bronchitis so bad it was turning to phnumonia. I had it for two weeks and was only getting more ill by the day. Finally, my brother told me to take raw garlic. I crushed a couple of large cloves and that day my illnesses began to diminish until it was gone.

Also, recently I ate something that caused me to become ill. I didn't know what it was but it seemed much like a stomach virus. I had bad diarrhea for four days straight and could not keep any food in me. I ate less and less because It was no use to eat. Then I remembered that garlic is also anti-viral. So I went into the kitchen and took two big cloves, sliced them very thin and gulped them down with water. (Prior to this I was feeling very on the edge of having to run to the bathroom all the time), but within minutes, MINUTES! I could feel a change in my stomach and the urge to run to the bathroom disappeared. It didn't come back.

Whatever bug I had, the garlic whippped it. For the rest of the day I felt normal and was even able to eat meals without any reoccurrence.

I myself cannot praise the virtues of garlic enough. It's safer then taking many prescription drugs and for me it's always kicked in rigt away after ingesting it. It's cured me when I was "sicker then a dog" so to speak.

Garlic is a true healer of just about whatever ails ya!

Hi, just wondering how you guys are going with the castor oil/ lecithin remedy. Does it work? Thanks

I have decided to try the lecithin/castor oil remedy when mixed together it gels up some, after applying with a q-tip there's a slight tightening sensation but not uncomfortable or painful. I am praying this works. I will keep you posted.

Ok, so I noticed these things coming at me fast and furiously about 7 months ago. Cholesterol was just a tad bit high but barely. I do have thyroid issues and have noticed alot of people with Xanthelasmas have also had thyroid problems. Anyway, I wanted to post my experience. I started research immediately on how to get rid of these. I have tried SO many things, including garlic. Garlic did take down a little bit of the puffiness for me but not too much but it would swell right back up within days once I stopped. I've tried so many concoctions based on internet research and I think after several months I might have figured it out for me. Kind of makes me ill because it's so much simpler and less painful than anything else I've tried but here it is.

A mixture of Castor Oil and Lecithin. I had already tried each alone and it didn't work. But once I put them together (for the last week) the puffiness of my xanthelasma is almost completely flat. The yellow spots are turning more white now and seem to be getting a bit smaller also. I'm thinking it may take a while to be gone completely but it is the only thing that has worked this well so far and it doesn't burn or anything. I already had some triple strength lecithin capsules (liquid) So I emptied two of them into a contact lense container and put about a half teaspoon of castor oil.. Mixed well and I put it on several times a day. I have to mix another batch today but will be happy to do so after the results I've seen so far. In addition, I also started taking MSM tablets 3 times a day and COQ10 once a day.. For antioxidant effects. I started this about 2 weeks ago. I'm thinking that maybe be helping also. If anyone else decides to try this I would like to know what the outcome is. Good luck to everyone.. I've hated dealing with this.

EC, please tell me how to make garlic juice? thanks

Hi, I've been applying garlic to my xanthelasma and I'm trying to understand what you did and how it worked. It seems to do something, but I'm not sure what you mean by drawing the fat to the surface. I don't understand how I would be able to use tweezers to get the fat off. Wouldn't the skin have to be broken? I plan to continue but I'd love to hear more about how it worked for you!

Thanks so much, Andrea

Hi, Just wondering if you have had any success with the garlic treatment for xanthelasma? Thanks

Hi I just read your post about putting garlic on the fatty deposits, how many times a day did you do this? I have did it once today and felt the burn, and hoping it works, I got told lecithin worked but I used this for 3 months and nothing happened. My doctor wont remove mine, she said it was cosmetic only but did refer me to get camouflage cream, this made it look worse and came off when I sweated or if it rained, so no use. I did get used to the Xanthelasma as it's only two small patches under my eyes next to my nose, but recently my right side has gone a slight bt bigger, puffy, red and itchy. It used to upset me more when people asked about it and my daugter too, but she stopped asking for awhile until today because of the swelling, this is why I am looking for a cure again and would like to know how it worked for you?

Just using the juice from a garlic clove, (use a serrated knife and rub it back and forth over the garlic clove to get the juice out) 2-3 times a day will dry out boils and pimples. Just watch - not too many times - it can burn your skin! This is an old recipe that the people from Macedonia used to use effectively.

