Healing herbs in Ayurveda – Garlic
Garlic is a very popular herb which is often used for its flavouring properties in food preparations and as a wonder drug to treat an array of ills.Benefits
A proven broad spectrum antibiotic that combats bacteria, intestinal parasites and viruses. [In high doses its reported to have cured encephalitis] Lowers Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and Triglycerides while increasing HDL cholesterol. [The sulphur containing compounds in garlic -alliin and allicin – are believed to be responsible for altering cholesterol production by the liver.] An anticoagulant to prevent thrombotic events, including stroke and myocardial infarction. [Garlic has fibrinolytic activity, inhibits platelet aggregation and reduce blood viscosity.] Reported to lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients Reduces blood sugar level by increasing the release of insulin or enhancing the response to insulin. Contains multiple anti-cancer compounds and antioxidants and tops the American National Cancer Institutes list as a potential cancer preventive food. [Aged garlic extract is supposed to improve this benefit] A good cold medication. Acts as a decongestant, expectorant, antispasmodic, anti inflammatory agent. In addition to the above, Garlic has been used in Ayurveda for a wide range of illnesses either alone or in combination with other herbs.A few simple garlic remedies
Loss of appetite: 3 – 4 cloves of garlic to be boiled in a cup of water and taken with juice of half a lemon twice daily. Arthritis: Garlic 10 cloves cooked in milk and taken internally daily is found very effective in various types of arthritis, to reduce inflammation and pain. In severe cases like intense back pain, external application of garlic oil prepared by slow frying ten cloves in 60 ml of sesame or mustard or coconut oil till it turns brown, is advised to relieve localised pain and inflammation. Asthma: 10 garlic cloves boiled in 30 ml of milk taken daily is very effective in early stages of asthma. Common cold: Garlic soup made with few cloves of garlic and onion is effective in treating cold. Cough: Juices of garlic and onion 1tsp each with equal amount of honey, kept to stand for 3 – 4 hours makes a good cough remedy, to be taken several times till cough subsides. Acne : Pimples are rubbed with raw garlic a few times a day. And 3 cloves of garlic is taken internally once a day for one month to clear acne from within. Sexual debility and impotence: 3 – 4 cloves of garlic lightly fried in oil to be chewed daily Toothache : A clove of garlic crushed with a pinch of rock salt to be placed on the affected tooth. Relieves pain and in some cases cures it. Source: Dr.Jayaprakash
