Garlic's Nutrients & Antifungal Activity

Garlic is in the same species including well-known edible plants such as onion, chives, leek, and shallot.

The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese, Indians and Romans all advocated the therapeutic value of garlic in the treatment of ailments ranging from eye disorders, sore throats and headaches to old age. It was even know as an aphrodisiac.

More recently, garlic was used in the First and Second World War both as an oral medicine to treat battleground infections and as a wound dressing. It was a great success in both applications.

Modern medicine is now investigating garlic's traditional properties and, surprisingly, several of them are standing up to scientific scrutiny. Clinical ecologists are particularly interested in it as an antifungal, detoxifier and immune-system regulator.

Garlic is also very effective in treating lung disorders, i.e. coughs, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc., by drinking 4 to 5 cups of garlic tea per day. See our post on Garlic Tea.

Antibiotic Activity Louis Pasteur commented on the bactericidal (bacteria – killing) effect of fresh garlic juice when dropped onto growing bacterial colonies. Over the years studies have shown that fresh garlic juice inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus (wound infection), Brucella (brucellosis), Salmonella (Typhoid) and several other bacteria. The action was comparable in vitro (in the laboratory) with that of several antibiotics including penicillin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline and erythromycin.

To treat babies or small children with garlic, rub raw crushed garlic into their feet.