Minuck, what do you mean by garlic in socks at night? Do you mean applied to warts or something else? What do you use it for exactly?

i had a wart and applied garlic with a bandage for 7 days and it is now gone, also got rid of a mole using garlic. I also find garlic improves my eyesight and can drive at night without any difficulty. Sure does cure an earache. I shall try garlic in socks at night. I read they must be white cotton socks. Your site is very informative. Thank you

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.

Just did a quick squizz to see what this brilliant earthclinic.com says about bloating. Been funny in the belly for the last few weeks. Bit of a mystery because my diet is usually exemplary since the whole allergy breakthrough c. Five years ago. Stopped the MMS for the same length of time I've been bloating now I think of it, but I tried the (organic) garlic about four/five mins ago and can already feel a lessening of the awful pressure. I've been craving apples, dandelion root tea and fresh fruit- pineapple, kiwifruit, passionfruit- so I guess enzymes have their place in here too. Come to think of it I've been rather free with the salt on the meat lately... Hitting the hay now, nighty-night and best health to you.

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

I forgot to add that the garlic/vapo rub mix does not burn. I was a little afraid at first but it didn't.

Absolutely! In fact, taking it that way yields the most benefits. Chop up a clove (but be sure to let it sit for about 10 min's after chopping), put it on a spoon and swallow/wash down with plenty of water.

Hello I was wondering if sliced garlic when swallowed work! Thanks

Craig... Your symptoms sound alot like mine. Mine seemed to step from a magnesium deficiency and electrolyte imbalance as well as depleted minerals. I had these 2 years ago and they chalked it up to anxiety. In all fairness I was stressed and had gone back to consuming tea to help cope after years of being off it HOWEVER I would think I am made of stronger stuff!!! So I set out to find out WHY this was happening!!! For me it had to be what was missing or what was I toxic with?

I was helped by a man I met online who lives in nova scotia by the name of terry chamberlain who studies alkalinity/ph balalncing as per Dr.Carey reams teachings. He had me take my urine and saliva ph readings morning and night, then added coral calcium in, a good green powder supplement, concentrace mineral drops starting at 1 drop 2x a day, then 2 drops 2 x a day, upping by 1 drop morning and night each day. I made it to like 30 drops twice a day before bowel tolerance which is pretty bad- I was so severely depleted in minerals and my ph was so out of whack! I also started taking 2 drops of Lugol's twice a day and using MSM to help detoxify (with lots of water). I tracked my urine and saliva on a chart at the same time each morning and night (roughly). Do not use first morning urine unless you've been up in the night to go, otherwise it is too strong. Do not eat or drink anything before you take the saliva/urine reading in the morning and wait at least an hour or more afterwards at night time. Within weeks I felt better then I had in 20 years... It was so incredibly amazing. The anxiety/chest tightness, breathing issues, racing heart, fatigue etc. All stopped within a couple weeks. After a couple months I was flying and felt so good in fact I accidentally got pregnant with my 3rd LMAO... I didn't feel comfortable with those large doses being pregnant so I dialed it down alot... It was one heck of a ride- the mental clarity, the energy, pain free, the mojo- phew LOL

Now I'm breastfeeding and looking forward to getting back on that regimen real soon- sleep deprivation is killing me LOL One thing I did google back then was allergic reactions and I really felt like that could be part of it as well. We eat a really good diet free of dairy and wheat and corn (because I get crazy headaches from wheat and corn, eczema and stuffy nose from dairy, excruciating back-neck and shoulder pain from wheat) but the odd treat I would have was a buttertart or a sweet treat if I went out with the girls every couple months. Even if it was gluten free it would give me the chest tightness like you describe but it would also make my heart race too and make breathing more labored (also gluten does that for me too). So I don't even eat those anymore - while it might seem daunting at first to switch over to ancient grains and lots of leafy greens, raw foods and the like (not saying you don't already do that but for some who might be contemplating it) it really can be done, just give yourself time. Not sure if any of this helps you but it might helps someone else.

