Health Improvement
Garlic is a common seasoning in cuisines around the world. Far from simply enhancing the taste of a vast variety of dishes, garlic also provides several powerful health benefits. In this era of stress and illness, wise people are using the power of garlic to boost health and prevent disease.
The use of garlic to improve health dates back thousands of years. For example, Julius Caesar once ordered his soldiers to consume garlic to boost their immunity against rampant diseases when he was on expedition in Europe and Africa. As a result, his soldiers had better outcomes in the midst of deadly diseases compared to enemy forces.
What is allicin and what does it do？
Garlic contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help defend against diseases and poisonous insect bites. According to The Herbalist’s Manual, garlic has many functions; it can nourish the spleen and stomach, unblock the internal organs, promote orifice-opening, remove coldness and dampness, relieve heat exhaustion from hot weather, fight diseases, disperse swelling, aid digestion, and eliminate the poison of snakes and insects.
Garlic contains allicin, a very powerful antioxidant scientifically proven to enhance immunity, kill bacteria, delay aging, defend against cancer, and more. Other qualities of allicin are as follows：
- Prevent and relieve symptoms of influenza and upper respiratory infections and other related diseases by promoting an overall strengthening of the body.
- Garlic helps lower blood pressure, and its antithrombotic properties also help prevent arteriosclerosis.
- According to scientific studies, garlic can also significantly inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and promote the apoptosis of cancer cells.
The best way to consume garlic
First of all, one needs to consume a certain quantity of garlic to achieve the intended effects. If one eats too little, the benefits may not be apparent. Secondly, garlic is best eaten raw; cooking it reduces the health benefits. However, raw garlic must be consumed in moderation, as it may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. It is recommended that garlic be chopped up and mixed with other foods to reduce irritation.
People in Northern China usually mash or chop their garlic, then add vinegar, soy sauce or salt and mix it with cucumbers or other green vegetables; this helps to eliminate the irritation of garlic on the digestive tract while also increasing absorption.
Now is the time to add more garlic to your diet. For more tips on health preservation, follow Grandmaster JinBodhi’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.