Aka: Stinking Rose, Allium Sativum

Garlic is a member of the Liliaceae family and is a close relative of the onion, shallot, chive and leek. The garlic has been cultivated so long that experts have a difficult time tracing its country of origin. The bulb of the plant, which is divided into fleshy cloves is the part that is most widely used for culinary purposes, but the whole plant with the exception of the dry and papery clove skin is considered edible. It is grown throughout the world, and in many different climates and is  one of the main addictives to many different dishes.

Garlic is a natural antibiotic and is useful in treating everything from allergies to tonsillitis. Garlic contains many sulfur compounds which detoxify the body, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure and improve circulation. Garlic has also demonstrated anti-cancer, antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant effects.

Uses

• Lowers blood pressure and LDL Cholesterol
• Prevents atherosclerotic buildup
• Lowers or helps to regulate blood sugar
• Helps to prevent blood clots from forming, thus reducing the possibility of strokes and thromboses
• Removes heavy metals such as lead and mercury from the body
• Relief from rheumatism
• Protects against heart disease and strokes
• Wounds, ulcers, skin infections, flu, athlete's foot, some viruses, strep, respiratory ailments, swine flu, blood thinning, cancer of the stomach, colic, colds, kidney problems, bladder problems and worms
• Helps to prevent cancer, especially of the digestive system, prevents certain tumors from growing larger and may reduce the size of certain tumors in some cases
• Dramatically reduces yeast infections due to Candida species

Garlic is said to be a strong antioxidant with the ability to fight off many common ailments such as the cold and flu. It is also being studied for its purported ability to inhibit cancer tumor growth in cases of stomach, skin and colon cancer. As a long term dietary supplement, garlic is said to have many long term benefits, including regulating blood circulation and blood sugar, reducing fat levels in the blood, and helping the body resist infection. Supplementing with garlic can also help support the action of conventional side effects as well as counteract their side effects.

Nicknamed the 'wonder drug among all herbs' garlic has the ability to directly confront and attack bacteria and viruses and stimulate the body's own natural defenses against foreign invaders. Garlic is said to be more powerful than penicillin when it comes to fighting typhus and it also works well in fighting other bacteria including strep, staph, cholera, dysentery and enteritis. It has also seen use as a treatment for upper respiratory infections, late-onset diabetes, urinary infections, acne, asthma, sinusitis, arthritis and ulcers. It is also good for fevers and helps fight fungal infections like athlete's foot. On top of that it will also keep away any vampires that you might run into.

Garlic can be used raw, dried, processed into pill or tablet form, or roasted.

Side effects

Too much garlic may cause gastrointestinal symptoms due to changes to the flora in the intestine. Garlic may also give you halitosis (stinky garlic breath) and taking a lot may cause the smell to leak out all of your pores. To void garlic breath, garlic tabs and pills are suggested.
Garlic can irritate the digestive tracts of very young children and some sources don't recommend garlic for breastfeeding mothers. In addition, some individuals are allergic to garlic

Drug Interactions

Antiplatelet medications: Garlic may exaggerate the activity of medications that inhibit the action of platelets in the body. Examples of such medications include indomethacin, dipyridamole and aspirin.

Blood-thinning medications: There have been reports of a possible interaction between garlic and warfarin that could increase the risk of bleeding in people taking this blood thinning medication. Therefore, when taking medications that may thin the blood, such as aspirin and warfarin, you should refrain from consuming large quantities of garlic, either fresh or commercially prepared.

Diabetes medications: When used with a class of medications for diabetes called sulfonylureas, garlic may lower blood sugar considerably. Medications from this class include chlorpropamide, glimepiride and glyburide. When using garlic with these medications, blood sugars must be followed closely.

Protease inhibitors: Garlic may reduce blood levels of protease inhibitors, a medication used to treat people with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), including indinavir, ritinavir and saquinavir.

Other: It is thought that garlic may behave similarly to a class of cholesterol lowering medications called statins (such as atorvastatin, pravastatin and lovastatin) and to a class of blood pressure lowering medications called ACE inhibitors (including enalapril, captopril and lisinopril). It is not known, therefore, whether it is safe to take this supplement in large quantities with these medications or not. This possible interaction has never been tested in scientific studies.

Allergies The antiviral properties of garlic can help the body fight off invading allergens. Start taking one garlic tablet a day two to three weeks before allergy season begins.

Coughs The bacteria fighting properties of garlic make it a great treatment for coughs as well as other throat irritations. Some research also indicates that garlic may help reduce the severity of upper respiratory infections.

Diabetes Garlic may help regulate blood sugar levels, thereby increasing the release of insulin in diabetics. Supplementing one capsule or tablet of garlic everyday can help diabetic keep their blood sugar under control.

High Blood Pressure In clinical studies, people who took a 600-900 mg garlic capsule once a day for five months  ended up effectively lowering their blood pressure on par with other patients taking the more traditional blood pressure prescription drugs.     

High cholesterol Taking 600 to 900 mg of garlic a day may also lower your cholesterol levels and reduce arterial plaque formation by 5 to 18%.

Toothaches Besides being antibacterial, garlic is also a natural analgesic and pain reliever that can help ease an aching tooth.  Apply some garlic oil or a piece of crushed clove directly onto the afflicted tooth and gum for instant relief.  

Wart The infection and bacteria fighting capabilities of garlic make it an effective cure for warts and other problems. Simply take a fresh clove of garlic, cut off its tip and then run the exposed area diresctly on the wart for a few seconds. Do this each night before bed  until the wart disappears.