;-)

It is challenging for parents to find books to learn from for holistic approaches for children! I started a holistic parenting group in my area online 6 yrs ago and we have over 300 members now. Like here we share what has worked for us and our children. Nice to get back to grandma's /kitchen remedies as our first line of defense. My mentor is Aviva Jill Romm's teachings. Her books are my bibles ;-) She is a 25 yr midwife and herbalist and gives specific remedies not only for children but for pregnant and lactating women as well. In fact that is where I learned how to make the garlic tea and also to gain the confidence to do a mustard plaster on my children. ;-) Amazing woman, invaluable books.

A suggestion for those afraid to use garlic cloves for a suppository. Instead of threading the clove, thus puncturing it, use a teabag. Snip off the top of the teabag, empty out the tea and drop in the peeled clove. Thread or tie around the top of the teabag with dental floss. Don't forget to lubricate.

I started getting the flu the day before yesterday. I drank a garlic shake with cherries, which made me extremely nauseous, but it lowered the severity of my symptoms. I was a vegan for 4 years, and now have started eating meat. I noticed that I'm aging quicker and I'm getting sick more often. I plan to detox asap. I tried oil pulling a few minutues ago, and it really helped me! When I was really healthy and vegan, I would do oil pulling, but I didn't notice any results, maybe because my toxicity levels were low.

I have been cutting up a clove of garlic and adding it to hot water, drinking it before bed. This is the first year (knock on wood) that I have not gotten sinus, cold, or flu. Not sure if it is the garlic, but I'm not going to stop drinking it. I do this a few times a week.

Garlic odors removed from mouth
Use a stainless steel spoon, folk, knife etc. Run it under water and rub or suck on it and the smell will be gone. And you can do the same for your hands. You can also use with oil.

They are called ophtalmic migraines. I've had these a few times, in a 15 years period. It comes usually with seeing bright zig-zag-type lines in the central or side vision (to me, it's similar to the lines we could see back then on the black and white TVs, when the program wasn't getting through). There can also be flashing white light sensations. These symptoms usually resolve spontaneously after several minutes ( generally in less than one hour). I did some tests, and the DR told me these migraines are not dangerous. After the initial panic from not knowing what that was, I became accustomed to them and since I don't have them frequently, I don't bother anymore. But I know they can be accompanied by headaches (this is not my case), and that can be troublesome.

Debby, I have suffered from the same thing. It is probably MRSA. Once your system has it, you might always have flare ups and is always in your system. But here is what I have done to prevent them or keep them away and Attack the boils head on By myself.

First, on the day you notice a boil forming (They are Solid as a Rock) then go and get some Acai Berry juice from the health food store ASAP and drink a cup in morning and cup at night. Your boil will be minimized the next day. Keep doing this until its gone in 2 to 3 days.

But if you catch The when it has gotten way too big already, then go ahead with the Acai Berry juice, however, You will also need to get some Milk of Magnesia and Hydrogen Peroxide from the Drugstore. Mix The Milk of Magnesia and H202 With a half and half solution in A small cap. Apply this solution to the boil every hour for like the next 4, 5 or 6 hours depending on how desperate you are. Do this everyday until it goes down, in about a day or two.

To make a stronger solution, you can go get some Betadyne or Povodone Iodine from a local drugstore and add a couple drops to the capful Solution. The iodine will further kill the infection under the boil, or the STAPH.

Also, another thing that helps, as a Daily routine and preventative measure, Is putting Neosporin in your nose with a Q tip everyday or every other day, to ensure that any Staph that is wandering in your body will die... I read that a Magnesium Deficiency could be a big part of this Staph Problem, so load up on Magnesium Citrate 600 mg daily or more to be safe. I got this information here on Earthclinic and from Ted. Go to MRSA Cures. Good Luck!

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?

Garlic side effects
The same thing that happened to Lin from QLD, Australia happened to me. I got horrific blisters on my toes from eating 3 raw cloves of garlic. It took a long time to cure. But, the most important thing is that I realized that the blisters were a manifestation of my candida, as the garlic is a fungicide that attacks the yeast inside the body. The problem is not the garlic, but starting with garlic at such a high dose that the body cannot handle the toxins that emanate when the garlic kills the yeast. Start slow and increase gradually.

Another good way to take "RAW" garlic is to use natural honey which also has some health benefits to it as well.

