Benefits of Medicinal Herbs - Garlic

By: Sharon L. Secor

Garlic
Garlic, according to researchers, is a natural antibiotic. Researchers have also determined that garlic has antiviral and antifungal properties. Clinical trials have found it to be effective in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Indeed, according to the National Cancer Institute, a part of the US National Institutes of Health, 28 studies have found that garlic was useful in the prevention of cancer, especially prostate and stomach cancers. It is useful against colds and flu. Researchers are studying its effects upon the most serious of viral diseases.

Like any medicine, however, garlic can interact with other medications, including anticoagulants, platelet-inhibiting drugs and skeletal muscle relaxants. Some researchers believe that it may interact badly with some drugs used to treat HIV. Always do your research.

Garlic is best used raw, the cloves chewed-to release those beneficial qualities--and swallowed. If that is too strong of an experience, make cuts on it, then swallow. It can be sliced and placed directly on a wound or insect bite. Homemade Garlic bread or Butter, cream & garlic reduction sauce simmered with prawns, spring onion and parsley would be very nice for dinner.

Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 loaf unsliced French bread