The Smelly Medicine - Garlic

Yes, it’s a smelly one, but you cannot deny the health benefits of garlic: lowering cholesterol and blood sugar, prevention of gynecological disorders. Smells strong, but works great.

Here at Phanganist HQ, we all (luckily) love our garlic and eat it everyday without fail.

Studies have shown that garlic can cure the body internally and externally so that today it is incorporated into quite a few medications.

The basic ingredient of garlic which gives it its medical properties is allicin - a phytochemical that is created only after dismantling and crushing garlic cloves. This material also keeps the garlic itself free from bacteria, insects and other real invaders. With the formation of allicin, the compound dissolves and is absorbed into the other components that are also oxidation inhibitors and anti-toxins. Intensity of these properties change under the following conditions: heating, drying, or the level of freshness of garlic.

Garlic's medicinal properties

The list is long and based on many studies with results to match.

Reduces the probability of  heart disease, stroke, heart disorders and lowers bad cholesterol (LDL), prevents hardening of the arteries and lowers blood pressure.

Parasitic and viral infections, serves as a natural antibiotic against bacteria, intestinal worms, acne and visual disturbances originating from internal infections, viruses and colds. Cases of rheumatism and arthritis.

Reduces the probability of cancer diseases by prevention and destruction of cancer cells.

Fungal infections: garlic is excellent for dealing with fungal infection such as candidiasis

Stings and bites: less likely to be stung by insects and mosquitoes. Eating garlic provides antiseptic capability.

Reduces the probability of renal kidney disorders, can dissolve kidney stones.

Breathing: gets rid of phlegm, expectorant and excellent cure of diseases of the respiratory tube, hoarseness and persistent cough.

Diabetes: lowers blood sugar

Prevention of gynecological disorders, relieves menstrual cramps.

Using garlic oil can cure vaginal infections and genital warts.

How do you avoid the effect of the smell of garlic
You can reduce the level of the odour from eating garlic by using methods such as oral hygienic water spray or mouthwash, brushing and cleaning teeth using floss and brushing the tongue.

Other methods for reducing odor - Chewing parsley, mint, fennel, dill, cloves or fresh orange. This paste can relieve the unpleasant smell of garlic.

It seems that the best solution to the smell of garlic is to make sure you are surrounded by friends, who are eaters of garlic too!

If it comes to eating garlic for seasoning needs of food then it depends on your taste. But if it comes to eating in order to obtain medicinal properties you should eat according to the following rules:

Do not eat garlic alone to prevent gastrointestinal disorders.

The amount of garlic needed to achieve the goals mentioned above is a function of the dimensions of the body. It ranges from a single clove of garlic in half a day.

Mash the garlic close to the time of eating it. The active substance that gives garlic its existing properties are destroyed within the hour of pounding.

Combining crushed garlic with spreads such as hummus, tahini, eggplant pate or liver can be a pretty good solution.

In conclusion: Do not let the smell and taste deter you

If garlic was the result of scientific studies, it was certainly a historic milestone, it would have received huge media coverage and demand. But is did not. Garlic was and still is a common spice, beginning from the time of ancient Egyptians. The price is cheap, is always available and has a long shelf life, so there's no excuse not to put it in our daily menu.

But it has a dominant taste, and even more than that - it smells. The taste and smell of garlic is robust but it also indicates the level of its healing powers. So, try to find a middle way which suits you to best integrate garlic to suit your taste and shall not constitute you limiting your social life.

And finally, the final tip - try to avoid eating garlic before important meetings.