Hey neighbor ;0) I was looking for someone that feeds there dogs long term with no negative side effects. Thanks for posting. I have been giving my dog garlic for the past 6 years. I do not use any heartworm medication. I have used it to deworm my sisters dog. I have the tests to prove it;0) I also give him raw ACV. Between the ACV and raw garlic, there is no neew for harmful heartworm meds and flea and tick topicals. I have been taking garlic pills for years but they seem useless.

After reading your post, A light bulb clicked on. I need to be taking chopped raw garlic like my dog takes. I actually was able to take it down mixed in a tablespoon of olive oil. I tried before and couldn't stand it. It's pretty easy with the olive oil. I got that from another poster on this board. I love this site and thanks for posting.

Greetings to everyone. I'm very grateful for this site, I've used the information I found here and it has helped greatly, I'm writing now my 1st post because I want to give back as a thank you. :)

I have this amazing recipe that's actually a tremendous antibiotic, antiviral, anti critter remedy. I've used it for 3 years now with GREAT results. A friend told me about it when I was very sick with the flu in 2008, I have lost my voice, my whole body ached and I was half dead in bed for 4 days. She came over and brought this jar with stuff (I'll tell you in a minute) and I took a tablespoon of it and in 20 minutes my voice came back and I felt 75% better. I was stunned! By the next day I was fully recovered. Last year I got the swine flu and I got rid of it the same day by taking this remedy.

Here is what you need: equal amounts of fresh garlic and fresh horseradish, for ex. 3oz fresh peeled garlic and 3oz fresh horseradish. You will need a small food scale for weighing the stuff. Use a small grater and grate both the garlic and horseradish. Put them in a glass jar and add enough organic, raw honey to make a paste that will keep both the horseradish and garlic paste together. Close the jar and let it macerate for at least 3 days and then take 1T every 4-5h for at least 3 days or so...

I felt my body coming down with the flu again this year and I just made this mixture real fast and took 1T right away and in 1h I was sweating buckets... It does miracles... It kills infections of all sorts, etc. I've told everyone and their mother about this :) some do it and are amazed, some laugh. I have a jar with the stuff already made in my cupboard for emergency, :) the stuff doesn't expire because of the honey and it doesn't lose its potency either. To me it tastes good because I know what it does to my body, it kills the viruses, bacteria and it strengthens the immune system, it can't get any better than that! I pray that this post will go around the world and will save many people from misery. Thank you Earth Clinic for this wonderful site,
God bless. 1Rose
PS: It's safe for the kids, the dose is smaller 1t every 4-5h. The problem is that they complain about the taste, :)

Hi Debby - It is turmeric you want to look into taking. Put a 1/2 teaspoon in your coffee, along with a tablespoon of Organic Virgin Coconut oil every day, and you will be boil free in less than ten days. I was amazed. Some people say that adding some hot pepper to it makes it work even better, but I never did. It is an aquired taste, so you may want to work your way up to it at half dose to begin. Best to you, Carly :)

Hi I was wondering I have had recurring boils for over a year and seems like nothing helps. The antibiotics the doctor gives helps get rid of it but I don't want to go every time I have one I would be going to the doctor every month. But I heard that garlic was a strong antibiotic and I've been taking the pills that says on the front of the bottle 1000mg and been taking 4 soft gels a day for 3 months but I'm still getting the boils so what am I doing wrong ? Do I need to be buying the fresh garlic instead.... Please I need help with problem it's so tiring getting these boils all the time.

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

When we feel a cold coming on or get a cold my husband and I mince a clove of garlic in water and then chug it down at least twice a day. We find this to be a powerful way to lose the cold. We now grow 150 garlic plants each year just for the two of us! You won't get garlic breath chugging it this way. I have heard that others blend garlic in water and chug.... That would work too.

Hi Izzy, I had the same problems, now either I make a cup of miso, put the garlic through the garlic press and add together with some parsley, coriander or chives which I quite like or else I mix it with my food before I start eating.

What is the best way to take it? I tried chewing it but dear gawd it burn like hell, so I was thinking about just chopping it up and letting it sit so that the good stuff has time to form then just mixing it with either honey or olive oil and swallowing it like a pill! Any suggestions?

Can I give my 7 month old grandson garlic soup? Nothing works what the doctor has given me for my grandson.. Prescripton drugs don't work for my grandson Ethan.